Skip to main navigationSkip to main content
The University of Southampton
Winchester School of ArtPostgraduate study

Laura Holton MA Fashion Marketing and Branding (2018)

Laura Holton's Photo

Studying at Winchester School of Art has given me the chance to meet students from around the world, learn about different cultures and expand my knowledge through group work and seminars. The course tutors are knowledgeable, dedicated and supportive; they are always there for the students, which is hard to find in some universities.

The tutors make the lectures engaging, while the content builds upon my previous degree giving me further insight which is all contributing to me wanting to work towards a PhD. The other area I really enjoy is the location of the course; although I commute from Southampton I really enjoy my time in Winchester and get the best of both worlds.

The course offers a multitude of opportunities throughout the year, both on and off campus. I’ve had the opportunity to work with local fashion companies Emma Pake and Deborah Campbell Atelier through live briefs, overall improving my confidence and knowledge through critical feedback and industry insights.

As part of Winchester Fashion Week we are running a WSA Fashion Show, which is a cross-pathway collaboration between Fashion Design, Fashion Management, Marketing and Branding and Graphics. You get to take up roles spanning social media, journalism, photography, advertising and sponsorship, backstage, casting and designing. This year our theme is sustainability, so we’re organising several mini-events in the run up to the show to increase exposure.

I’ve also taken on the role of Course Rep, which involves attending meetings throughout the year to communicate the voice of the students, raising any issues and developing resolutions to improve our overall experience at WSA.

I am a member of the Women in Business Society, who not only provide networking events and guest speakers each semester but also look to develop your CV and offer career support. They held an event with business owner Elisha-Jade White, who is a big name in digital media marketing in Southampton, and I found this very useful as I run a freelance business in marketing and branding alongside my studies.

Overall Winchester is a beautiful place to study, not only are the lecture and seminar rooms close to each other, so you never have to rush, but the campus itself is right next to a park which is perfect for taking your mind off of work in spring and summer, plus it is a five-minute walk into town which is lovely all year round. Winchester is at its best when the markets are up Wednesday to Sunday, giving students a break away from studying to enjoy international foods, fresh produce and handmade crafts.

After graduation I plan to do a PhD on consumer behaviours in telemedicine, and continue to build on my freelance business. My interest in telemedicine came about after I was diagnosed with Lupus in the final year of my bachelor’s degree. The illness provided me with a deep insight into everything currently working and failing within healthcare. With the rise of wearable technology, telemedicine is becoming more recognised in the industry, but we currently have limited knowledge on how to market this service.

Share this profile Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share this on Weibo
Privacy Settings