Fashion Marketing, BA, University of Leeds

Course content

Year 1 will introduce you to the fashion industry, the marketplace and the processes involved in marketing apparel from concept to consumer. You'll look at everything from design and materials to supply chains, as well as modules covering the key principles of marketing, research and consumer behaviour. Core modules will explore the historical, cultural and technological aspects of art and design to get a clearer sense of how consumer taste evolves.

You'll build on your knowledge and skills in the following year, working with professional standards and developing your knowledge of fashion promotions, including branding and communications. With a focus on advertising and public relations, you'll discover trend and colour forecasting and work on written and visual communications.

In your final year, your major project will allow you to plan and execute your own marketing strategy, identifying future trends and developing ideas for new products, branding and promotional campaigns. Beyond this, you'll have the chance to appreciate issues such as sustainability and brand identity, as well as working collaboratively with colleagues. An individual research project and dissertation will also give you an opportunity to apply the research and creative skills you have gained.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Entry requirements, fees and applying

  Entry requirements

  A-level: ABB including an art or design-related subject and not including General Studies or Critical Thinking.

  If you don't have an art or design-related subject but you are taking Media Studies A-level, we may also consider your application if you can explain how your media studies is related to some area of fashion marketing. If you're taking Business Studies, we may consider your application if you have GCSE or equivalent in Art or Design at a high grade and/or display a creative aptitude in your UCAS application.

  • Career opportunities

    This degree is unique and will equip you with a range of specialist skills. You'll have the chance to develop trend forecasting skills as well as consumer and commercial awareness. If you choose to spend a year in industry, you'll also gain valuable work experience. Students from the programme have found exciting and diverse roles in companies such as French Connection, L'Oréal, JW Anderson, Donna Karan to name but a few.

    However, it also cuts across different disciplines and has the academic grounding that a Leeds degree offers you. That means you'll also be able to develop valuable transferable skills such as business acumen, research, critical and analytical thinking, creative problem-solving, communication, cultural sensitivity, professionalism and planning and organising - all of which are highly desirable to a variety of employers.

    As a result you could work in fashion production and manufacturing as a buyer or new product developer, or in retail as a visual merchandiser. You could work as a fashion marketer, directing strategy and identifying opportunities for brand development. You could also go into the media in roles such as fashion stylist, fashion writer or journalist, or pursue a career in PR.

    Careers support

    We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

    Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

    The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

  • Study abroad and work placements

    Study abroad

    On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 400 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

    Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

    The industrial placement is particularly popular with School of Design students - it's great for your personal and professional development. Some students have even been offered permanent roles at their placement companies.

    You could work in a range of roles, such as PR, buying, merchandising, product development, trend forecasting and advertising.

    Placements have included:

    Read more about the Year in Industry