program description

this versatile and dynamic course, with its emphasis on buying, business and marketing, will prepare students for a range of careers in the fast-paced fashion industry.

fashion buying requires both strong commercial understanding as well as theoretical knowledge. after looking at the roles and responsibilities of buyers – from design concept to point of sale – students will focus on the business side of fashion, building their knowledge of planning, branding, public relations/communications and social media platforms.

students will study computer-aided design (cad) to ensure that their design and marketing concepts can be presented and communicated in a professional, and industry-recognised, style. students also cover report writing, data selection, presentation and critical analysis.

dmu is ranked in the top 10 for fashion and textiles in the uk, according to the guardian university guide 2020 and dmu was named best in learning experience in 2019 by the business of fashion, the internationally renowned website which assesses the world’s top programmes. 

key features

• work on live projects with industry partners to learn from buying, marketing and creative experts.
• learn how to analyse consumer behaviour in order to develop targeted marketing and promotional campaigns for retailers.
• enhance career prospects by choosing a year-long placement. students have worked at next, urban outfitters, mamas & papas, joules, yours clothing and o’neill.
• graduates have gone onto work at companies including reiss, next, marks & spencer, river island and selfridges, while others have started their own successful companies.
• 100% of fashion buying graduates from summer 2017 are in work or further study after graduating (destinations of leavers from higher education (dlhe) 2016-17).
• develop cad skills to enhance fashion industry prospects.
• take part in the international experience programme, dmu global. students have benefited from trips to porto, antwerp, amsterdam, hong kong and new york, meeting key influencers at top fashion brands.
• utilise an award-winning workshop and design space – the vijay patel building – containing specialist facilities to foster fresh ideas and creativity.