Graduate Diploma Fashion Management

PLEASE NOTE: This course will run at Level 6, which is equivalent to the final year of a BA Honours degree, and is a preparatory course for students who want to study at postgraduate level, but currently need further knowledge and skills before being eligible for postgraduate study.

A one-year conversion course for students who have a 2.1 or higher first degree in an area unrelated to fashion management, this course will enable students who come from different paths of study to progress onto fashion management postgraduate courses or enter employment.


Content

The international student body on the Graduate Diploma Fashion Management, reflects the internationalisation of the fashion industry. Students are encouraged to draw on their own experience to develop a global understanding of the relevant dynamics affecting the fashion industry.

Drawing on the field of International Business, Marketing, Operations Management and Creative Management, this inter-disciplinary course will cover a wide range of topics, including the establishment of the fashion industry, its internationalisation drivers, product development and product life cycles, fashion forecasting, fashion marketing and marketing communications with a specific focus on social media, consumer behaviour and fashion branding.

This provides students with a rich and stimulating learning experience from which to progress, culminating in a final project that is self-negotiated and relevant to their future aspirations. Many students progress onto MA study while others move into employment, defining and establishing their roles within the sector including positions in PR, marketing, management and product development.


Structure

Fashion Research in Context

The emphasis of this unit is on developing your ability to engage in independent academic research that will underpin your practice. You will develop your critical thinking and academic writing skills in preparation for Master’s level study. You will be introduced to a range of theoretical models and perspectives as relevant to your course. You will extend your knowledge of research methodologies and techniques and apply them in the development of a written assignment. Through this unit you have the opportunity to enrich your own understanding by engaging in debates and exchanging ideas with peers.

The introductory units Fashion Business Environment and Creative Fashion Management will provide a variety of specialist knowledge required as a solid base for study. The second term will build on that knowledge with Fashion Marketing Management. The Fashion Business Project unit will enable you to specialise in your own interests and to research a self-selected topic from three subject areas of management.

Fashion Business Environment (20 credits) will consider strategies and concepts for different types of business from small and medium enterprises to large corporations. Creative Fashion Management (20 credits) looks at key requirements such as innovation, creativity and new product development. A more specialist in depth approach to Fashion Marketing Management (20 credits) will explore branding and marketing communication theories and practices.

The final term offers you the opportunity to specialise in one of three areas of expertise, retailing, marketing and creative management for the final Fashion Business Project (40 credits). This unit enables you to follow your own specific interests and create a project title of your choice with the support and approval of the Course Director.

It is foreseen that students will work on live project briefs from the industry. LCF works with professional partners from the fashion industry who have sponsored or provided monetary prizes and work experience for fashion management students. Companies include Asprey, Oasis and Marks and Spencer.


Travelling across London

The renowned London College of Fashion library is at our John Prince’s Street site, and you will need to travel to this site, and possibly others, during your course to use the library, which is open seven days a week in term time, and for tuition and special events.


Course structure

The information outlined is an indicative structure of the course. Whilst we will aim to deliver the course as described on this page, there may be situations where it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, for example because of regulatory requirements or operational efficiencies, before or after enrolment. If this occurs, we will communicate all major changes to all applicants and students who have either applied or enrolled on the course.

Please note that due to staff research agreements or availability, not all of the optional modules listed may be available every year.
In addition, the provision of course options which depend upon the availability of specialist teaching, or on a placement at another institution, cannot be guaranteed. Please check this element of the course with the course team before making a decision to apply.