Fashion Product Development

About the course

This course will introduce you to the global context of the fashion market. It responds directly to the needs of the fashion and retail industries by offering a comprehensive programme in product development, from materials technology, through to fabric design and construction, sourcing, quality management and marketing, thereby maximising your employment prospects after graduation.

What you will learn

The focus of the course is on developing an in-depth understanding of the supply chain for fashion products. You will learn about the fashion industry, fashion forecasting, range planning and buying, developing product specifications, textile materials and manufacture, product evaluation, fashion marketing and fashion retailing.

Special features

• Our aim is to make this programme as practical as possible, to enhance your employment prospects after graduation.

• On this course, you will benefit from external visits in order to broaden your outlook on the fashion industry. Such visits include trips to external conferences and workshops for fashion students, visits to museums, visits to manufacturing companies and visits to fashion-related exhibitions and trade shows.

• The course also includes an optional work placement module. This placement may be of any duration between ten working days to a full year. The module is formally assessed through a report, workplace assessment and presentation.

• There is a comprehensive programme of visits and field trips throughout the course, including a study tour to Premiere Vision in Paris at Level 2 and a visit to a major international fashion centre (London, Paris, Milan or New York) at Level 3.

Careers and professional development

Typical career paths could include working as a buyer, merchandiser or technologist for a high street fashion retailer, working in retail store management, or working in product development for a company in the fashion supply chain (for instance, a fabric or garment manufacturing company). Companies that have employed our past graduates include Reebok, Umbro, Joe Bloggs, Bhs, Marks & Spencer and Matalan.

Professional recognition

We are seeking recognition by the Textile Institute (the international professional body for the textiles, clothing and footwear industries) for the award of CTextATI (Associateship of the Textile Institute).

Requirements

Entry requirements (typical offer)

240 UCAS points from at least two A2-levels (or equivalent) in any subjects.

We also welcome applications from students studying a whole range of other qualifications, for instance, BTEC Nationals, Advanced Diploma or Progression Diploma, AVCEs, Access to Higher Education Diploma, Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design), International Baccalaureate, Welsh Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers or Irish Leaving Certificates. If your qualification isn't part of the UCAS tariff please get in touch with us.

Applicants should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent) in any subjects.

Mode of attendance: Full-time