COURSE CURRICULUM

In Year 1 of this fashion program, students are introduced to key principles that form the foundation of fashion business and design. The Fashion Consumer and Marketplace module explores commercial awareness, the buying function, and the retail experience, including physical stores, e-commerce, and future trends. It also covers fashion roles, fabric identification, construction methods, and the basics of using Excel spreadsheets. In the Fashion Business module, students learn about fashion business innovation, marketing, merchandising, and strategy, and gain hands-on experience with Microsoft Excel to develop range plans. The Fashion Lifecycle module covers the buying process, from trend prediction and product development to sustainable sourcing and sales analysis. Students use Adobe Creative Suite to develop digital portfolios and become proficient in CAD. The Sustainable Futures module focuses on personal reflection, professionalism, and understanding sustainable and ethical practices, supported by theoretical studies and research methods.Year 2 builds on this foundation with a deeper dive into buying, sourcing, and sustainable design. The Buying and Professional Practice module examines the entire buying process, from trend prediction to sustainable sourcing and product development. Students again use Adobe Creative Suite and CAD to develop digital portfolios. The Design Innovation and Sustainable Futures module teaches sustainable design principles and the circular economy, while exploring the balance between cost and sustainability. The Introduction to Global Sourcing Skills module prepares students for the complexities of fashion buying on a global scale, including costings, negotiations, fabric testing, garment production, and supplier management. The Fashion Merchandising module covers stock planning, management, and retail math, and teaches students to read key reports and analyze data using Excel.In the final year, students focus on sustainable sourcing and strategic merchandising. The Sustainable Sourcing and Supply Management module examines global supply issues and sustainability, with a focus on textile products and supply chains. Students evaluate factors such as country-of-origin and quality management. The Strategic Fashion Merchandising module enhances technical skills in merchandising and strategic thinking, with a focus on budget planning, option planning, and supplier strategy. Excel is used to manipulate data and prepare planning documents. The Major Research Project allows students to conduct independent research, offering three options: a dissertation, an entrepreneurial project, or a work-based project. The project emphasizes critical thinking and the ability to propose well-justified solutions to real-world challenges.