Funding
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money Matters
Fashion Buying and Merchandising requires strong commercial and analytical foundations as the roles are key to the success of any fashion business. This course is designed to provide students with an appreciation of the fashion drivers needed to become a buyer and merchandiser in this complex, challenging retail world.
The BSc (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising course provides students with a thorough understanding of all aspects of the global circular supply chain. This includes digital innovations, digital assets and virtual fashion, which are all key aspects of the future of the fashion industry.
The breadth of knowledge gained from this course also includes product innovation, market analysis and business analytics with the essential skills needed to not only secure ...
3 years full time
4 years full time with placement / overseas study
On this course, you will develop your understanding of the strategic communications and decisions involved in the development of product, specific to the role of the Buyer and the Merchandiser and the wider business environment. You will gain knowledge of financial, commercial and creative IT systems, in order to increase the efficiency of the product lifecycle management.
You will gain a broad perspective of the challenges and rewards of building profitable ranges, whilst developing strong critical and contextual skills within your research. As the industry’s decision makers of the future, you will critically evaluate the wider global issues of the supply chain, ethical trading and sustainability as well as exploring the contemporary issues of ethical sourcing decisions and automation in the manufacturing process.
Through each year of study, you will explore buying and merchandising from the principles in Year 1, exploring the strategy and innovation in Year 2 and realising your knowledge in your final year with research, a new enterprise or project. You will have the chance to enhance your learning through real-world educational experiences, such as live projects and events.
The Textile Institute
Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027
Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
Full-time fee: £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval). Fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% per academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Inflationary increases will be calculated by reference to RPIx (RPIx is a measure of inflation in the UK). Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.
Full-time fee: £20,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated masters 480 credits. For courses that offer a placement year option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,907 (subject to Parliamentary approval). For courses that offer a study year abroad option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,430 (subject to Parliamentary approval). Placement Year fees and study abroad fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% each academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Inflationary increases will be calculated by reference to RPIx (RPIx is a measure of inflation in the UK). Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.
Students on the programme will be expected to pay for printing and binding for some assignments.
Laptop:
Students may also choose to purchase a laptop. Laptops are used in class across all years of the programme. The university has computer facilities across the campus, however for study off-campus a laptop may prove useful.
Trips:
Students have the option of a choice of national or international study trips during their study. Trips are tailored to support the learning on the programme. Costings are sourced from university-approved travel agents and are outlined to students upon briefing of the trips. Costs vary in-line with the current market and student numbers. Costs vary between countries and areas, however we will provide students an indication of destinations and costs well ahead of time. Examples of trips recent trips include Europe in year one, Munich for year two and Vietnam for year three students. Optional Trips: approximate costs year one £500, year two £900, year three £1200
International Exchange:
Students also have the opportunity of collaborations and studying within partner international educational institutions for a period of time in year two.
Costs vary hugely between countries and areas, so it is very important to research costs well ahead of time and budget accurately. Students are supported by an International team. International funding may be available to apply for, dependent on country and international policy / governmental agreements in place at the time.
Placement Year and Placement Year with Overseas Study Costs
Students may take an optional UK based or overseas internships as part of the placement year after year two. Students are encouraged and supported to obtain paid placements. Costs vary between countries and areas, so it is very important to research costs well ahead of time and budget accurately. Students are supported by an International team if accepting positions overseas. International funding may be available to apply for, dependent on country and international policy / governmental agreements in place at the time. Additional costs for travel /relocation, accommodation and subsidies to salary may be required depending on position, salary offer, duration and location.
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersFashion Buying and Merchandising at Manchester Met has a strong reputation for producing industry ready, professionals and highly capable fashion business experts.
Successful graduates have taken up roles within fashion trading retail head offices and importers, and often return to the company where they undertook their placement, working in areas such as fashion forecasting, buying, merchandising, product development and sourcing.
Previous graduates have gone on to a wide range of careers in companies such as River Island, Next, Ralph Lauren, Topshop, Abercrombie and Fitch, Reebok, ASOS, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, boohoo and many more companies in the UK and internationally.
You can apply for the full-time option of this course through UCAS.
UCAS code(s)N590
Institution code: M40
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.