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Fashion Marketing and Branding BA (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): WN25
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
This course focuses on marketing and brand strategy in the fashion and lifestyle industry. Explore how brands become distinctive and desirable, discovering how they identify their unique selling points to position themselves in the market. You’ll then look at how brands communicate with consumers through innovative ideas, strategic delivery and visual communication.
You’ll gain a solid grounding in marketing and branding theory, and you’ll have the opportunity to put this into practice. Learn to use software such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, so you can develop your creative ideas to communicate with and influence consumers.
This course is ideal if you want a career in the global fashion industry, working in a business position rather than a design role. You’ll need to be a strategic thinker, but also be able to demonstrate a creative flair.
You don’t need to have a background in art, design or fashion, or have a creative portfolio to apply for this course.
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You’ll have the opportunity to complete a work experience placement of up to a year in length. Dependent on the duration of your placement, you could gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice. -
Attend guest lectures from industry experts and work on live projects with brands such as Asics, Ben Sherman, Gym Shark, Sunspel, Boots No7 and Lacoste. -
Visit brand headquarters, exhibitions and trade fairs in the UK and Europe to learn about industry practice. You will also enter high-profile competitions with major brands, professional bodies and industry leaders. -
Go on optional study trips to international fashion capitals such as New York, Milan, Paris, and Tokyo. You can also apply for a European or international exchange to one of our partner institutions, such as the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
What you’ll study
Through a combination of academic study and practical skills development, this course prepares you for the fast-moving world of fashion marketing and branding. You will work on live projects with global brands such as Gymshark, Boots No7, Lacoste, Sunspel, Next and Dior, and attend guest lectures from industry experts such as Angelique Green of The Mighty Shed; Anthony Tasgal, author of The Storytelling Book and The Inspiratorium; Geraldine Warry, Futurologist; and Ari Peralta, founder and CEO of Arigami. You will hone your skills in a range of industry-standard software including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
Visual and Cultural Influences
(20 credit points, first half of the year)
Learn about fashion and the trends in our society that influence what, where and how products are marketed and how consumers respond. You will study the significance of fashion and how it has evolved as a system of communication. You’ll look at how interconnected media, such as music, film and photography, as well as wider political, social and cultural factors inform important conversations around current challenges such as sustainability and consumption for brands. You will also develop your understanding of visual communication, building your skills in a range of tools and practices.
Principles of Fashion Marketing and Branding
(80 credit points, full year)
This module introduces you to the principles and theories that underpin the global fashion and lifestyle industry. You will begin to explore the psychological and personal motivations of consumer behaviour, and develop market research skills such as data analytics to explore how brands inform and construct key fundamentals such as brand identity, positioning and value.
Visual and Self Identity
(20 credit points, second half of the year)
You will explore how sub-cultures are represented visually to understand how one signifies an identity from the myriad of influences that exist in the contemporary world. This will inform your own research as you consider the importance of identification from a variety of standpoints. Working collaboratively you will look at the ways we identify ourselves with tribes from an ideological standpoint, in relation to the medium of publications.
Marketing Strategy and Insight
(40 credit points, first half of the year)
This module will simulate industry practice and explore how marketing strategy, which lies at the heart of all key business decisions is translated into actionable insight. Working with brands via a team and individual project you will demonstrate strategic decision-making by understanding competitor analysis, integrated marketing strategies, project and marketing planning and situational analysis to develop creative business solutions.
Brand Environments
(40 credit points, second half of the year)
Option 1: Brand Development and Promotion gives you the opportunity to work in collaboration with another course from NTU to launch and craft a new brand which fuses differing disciplines together.
Option 2: Placement in Professional Practice is a work placement option giving you the chance to apply theory to real-life business situations and evidenced solutions while gaining first-hand experience of the roles and responsibilities within the fashion and lifestyle industry.
CoLab: Research, Exploration and Risk-taking
(20 credit points, second half of the year)
Through active participation with team-based problem solving, you will work together in mixed teams on a project where you will use your creative ideas to generate solutions to the challenge or brief. Your project will allow you to explore how creativity can make an impact in society, as you choose a theme of sustainability, social justice, enterprise and innovation or community. This collaborative learning experience will expose you to a range of new processes and approaches that will develop your creative thinking.
Optional module
You will also choose one 20-credit module from:
- Digital Marketing and Communication
- Buying, Merchandising and Product Fundamentals
- Publishing: Experimental Formats
- Ethical Design
- Motion Graphics
- Exploring Creative Coding
- Introduction to 3D virtual clothing & product design
- Creative Live Event Production
Optional Placement Year
We have an option for all of our students to undertake a placement year and allow you to decide whether this is right for you once you have completed years 1 and 2 of your course. This time spent working in industry provides our students with crucial work experience, which is highly prized and much sought after by employers upon graduation. If you are successful in securing a placement you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration.
Strategic and Creative Solutions
(100 credit points, full year)
This three-part module will see you challenged on your understanding of trends, research, debates and popular opinions as you identify significant trends or shifts in behaviour and their likely future consequences upon the fashion and lifestyle industry. You will then develop your individual research project, which will inform a full body of work in the form of either a focused research paper, a business plan presenting an innovative concept, or the realisation of the concept into functioning prototypes or mock ups.
Project Me
(20 credit points, full year)
Personal and professional development and reflection is embedded through the course. This module combines all your learnings and focuses on developing a career strategy that will take you from graduation into industry or further study. With a focus on understanding the contemporary fashion marketing landscape and transferrable skills, you will consider your own strengths and where your aspirations lie, showcasing your own unique selling points through a digital space.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
How you’re taught
Teaching and learning experiences will include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- workshops
- teamwork
- peer and self-evaluation
- live projects
- presentations
- study visits.
Co Lab
Want real-world experience alongside your degree? Co Lab is your opportunity to work with peers from different disciplines on live projects set by industry partners. Embrace collaborative practice as you explore how creativity can make an impact in society and develop the skills employers want to see in the creative industries.
Assessment
Assessment is predominantly through coursework and attendance. You will be assessed holistically at the end of each module and awarded a grade. You will receive feedback throughout.
Depending on the module, you may be assessed through:
- presentations
- critiques
- team project work
- marketing reports
- visual essays
- a final year project.
20% of your final degree mark will be based on your work in Year 2, and 80% from your work in your final year.
International exchanges and study trips
In Year One you’ll have the opportunity to go to New York, with a visit to Manhattan’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). In Year Two you’ll have the opportunity to visit some of Europe’s major fashion capitals such as Paris, Rome and Milan. In your final year, you could visit an international fashion city such as Tokyo.
This course has exchange agreements with a number of institutions around the world, such as FIT in New York, Amsterdam Fashion Institute, and more. You can apply to go on exchange in Year Two for one semester.
Exchange opportunities
If you’re thinking about studying part of your degree abroad, the course has exchange agreements with a number of institutions around the world, such as the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Amsterdam Fashion Institute, and more.
Exchanges take place in Year Two of the course. You’ll receive guidance from the University about where you can go and study, and help in completing your application and arranging your exchange.
Showcase
You will be given the opportunity to exhibit your work during your time at NTU to members of the creative industries. You may also be selected to showcase at Graduate Fashion Week in London – where many of our previous students have won awards.
Visit our ‘We Are Creatives’ showcase to take a look at the work of this year's graduating students’.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (21%), independent study (79%).
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (21%), independent study (79%).
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (20%), independent study (80%).
Further information
- Learn how to create effective marketing strategies as well as communicate those strategies to consumers.
- Choose your final year project and tailor it to your own career aspirations.
NTU is in the UK’s Top 15 for Art & Design in the Complete University Guide 2023 (Ranked 15th).
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (83%), practical assessments (17%).
- Year 2 coursework (83%), practical assessments (17%).
- Year 3 coursework (83%), practical assessments (17%).
Careers and employability
93.5% of our students are in employment and/or further study within 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2020/21).
Employers value the well-rounded graduates from this course. You’ll have many of the creative and academic skills that are welcomed by the fashion industry; being able to create effective marketing strategies as well as visually communicate those strategies, being flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of the industry.
Graduates often go into fields such as brand management, digital marketing, media planning and PR. Recent graduate destinations and roles include:
- Adidas, brand communication specialist
- ASOS, homepage assistant (menswear)
- BBC, media planner
- Chanel, brand ambassador
- Claire’s Accessories, content marketing assistant
- Firetrap, marketing executive
- Forty49, social media assistant
- Flannels, e-commerce assistant
- GAP Inc. trainee visual merchandiser
- Grazia magazine, media planner
- Harrods, assistant project manager
- Jigsaw UK, brand marketing assistant
- L’Oréal, new media developer
- Michael Kors, marketing assistant
- Marks & Spencer, press admin assistant
- Oasis, marketing assistant
- Paul Smith, PR assistant
- Prism Communications, digital marketing executive
- Unidays, social media officer
- Vivienne Westwood, licensing assistant.
Work placement and internship opportunities
You’ll have the opportunity to complete a nine-week work placement in the second half of Year Two. You’ll be responsible for securing your placement, but you’ll receive advice and support from course tutors and the University’s Employability team.
You’ll also have the opportunity to complete a longer placement, with the chance to gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. Course tutors and our Employability team are on hand to support you in applying for placement and professional practice opportunities.
The course has an established network of industry partners that it works with, and new placement opportunities become available each year.
- ASOS
- Jimmy Choo
- Whistles
- Look magazine
- Diesel
- Christian Dior Parfums.
YouFirst - working with our Employability team
Studying a creative degree in a large university has many benefits, none more so than having access to a large employability team.
Our friendly, experienced careers consultants will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice you won't find in a book or on the internet. You can benefit from this at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course.
Links with industry
The course is committed to offering you experiences that will enhance your understanding of the industry. Live projects and opportunities to visit companies and trade fairs are an important part of this, and together with support from course staff and NTU’s Employability team, they will prepare you well for employment. Students have recently completed live projects with:
- Ben Sherman
- Gymshark
- Asics
- Sunspel
- Boots skincare & Cosmetics brands
- Lacoste.
Recent guest speakers have included;
- Sean Pillot de Chenecey, a marketing consultant, ethnographic researcher and social / cultural expert
- Hywel Davies, Director of Writers Bloc, journalist and fashion writer (Vogue, Wallpaper, Arena, Elle, Sleazenation, Nylon, Tank, The Guardian)
- Dips Patel, Global Business Development, product and marketing director
- LS:N Global, Consumer Insight, Innovations and Trend Forecasting agency
- Els Dragt, Trend Researcher and Author of How to Research Trends
- Anthony Tasgal – Author of "The Storytelling Book" and "The Inspiratorium"
- Geraldine Warry – Futurologist
- Ari Peralta – Founder & CEO of Arigami
Creative Industries Federation
We are members of the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), which means students in the Nottingham School of Art & Design have the opportunity to sign up to free student membership. Creative Industries Federation are an organisation that represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries and membership grants students exclusive access to their selection of resources and events to help advance your career and connect with industry.
What our students are doing now
Fashion Management students host International Women's Day Event
To celebrate International Women’s Day, our Final Year Fashion Management students hosted a community event with inspirational industry experts.
Fashion students attend design brief workshop with iconic Nottingham designer
NTU alumnae becomes first UK winner of Cannes Young PR Lions competition
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the Barnes Wallis building at the heart of the City Campus, with its modern teaching rooms, collaborative working spaces and Mac suite. View our Nottingham School of Art & Design Facilities Hub here.
Entry requirements
120 UCAS Tariff points
What are we looking for?
- 112 - 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent).
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning.
This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those international students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion, and dedication to their studies.
Please take a look at our International students page for information about fees, scholarships for international students, visas and much more.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What's included in the course fees?
The School will cover the costs of any mandatory study trips.
In Final Year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for your Showcase. If you’re selected to showcase your work at Graduate Fashion Week in London, the School will cover the cost of transporting your work and the exhibition stand.
Additional costs
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget a minimum of £50 - £200 in each year to cover printing costs.
Stationery and reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s.
A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.
You should budget £50 - £100 (minimum) per year for stationery and reading materials.
Material costs
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget a minimum of £50 - £150 (Year One), £50 - £150 (Year Two), and £150 - £500 (Final Year) to cover the production costs associated to your course, including things like your final year exhibition.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
If you choose to join optional study trips, you’ll need to budget:
- £950 – optional study trip to New York
- £550 – optional European trip
- £50 – optional trip to an exhibition or trade show in the UK
- £1,700 – optional trip to Tokyo
Placements
During Year Two, you will have the option to undertake a nine-week work experience placement. When considering this option, you should plan to budget for any accommodation, travel and living costs.
If you undertake work experience or a longer placement, you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. The Diploma in Professional Practice incurs a fee for the additional placement year.
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those international students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion, and dedication to their studies.
Please take a look at our International students page for information about fees, scholarships for international students, visas and much more.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What's included in the course fees?
The School will cover the costs of any mandatory study trips.
In Final Year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for your Showcase. If you’re selected to showcase your work at Graduate Fashion Week in London, the School will cover the cost of transporting your work and the exhibition stand.
Additional costs
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget a minimum of £50 - £200 in each year to cover printing costs.
Stationery and reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s.
A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.
You should budget £50 - £100 (minimum) per year for stationery and reading materials.
Material costs
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget a minimum of £50 - £150 (Year One), £50 - £150 (Year Two), and £150 - £500 (Final Year) to cover the production costs associated to your course, including things like your final year exhibition.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
If you choose to join optional study trips, you’ll need to budget:
- £950 – optional study trip to New York
- £550 – optional European trip
- £50 – optional trip to an exhibition or trade show in the UK
- £1,700 – optional trip to Tokyo
Placements
During Year Two, you will have the option to undertake a nine-week work experience placement. When considering this option, you should plan to budget for any accommodation, travel and living costs.
If you undertake work experience or a longer placement, you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. The Diploma in Professional Practice incurs a fee for the additional placement year.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions team or call +44 (0)115 848 4200.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.