• Undergraduate

Fashion Industry: Buying and Management with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Overview

Overview

Why study at UWL? 
  • In the top 30% of universities nationwide - The Guardian University Guide 2024
  • University of the Year for Social Inclusion - Daily Mail University Guide 2024
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
  • Number 1 London university (non-specialist) - National Student Survey 2023**
Why study this course?

This is a one-year foundation course after which you will study for a three-year degree. You will be able to choose any of the BA courses that we run in the London School of Film, Media and Design.

After a year spent building your skills in good academic practices and research while experiencing all the aspects of student life, you will be ready to progress seamlessly to your chosen degree.

Our foundation year course is particularly suited to you if:

  • you do not have the relevant qualifications in a media or design subject
  • you are returning to study
  • if English is not your first language and could benefit from a year of practising your verbal and writing skills -  you may also be interested in our English language programmes
  • if you are still deciding on which field of media and design you would like to specialise in.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Fashion Industry: Buying and Management with Foundation Year with us?

Why study Fashion Industry: Buying and Management with Foundation Year with us?

What our students say…

The Foundation Course at UWL gave me the confidence to believe in myself.

Joe Bowring, Broadcast and Digital Journalism

The Foundation Year has been extremely challenging but definitely worth it.

Samantha Cleary-Giegold, Broadcast and Digital Journalism

My Foundation Year at UWL has been such an amazing experience. I learned how to grow my confidence and push myself to achieve. If I could go back I would choose to do a Foundation Year again! 

Andrea Vega Demuru, Advertising and PR
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Why study a Foundation year
Why study a Foundation year 2
Why study a Foundation year 3
Top London University Fashion
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

Why study a Foundation Year? 
A Foundation Year prepares you for study at undergraduate level, it s the first step on your university journey.  The skills and knowledge you acquire will stand you in good stead for your degree studies as well as your entry into the world of work. Over the course of an academic year, you will explore a range of subjects that will underpin your future studies, as well as enjoy full access to university facilities.

What will I study during the Foundation Year? 
You will be supported to help you make the most of the foundation year through:

  • independent study (Personalised Learning module)
  • an introduction to the  various areas of the media and design industry (Creative Sectors module)
  • an understanding of how media and design fit with wider society (Contextual Studies module)
  • introduction to the software used within the industry (Creative Research module)
  • learning good academic practice and discipline (Academic Performance module)
  • creation of a media artefact which reflects your chosen path of study (Major Project module). 

Further details about the modules can be found on the right-hand side of this page.

Through these modules, you come to have a better understanding of the areas within media and design. You will become familiar with techniques that help you to:

  • manage your time and study effectively
  • learn academic, research and presentation skills.

Any other benefits? 
You will have full access to the University of West London's facilities as well as being fully integrated into university life.

This well-established course is taught by an experienced team of lecturers committed to enabling and supporting you to develop your skills and creativity.

Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

  • Fashion Forecasting and Contemporary Culture

    Students will explore fashion history, design and contemporary culture (including cultural theory, music, and key art movements) from a social, political and economic perspective and interpret key factors that impact fashion forecasting and contemporary culture. Students will present their research in innovative written, digital, visual and verbal formats.

  • Fashion Buying: Concept to Consumer

    This module introduces students to the critical path management of own brand or independent merchandise. Students will explore steps taken to measure the quality process of a fashion product with a key understanding of communication with the supply chain. They will learn about the ethical and code of responsibility for fashion product management. With strong analysis of target consumers’ attitude for fashion, students will understand how informed decisions are made for future ranges about colour, shape, style, ratios tops to bottoms.

  • Consumer Behaviour and Trends

    Customer loyalty, the customer/user experience and customer insight are the core of achieving optimum satisfaction and retention. This module gives students an understanding of the contemporary fashion customer’s complex needs and wants, their behaviour as consumers and how this sets their expectations. They will learn how to gain the insight required to understand those needs and map the journey to ultimately improve their experience.

  • Introduction to Fashion Branding and Marketing

    In this module, students will learn about the role of marketing for fashion brands and the key theoretical concepts that underpin the activities of the fashion marketer. They will explore the fashion marketing environment, fashion customer behaviour in the digital age, market research and the strategic marketing planning process. This will include the marketing mix and a tactical planning framework to aid marketing effectiveness.

  • Fashion Business (start up)

Compulsory modules

  • Fashion Range Planning

  • Sourcing and Supply Chain

  • Internship or Industry Mentored Project

    The module aims to develop work-related knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary to complete an internship and to pursue further work opportunities in fields relating to students’ degree programme. The short internship allows students to put into practice, in a professional environment, the skills and knowledge gained through the first two years of their study. They may opt for a mentored industry project instead of an internship.

  • Fashioning The Future

  • Entrepreneurship and Career Development

    This module will introduce students to the personal and professional development of their career choices in the fashion industry. By understanding the different requirements and task of job descriptions, students will look to decipher the terminology and develop confidence in applying for appropriate positions for the preparation for internships in semester two.

Compulsory modules

  • Fashion External Brief

  • External Presentation and Pitch

  • Research Planning

    This module aims to help students develop the ability to perform strategic creative business research by learning to be critical about other researchers’ as well as one’s own work. From there, one will be able to identify a research “gap” and determine the next steps to be taken, which then leads towards a more specific research plan. More than ever, it is essential to then be able to effectively communicate these research outcomes to the research community and the larger community to ensure the appropriate impact.

  • Entrepreneurship Portfolio

    Upon completion of this module, students will be able to develop a personal career plan and design innovative solutions for a professional portfolio presentation and communication. They will be able to engage effectively with the fashion industry and to develop concise and coherent promotional approaches. Students will also be able to critically and reflectively evaluate their own practice and provide evidence, validity and significance to support conclusions. The module culminates in digital portfolio where students will present their best practice from 3 years of undergraduate study.

  • Major Negotiated Project or Dissertation

    MNP is the culmination of the undergraduate experience at UWL. The module provides an exciting opportunity to put classroom learning into practice and allows students to make a lasting contribution to their field of study. Students will work with an assigned supervisor on an individual industry project or dissertation on a topic of their choice. 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

Looking for BA (Hons) Fashion Industry: Buying and Management without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

We take pride in our inclusiveness and the diversity of our student population. We have a vibrant mature student community and look forward to welcoming you.

Looking for BA (Hons) Fashion Industry: Buying and Management without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
5.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the four individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Looking for BA (Hons) Fashion Industry: Buying and Management without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

We take pride in our inclusiveness and the diversity of our student population. We have a vibrant mature student community and look forward to welcoming you.

Looking for BA (Hons) Fashion Industry: Buying and Management without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Additional costs

There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students on a four-year degree with a foundation year have received our Path to Success Scholarship.

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Additional costs

There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Jo is wearing a light blue shirt with the collar open and silver chain necklace. They have blue eyes and short light brown hair. Jo is smiling.

Dr Jo Henderson

Course Leader for Foundation Year courses within the London School of Film, Media and Design.

My teaching experience started with A Level and BTEC in Media and Design since then I have taught at various London institutions at all levels of Higher Education in the field of media, documentary, television and contextual studies. I joined UWL as a full-time staff member in 2016 to establish the successful Foundation course.

Course Leader for Foundation Year courses within the London School of Film, Media and Design.

My teaching experience started with A Level and BTEC in Media and Design since then I have taught at various London institutions at all levels of Higher Education in the field of media, documentary, television and contextual studies. I joined UWL as a full-time staff member in 2016 to establish the successful Foundation course.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A woman standing in front of a desk and rails of clothes

Study Progression: after completing your Foundation Year, you will progress to undergraduate level and can choose to study any of the London School of Film, Media and Design's BA (Hons) courses.

Career Progression: While this degree focuses primarily on fashion buying and management, the skills you develop will be transferable to a number of roles in the fashion business and related fields. You could go on to work in: 

  • PR
  • advertising
  • marketing
  • fashion journalism
  • fashion management and buying

You could also launch your own fashion start-up.

You may decide to specialise in a related area or explore a new subject. Please see our postgraduate courses for a range of options.

How to apply

How to apply

ARTSFEST

A collage of images demonstrating fashion at the University of West London.

Find out more about the work our students produce and view some of their recent work by visiting our Fashion ARTSFEST page.

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.