Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Buying with Product Development (Honours) (with placement year)

This programme is aimed at students who are interested in a career in the fashion industry, in particular in a buying or product development role, where technical strengths and strategies are valued.

This course was created in response to industry demand for graduates with technical expertise in the clothing industry. Students will develop a sound knowledge of product realisation in DMU's practical and theoretical sessions.

Students learn about textile materials, production, garment ‘fitness for purpose’, the life cycle of a product from concept stage through to delivery to the shop floor, and key aspects of trading. They also ave the the opportunity to work on live projects with industry insiders and to hear from expert visiting lecturers.

Students will cover broad career options that include design, buying, merchandising, garment technology, product development, sourcing, and marketing.

DMU is ranked in the Top 10 for Fashion and Textiles in the UK, according to The Guardian University Guide 2020 and DMU was named best in learning experience in 2019 by The Business of Fashion, the internationally renowned website which assesses the world’s top programmes.

Key features

• Gain the fundamental skills you’ll need in the fashion and buying industry – with the option to specialise in product development, and to learn a language from year two.
• Students learn directly from fashion industry experts – work alongside them and discuss their own ideas.
• Gain valuable knowledge of the research and development process, from market analysis, design, pattern cutting and manufacture, to assessing fit and garment success.
• Learn about the latest technical advances affecting product development, and gain confidence with specifications, sourcing decisions and planning.
• Choose to take a one-year industry placement within or outside the UK. Fashion Buying with Product Development students have experienced life at Tommy Hilfiger, O'Neill, Marks & Spencer, Next, George, Joules, G-Star Raw, River Island, The Global Brands Group, and at supply bases. Many have gone on to work for these international brands and suppliers.
• 100% of Fashion Buying graduates from summer 2017 are in work or further study after graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) 2016-17).
• Study in the award-winning Vijay Patel Building where our well-equipped design workshops and photography studios enable you to explore your design potential while making and testing products.

• Minimum Level of Education Required: 1-Year Post-Secondary Certificate
• Min GPA: 60.0%
• English Proficiency Requirements:
  For direct admission, applicant must be from an English speaking country or meet either of the following English test scores:
  • Min TOEFL iBT: 60 (Min Listening: 7.0, Min Reading: 8.0, Min Speaking: 16.0, Min Writing: 18.0)
  • Min IELTS overall: 6 (Min Listening: 5.5, Min Reading: 5.5, Min Speaking: 5.5, Min Writing: 5.5)
  • Min PTE overall: 50
  Applicants interested in applying for direct admission, but are yet to complete an acceptable language test, can do so, but must provide valid results before receiving a final offer letter.
  For conditional admission, you are required to provide English proficiency scores:
  • Min TOEFL iBT: 32 (Min Listening: 2, Min Reading: 2, Min Speaking: 11, Min Writing: 11)
  • Min IELTS overall: 4.5 (Min Listening: 4, Min Reading: 4, Min Speaking: 4, Min Writing: 4)
  • Min PTE overall: 29