Home > Full Time Courses > Foundation Degree in Fashion Retail Management
This course is part of the portfolio of courses in the School of Management and Science at the London College of Fashion, and the University of the Arts, London is the Awarding Body. The majority of the study for this course takes place at the Fashion Retail Academy with access to the facilities of the FRA and LCF.
The FdA Fashion Retail Management course is designed to prepare students for a career in fashion retail as managers. The industry requires well-informed, commercially-minded fashion retail managers who have learnt the skills to increase profitability, reduce waste and shrinkage, and increase productivity whilst providing better customer service and increasing staff morale. The fashion industry is highly competitive with a constantly changing set of business challenges, including retail internationalisation. This course seeks to produce graduates who will be top quality retail managers who can maximise productivity in the face of international competition, demanding customers and changing shopping patterns. These managers will be creative and forward-looking individuals with a global perspective, who are equipped to use their skills in any size or kind of retail outlet, whether virtual or physical. The course balances practical and creative skills with theoretically based studies, together with broader academic studies which allow you to see the context of your particular study in the wider perspectives of fashion, society and the environment. Work experience opportunities and industry-led projects and collaborations are features of the course. In the second year students undertake a ten-week work placement in store. High-achieving graduates from this course have the opportunity to do a third year of specialist studies to gain a BA Honours degree at the London College of Fashion.
2 years
At the end of the course you will undertake the Individual Major Project, which will give you the opportunity to undertake a self-directed project that consolidates and extends your knowledge and skills. Your project will include planning, research, ideas development and recommendations, and will include elements of both practice and theory. You will negotiate the specific topic and detail of the project with your course tutor. Your project brief will allow you to demonstrate creativity and entrepreneurship, at the same time as producing an outcome with a feasible and realistic commercial application. Assessment is continuous and methods include written reports, case studies, essays, presentations and integrated projects.
Entry to this course is highly competitive: applicants are expected to achieve, or already have, the course entry requirements detailed below:
One ‘A’ level pass (80 UCAS tariff points required) PLUS three GCSE passes in other subjects at grade C or above (including English and Maths)
OR
BTEC National Diploma in a fashion related subject
OR
NVQ level 3 in a related subject
OR
A one year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design PLUS five GCSE passes at grade C or above
OR
Access course in a relevant subject
OR equivalent awards
Preferred subjects include Art, Maths, English and/or Business.
This course requires a minimum 80 UCAS tariff points.
Exceptionally, applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered if the course team judges the application demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence.
English Language Requirements
All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.
The level required by the University for this course is IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 4.5 in any one skill.
International Applicants
For specific details on how to apply as an international applicant see the following link:
http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/lcf-international.htm
What We Look For
The course team seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:
• knowledge of and enthusiasm for retail management in the fashion industry
• a potential to achieve a high standard in the strategic, functional and operational aspects of fashion retail management
• a potential to achieve a multi-disciplinary approach to retail management functions in a fashion retail business
This might, for example, be demonstrated by: related academic or work experience; the quality of the personal statement, a strong academic or other professional reference; or a combination of these factors.
Interview Advice
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the following at interview: an understanding of retail management for the fashion industry; relevant work experience; the ability and motivation to succeed on the course; and a vocational focus towards fashion retail management. At interview each applicant will be asked to give a five minute presentation on his/her views on fashion retail on the high street.
How to Apply
You apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) at http://www.ucas.com
Go to ‘Apply’ from the UCAS home page, where you will be able to register and create a password that gives you unique access as you complete your application form.
The University code is U65.
The UCAS code for this course is WN2F.
The deadline for equal consideration of your application is 15 January 2012.
What next after Foundation Degree in Fashion Retail Management?
Once you have completed the FdA Fashion Retail Management you will be ideally suited to take up employment as a junior manager or join a graduate management programme. Alternatively, if you have a merit certification, you will have the opportunity to be interviewed for the Honours degree programme at London College of Fashion. You will need to complete a bridging programme before the top up year and on successful completion of the bridging programme and the top up year; you will graduate with a BA (Hons) Fashion: Fashion Retail Management.
Future Careers and Graduate Prospects
The course leads to employment in the fashion retail merchandising sector. Recent graduates have gained employment with, for example, Topman, House of Fraser, Karen Millen, Mulberry and Tesco Online.
