Home > Full Time Courses > Level 4 Diploma in Buying & Merchandising
The focus of this course is to offer the prospective student the opportunity to study in stimulating fashion retail head office functions. One of the unique characteristics of the course is the strong links with fashion retail head offices around the country, which enables students to gain first hand knowledge & experience of buying and merchandising.
For entry to the Level 4 Diploma in Buying and Merchandising you should:
1 year
To assess your suitability for the Level 4 Buying & Merchandising, the selection process will include an interview. If your application is successful you will be invited to an interview, where one or more members of the course team will see you. You will be required to make a presentation for up to 5 minutes, that demonstrates your enthusiasm and aptitude for the course. You should research a brand and create a verbal presentation, to include up to three A3 boards. This will allow us to gain a good idea of your self-motivation and commitment, as well as interest in the buying and merchandising industry. It will also give you an opportunity to ask questions about the course.
The course is delivered using a range of techniques to ensure students gain a practical understanding of fashion business skills. It covers both theoretical and practical approaches relevant to current practice in the UK. The curriculum will address practical and professional skills in communication negotiation, and presentation. Students are introduced to the complex integrated working of buying and merchandising functions. To begin with students will study the market context in which fashion buyers and merchandisers function along with the commercial implications for product ranges. Aspects affecting the supply chain are studied including product market strategies and implications of external forces. Students will also study an introduction to garment technology.
Combined with work placements within a head office environment in both Buying and Merchandising functions, students are able to gain a comprehensive view of fashion retail buying and merchandising, enabling them to enter this area of the industry.
Other subject areas covered on the course include: supply chain; trend research; sourcing and negotiating; planning and budgeting; allocation and garment technology. Students will undergo extended practical workshops combined with two head office work placements. Students will be required to complete a final major project in the last term of the academic year.
With a Level 4 Diploma in Buying and Merchandising you will have every advantage to enter MAA or BAA roles in head office with the aim to progress faster along their career path.
A Buying Administration Assistant needs to display brand awareness and be customer focused. A BAA’s tasks would include organising and preparing Fit Meetings and attending the sample library.
A Merchandising Admin Assistant would work closely with the Assistant Merchandiser to plan and forecast department sales and stock movement. They must display an insight into the company, the customer profile and retail trends.
