Kickstart your career in fashion with an undergraduate degree or specialist Level 4 diploma at the Fashion Retail Academy.
Our Level 4 diplomas are one-year programmes that prepare you for an entry-level role at a fashion brand. You could also study one of our undergraduate degrees. Most of our degrees are taught over two years, saving you time and money compared to a traditional, three-year course. You'll study at our campus two days per week, leaving your other days free for independent study and part-time work.
At the FRA, you’ll have masterclasses, workshops and industry engagement with over 250 of the biggest brands in fashion, giving you the industry connections you need to start your career. All of our courses are assessed 100% via coursework, with no exams.*
All of our Level 4 courses are fully funded for 18-year-olds.
*Except for BSc (Hons) Data Analytics for Retail.
Level 4 Diplomas
Our Level 4 courses are specialist diplomas that prepare you for an entry-level industry role in industry in just one year. You'll be assessed by coursework, study two days per week, and you'll be guaranteed a place on an FRA undergraduate degree if you achieve a Pass.
Level 4 Fashion Buying
Our Level 4 Fashion Buying diploma will teach you the essential skills you need to start a career fashion buying. Learn how to source garments from across the world, accurately forecast trends and how to design range plans that maximise sales. Develop data analytics skills, learn about the issues surrounding environmental impact and discover design software used in industry.
Level 4 Digital Marketing for Fashion
Studying Level 4 Digital Marketing, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of how marketing strategies are created and implemented by fashion brands. Learn about content marketing, email marketing and how to measure metrics, as well as the principles of social media for businesses. Discover how to increase brand awareness and learn about email marketing, SEO principles and marketing planning.
Level 4 Fashion Retail (with Marketing)
Studying Level 4 Fashion Retail (with Marketing), you’ll explore the fashion retail industry as a whole, learning about the entire product lifecycle from head office to store. Develop knowledge and skills in consumer behaviour, business management, culture influences and much more. It's ideal if you know you want to work in fashion but aren't sure what area yet.
Level 4 Garment Technology
Study the UK's only Level 4 Garment Technology diploma and master the skills you need for a successful career as a garment technologist. Learn to improve and refine garment designs, making sure products fit perfectly and that details are consistent across a range of sizes and colours. Discover how to work with designers' and buyers' creative visions as well as develop trend forecasting skills.
Level 4 Visual Merchandising for Fashion
Level 4 Visual Merchandising for Fashion will teach you a wide range of digital and design skills for visual display and branding. Learn to create dynamic physical and digital assets for brands retailers, from window displays to social media content, using trend forecasting skills to support your ideas. Explore new trends in sustainability, technology and consumer behaviour, and learn how to use Adobe Creative Cloud software.
Level 4 Fast Track Buying & Merchandising
Fast Track Buying & Merchandising is an accelerated, 22-week course that will prepare you for an entry-level role in a buying or merchandising team. Develop skills in range planning and trend forecasting, learn how to trade a fashion season and discover how to create visual range plans using a variety of design software. This is the perfect choice for those looking to upskill or retrain whilst continuing to work part-time.
What's the difference between a Level 4 and a Degree?
A Level 4 course can be completed in as little as 6 months and is an accelerated route to a career in fashion. Designed for those over 18, these courses are the equivalent to the first year of a undergraduate degree and allow you to pursue a career in a specific area of fashion retail, such as Digital Marketing or Garment Technology. The courses are also fully-funded for 18-year-olds, and we also have an exclusive money-back Job Guarantee! (T&Cs apply)
Our undergraduate degrees are 2-year, accelerated courses (except for BSc (Hons) Data Analytics for Retail) and are designed to teach you the advanced skills and knowledge you'll need for industry. Our degrees are accredited by Falmouth University, and you'll have the opportunity to complete work placements and work with an industry mentor.
All of our courses are created in collaboration with our industry partners and you'll benefit for industry enrichment throughout the course.
Undergraduate Degrees
We have a range of two-degree accelerated and traditional three-year degrees to kickstart your future in fashion. You'll be assessed by coursework, study two days per week, and have the chance to work with an industry mentor and complete work placements.
BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising
Studying BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising, you’ll discover how to plan and trade a fashion season from concept to customer and see what it takes to create successful product ranges and fashion collections. Learn how trends, customer profiling and consumer behaviour can help inform your business decisions, and discover the principles of sustainable and ethical product innovation.
BA (Hons) Fashion Business
BA (Hons) Fashion Business will teach you the different ways of doing business within the fashion industry. Learn about the financial, commercial and ethical factors that impact brands, discover how to create business plans and understand the business of fashion on a global scale. Develop your entrepreneurial, financial and problem-solving skills and build a solid foundation of business knowledge.
BA (Hons) Marketing & Communications for Fashion
BA (Hons) Marketing & Communications for Fashion will teach you the skills you need to design effective marketing campaigns. Discover how to combine your creative and analytical expertise to identify new opportunities for brands to communicate with their audiences. Learn about social media management, digital visual communication methods and integrated marketing strategies.
BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Styling
BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Styling will teach you the essential skills and knowledge you'll need for a successful career in fashion media. Learn about fashion imagery and visual storytelling, as well as fashion film, live performances and product styling. Discover how to create effective communication strategies and learn to create inspiring visual media.
BA (Hons) Art Direction for Fashion
BA (Hons) Art Direction for Fashion will teach you the creative and technical skills to create captivating fashion imagery for brands through fashion photography, film and visual communications. Develop a multi-modal approach to fashion imagery, learn about historic and contemporary theories in photography and examine storytelling through the lens of fashion imagery.
BA (Hons) Sustainability In Fashion
With our BA (Hons) Sustainability In Fashion course, we'll teach you the essential knowledge and skills you need to develop sustainable and ethical practices in the fashion industry. Examine the pressing sustainability issues facing the fashion industry and discover the practical aspects of creating products from design to finished product.
Getting to the Fashion retail academy
Our central London location means we have excellent transport links, and it's very easy to get to us even if you don't live in London.
Choosing my course and the Fashion Retail Academy was the best decision I’ve ever made! The opportunities offered to the students are one of a kind, and the industry contacts I made along the way are the reason I have my job now.
Jessica
Level 4 Digital Marketing alumni and Online Production Assistant at Miss Selfridge
I have loved doing my degree at the Fashion Retail Academy; it’s been challenging and inspiring. The great work experience opportunities have helped me get a job in industry before I even graduate!
Izzy
BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising
Studying at the Fashion Retail Academy changed my life. It opened doors for me to get experience in the industry and set me on a path to successfully start my own business.
Jaliyah
Level 4 Garment Technology
I have learnt so much since starting at the Fashion Retail Academy. My skills, knowledge and confidence in all areas of fashion have advanced, and I have gained lifelong friendships along the way. The experiences and opportunities made available to me through connections to the industry have been so valuable to my career progression!
Silva
BA (Hons) Marketing & Communication for Fashion
Choosing the Fashion Retail Academy was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The work placement opportunities were a highlight for me, as I gained invaluable knowledge that set me up for a career in retail. There is nothing I would change about my time at the FRA. I wish I could have stayed longer!
Amy
Level 4 Fast Track Buying & Merchandising
