Kickstart your career in fashion with a specialist diploma, accelerated two-year undergraduate degree or online course in fashion buying and merchandising at the Fashion Retail Academy.
Buying and merchandising roles are some of the most popular and in-demand jobs in the industry; exciting, faced-paced and rewarding, they are at the centre of fashion brand. At the home of fashion's next generation, our fashion buying and merchandising courses are developed in collaboration with our brand partners to ensure you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in industry.
Our courses
Our buying and merchandising courses are one of the quickest ways to get into the fashion industry. All courses at the FRA have unparalleled industry enrichment included, ranging from masterclasses to mentoring and work placements, so you'll have the opportunity to build industry contacts ahead of employment and put what you've learned into practice.
Level 3 Fashion Business
Gain a comprehensive understanding of how fashion businesses are structured with our Level 3 Fashion Business diploma. You'll learn about the roles different departments play within a brand, and develop skills in fashion buying and merchandising, as well as in areas including marketing and visual merchandising.
Level 4 Fashion Buying
Learn the essential skills you need to start work as an entry-level BAA in just one year. You'll learn how to source garments from across the world, and how to design range plans that maximise sales. Explore how brands target new and emerging regions, and how to manage cultural and language differences within the supply chain.
Level 4 Fast Track Buying & Merchandising
Fast Track Buying & Merchandising is a condensed, 22-week course that will prepare you for entry-level roles as either a merchandising or buying admin assistant. This is the perfect choice for those looking to upskill or retrain whilst working part-time!
BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising
Discover how to plan and trade a fashion season from concept to customer, and how trends, consumer profiling and consumer behaviour inform your business decisions. Learn about the garment manufacturing process, fabric sourcing and the ethical considerations and principles of supply chain management.
What is the difference between a fashion buyer and a fashion merchandiser?
Fashion buyers are responsible for selecting the products a brand will sell. They analyse trends, understand customer behaviour, and predict what will be popular in upcoming seasons.
Fashion merchandisers focus on the commercial side. They manage budgets, plan stock levels, and use sales data to maximise profitability. Merchandisers guide buyers on how much stock to purchase and ensure products perform well financially.
What will I study on a buying and merchandising course at the FRA?
On a Buying and Merchandising course at the Fashion Retail Academy (FRA), you’ll gain the practical skills and industry knowledge needed to succeed in fashion retail. Course content varies by level, but all programmes are designed to prepare you for a career in fashion buying or merchandising.
Key topics you will study:
- Planning and trading a fashion season - learn how to forecast trends, manage budgets, and maximise profitability
- Range planning and product development - build and present commercially successful fashion collections
- Product selection and customer demand - understand how to choose the right products for your target market
- Sales analysis and data-driven decision making - use real retail data to track performance and improve results
- The end-to-end product journey - explore the full lifecycle from concept and sourcing to retail and sell-through
What career could a course at the FRA lead to?
After completing a buying or merchandising course, you’ll be qualified for a range of entry-level roles in the fashion and retail industry, including:
- Buying Admin Assistant (BAA) - support buyers with product selection, supplier communication, and range planning
- Merchandising Admin Assistant (MAA) - assist with stock management, sales analysis, and trading decisions
- E-commerce Assistant – support online trading, product uploads, and digital merchandising
- Trading Assistant – help monitor sales performance and optimise product trading
- Supply Chain Assistant – coordinate product movement from suppliers to stores or warehouses
Read our resources for more information about careers in fashion buying and fashion merchandising.
Do I need a fashion background to study fashion buying and merchandising?
You don’t need a fashion background to study fashion buying and merchandising. These courses are designed for beginners as well as students with some prior experience. What matters most is your:
- Interest in the fashion industry and retail trends
- Creativity and commercial awareness
- Enthusiasm for fashion buying, merchandising, and business
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills
Will I gain practical experience during a fashion buying and merchandising course?
Fashion buying and merchandising courses are highly practical and career-focused, giving you real-world experience to prepare you for the industry. During your course, you will:
- Work on live industry projects based on real retail scenarios
- Build a professional portfolio to showcase your skills to employers
- Experience industry enrichment opportunities such as mentorship or projects
- Develop hands-on experience in trend forecasting, range planning, and trading analysis
What are my progression options at the FRA?
We have a range of courses in buying and merchandising for all ages and levels.
- Level 3 Fashion Business (ages 16–18) – a strong foundation in fashion business
- Progression to Level 4 courses or a BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising degree
- Opportunities to move into a fashion apprenticeship or entry-level industry role
Our courses allow you to build your skills step by step and progress into a career in fashion buying, merchandising, or related roles upon graduation. The industry enrichment opportunities embedded throughout all of our courses will give you the connections and network you need to for industry.
Why Choose The FRA?
There are many reasons to choose to study a fashion marketing course at the FRA!
- We work with over 250 brand partners to provide industry enrichment, such as mentorship, internships and projects
- 94% of our FE students are in work or further study within 6 months of finishing their course
- Our courses are designed in collaboration with our brand partners to ensure you learn the skills that the industry is looking for
- Our undergraduate degrees are 2-year accelerated courses, meaning that you save time and money compared to a traditional degree
- Study 2 days per week at our central London campus
The Fashion Retail Academy's extensive links with the fashion industry are one of the best parts of the Buying & Merchandising course. They've given me the confidence that when I graduate I'll be completely ready for a job!
Atinuke
BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising
The Fashion Retail Academy gave me a great opportunity to explore both buying and merchandising. The support from all the tutors in each class was incredible, and the course was very easy to manage around a part-time work schedule.
Joseph
Level 4 Fast Track Buying & Merchandising alumni and BAA at River Island
I chose the Fashion Retail Academy because of the amazing work placements, industry projects and direct links straight into the industry.
Ryan
Level 4 Fashion Buying
I made some really wonderful friends at the Fashion Retail Academy and got the chance to meet many people from industry. After completing my work placement at Dorothy Perkins, I was offered a job there part-time until I finished my course. I've now gone full-time!
Lucy
Level 4 Merchandising for Fashion alumni and MAA at Dorothy Perkins
