So you’ve researched your options, attended an Open Day and have decided the FRA is for you! See below for how to apply for our undergraduate degrees, diplomas and online courses.
How to Apply
Check entry requirements
Make sure your grades meet the entry requirements. You can use your predicted or actual grades, and they can be taken from your latest school report or mock exam results. If you don't have them available, you can still apply and add them later.
Register with Us
You’ll complete your application on our website. You’ll need to register an account on our FRA portal before you begin. You can apply immediately or come back later (don’t worry, we’ll send you an email reminder, so you don’t forget!)
Complete Application
Log into your FRA portal to complete your application. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year. There is no deadline, but we recommend applying as soon as you’ve made your decision!
Application Screening
We’ll screen your application within 5 to 10 working days. If you’re successful, you’ll receive an offer via text and email.
If you have your exam results already and you meet the entry requirements, your offer will be unconditional. If you haven’t taken your exams yet, your offer will be conditional on your results meeting our entry requirements.
Attend an Applicant Day
Meet your classmates and your tutors to prepare for the start of your course. You’ll also hear from industry experts and take part in an interactive workshop.
Upload Your Grades
Upload your grades as soon as you receive them. If you don’t achieve your predicted grades, we still need your results. We will check them and you will receive an e-mail advising you of your next steps.
Enrol
To secure your place, we recommend you enrol on your course as soon as you’re invited. You’ll need to have uploaded your grades and have your ID and proof of address to hand.
Welcome to the FRA!
Once you’ve successfully enrolled, we’ll send you your FRA email address, timetable and details about your first day!
You can apply for our degree courses at ucas.com
You’ll need a minimum of 104 UCAS points. You can check how many points you have on the UCAS Tariff Calculator.
When should I apply?
The UCAS application deadline is 6pm on 29 January 2025. We recommend applying by this date, as places on our courses do fill up quickly.
However, if you miss this deadline, you can apply through UCAS Extra from 26th February until 4th July. Any applications after this date will be through Clearing. You’ll also be able to use Extra if you’ve used all five of your choices on your original application and you aren’t holding any offers.
From 5th July, you may be able to apply through UCAS Clearing if you’re not holding any offers. However, you’ll only be able to apply if we still have places on our courses.
How do I apply through UCAS?
- Register an account with UCAS
- Enter your personal details, education and employment history if relevant
- Select your chosen FRA undergraduate course
- Write your personal statement
- You’ll need to write between 1000 and 4000 characters
- Tell us why you’d like to study with us, and what skills and experience you have
- For advice on writing your personal statement, visit the UCAS website
- Submit your application
- Get a reference, pay your application fee and submit your application. If you are already studying and awaiting grades, your school or college will add them on your behalf.
- A reference is a written recommendation from someone who knows you academically - a teacher, adviser or professional.
- The application fee is £28.50 for up to five choices.
When will I hear back from you?
If you applied by 29 January, we’ll get back to you by 14 May 2025. If you have received all of your offers by this date, you’ll have until 4 June to accept or decline them. If you are still awaiting offers after this date, your deadline to accept will be later.
If you haven’t taken your exams, your offer will be conditional and dependent on your exam results meeting our course entry requirements. If you’ve already have your results and you meet the entry requirements, your offer will be unconditional.
If you applied through UCAS Extra, we’ll have until 17 July to get back to you. If we offer you a place, you’ll have until 23 July to accept or decline it.
Important Dates
SQA Results Day: 5 August 2025
A-Level Results Day: 14 August 2025
GCSE Results Day: 21 August 2025
Sign Up
You’ll sign up for your course on our website. We process sign-ups on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year. There is no deadline, but we recommend signing up as soon as you’ve made your decision!
Pay Deposit
You’ll need to pay your £350 deposit within two weeks of signing up.
Confirm Payment
When you sign up for your course, you'll need to set up a payment plan to secure your place. The first payment is due when you sign up.
Payment Options:
- Two Payments of 50% each - 0% interest
- Six monthly payments - 0% interest
- Full Payment upfront
For more information on payment plans, visit our Fees & Funding page.
Upload Your Documents
To secure your place, we recommend completing the sign-up process soon as possible. You’ll need to have uploaded your proof of ID and proof of address. If you are an international student, we'll also need evidence of your IELTS level 5.
Welcome to the FRA!
Once you’ve successfully enrolled, we’ll send you everything you need to start your studies!
Apprenticeship schemes are driven by our retail partners and their current vacancies. They can be available at any time of the year, in exactly the same way jobs are. This means we can't guarantee when a specific programme, level and/or start date will be available.
Choose the Apprenticeship
Choose the type of Apprenticeship you’d like to do, and then select one of our live vacancies.
Complete the Sign-Up Form
Complete the sign-up form on our website to start your application.
Send Your Qualifications
If you’re shortlisted for the role, we’ll ask you to send us your qualifications to show you meet the entry requirements.
Complete the Eligibility Checklist
To make sure you're eligible for the role, you’ll need to complete our eligibility checklist.
Telephone Interview
If you meet the entry requirements are you're eligible for the role you've been shortlisted for, we’ll invite you for a telephone interview with our Apprenticeships team.
Interview with Employer
Next, you'll be invited for an interview with the employer of the Apprenticeship. This is usually a video interview, but you might need to do an assessment centre as well, depending on the role.
Accept Your Offer
If your interview is successful, we’ll send you an offer. When you accept this offer, you'll be able to complete your enrolment.
Start Your Job
Once you've enrolled, you'll have your first day at work where you'll meet your team and your manager. You'll need to have started employment before you can start your studies.
Welcome to the FRA!
Once you've started your job, you'll have your first day with us at the Fashion Retail Academy!
Still have questions about the application process?
Please visit our FAQ page for more information.
Pathway to a career
We provide a wide variety of courses in fashion retail at the FRA, and our goal is to make sure everyone can secure their dream career in the fashion industry.
- We teach diplomas at Level 2, 3 and 4; including 22-week fast-track courses for adults aged 19+
- We provide unique accelerated 2-year degrees and traditional 3-year degrees
- You might choose to study on one of our apprenticeship programmes
Still not sure if a career in fashion is right for you? Take a look at our guide to fashion careers to see what options you have and the different roles available in the industry.
I was working at Selfridges with the Information Team, and they recommended the Fashion Retail Academy to me, so I knew it had a good reputation. When I finished my course, I went straight into a Visual Merchandising role at Reserved on Oxford Street!
Ella, Level 4 Visual Merchandising
