Our first-year Level 3 Fashion Design Diploma students recently took part in an exciting Challenge Week. Here’s what they got up to, and hear directly from the winner!
17th March 2026
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Date 18th March 2026
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All information is accurate at the time of publication. Please check individual course pages for the most up-to-date information.
We recently caught up with Ana Perez, Level 4 Fast-Track Buying & Merchandising alumni, to learn about her experience on the course, her current role as Buying Admin Assistant at Mountain Warehouse and her advice for anyone considering the course.
Why Did You Choose Level 4 Fast-Track Buying & Merchandising?
Ana shared that she decided to study the Level 4 Fast-Track Buying & Merchandising Diploma because she was curious about fashion careers and wanted to learn more about the different roles within the industry. She felt it was the perfect place to start.
I was drawn to buying from the beginning, and it gave me a much better understanding of what the role entails. The time frame of the fast-track structure fitted my lifestyle better, as I was working full time in a coffee shop and could not afford to reduce my hours for a whole year, but 6 months were manageable. - Ana Perez, Level 4 Fast-Track Buying & Merchandising alumni
What Was Your Experience Like on the Course?
Ana described her experience on the course as both challenging and rewarding.
I had a great experience! It was a bit of a crazy time looking back now since my schedule while still working 35 hours was insane, but I'm really glad I did it. Especially since we formed great friendships from the start, and I'm still in touch with most people from the course even now. Sharing that experience with other students was my favourite part, as it was a pretty diverse group and everyone had different perspectives to offer which impacted me very positively!
Experience in Industry So Far
After completing the course, Ana secured a role as a Buying Admin Assistant (BAA) at Mountain Warehouse. When we asked her about the experience, she explained:
I didn't expect to jump right into the world of buying after, but I felt ready and landed a job fairly quickly! I literally had my second interview on the last day when we submitted our final project.
She also highlighted how the course prepared her for working in the industry.
The course gave me great skills not also on the actual BAA role, but perspective for the future of my career. The learning curve at the beginning was very steep but after a couple months everything just clicked for me, and I think being able to understand the processes of the buying cycle before I started working supported my growth immensely.
Skills Developed
Ana also shared some of the key skills she developed during the course that she now uses every day in her role:
Regarding skills, time management is a huge one. During the course, we had to juggle many projects, some on a day to day basis and some over longer time periods. I got so much better at prioritizing tasks without even realising it. Collaboration and communication was a great practice as well, as these are key to be part of a buying team. Soft skills like carrying out comp shops, excel and trend forecasting I also rely on on a daily basis.
Ana's Key Piece of Advice
Are you considering studying our 6-month Fast-Track Level 4 Buying & Merchandising Diploma? Ana shared her advice for prospective students:
I'd say go for it! It doesn't matter if you're confident you want to work in buying & merchandising, or are just curious like I was. It's very comprehensive and you will learn so much more than you expect in only 6 months. There are times where you really need to put your head down and work, so you need to be committed, but you will get so many useful skills useful across many fields in the fashion industry, and likely meet great people along the way who will share your experience.
Ready to start your career in buying and merchandising? Discover how our 6-month Fast-Track Level 4 Buying & Merchandising Diploma can help you build the skills, industry knowledge and confidence to break into the fashion industry. Find out more and apply today!
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