At the Fashion Retail Academy, we're excited to announce the appointment of five new industry ambassadors as we celebrate 20 years of shaping the future of fashion and retail.
5th September 2025
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Date 27th March 2025
Disclaimer
All information is accurate at the time of publication. Please check individual course pages for the most up-to-date information.
One of our most frequently asked questions is whether prospective students should choose to study one of our Level 4 diplomas or an undergraduate degree. Level 4 and undergraduate degrees both have their own advantages, but studying either will help you kickstart your career in fashion!
Level 4 Diplomas
Level 4 Diplomas are the equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree. One of the biggest benefits of studying a Level 4 programme is you’ll earn a nationally recognised qualification in just one year and be ready for an entry-level job. They take a more hands-on, practical approach to learning and they're entirely assessed through coursework (no exams!).
Funding
If you’re 18 or under, your study is fully funded so you won’t need to pay anything. For those 19 or over, they’re still significantly cheaper than an undergraduate degree, at just £4,220 a year. Government-funded Advanced Learner Loans are available, meaning you won't need to pay anything back until you're earning over £25,000 a year. Please visit the government website for the most up-to-date information.
Our Fast-Track Course
We also offer a Level 4 Fast Track Buying & Merchandising Diploma for adults aged 19+. It will teach you everything you need for an entry-level role in either department in just 22 weeks. It’s perfect for those looking to improve their skills, or retrain in a new area, whilst continuing part-time work.
Future Pathways Programme
Whilst studying for a Level 4 Diploma at the FRA, you’ll also complete the Future Pathways Programme. This is a 3-week, full-time (5 days per week) schedule of industry engagement activities to help you take your next steps after graduating, connect with industry professionals and build a range of skills and knowledge to improve your career prospects.
When you apply to the programme you can choose from the following routes:
- Placement Pathway: Qualifying students* can apply for our Work Placement Pathway. This is a full time three week work placement within a brand. This is aimed at providing hands on experience, however it may not always be specifically related to the course.
- Employability Pathway: Take part in a range of activities to support your progression into employment. You’ll work with a recruitment agency, learn about head office roles and complete an assessment centre, alongside an industry project and networking event to build your fashion retail contacts.
* Students will be provided with qualifying criteria ahead of the September in the year of placement
Accelerated Undergraduate Degrees
Our undergraduate degrees have a more academic focus, and allow you to study a wider range of subjects at a more in-depth level. They're taught over a two-year period, saving you time and money compared to the traditional three-year degrees.
Industry Enrichment
We created our undergraduate degrees alongside our industry brand partners to ensure we are teaching you the latest skills and insights. Throughout your time on an undergraduate degree, you'll have access to a wide-range of industry enrichment activities, from masterclasses and workshops to live projects, personal industry mentors and work placements.
Funding
Tuition fee loans are available, and you’ll only need to start repaying your loan when you earn over £27,250 a year. Please visit our Fees & Funding page for more information.
How to Choose a Course
Choosing between a Level 4 Diploma and an undergraduate degree depends on your personal career goals, financial situation and what subject you think you’ll enjoy the most! Think about which area of the fashion industry interests you, and then choose a course and level of attainment you'd like related to that career path.
Our Level 4 Diplomas
We offer the following Level 4 Diplomas at the FRA:
- Digital Marketing for Fashion
- Fashion Buying
- Garment Technology for Fashion
- Fashion Business (with Marketing)
- Visual Merchandising
- Level 4 Fast Track Buying & Merchandising
Our Undergraduate Degrees
Undergraduate degrees offer a more advanced level of education. We offer the following:
If you’re still not sure which course to choose, our friendly Applicant Services team would be happy to chat with you! You can reach them by email at info@fra.ac.uk
If you’d prefer to speak to us in person, you can visit the FRA on our Level 4 & Undergraduate Open Days!
Latest News
What will fashion look like in 2030? We recently spoke with Yasmin Bramble, a BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising student, who created an exciting project forecasting what fashion could look like by the year 2030. Here's a look at her project!
28th August 2025
We recently caught up with Archie Read, a student who has just completed the Level 3 Fashion Retail Diploma at the Fashion Retail Academy. He told us all about his impressive Final Major Project - how he came up with his idea, what the experience was like, and what he learned along the way.
21st August 2025