CLEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR OUR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
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Date 27th March 2025
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 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!).
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.
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.
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:
* Students will be provided with qualifying criteria ahead of the September in the year of placement
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.
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.
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.
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.
We offer the following Level 4 Diplomas at the FRA:
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!
At the FRA, we provide our students with exciting, real-world projects that are creative, challenging and industry-relevant. One recent example of this is a project completed by Mia Laslett, one of our current BA (Hons) Marketing and Communication for Fashion students.
14th August 2025
Thinking about a career in fashion? There's still time to apply to join us this September! If you're passionate about fashion, here's why applying to the FRA through Clearing could be the perfect move for you.
7th August 2025
Are you creative? Love fashion? Our BA (Hons) Art Direction for Fashion degree is open for applications through clearing. Explore the course and apply to join us at the Fashion Retail Academy this September!
31st July 2025
