Online Fashion Business & Retail

Studying Fashion Business & Retail, you’ll learn about the structure of businesses within the fashion industry. You’ll discover all the roles and careers available and how they work together to achieve business goals.

On our Fashion Business & Retail online course, we’ll teach you the key skills fashion brands are looking for, including consumer behaviour and the fundamentals of data analytics.  

We’ll investigate how technology has disrupted the retail environment and the trend towards blending physical and virtual shopping experiences. You’ll also explore the impact of environmental, social and corporate governance, and the increasing consumer demand for sustainable and ethical fashion.    

This is the perfect course if you’d like to develop your skills across a range of areas in the fashion industry, maximising your career opportunities. You’ll complete your studies ready for a wide range of industry roles, like marketing, buying, merchandising and management. 

TUESDAY EVENING

One compulsory live lesson every week. Lessons will usually be in the evening (UK GMT). 

WEDNESDAY EVENING

Either a themed discussion group or support session, alternating every week.

FRIDAY

Pre-recorded content, learning resources and tasks become available on our Online Learning platform. Work must be completed ahead of Tuesday's lesson. 

We expect you to complete 4-6 hours of independent study a week. 

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

• Monthly meetings with your industry mentor
• Bookable sessions with your tutor, the FRA library or online learning support
• Careers advise and guidance from the FRACareers team

*Timetable is subject to change

Throughout the course, you'll complete 4 projects that cover a range of key topics

• Introduction to Fashion Industry: Explore how fashion businesses are structured, and discover the full range of roles and careers available. Analyse key external factors that influence business decisions. Learn about the concerns and challenges for brands including sustainability and ethical practice

• Business & Data Analytics: Learn to find, understand and use data in a fashion business environment, including customer profiling, Comp Shops and trend forecasting. Devise creative and effective solutions for problems faced by brands.

• Consumer behaviour: Explore consumer behaviour analysis in greater detail, and how brands use this to inform future strategy. Understand purchase decisions, marketing and branding and learn how good customer service leads to increased brand loyalty.

• Fashion Retail Environments: Investigate the changing nature of the fashion retail industry, including how brands are merging their online and physical stores. Research the concepts of virtual, omnichannel and experiential retailing.

• Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance (ESG): Learn how modern brands balance business goals with environmental and social concerns, and increasing consumer demands for sustainability.

Throughout the course, you'll have regular seminars, talks and masterclasses from our brand partners. We’ll help you develop a strong industry network that will support you throughout your career. You’ll also take part in projects and challenges set by brands that help you to develop valuable, practical skills.

INDUSTRY MENTORS

Either individually or in small groups, we'll assign you an industry mentor. They’ll meet with you once a month to discuss, advise and support you on your journey into industry. Your mentor will offer insight into working in a business and can help you plan your career goals.

TWO-WEEK work placement

You will have the opportunity to complete a 2 week full time work placement with one of our brand partners as part of your course.  If you are unable to participate there will be the option to take part in industry based projects and careers workshops*

*Please note: Placement is open to UK residents only. Placements are most likely to be based in London. Placements could be fully in person, fully remote or a mixture of both.

After completing Fashion Business & Retail, you’ll be ready to progress straight into an entry-level role in industry. The wide range of skills you'll learn will prepare you for many different careers, including

• Marketing
• Social media management
• Buying
• Merchandising

You could also choose to start your own fashion business.

Minimum Age: 19+ 

Course duration: 26 weeks 

Fees: £2,100

Payment Options:

• Two Payments of 50% each
• Six monthly payments
• Full Payment upfront

The first payment is due before the start of your course. 

Recommended Entry Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with an undergraduate degree, A-levels or equivalent qualifications. We also encourage applicants with employment experience.

• As a minimum, we recommend GCSEs including Maths & English at grade 4/C or above.
• For international students, we require IELTS grade 5

Fashion Business & Retail [Online] is open to applications from international students. However, you must be able to attend one compulsory live lesson, one evening a week (UK GMT).