Fashion Buying with Merchandising

Learn about the diverse roles and responsibilities of a fashion buyer and merchandiser, and explore the associated roles that are key within the modern fashion industry.

You'll develop in-depth knowledge of the buying cycle and the critical path, and key activities around trading the range, reacting to sales and managing sales promotions. The merchandising pathway focuses on the numbers behind buying a fashion range, its selection process and strategic stock management. 

We will nurture your professional practice through personal development planning, as well as guided research and critical reasoning. We place strong emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility, ensuring that you will graduate with the tools to drive innovation at all stages of the buying process. 

The fashion industry is evolving with the shift in fashion retailing from high street to commerce. We work alongside industry professionals to put your learning into context and will equip you with the skills and adaptability to take on the challenges of our rapidly changing industry.

• We are recognised as one of the country's most sustainable fashion and textiles schools (Green Gown Awards, 2021) and one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2022 (CEOWORLD, 2022). 
• Learn what you'll need - including communication and an understanding of fashion business - for a career in today's fashion and buying industries.
• Draw upon the expertise of fashion industry insiders to build your knowledge and ready yourself for a career in merchandising, or a related role.
• Understand the figures in fashion finance - the budgets, trading forecasts, effective sales analysis and planning.
• Develop industry-recognised merchandising expertise through an understanding of range building, sales forecasting, critical path management and presentation skills.
• Take part in our international experience programme, DMU Global. Students have benefited from trips to Porto, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Hong Kong and New York, meeting key influencers at top fashion brands.
• Take up a one-year placement opportunity within or outside the UK. Our students have experienced life at Tommy Hilfiger, O'Neill, Next, Marks & Spencer, Reiss, George, Selfridges, River Island, Joules, G-Star, Mamas & Papas, and at several supply bases. Many go on to work for these big brands, or are now running their own successful businesses.
• Utilise an award-winning design space - the Vijay Patel Building - containing specialist facilities to foster fresh ideas and creativity.
• Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified 'block learning' timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.

• A Levels - 104 to 136 UCAS points from minimum 2 A Levels (may require certain subject grades)
• IB – 24 to 32 points (may require subject grades at HL)
• 55% in accepted UK based foundation programme with no module below 50%
• Standard XII - Pass Standard XII with a minimum average of 65% from the best 4 subjects excluding Hindi
• American High School Diploma with a minimum GPA of 3.0, plus
• ACT composite score of 23 or above or SAT1 (Post 2016) Minimum of 550 (R+W) plus 550 (Maths) = 1100/1600, plus
• Advanced Placement, 2 subjects from group A with grade 3 or above or SAT2 - 2 subject tests with a minimum score of 500 in each =1000

Entry to year 2 or 3 may be possible. You will need to supply detailed information including courses taken, grades achieved, syllabus and a grading guide.

If you are unable to enter an undergraduate course directly, you may wish to study an International Incorporate Bachelor's Degree or the International First Year which is offered at Leicester International Pathway College, located on the DMU campus.

Step one: download and complete our international application form

Step two: prepare the following documents:

• A copy of your qualifications
• A copy of your English language certificate
• A personal statement of at least 500 words explaining why you want to study your chosen course at DMU and any additional information that will support your application
• A copy of your passport
• One reference for undergraduate study, or two references for postgraduate study
• Some of our creative courses may ask for a portfolio - see our portfolio advice

Step three: return your application and documents to the Admissions Office at [email protected]*

Applications for undergraduate courses can also be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) using the UCAS Institution Code: DEM/D26.