Models walking down a catwalk at a fashion show

Fashion Marketing MA

Prepare yourself for a career as a marketing professional in the fashion industry. You'll study core marketing theories and specialist fashion-specific modules.

Key information

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Overview

Are you a self-motivated, independent thinker who loves fashion and research? You can become fashion’s next creative innovator with our MA Fashion Marketing degree that combines the business excellence and artistic innovation of our Business and Law and Creative and Cultural Industries faculties.

You’ll learn the concepts, functions, and processes of fashion-buying and merchandising, alongside marketing management theory and practice, and explore both current and emerging communication practices for fashion and luxury businesses. You’ll gather intelligence and insights from a global and cultural landscape to create captivating marketing strategies and communications that span print, media, and digital platforms. As you build your entrepreneurship skills, you’ll complete an independent final project on a topic you choose.

With opportunities to engage with industry professionals, you'll gain an extensive understanding of brands, sectors, expertise, and innovation topics—preparing you to take part in contemporary fashion conversations after you graduate.

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Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.

Course highlights

  • Network with industry professionals from a range of fashion companies
  • Gather and use global data to inform your marketing decisions
  • Explore a range of contemporary fashion and business topics
  • Complete an optional work placement for six months after your taught studies
  • Hear from industry speakers, including guests from Mintel, WGSN, Size? Footwear, Lazy Oaf, Depop, and Burberry
  • Complete live projects with companies such as Size? Footwear
  • Build your portfolio with competitions and events, including Graduate Fashion Week, Artsthread, Fashion Revolution, and D&AD 
  • Attend field trips, including to flagship stores and commercial spaces
  • Gain optional professional qualifications in areas such as Google Analytics and Google Ads
  • Present your research to a student-led symposium as part of a research-based unit, which can help prepare you for potential PhD study
Graduation Class of 2021

Joining us as an international student

You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.

Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in. 

Information for international students

CIM Accredited Degree logo

Accreditation

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the leading professional body for marketers worldwide and exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners. University of Portsmouth has joined forces with CIM to give students the opportunity to gain professional qualifications through the CIM Accredited Degree partnership. CIM qualifications are highly sought after by employers, and their content is reflected in our own degrees which ensures we are equipping students with the best opportunities for a successful marketing career.

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Modules

Full-time

All modules on this MA Fashion Marketing course are core. 

Core

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key consumer behaviour theories and their relationships to practice

  • Demonstrate understanding of key analytics tools and the role of analytics in different types of online media

  • Critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of analytics data compared to traditional insight techniques

  • Demonstrate understanding of the key principles of customer insight and how it relates to decision making

  • Synthesise information and relevant analytics in a way that utilise knowledge or process from the forefront of consumer research

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Demonstrate knowledge and in-depth understanding of key contemporary issues and debates in both marketing research and practice

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role of technology in providing insight into customers and marketing innovation

  • Appreciate the concepts of globalization, social responsibility and sustainability in marketing research and practice within both the organisational context and society level via different case studies

  • Identify, analyse and critically evaluate the key issues in contemporary marketing research and practice

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Critically evaluate key marketing concepts and theories

  • Demonstrate understanding of the main influence on and characteristics of the marketing mix in the global context

  • Discuss and reflect upon one or more aspects of an organisation's activities at the forefront of the marketing discipline by using appropriate theoretical models and frameworks from academic literature

  • Develop essential academic critical thinking and writing skills at the postgraduate level to enhance students' learning in marketing programmes

Explore this module

The learning outcomes of this module are:

  • Critically evaluate marketing communication as a philosophical and practical approach to operating a fashion and/or luxury retail business.
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical analysis of current issues, innovations and macro-economic trends influencing consumers and shaping the fashion and luxury sectors.
  • Analyse the strategies employed by fashion and luxury retailers to plan and integrate brand marketing messages across a range of communication channels.
  • Critically review and practically apply key marketing communication theories to fashion and/or luxury retailing, demonstrating synthesis of prior learning from term one.

Explore this module

The learning outcomes of this module are:

  • Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the key concepts and practical and ethical challenges of fashion product management.
  • Analyse and critically appraise industry data, providing an innovative response to findings.
  • Critically evaluate the human and environmental impact of the global supply chain, analysing problematic practices and challenges in fashion product development, sourcing and sales.
  • Examine the rationale for, and implications of, alternative approaches to fashion product selection (buying) and merchandising activities and decision making.
  • With reference to corporate social responsibilty and the ethical policies of major fashion retailers, apply the objectives and concepts of the fashion product range planning process and subsequent product development.

Explore this module

The learning outcomes of this module are:

  • Show critical awareness in the analysis and evaluation of current issues facing fashion-related start-ups.
  • Synthesise information in a way that utilises knowledge or processes from the forefront of entrepreneurial theory and practice in the creative industries.
  • Demonstrate innovative thinking in proposing credible, workable solutions to a recognised challenge facing the fashion sector.
  • Effectively communicate a feasible and sustainable new business concept in a way that could be clearly understood, even by non-experts.
  • Show originality of thought in the approach taken to developing a commercial enterprise that is socially and environmentally responsible.

Explore this module

The learning outcomes of this module are:

  • Synthesise information in a way that utilises knowledge or processes from the forefront of the discipline.
  • Show originality of thinking in proposing credible, workable solutions to a problem.
  • Communicate their conclusions on complex issues so that they can be clearly understood by experts in the field of fashion marketing.
  • Critically discuss the impact of international perspectives.
  • Approach the solution of sustainability issues with originality of thinking.
  • Identify ethical issues and evaluate appropriate ways to resolve them.

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of core marketing theories and their application within a social media context

  • Critically evaluate data and theory to inform and justify social media marketing campaign decisions

  • Recognise and differentiate social media platforms by audience use and marketing opportunities & able to demonstrate the ROI for social media campaigns

  • Critically evaluate legal, regulatory, cultural, ethical and contextual considerations for socially responsible social media marketing in today's contemporary global era

Explore this module

Part-time

All modules on this MA Fashion Marketing course are core. 

Core

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Critically evaluate key marketing concepts and theories

  • Demonstrate understanding of the main influence on and characteristics of the marketing mix in the global context

  • Discuss and reflect upon one or more aspects of an organisation's activities at the forefront of the marketing discipline by using appropriate theoretical models and frameworks from academic literature

  • Develop essential academic critical thinking and writing skills at the postgraduate level to enhance students' learning in marketing programmes

Explore this module

The learning outcomes of this module are:

  • Critically evaluate marketing communication as a philosophical and practical approach to operating a fashion and/or luxury retail business.
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical analysis of current issues, innovations and macro-economic trends influencing consumers and shaping the fashion and luxury sectors.
  • Analyse the strategies employed by fashion and luxury retailers to plan and integrate brand marketing messages across a range of communication channels.
  • Critically review and practically apply key marketing communication theories to fashion and/or luxury retailing, demonstrating synthesis of prior learning from term one.

Explore this module

The learning outcomes of this module are:

  • Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the key concepts and practical and ethical challenges of fashion product management.
  • Analyse and critically appraise industry data, providing an innovative response to findings.
  • Critically evaluate the human and environmental impact of the global supply chain, analysing problematic practices and challenges in fashion product development, sourcing and sales.
  • Examine the rationale for, and implications of, alternative approaches to fashion product selection (buying) and merchandising activities and decision making.
  • With reference to corporate social responsibilty and the ethical policies of major fashion retailers, apply the objectives and concepts of the fashion product range planning process and subsequent product development.

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of core marketing theories and their application within a social media context

  • Critically evaluate data and theory to inform and justify social media marketing campaign decisions

  • Recognise and differentiate social media platforms by audience use and marketing opportunities & able to demonstrate the ROI for social media campaigns

  • Critically evaluate legal, regulatory, cultural, ethical and contextual considerations for socially responsible social media marketing in today's contemporary global era

Explore this module

All modules on this MA Fashion Marketing course are core. 

Core

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key consumer behaviour theories and their relationships to practice

  • Demonstrate understanding of key analytics tools and the role of analytics in different types of online media

  • Critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of analytics data compared to traditional insight techniques

  • Demonstrate understanding of the key principles of customer insight and how it relates to decision making

  • Synthesise information and relevant analytics in a way that utilise knowledge or process from the forefront of consumer research

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Demonstrate knowledge and in-depth understanding of key contemporary issues and debates in both marketing research and practice

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role of technology in providing insight into customers and marketing innovation

  • Appreciate the concepts of globalization, social responsibility and sustainability in marketing research and practice within both the organisational context and society level via different case studies

  • Identify, analyse and critically evaluate the key issues in contemporary marketing research and practice

Explore this module

The learning outcomes of this module are:

  • Show critical awareness in the analysis and evaluation of current issues facing fashion-related start-ups.
  • Synthesise information in a way that utilises knowledge or processes from the forefront of entrepreneurial theory and practice in the creative industries.
  • Demonstrate innovative thinking in proposing credible, workable solutions to a recognised challenge facing the fashion sector.
  • Effectively communicate a feasible and sustainable new business concept in a way that could be clearly understood, even by non-experts.
  • Show originality of thought in the approach taken to developing a commercial enterprise that is socially and environmentally responsible.

Explore this module

The learning outcomes of this module are:

  • Synthesise information in a way that utilises knowledge or processes from the forefront of the discipline.
  • Show originality of thinking in proposing credible, workable solutions to a problem.
  • Communicate their conclusions on complex issues so that they can be clearly understood by experts in the field of fashion marketing.
  • Critically discuss the impact of international perspectives.
  • Approach the solution of sustainability issues with originality of thinking.
  • Identify ethical issues and evaluate appropriate ways to resolve them.

Explore this module

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Careers and opportunities

Careers this Master’s prepares you for

This course prepares you for graduate employability in the fashion industry. You'll build on the skills  and knowledge you gained at undergraduate level and graduate with in-depth subject knowledge, ready to make an impact in the workplace or continue your studies to PhD level. 

During the course, you'll build your portfolio through degree work, competitions, and live projects as you learn to showcase your skills and experience.  

You'll have the option to study Fashion Marketing with Professional Practice. This choice includes work-based learning, so you'll complete a work placement or a professional experience programme for 6 months between September and March after you've completed your taught studies. This work placement is available at the end of your studies and is an opportunity to get valuable professional experience in the fashion marketing industry before you graduate.

If you're not able to secure a work placement, you'll complete a professional experience programme tailored to your career aspirations.

Graduates of this course could go into areas such as:

  • fashion marketing management
  • social media management
  • digital marketing
  • consumer and market intelligence
  • retail management and fashion buying
  • marketing ethics and sustainability
  • public relations and brand marketing
  • entrepreneurial business concepts

Placements and industry connections

You'll have many opportunities to connect to industry during this course.

After you complete our MA Fashion Marketing course, you can do a six-month work placement to apply your knowledge and skills in a real-life fashion and retail environment.

You can also meet industry experts and professionals through guest lectures. Past invited speakers include:

  • Tamara Sender (Associate Director and Fashion Retail Analyst at Mintel, Size?)
  • Daniel Langhorn (Senior Talent (Influencer) and Community Manager at Size?, in collaboration with New Balance)
  • Amy Powney (Creative Director of Mother of Pearl, on behalf of the Graduate Fashion Foundation)
  • Jen Charon (Founder of the fashion-rental app Loanhood)
Female student standing at careers and employability help desk

Career support

You'll benefit from:

  • Networking events
  • 1-to-1 appointments
  • CV and cover letter advice
  • Interview preparation and practice
  • Workshops to enhance your employability skills
  • Recruitment events, including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
  • Support starting your own business

Learn more about your career support

How you'll spend your time

We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.

We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.

Course structure

This course runs from September to September, and takes:

  • 1 year full-time
  • 2 years part-time

You may choose to complete a 6-month work placement after your taught studies. 

If you study full-time, you can expect: 

  • two face-to-face sessions per week, alongside meetings with your personal tutor 
  • 8-10 hours contact hours per week  
  • to attend online study sessions 
  • to complete 30 hours of independent study per week

Teaching

Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.

You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.

Teaching methods

Teaching activities include:

  • guest/academic lectures
  • seminars
  • individual and group tutorials
  • interactive presentations
  • directed and self directed learning
  • personal development planning
  • work-based learning

Assessment

You'll be assessed through:

  • case studies and industry reports
  • online tests, individual qualification and certification
  • an individual research project
  • presentations and pitches

Meet your course leader

Karen Michelle Ryan Portrait

Mrs Karen Ryan

Senior Lecturer

karen.ryan@port.ac.uk

Read more

Term dates

September start

The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project/dissertation.

See key dates

Supporting you

Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.

In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.

If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.

You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

  • improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
  • delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • understanding and using assignment feedback
  • managing your time and workload
  • revision and exam techniques

Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • academic writing
  • note taking
  • time management
  • critical thinking
  • presentation skills
  • referencing
  • working in groups
  • revision, memory and exam techniques

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

​Course costs and funding

Tuition fees (September 2024 start)

  • Full-time: £12,000
  • Part-time: £6,000 per year

(including Transition Scholarship)

  • Full-time: £12,000
  • Part-time: £6,000 per year

  • Full-time: £17,900
  • Part-time: £8,950 per year

University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount

Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.

You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Funding your studies

Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover. 

If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government postgraduate loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students and our international student scholarships.

Loans, scholarships and bursaries

Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.

Female Master's student
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Funding for international students

Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.

international business students
Discover your options

Fees and funding for Master's courses

Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.

Postgrad students on campus
Explore funding

Additional costs

These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:

  • Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
  • Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
  • General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
  • Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Entry requirements

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.

September 2024 start

  • A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.

Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.

Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.

To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification. 

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.

You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:

  • you have a UK degree
  • you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
  • you are a national of a majority English speaking country

Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be invited to attend an interview.

For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our MA Fashion Marketing portfolio guide.

How to apply

Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.

There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.

If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.

You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.

Extra information for international students

If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.

You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Ready to apply?

I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate

If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2023, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:

  • a shorter application form to complete
  • access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
  • a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses 

Learn more about fast track

After you apply

Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.

You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.

Learn more about how we assess your application.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.