Fashion Marketing (with Foundation Year)

Succeeding at University introduces you to learning in higher education and provides you with a framework for reflection and understanding of your own personal learning identity as well as tools for continuing educational success.

This module is designed to enable you to develop the key critical thinking skills necessary for university study and beyond. Through a combination of lectures and small group seminars the class will discuss many of the key issues that underpin discussion of all academic disciplines. The lectures will introduce key themes and issues that enable students to make sense of the world in a critical fashion while the seminars will allow students to discuss these issues and engage with key readings each week. You are encouraged to apply these abstract concepts to your specific degree path.

The Module is designed to raise your awareness and competence in mathematical and statistical operations so that you will be able to cope with the necessary demands of the undergraduate business, accounting and finance degrees.

Knowledge of key areas of law is essential to operate a business successfully. This module covers the most important and frequently occurring areas of law relevant to business. Utilising business scenarios this module will develop students’ awareness of the legal environment within which business operates, as well as to certain substantive areas of law that apply to commercial operations. 

In 2015, global leaders committed to the 2030 Agenda of 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals putting sustainable development at the heart of the global development endeavour. The goals aim to address a range of challenges. These include the need for action on climate change and degraded natural resources and the distribution of power and resources that challenge poverty reduction efforts. This module introduces students to key concepts, literature and debates to investigate relationships between the topics and issues encompassed within (and beyond) the Sustainable Development Goals.

An understanding of markets is central to the study of business.  This module explores markets and market economics, encouraging discussion of how individual consumers, industrial firms, governments, and other networks and organisations affect consumer culture and shape market dynamics. You will consider current consumer trends and increasing consumer power and consumer participation. The implications of new and emerging markets will also be discussed, as will historical and cultural aspects of the move towards consumerism.  The module provides an introduction to a range of data sources and analytical tools concerning market and consumer trends.

This module develops your ability to work in different contexts and organisations. In preparing for this you will be provided with opportunities to experience different aspects of working with people in organisations through practical learning activities within the seminars and workshops. You will be introduced to a range of organisation behaviour theories to inform and explain different aspects of with people in organisations. The Sustainable Development Goals are referenced to develop awareness of the wider impact of individual and organisation behaviour.

This module provides you with the chance to consider and develop your own entrepreneurial vision alongside understanding the employment options available outside of the standard job market. You will develop the core skills required in order to succeed in business start-up or self employment. This will be developed by conducting a complete plan and launch of your own small business concept across the duration of the module using a range of weekly elements which form an overall portfolio of work

Whatever a student’s future business career, there are certain basic professional skills and expertise that are required in the workplace. This module provides opportunities to acquire and apply essential skills for academic success, while also developing ‘soft skills’ that are a prerequisite for a successful career. Students will practice, and build confidence in wide ranging skills, as part of their transition into higher education.

This module will help students develop basic research skills as part of individual work on a topic of their choice. They will also enhance their communication and negotiation skills; and increase awareness of the importance of evidence-based thinking and reflective practice.

The emergence of the digital economy has unlocked new opportunities for businesses, whilst creating new modes of competition in both traditional and new sectors of the economy.  The aim of this module is to impart an understanding of digital business together with the practices and processes required to develop effective digital strategies.  Identifying multiple technologies for integration into business, juxtaposed with the development of new digital strategies is central to corporate success, however, this is often a complex task.  This module provides insight into the emergence of digital business, key concepts, technologies, and strategic organisation to develop a multidisciplinary appreciation of how new technologies can directly shape businesses and processes.

This module is an introduction to Fashion. The term fashion is used interchangeably with clothing, mode, dress, style and costume and yet it captures the spirit of the times, through seasonal collections in the major cities of London, Paris, Milan and New York.  It will examine the contemporary context of the UK’s textiles and clothing industries and the growing impact of low cost imports from overseas.

This module develops a practical understanding of the design and production principles of digital publishing.  Students will apply the principles of design layout, interactivity and images for online and traditional publications. They will learn the basic toolsets of relevant software from the Adobe Creative Suite. Technical support will be provided, and students will be expected to practice skills as guided independent study in order to create outputs for both the formative and summative assessments.

This module develops the core skills that will enable students to secure a fulfilling, enjoyable and challenging graduate career. By establishing and pursuing a personal development plan, students develop self-awareness, communication skills, team work, management skills, results orientation, stress management, personal responsibility, coaching and feedback skills.  Whilst there will be a focus on constructing outstanding CVs and professional LinkedIn profiles, much of the module will instil self-awareness through peer coaching and peer feedback whilst stressing the vital importance of taking responsibility for one’s own career. Students will be able to plan and develop career goals based on a clearer idea of preferred career options and an understanding of what they need to do to achieve these goals.

This module equips non-accounting students with the basic financial skills they will need to progress through their management-related degree studies. Students will learn the fundamental processes behind the production of historic financial information, allowing them to conduct analysis of financial statements. Additionally, students will develop knowledge of cost behaviours and forecasting, allowing them to make decisions such as how to price their product. The module allows students to bring together their financial skills by preparing extracts from a business plan as part of an application for finance. Emphasis will be placed on practical skills relevant to entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Faith Popcorn, the American futurologist, describes trend forecasting as ‘cultural brailing’ i.e. a way of feeling the bumps in culture through all five senses. In this module, students will practice the art of looking sideways using desk research and field research activities.  From this process, they will learn to select the most significant trends emerging in contemporary fashion collections. They will investigate the clothed body and its role in articulating multiple identities.  Students will examine sociological theories, e.g. on gender (Paul Gilroy), race (W E B Du Bois) and class (Karl Marx), and reflect on ways in which marginalised groups seek to overcome persistent social injustices.

This module introduces content marketing, examining how contemporary brands create and use content to strengthening audience understanding of mission and values, and commercial offerings via cross channel promotion.  Students will be introduced to methods of content strategy planning in alignment with brand objectives and audience profile. Methods and techniques for developing written, video and visual content will be explored alongside techniques for search engine optimisation, content scheduling and measurement/analysis. Issues of responsible consumption and production will be considered in relation to content marketing.

This module aims to provide a foundation for students to develop their understanding of marketing research methods for academic and professional purposes. Students will explore a number of areas of marketing research including; the use of both primary and secondary data; an introduction to quantitative and qualitative research; and creating research samples. In addition, students will develop an appreciation of ethical implications of the research process to facilitate responsible research practice. The module provides an introduction to the market research industry and relates research skills learned in the module to real-life application in business.

In this module, key concepts relating to; merchandising for profit, mark-ups, pricing strategies, purchase performance and profitability, valuation of stock, markdowns will be addressed from a merchandising perspective. While, consumer profiling, comparative shopping, product and range development, sourcing, range and space planning will be explored from the perspective of the fashion the buyer. Inventory planning, product phasing and the changing nature of seasonality will be addressed via the clarification of the role of the fashion buyer and how this role differs from fashion merchandising to help facilitate well informed career choices. If this role is not a career aspiration, the focus upon essential industry transferable skills, mathematical and analytical, is critical for any commercial fashion role. Ethical and legal aspects of the role will be examined, and these essential elements will be explored via an understanding of professional bodies, NGO’s and consumer and employer expectations, underpinned by the UN Sustainable Development Goals Framework.

This module explores contemporary consumer behaviour theory and examines its application and relevance within marketing management, decision-making and societal contexts.  The module is designed to help students understand the factors that influence consumer behaviour and will examine the development of consumer behaviour in the marketplace from different disciplinary perspectives spanning the social sciences, evolving through an exploration of the contributions from; economics, psychology, sociology and cultural anthropology that reveal the motivations underlying consumer behaviour.

This module is designed to explore fashion retailing theory and practice. The module reflects the rise of omnichannel retailing and provides students with the ability to think critically about the use of different fashion retail formats and channels in delivering an overall brand experience. The module will aim to explore emergent trends in fashion retailing and provide students with an insight into fashion consumer decision-making.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the techniques used within marketing research through an applied and practical approach. Students will learn about some of the most common approaches of data collection in the form of questionnaires, interviews and focus groups etc. The module will cover how these marketing research instruments are designed and distributed. In addition to this, students will learn how to analyse the data that results from these research instruments. Through this module students will develop several research skills further aiding their academic ability and employability.

This inspiring module allows students to demonstrate an advanced understanding of identity and design principles via the deconstruction and creation of a fresh brand identity. Brand aesthetics and semiotics play an important part in creating identity and image within a social and cultural context.  Students explore theories and practices relating to brand design as an emotive tool and change agent and are then able to gain hands-on experience in reimagining a brand.  Commercial aspects of brand: identity, personality and value are explored via the interpretation and realisation of a creative brief, gaining a practical appreciation of how to manage the creative design process. Finally, there will be discussion and analysis of considerations on the contribution of brand identity design to sustainability and consumer lifestyles, as outlined in UN Sustainability Goal 12.

Supply chain management is a relatively new topic which began to take shape in the 1980s and has gained momentum, in recent years, with advances in digital technology.  In this module students will identify the needs of the customer and how to develop relationships, conventionally adversarial and arm’s length, to one of mutuality and trust.  They will study the impact of the New Industrial Revolution, and the emergence of rapid manufacturing, advanced robotics and digitisation of the supply chain. Students will investigate the current volatility in the marketplace, and the need for agile supply chains where supplier and customer teams explore opportunities for realigning processes.  They will research the importance of adopting the triple bottom line, i.e. planet, people and profit, to ensure the long-term success of the business and future well-being of society in line with the UN’s SDG 12.

• Integrated Marketing Communications - 15 Credits

• Employment Experience - An optional year long work placement can be taken between Year 2 and Year 3
   
   

This module provides the opportunity for students to research an area of particular interest to them that is relevant to their studies.  For students undertaking a year-long work placement the dissertation may be set in the context of the host organisation.  The module contributes to the continued professional and academic development of students in the application of research knowledge and skills acquired throughout their programme.  As students are required to manage the research project, the dissertation provides a vehicle for them to demonstrate the extent to which they have managed the transition from tutor-led to student-centred learning.

*Students must opt for one of the following modules: Dissertation; Researching Contemporary Issues in Management; Part-Time Work Placement

This module aims to develop students’ ability to critically evaluate approaches to research and data analysis relating to contemporary management issues faced by organisations operating in a global and diverse context.  Students will have the opportunity to select research and critically assess a range of contemporary management issues in depth.  Enquiry-based learning methods will be used to explore the nature and implications of these issues with emphasis placed upon how managers can contribute to the effective management of these issues in practice.

*Students must opt for one of the following modules: Dissertation; Researching Contemporary Issues in Management; Part-Time Work Placement

The Part-time Work Placement module requires students to work in partnership with host organisations in the private or public sectors with an interest in educating students for the demands of the complex world of work. Students undertake a skills audit before being accepted on to the scheme and will only be considered for this module if they have an attendance record in year two of at least 80%. The outcomes from this, and the availability of appropriate placement and academic supervisors, will determine whether students can proceed with this module. Decisions on suitability will rest with the Programme Leader. Students will be involved in the tracking of employability skills and in personal development planning. The placement will require students to spend 30 full working days in the placement organisation.

*Students must opt for one of the following modules: Dissertation; Researching Contemporary Issues in Management; Part-Time Work Placement

By integrating and understanding the fields of fashion marketing and applied psychology, this module provides students with a scientific basis by which to explain the relationship between human behaviour and fashion consumer decision-making. The module reflects the emergence of interdisciplinary teams of marketers and consumer psychologists to unpack fashion shopping behaviour, deliver meaningful consumer experiences and ultimately deliver results for the fashion sector. The module also explores the powerful influence of fashion on consumer wellbeing in line with UN SDG 3.

This module explores the key visual principles used in social media within a commercial context.  The module explores the role of communication planning and how best to deliver a timely message, to a specified target audience using appropriate social media channels. In addition, the module will explore key theories and concepts surrounding the social media marketing zones and the social media marketing campaign planning process.

Whilst students may understand several areas of marketing they need to be able to measure the return on investment. The plethora of marketing data available due to digital advances means this is an increasingly complex area of management. This module aims to develop understanding by introducing students to digital marketing analytics. From the marketing objectives that drive a business, to decision making, students will learn about the variety of data sources available to them and which metrics can be useful. Through lectures, seminars and workshops, students will enhance their analytical skills and gain practical insights for academic and professional endeavours.

• Fashion Enterprise - 15 Credits

Students will choose one:

• Strategic Brand Management - 15 Credits
• Digital Marketing - 15 Credits
• Value Studies - 15 Credits

Students will choose one:

• Marketing Development in a Volunteering Context - 15 Credits
• Fashion Public Relations - 15 Credits