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International Fashion Business BA (Hons)

Undergraduate

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From trends to trade: explore the global fashion industry, gain insights into international markets and build creative and business skills for a dynamic career in fashion.

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

W23B

Start date

September 2026

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The information on this page is for 2025-26 entry and should be used as guidance for 2026-27 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

If you're passionate about fashion, business and global trends, get the skills, insight and industry knowledge to launch a career in the international fashion market, from brand management to buying and retail strategy.

Learn how fashion brands grow, market and operate worldwide.
Explore sustainability, innovation and digital trends shaping the industry.
Get hands-on experience for a fast-moving career in fashion buying and management.²

A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Explore global fashion markets through modules focused on international branding, buying and retail strategy.
Gain practical experience by working on live industry projects and case studies as part of your assessed coursework.²
Enhance your global outlook with the option to study or work abroad through our international exchange and placement opportunities.²
Learn from staff with experience in fashion marketing, brand development and international business (staff may be subject to change).
Access specialist facilities, including trend forecasting tools, digital marketing software and resources within Coventry University's creative hub.⁴

About the School of Arts and Creative Industries

Our hands-on, practitioner-led approach is rooted in project-based learning. This creates opportunities for cross-disciplinary working and engagement with external collaborators. Where appropriate, you may work with peers from other courses, bringing specialist skills to interdisciplinary projects in ways that reflect the collaborative nature of creative studios and agencies in the creative industries.
Our learning and teaching mirror the needs of the creative industries, so our graduates have the opportunity to develop the skills and attributes needed to become industry specialists, leaders and innovators.
Our studio culture seeks to ensure you are socially responsible in our creative community and develop critical thinking in research and making processes.
Our global initiatives aim to give you skills to become a collaborative communicator and make you culturally competent.
Our excellent industry links typically enable us to host an exciting programme of guest speakers covering topics, such as fashion merchandising, sustainability in practice and fashion journalism.²
Past students have worked on projects as diverse as sportswear design for Reebok and jewellery design for Tatty Devine.

No.8

For Fashion and Textiles

The Guardian University Guide 2025

Learn more about Graduate Fashion week which attracts Industry and International audiences from across the world. Find out more here

Graduate Showcase 2025

Check out what our School of Arts and Creative Industries students produced for their final projects to showcase at Coventry University's Graduate Festival.

Attended by hundreds of industry professionals, family and friends, across multiple weeks, our students' work was showcased at our very own Phoenix Film Festival, live performances from our theatre and music students and an on-campus exhibition.

What you'll study

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

Fashion BA (Hons)
Fashion Brand and Communication BA (Hons)
International Fashion Business BA (Hons)

Modules

Fashion Activation – 30 credits

In this module, you will be introduced to the context and culture of the fashion industry in its broadest sense, considering it from a range of positions and roles. You will explore how the different specialisms within the fashion industry work together and how you, as a practitioner, contribute to this landscape. You will explore the history of the discipline, contemporary contexts, and the relationship between practice and context, while fostering skills in critical debate, audience-aware writing and articulating understanding.

You should learn to:

identify how cultural and contextual factors influence project opportunities and outcomes
select and curate information to support the conceptualisation and refinement of creative audience-specific outcomes in fashion
engage with emerging debates, information and observations to inform personal responses and directions.

Compulsory

Fashion Play – 30 credits

In this hands-on module, you will consider ‘play’ as an investigative and developmental tool used in the fashion industry to resolve problems and answer creative challenges. As a practitioner, communicator and developing professional, you will explore processes and techniques that encourage serendipitous and surprise outcomes, then reflect on these as part of your individual development. The module covers problem-solving and solution techniques, creative processes, interpreting briefs and taking creative risks.

You should learn to:

apply problem-solving capabilities to define, develop and refine creative ideas
recognise and respond creatively to real-world challenges within the discipline of fashion
familiarise yourself with creative thinking techniques and experimental processes to develop personal understanding and practice.

Compulsory

Fashion Community – 30 credits

In this module, you will explore a range of approaches to communication with different stakeholders and actors within the evolving fashion industry and broader creative sector. You will begin to consider your own means of communicating appropriate to your specialist area, and how you can best articulate your creative identity. Develop skills in explaining goals and intentions, reflecting on your personal experience in relation to practice, working collaboratively, communicating decisions and effectively archiving and recording practice.

You should learn to:

articulate intentions through a range of creative outcomes in fashion
record and reflect on project experiences and activities in the development of personal practice
reflect interpersonal skills and capabilities when engaging with stakeholders, project negotiation and development.

Compulsory

Fashion Practice – 30 credits

In this module, you will explore how fashion works in practice and within the fashion industry. You’ll start to reflect on processes and techniques used by fashion practitioners, communicators and businesses and identify your strengths and areas for development. The module focuses on helping you identify and develop your skills and understanding.

You should learn to:

develop ideas and practical solutions through specialist making techniques and processes in fashion
respond to practical challenges and reflect on their relative value in the context of your developing professional practice
reflect on and refine ongoing project work to embrace personal interests and recognise potential career aspirations.

Compulsory

Modules

State of the Art – 30 credits

What’s happening now and what will happen next? Engage with discourse about the ever-changing fashion industry. Reflect on its current form and consider possible future developments, exploring the state of the industry and how global affairs impact on business practice. Investigate how this informs your developing discipline.

Compulsory

Business Revolution – 30 credits

Develop your experimental approach to creative business practice. Reflect on your ability to balance risk with reward in selecting problem-solving techniques to achieve practical solutions to industry challenges. Utilising existing models and considering case studies, evaluate where new approaches can push existing practices forward and innovate in the field of business and entrepreneurship.

Compulsory

Industry Interruption – 30 credits

Whether working independently or as part of a larger team, communicating plans and strategies is an essential part of business in fashion and the broader creative sector to interrupt the norm and introduce innovation. Develop appropriate communication methods and strategies, suitable for articulating your perspective, your work and your creative identity as a professional fashion business practitioner.

Compulsory

Fashion Synthesis – 30 credits

Connect your practical skills with your future ambitions in fashion business (or the broader creative sector). Exercise your individual preferences through the synthesis of fashion relevant personal practice. Utilise the skills and strengths developed in project work and taught sessions to negotiate a critical path and to curate a body of work which represents you as an individual working in this field.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final years of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Modules

New Fashion Drivers – 30 credits

Knowing where you are in an ever-expanding industry is essential to your success and professional longevity. Investigate your own role and location within the fashion industry as a business practitioner. Consider principles of ethics, sustainability and equity and how these relate to your individual goals and ambitions which drive you as you establish your future plans.  

Investigate your role and location within the fashion industry as a business practitioner. Consider principles of ethics, sustainability and equity and how these relate to your goals and ambitions. 

Compulsory

Industry Innovators – 30 credits

Refine your toolkit of traditional and innovative techniques for problem solving and developing innovative solutions. Consider the value of your portfolio of skills and perspective to your chosen market and level of fashion, lifestyle and broader creative industries, and evaluate how you contribute to the evolving needs of the sector.

Compulsory

Collaborative Entrepreneurs – 30 credits

Your distinct creative identity is what sets you apart from other fashion and lifestyle business practitioners. Refine your tone of voice and handwriting relevant to your chosen specialist roles and responsibilities. Utilise negotiation skills and the ability to both lead and contribute through project activity considering how you work with peers, collaborators, customers or clients.

Compulsory

Business Practice – 30 credits

The edges of the fashion industry are blurring. Lifestyle, sports, travel and fashion now overlap and influence each other in trends and movements. Articulate your role within the evolving creative industries. Evidence skills identifying current and future industry trends and how your specialist practice aligns with these and contributes to the prospective professional landscape.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures 
seminars 
tutorials 
presentations 
group projects 
workshops 
practical studio sessions 
practical workshop sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course is assessed using methods that vary by module. These approaches are intended to prepare you for the complex and evolving contexts of professional practice.

Assessment methods may include:

artefacts
practical coursework
digital coursework
individual work
group work
live/poster presentations
reports
projects
individual assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	112
A level	BBC
GCSE	GCSE English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
BTEC	DMM
IB Diploma	29 points
Access to HE	The Access to HE Diploma. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year.

Portfolio

You may be required to attend a portfolio showcase, activity session or audition or submit a portfolio via email (as is appropriate to your course), either virtually or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites for these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

South East Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying our Art, Design and Media Practice Foundation course first. Upon successful completion our Art, Design and Media Practice Foundation will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Portfolio

You will be required to submit a portfolio via email or alternatively attend a showcase activity session or audition (as is appropriate for your course) which can be virtual or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites to send in your portfolio or attend these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

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

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year	Not available
EU	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Other additional costs

Any optional specialist supplies, such as materials, or equipment not supplied by the course.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

The Delia Derbyshire building lies at the heart of our Coventry city campus. First opened to students in 2023, the spaces enable you to mix with like-minded students, getting hands-on with cross-disciplinary projects or immersing yourself in the studios with cutting-edge virtual reality and mixed-reality technologies. Our aim is to bring you sector-leading facilities helping you explore your way to your future career⁴.

Our digital and industrial workshops are of industry-standard quality and house 3D rapid prototyping, laser cutters and milling machines. These facilities are available to all students on our courses at no extra cost.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student in fashion studio, working with fabric.

Fashion studios

You will have access all kinds of industry-grade equipment for a range of textiles: from laser cutting, digital embroidery, sonic wielding and screen printing, to manufacturing tools for accessories, embroidery and garments.

Student with model of car.

Digital Design Workshop

Realise digital designs by using our range of milling machines, rapid prototyping and laser cutting machines.

Delia Derbyshire building

Delia Derbyshire Building

The Delia Derbyshire complex offers more space to learn, design and make, including a hyper-studio for students across all disciplines to collaborate on projects together, a gallery space and an events atrium.

Careers and opportunities

Employability and graduate skills are of paramount importance throughout this industry-focused course. The course has been developed with graduate goals and destinations in mind, beyond undergraduate academic success, to help ensure graduates are industry-ready.

The optional sandwich year is a real, focused opportunity to gain industry experience and helps refine your graduate goals and ensure a clear direction for your return to studies.²

Where our graduates work

Previous alumni from our suite of fashion courses have undertaken placements at companies including Francesca Casrellano, MR MARVIS, Ralph Lauren, Common Objective, BStyle Studio, Adidas, Karl Lagerfeld, Sainsbury’s TU, The Future Laboratory, Calvin Klein, POP Magazine, Vogue, Iris Van Herpen, WGSN and Bottle Blonde.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Two students sat at a desk working on a laptop

Discover Phoenix+

Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

UK students

Full-time students will be able to apply for this course through UCAS from September 2025. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
AHU091

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and membershipsons

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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