International Fashion Management MBA
Study level: Postgraduate
Develop the vision, leadership, business management and entrepreneurial skills needed to build a successful career in the global fashion industry.
Year of entry
2023-24
Location
Coventry University London (City of London)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Course code
LONT066
Start date
September 2023
January 2024
Course overview
With the fashion industry contributing greatly to the UK economy, a new generation of business professionals with a strong foundation in cross-cultural communications and international fashion business management is needed to respond to the needs of a sensitive consumer and a competitive global fashion market.
- Study on our challenging and stimulating course that combines the highest quality of academic and professional discipline, built on current research and advanced scholarship, with direct input from and exposure to the fashion industry.
- Understand the leading theories and concepts of strategy, leadership, finance and entrepreneurship, along with specialised knowledge in fashion business management, communications, sustainability, creativity, brand development, and digital commerce/ enterprise.
- Experience simulated learning (integrated into the flagship modules), experiential activities and interdisciplinary business-related live projects with industry clients2.
- Personalise your learning experience in the final semester, which gives you the opportunity to pursue an entrepreneurship module, an internship consultancy project2 or a dissertation, that will shape your chosen future career.

Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
- CIPD and CMI accreditation
Study on a course with professional accreditation1 from one of the UK’s leading professional management bodies - the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Take the opportunity to obtain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership (subject to the successful completion of specific modules). - Real-world experience
You will have the opportunity2 to take part in teamwork, business simulations and real-industry fashion projects with fashion industry clients and professionals (subject to availability), which has previously included clients like The Accessories Circle, Nubian Skin, London Hat Week, Pringle of Scotland, PINKO, Sarah Haran, Endrime, Laura Lee Jewellery among others, all of which are underpinned by academic analysis and synthesis and offer you the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge and skills in professional practice. - Industry insight
You’ll be taught by helpful, supportive and highly qualified academics with extensive international career experience in fashion management across a range of disciplines. They will apply their experience to illustrate your learning, and they may use their extensive network of contacts to create networking opportunities for students. Please note that staff are subject to change. - London location
The course aims to utilise the unique campus location, London, as one of the key fashion cities in the world. Within the heart of London, you will have easy access to major global and local high-street and luxury retailers such as Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Bond Street and Savile Row to name a few. You may also get the opportunity to visit exciting museums and galleries such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Fashion and Textile Museum, Design Museum, Vogue Archives, Museum of Brands, Tate Modern, amongst many more, where you have the opportunity to visit exhibitions, pursue your research interests and observe and build your future fashion business network (subject to additional costs). - Prepare for your future
You’ll have opportunities to network with employers and to build your CV. Should you wish to start your own business, we offer business start-up advice and support through our Enterprise Hub. MBA students also have the opportunity to take an optional Entrepreneurship module, and take part in our Professional Development Programme, developed in collaboration with corporate learning and development specialists to help you develop key industry competencies.
Accreditation and professional recognition
This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Chartered Management Institute
This course has been accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) . Students who successfully pass the CMI Mapped Modules offered in this course on their way to achieving the full Coventry University qualification will be eligible for a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership award.
My experience as an international student
Javeria is an international student from Pakistan who decided to take the leap and study overseas at Coventry University London. Javeria wants to work in the fashion industry after graduating from our International Fashion Management MBA.
Read Javeria's story

What you'll study
Your main study themes are:
- Identifying global and local market trends Leaders must respond to the change which is inherent in fashion. The ability to identify and react to rapid shifts in consumer appetites and designer tastes is critical to sustainable success.
- Change and leadership Those shifting micro trends, coupled with rapidly changing macro issues (global economics, resource availability, digital enterprise, environmental concerns and geo-politics), require fashion leaders to accept and manage the inevitability of change and to be agile in their approach and decision making.
- Profiling consumers and brands Fashion spans every possible socio-demographic and every culture. Leaders must identify, understand and communicate with the right customers for their brands in a two-way conversation involving both listening and informing in order to sustain strong commercial enterprise.
- Sustainability and future enhancements Fashion is the second biggest industrial polluter, after oil. Leaders in fashion must therefore find solutions to protect the environment, resources, people and the industry itself. Consumption of luxury and fashion products are the key focus in understanding the complexity of the supply chain and to build on the future of this supply chain for generations to come.
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
Although your studies are designed to be underpinned by solid academic theory, this course provides you with the opportunity to apply what you should have learnt to the real business context, both on and off campus2.
You will engage via a number of learning blocks in each module:
- Knowledge and understanding; this block is concerned with the sharing of academic theory and concepts to ensure you have mastered a critical appreciation of current and relevant research in the subject area.
- Application; this block brings the knowledge and understanding ‘to life’ by relating it to current practice. It takes a critical view of the theory and concepts as they are employed in the workplace in order to encourage you to evaluate their significance and merit.
- Analysis and problem solving; this block requires you to develop and demonstrate your analytical skills and present a rationale and strategic set of decisions, which identify risks and generate a range of hypotheses to understand their cause and effect.
This course can also be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please contact registry.london@coventry.ac.uk for more information about studying this course part-time.
Teaching contact hours
The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 10 contact hours per week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 10 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods may include:
- Essays
- Group work
- Presentations
- Reports
- Projects
- Coursework
- 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.
International experience opportunities
As reflected in the course title, this programme explores the world of international fashion management from a truly global perspective. Every aspect of your learning will be set within an international and intercultural context, whether you’re exploring ethics and sustainability, accounting standards, digital technologies, logistics and the supply chain, or the globalisation of fashion.
You’ll have the opportunity for domestic and overseas field trips2, and you could arrange to do your internship consultancy project2 outside of the UK. You may also have an opportunity to study with international students.
Coventry University Group aims to give you the global opportunities needed to become a truly global graduate, enhancing your employability on a global scale. Choose from language classes, studying or working abroad, international field trips, summer schools, leadership development or work experience2. Opportunities such as these have enabled previous students to obtain higher starting salaries and develop the global skills employers require and achieve better career progression.
International Fashion Business Management is the core to the success of flourishing fashion enterprises. Working together with you on exploring new, innovative and financially sustainable angles will make you the future leaders and drivers of market and product trends, product innovation and internationally successful businesses within the fashion and luxury goods industry.

Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK | £22,550 | Request fee information |
International | £22,550 | Not available |
The following are additional costs not included in the fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £500+ per trip
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad)
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
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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 government's 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
Our International Fashion Management MBA students have access to a wide range of facilities4 to help you apply your academic knowledge, creative and tangible skills in professional practice, in preparation for a professional career in the exciting international fashion industry.
Take a virtual tour of our campus to explore all of the facilities available to you.

Fashion studios
Our fashion students have access to two fashion studios, which offer versatile spaces for lectures, group work, networking and utilising industry technologies. These contemporary spaces allow you to harness your creativity, experimentation and design skills.

Mac suite
There is a fully equipped Mac suite for digital and creative work. Here you could learn to create digital marketing and social media campaigns and engage with consumers in effective ways. Our Mac suite has the latest industry standard software such as Adobe Creative Cloud.

Photography and visual merchandising suite
We have a combined photography and visual merchandising suite for practical workshops and styling sessions. Here you could learn to design global retailing and visual merchandising strategies and learn how luxury goods and services are branded.
Careers and opportunities
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Appraise the influence and be able to respond accordingly to complex, dynamic and contextual forces on global fashion organisations: including legal systems; ethical, economic, environmental, social and technological factors; international fashion trends and corporate governance.
- Undertake the critical analysis of global fashion markets and customers: the trends of development and operation of markets for fashion resources, goods and services; expectations of customers and stakeholders, service and orientation.
- Efficiently apply the concepts and processes to development and marketing of fashion goods and/or services; the management of resources and operations in global fashion industry.
- Critically evaluate the available options for financing of the fashion business enterprise or other forms of organisations: sources, uses and management of finance; use of accounting for managerial and financial reporting applications.
- Undertake the management and development of people within fashion organisations: organisational theory, behaviour, employee relations, human resource management and change management.
- Professionally apply a range of research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, and evaluate their strengths and limitations when working with information and evaluating options in an uncertain organisational environment in the fashion industry.
- Efficiently exploit the relevant fashion information systems and technologies and evaluate their impact on communication of organisations operation within an international knowledge-based economy.
- Develop and apply appropriate business processes and strategies within a changing global fashion context, while addressing stakeholder interests.
Fashion is a huge, highly competitive and growing industry, which means that strong business leaders are always in high demand. On this course, you will explore in-depth how the international fashion business operates and where its opportunities and challenges lie. Your global perspective should deliver a strong foundation in cross-cultural communication and international business management skills.
The course offers a springboard, upon successful completion, to a potential career culminating in management roles and should accelerate your promotion to rewarding leadership positions. Upon graduation, you should be able take your place among a new generation of fashion business leaders, being able to respond effectively to the demands of an unknowable future.
Where our graduates work
Previous graduates from this course have well-developed powers of analysis, strategic thinking and communication, effective decision making and are well-equipped to meet the leadership challenges of today and tomorrow. You could develop a successful career, upon graduation, in a range of disciplines within fashion, including garment production, the supply chain, buying, advertising, fashion retailing, retail management, finance, brand management, visual merchandising, digital communications, marketing, PR, publishing, journalism, IT, event production or consultancy. You might choose to be employed or to start your own business.
Past students have gone on to exciting careers for leading brands such as Ralph Lauren, Hermes, Net-a-Porter, Karlo Otto PR, Louis Vuitton, Fortnum & Mason, Uniqlo, Coach, Emporium department store to name a few, in Europe, Japan, China, and Thailand.
How to apply
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UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University London, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International students
Students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an postgraduate degree view our International hub.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, 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
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). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
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 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 COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the 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), 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.
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
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. 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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