International Fashion Management MBA

Study level: Postgraduate
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Develop the vision, leadership, business management and entrepreneurial skills needed to build a successful career in the global fashion industry.

Year of entry

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

January 2025


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.
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Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

  • 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 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice (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

Chartered Management Institute logo

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

The following modules are mapped to the requirements of the CMI:

  • 7002MFH Marketing in a Global Age
  • 7005MHR Leadership - Towards Mastery of Leading Change & Inclusivity
  • 7002MHR Leadership - Towards Mastery of Leading Self & Global Cultures
  • 7003MHR Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • 7022MFH Global Market Trends
  • 7021MFH Brand Immersion
Upon successful completion of all these modules (achieving a pass grade), you will be eligible for the CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice subject to successful registration and CMI moderation. Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by the CMI through its quality systems.



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.

During the first semester, learning will focus on the originality in the application of knowledge, together with practical business understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline together with evaluation of the methodologies and developing their critiques and, where appropriate, proposing new hypotheses relevant to fashion business management and marketing.

The second semester is designed to build on your comprehensive understanding of academic knowledge, in order to try and apply these new skills and knowledge through advanced scholarship in a more advanced sectoral setting and work on a project with a real industry client2.

The academic year concludes with several final semester options to choose from, which offer you the opportunity to specialise your award to the career option you intend to pursue after graduation. You can choose from doing a dissertation, applying for work experience in an internship2 and consulting project2, or work on an entrepreneurship business plan in preparation for launching your own business.

Modules

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.

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.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. 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.

Frederik Willems, MBA International Fashion Management Course Director, quoted in 2023
Frederik Willems, MBA International Fashion Management Course Director

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

An honours undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2) or equivalent in a relevant academic discipline. Applicants with a degree in another discipline may be admitted after consideration on a case-by-case basis.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience or professional qualifications are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis. Careful monitoring of applications to ensure that applicants are suited to the course takes place. Where necessary, applicants are interviewed, especially those that do not appear to meet standard admissions criteria. Where deemed appropriate, a written exercise may be administered to establish suitability.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


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 this course with the International Pathways Programme. Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Business will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

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.

Typical entry requirements

An honours undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2) or equivalent in a relevant academic discipline. Applicants with a degree in another discipline may be admitted after consideration on a case-by-case basis.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience or professional qualifications are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis. Careful monitoring of applications to ensure that applicants are suited to the course takes place. Where necessary, applicants are interviewed, especially those that do not appear to meet standard admissions criteria. Where deemed appropriate, a written exercise may be administered to establish suitability.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: This course requires IELTS of 6.5 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

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £20,350   Request fee information

EU £20,350 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£22,550 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £22,550   Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Fees and Finance page.

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

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

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

*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.


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 studio with tables and chairs and four mannequins

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.
 

female sat in front of a mac screen

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.
 

male standing in front of a white wall

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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