Overview
There’s nowhere like London for learning fashion PR and Communication and, in our opinion, no course more professionally focused than this one.
London is one of the world’s biggest fashion capitals. From Mary Quant’s iconic 1960s miniskirts to Vivienne Westwood’s dramatic punk frock, from Carnaby Street to Brick Lane, London has always been where avant-garde fashion bounces off the zeitgeist. So where better to study than here in the heart of London?
This is a very practical course, you will have the opportunity gain hands-on exposure to business operations which will be invaluable in building a global career in fashion PR and professional Communications industry. You’ll benefit from your tutors’ extensive industry experience and contacts, and you’ll be able to make the most of the numerous opportunities for learning which lie beyond the University’s doors.
Why Coventry University London?
We believe that there is no better place to learn about business than to study in the heart of one of the most successful business and financial centres in the world. Launched in 2010 and located in the City of London, we are minutes away from the Bank of England and the London Stock Exchange, and are surrounded by several blue chip companies.
COVID-19
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 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.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating 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.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedStudent experience
All the support you need, in a top student cityHeart of the City
Minutes from the Bank of England and Stock Exchange
Course information
On this course, you’ll live and breathe fashion. Surrounded by London’s vibrant streets, and taught by some of the industry’s experts, you’ll will have the chance to learn how to create global success for any type of fashion label.
Are you interested in creating communication and PR strategies that effectively elevate and create brand growth? Then this very practical course is for you. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from a team of experienced tutors who have outstanding fashion experience, many of whom remain active in the industry and in research (staff may be subject to change).
You’ll be encouraged to explore all that London has to offer – everything from its fabulous street markets to high-street retailers and exclusive luxury brands. However, we also aim to bring the industry to you: you’ll have the chance to hear from guest lecturers like fashion stylists, photographers, editors, journalists and agents, and we will arrange visits to brand’s head offices, flagship stores, PR and Communication agencies, trade shows, or museums. You will have opportunities to network with figures from industry, and could even work on a live project for a client from the industry. You will also have the options to enjoy field trips in the UK or Europe, organised by your tutors. (Please note these opportunities may be subject to availability, additional costs, application and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements).
Course Specification
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Modules
Coventry University is ranked 15th in the UK Guardian University Guide 2020
In more detail...
Although you’ll also get a solid academic grounding, this is a very practical course designed to offer excellent preparation for employment or self-employment in fashion PR, communications and marketing. With all of London on your doorstep, you will have countless opportunities to get involved with names, brands, events and ideas, both as part of the curriculum and responding to your own independent interest.
London
Fashion is London’s heartbeat, so where better to immerse yourself in this industry? Perched as it is between uber-cool Shoreditch and London’s financial district, our campus is ideally placed to help you discover everything from emerging independent labels to established global brands, as well as fashion consultancies and global trend laboratories. Soak up inspiration from the V&A, the Fashion and Textile Museum and London Fashion Week, and explore invention and reinvention in London’s amazing street markets – such as Camden, Spitalfields, Portobello Road and Brick Lane.
Tutors
You’ll have the chance to be taught by experienced and enthusiastic tutors with strong backgrounds in fashion, whether in PR, sustainability, luxury, digital, production, consultancy or research. They have extensive networks of fashion contacts, which they try to exploit to offer students outstanding opportunities to mix with the industry – which could eventually open up employment opportunities for you. (Staff may be subject to change).
Internationalisation
This entire course is considered from a world perspective, preparing you for a career which understands global issues and which could be based anywhere in the world. Our overseas students offer additional perspectives to everyone’s learning, as they’re encouraged to share their home context while comparing and contrasting it with fashion in the UK or the Western world.
Facilities
Our campus has its own exclusive fashion studio, Photography Suite, and iMac Suite offering a versatile space for lectures, group work, workshops, networking, technology and other resources (subject to availability).
Career support
You’ll be encouraged to gain practical experience by exploring internship opportunities, participate in client projects; and grow your network. You will have the chance to get valuable insights into career development from guest speakers in industry (subject to availability). Soft skills are emphasised, so you will build your confidence, your entrepreneurial skills, and your ability to present yourself and your ideas. Our Talent Team will be happy to check job applications and CVs at any stage.
The course makes use of London as an inspirational fashion city with field trips to museums and galleries such as the world famous Victoria and Albert museum and the Fashion and Textiles museum in addition to observational research in a range of market segments and product categories. In addition, the course will undertake extended field trips to European and/or international destinations in line with the course and module outcomes. Top-up programmes allow entry to the final year of a BA degree programme for students who already hold a Level 5 qualification in a related field who have a sound background of study and knowledge.
- Studying and even working in London will give you extraordinary exposure to one of the world’s biggest and best fashion capitals. The hands-on nature of this course is designed to help you transition more quickly and easily into the world of paid professional work when you graduate
- You should complete your course with a clear idea of the career options open to you in fashion PR communication and marketing – and even in related and unrelated industries.
- You will be encouraged to use your observations, critical analysis and research skills to develop a habit of lifelong learning which will serve you throughout your fashion career. You will develop your confidence as an individual, as well as within a team, and you’ll become more skilled in researching, writing up and presenting your work to a wide range of audiences
Your main study themes are:
- Internationalisation – Deepen your understanding of the local-yet-global nature of fashion, and how to manage key globalisation issues such as the supply chain, ethics and sustainability.
- Innovation – Explore the extent to which fashion is about ‘the new’, against a backdrop of changing technologies, materials and consumers trends, and how to keep a fashion brand relevant.
- Brand – Understand key principles of brands and how they engage with both businesses and consumers. Consider how to manage brands for long-term success within the context of short-term trends.
- Strategy – Learn to take a strategic and sustainable approach to business: fashion concepts need the investment of time, skill and capital to transform them into enduring business successes.
We have designed a course which is as professional and practical as possible, taught by tutors with solid industry backgrounds and engaging as much as possible with the industry itself.
Fashion is ‘out there’, not ‘in here’. That’s why, in addition to your time in seminars and lectures, you’ll do a lot of learning beyond the classroom. Working independently or with your fellow students, you can learn to treat every exposure to fashion as an opportunity for critical analysis which can inform your work.
You will be encouraged to pursue self-directed learning by exploring the streets, markets and stores around you, conducting store observations to develop your research and critical-thinking skills. You’ll be encouraged to go out and examine how fashion is promoted according to its context; from high street to luxury.
With so much on offer around you, you can make the most of London’s museums, exhibitions and special collections, both contemporary and historical. You could visit events such as London Fashion Week, London Fashion Weekend; product or collection launches, and store openings. You will be kept informed of all the other trade shows and fashion conferences available to you. We’ll also aim to organise visits to fashion brand headquarters, magazines, event production firms, and PR and communication agencies (subject to availability).
Your tutors will aim to use their personal contacts to develop internship opportunities and to bring in guest speakers, clients for live projects, and speed networking events. You may work with employers on PR and communication projects, and could develop your expertise in digital media to research global trends and create brand campaigns. Students have the opportunity to meet with fashion stylists, magazine editors, agency owners, product designers and developers, photographers, and event production professionals. (These opportunities may be subject to availability, additional costs, competitive applications and meeting any applicable visa requirements).
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 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.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating 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.
Teaching methods may include, lectures, seminars, textbooks, workshops, debates, case studies, consultancy projects, simulations, business plans and online collaborations.
Because we’re committed to providing an experience which closely mirrors real business life, you’ll be assessed through coursework relevant to the fashion industry. Assessments may include reports, presentations, pitches, portfolios, and posters.
This may include developing digital media and brand strategies, creative projects, experiential and digital campaigns, marketing copy, poster design and dashboard analytics. You will have the opportunity to work on client-briefed projects, and you’ll produce business reports and presentations including standard management reports and pitches to industry professionals.
On successful completion of this course, you will have knowledge and understanding of PR and communication, strategic planning, digital marketing analytics for measuring return of investment and have the PR skills for promoting your own business or entering the PR and communication industry.
Students will typically receive around 9 hours of contact teaching per week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group sessions, and online classes. Students will also be expected to spend a significant amount of time conducting independent study.
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.
This entire course is set in an international context, so global considerations will underpin every aspect of your learning.
Firstly, you will have the chance to explore key global issues such as cultural diversity, sustainability and ethics.
Secondly, you will have exposure to international brands with head offices outside the UK, and PR agencies with offices around the world.
Thirdly, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside an international cohort who will bring fascinating insights on fashion and business from their home countries.
Entry Requirements
We will consider other qualifications for a pre-result unconditional offer providing that you have an appropriate proven performance at GCSE (or equivalent) level and predicted grades in line with grades that we expect to see at A-level. Other qualifications that we may consider for a pre-result unconditional offer include: the International Baccalaureate Diploma, BTEC Level 3 qualifications, Cambridge Pre-U and combinations of qualifications (e.g. BTECS plus A-levels).
An unconditional offer is what it says it is. So if you don’t meet your predictions then your place at Coventry is still guaranteed. However we would hope and expect that you continue to work hard to make the most of your potential and be best prepared to study at university level.
We can’t but our experience over the years has shown us that students like you with a track record of high grades and excellent predictions are very likely to achieve those grades. Our assessment takes into account all elements of your application to allow us to take a holistic view of your potential. There is still the opportunity to gain one of the Coventry University Scholarships if you achieve the required grades so there is a financial incentive to aim high. Unconditional offers are only made to individuals who have demonstrated their commitment so we believe their focus and determination is unlikely to waver in the final stages of their qualifications.
No, the unconditional offer is only available to those who will take up their place in 2019.
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips or membership fees for non-affiliated partners.
EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
This future-forward, globally astute course is intended to help propel you into an exciting professional fashion PR and communication career anywhere in the world.
Upon graduating, you’ll have an array of career options. You might choose to go into PR and communication or pure marketing, management or leadership. The strategic skills you will learn will also prepare you for self-employment, if that’s what you want. You’ll have strong employer appeal thanks to the practical, international and London-based nature of your studies, as well as your ability to develop innovative solutions to real PR and communication problems facing the industry today.
Our focus on world issues means that international opportunities may be open to you on graduation. You’ll be equipped to contribute to the work of global brands; understand the role fashion brands play in diverse economies; and have a strong grasp of why diversity, ethics and sustainability must increasingly connect fashion to global society.
Where our graduates work
This course is geared towards the PR, communication and marketing of fashion brands, rather than fashion design or production. So when you graduate, you will be ideally placed to begin a career as a PR professional, either in-house with a brand or agency based, or promote your own business. You could work at a brand management or consultancy agency or client-side in PR, social media management, digital marketing, advertising, creative direction, or account management.
Your skills will be transferable across a wide range of industries, so you won’t be limited to fashion if you’d like to branch out. You could easily go into communication or marketing positions in retail, cosmetics, hair, fashion, lifestyle, health & leisure, events, or indeed any other sector.
Disclaimer
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 2020/21 Contract can be found here. 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.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
