Fashion Buying with Merchandising BA (Hons) at De Montfort University

Learn about the diverse roles and responsibilities of a fashion buyer and merchandiser, and explore the associated roles that are key within the modern fashion industry.

You’ll develop in-depth knowledge of the buying cycle and the critical path, and key activities around trading the range, reacting to sales and managing sales promotions. The merchandising pathway focuses on the numbers behind buying a fashion range, its selection process and strategic stock management. 

We place a strong emphasis on nurturing your professional practice through personal development planning.

This encourages you to reflect on your progress and achievements and identify areas you wish to develop and improve, as well as guided research and critical reasoning and we’ll make sure your Excel skills are fit for purpose in your chosen industry.

We are delighted DMU is ranked in the Top 10 for Fashion and Textiles in the UK, according to The Guardian University Guide 2020 and DMU was named best in learning experience in 2019 by The Business of Fashion, the internationally renowned website which assesses the world’s top programmes. 

Key features

• Learn what you’ll need – including communication and an understanding of fashion business – for a career in today’s fashion and buying industries.
• Draw upon the expertise of fashion industry insiders to build your knowledge and ready yourself for a career in merchandising, or a related role.
• 100% of our Fashion Buying graduates from summer 2017 are in work or further study after graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) 2016-17).
• Understand the figures in fashion finance – the budgets, trading forecasts, effective sales analysis and planning.
• Develop industry-recognised merchandising expertise through an understanding of range building, sales forecasting, critical path management and presentation skills.
• Take part in our international experience programme, DMU Global. Students have benefited from trips to Porto, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Hong Kong and New York, meeting key influencers at top fashion brands.
• Take up a one-year placement opportunity within or outside the UK. Our students have experienced life at Tommy Hilfiger, O'Neill, Next, Marks & Spencer, Reiss, George, Selfridges, River Island, Joules, G-Star, Mamas & Papas, and at several supply bases. Many go on to work for these big brands, or are now running their own successful businesses.
• Utilise an award-winning design space – the Vijay Patel Building – containing specialist facilities to foster fresh ideas and creativity.