Kickstart your career in fashion business with a specialist diploma at the Fashion Retail Academy.
Discover the business side of the fashion industry and find out how products go from design concept to being sold on the shop floor. Studying at the FRA, you’ll also have masterclasses, workshops and industry engagement with some of the biggest brands in fashion built into your course.
Our fashion business courses prepare you for a wide range of industry roles from business management to buying, merchandising and marketing. Apply today and get ready to start your future in fashion.
View our Level 2 and Level 3 fashion business courses
View our Level 4 fashion business courses
Level 2 and Level 3 Fashion Business Courses
Our Level 2 and Level 3 fashion diplomas are designed for those aged 16-18, and are fully funded by the government. These courses offer a broad introduction to the different roles in the fashion retail industry, helping you develop professional skills in a wide range of specialisms including buying, merchandising, marketing, sustainability and much more.
Level 2 Fashion Retail
Studying Level 2 Fashion Retail, you'll gain an understanding of the fashion business, from fashion design and buying to marketing and retail management. You'll learn about the wide variety of roles available within fashion retail companies, and it's a great first step towards a career in the creative or business sectors of the industry. Maths and English GCSE resits are included if required, but spaces are limited.
Level 3 Fashion Retail
Level 3 Fashion Retail gives you the opportunity to explore the many career options within the fashion industry, teaching you the essentials of fashion retailing from head office to shop floor. You'll enjoy masterclasses, workshops and more from some of fashion's biggest brands throughout your course, and graduate prepared for further specialist study or ready to take on an entry-level position in the industry.
LEVEL 4 FASHION BUSINESS COURSES
Our Level 4 Diplomas are the fastest route to a fashion business career, teaching you specialist skills for a range of roles in one year, or just 22 weeks on our Fast Track Buying & Merchandising course. If you are 18 when your course begins, your fees are fully funded by the government so you can study entirely free. Advanced Learner Loans are available for those aged 19 or over.
LEVEL 4 FASHION RETAIL (WITH MARKETING)
Studying Level 4 Fashion Retail (with Marketing), you’ll follow the fashion retail industry from initial garment design to purchase, exploring the product lifecycle from head office to store. This course is perfect if you aren’t sure which fashion career path you’d like to take, as you'll cover areas including marketing, buying, merchandising, operations and production.
Level 4 Digital Marketing for Fashion
On our Level 4 Digital Marketing for Fashion course, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of how digital marketing strategies are developed and implemented at different levels. Learn about the different areas of digital marketing, including social media, influencer marketing and search engine optimisation, and how to combine these to effectively target an audience profile to deliver successful results.
Level 4 Fashion Buying
Master the essential skills and abilities needed to start your career as a Buyer's Admin Assistant on our Level 4 Fashion Buying course. In just one year, you'll learn how to source fabric, garments and suppliers across the globe, how to spot and analyse trends to understand what customers want, and how to collaborate with merchandisers to design range plans that maximise sales.
LEVEL 4 VISUAL MERCHANDISING FOR FASHION
Master a wide range of digital and design skills for visual display and branding with our Level 4 Visual Merchandising for Fashion course. Learn to create dynamic physical and digital assets for omnichannel retailers, from window displays to social media content. Develop trend forecasting and digital design skills to drive sales through product placement and reinforce a brand’s identity in the mind of the customer.
Level 4 Garment Technology
Study the UK's only Level 4 Garment Technology diploma and gain the knowledge and practical experience you need for a successful career as a garment technologist - one of the most in-demand skillsets in the fashion industry. Discover the entire lifecycle of a product, from initial development with designers right through to bringing their vision to life in production, ensuring quality and consistency throughout.
Level 4 Fast Track Buying & Merchandising
Our Level 4 Fast Track Buying & Merchandising course will teach you how to plan and trade a fashion season from concept to consumer. In just 22 weeks, develop the essential skills you need to start in an entry-level buying or merchandising role, ideal for those who want to take the quickest route to a career in this fast-paced sector of fashion head office operations.
UNDERGRADUATE FASHION BUSINESS COURSES
Kickstart your fashion business career with a two-year accelerated BA degree or traditional three-year BSc degree. Save money and graduate a year earlier than your peers with a specialist degree taught by fashion industry experts and unrivalled industry connections embedded throughout.
BA (Hons) Fashion Business
Our BA (Hons) Fashion Business degree course explores the commercial, ethical and financial factors that impact brands and how to navigate these to build a successful business plan. You'll graduate armed with the leadership and business skills to manage global brands, or even start your own fashion business.
BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising
On this BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising degree course, you'll examine the whole supply chain from concept to consumer to build the skills for a successful career in fashion buying and merchandising. Learn how to plan and trade a fashion season and explore consumer profiles and trend analysis.
BSc (Hons) Data Analytics for Retail
By choosing to study BSc (Hons) Data Analytics for Retail, you’ll learn the essential data gathering, analysis and management skills needed to effectively interpret data, create innovative solutions to business problems and highlight new opportunities for a business in any area of industry.
BA (Hons) User Experience Design for Retail
Our BA (Hons) User Experience Design for Retail degree teaches you the essential technology and creative skills to create user experiences needed that are intuitive, engaging and cultivate brand loyalty. Learn how User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design work together to improve customer engagement.
BA (Hons) Sustainability in Fashion
This BA (Hons) Sustainability in Fashion undergraduate course explores the pressing sustainability issues facing the industry today and how businesses can overcome them while remaining profitable. You’ll look at the social responsibility of the fashion industry and the ethical role of retailers in tackling sustainability.
BA (Hons) Marketing & Communication for Fashion
Learn how to give fashion brands their voice with our undergraduate degree, BA (Hons) Marketing & Communication for Fashion. You'll learn to produce, communicate and implement effective marketing campaigns, combining creative and analytical skills for maximum impact.
Postgraduate Fashion Business Courses
We've now introduced a postgraduate fashion degree to help you take your career to the next level. Whether you're a recent graduate or thinking of returning to education to improve your earning potential, a master's degree in fashion could be the skills boost you need.
MA International Fashion Marketing & Communications
On our MA International Fashion Marketing & Communications course, you'll develop creative and strategic skills in marketing and communications and gain a deep insight into international marketing environments, with a particular focus on luxury fashion and retail.
Getting to the Fashion retail academy
Our central London location means we have excellent transport links, and it's very easy to get to us even if you don't live in London.
I loved the Fashion Retail Academy! It has taught me so much, and I’ve had lots of industry experience. The college is very welcoming and supportive. I feel comfortable speaking to my tutor about anything, and the wellbeing team is great. I would 1000% recommend the Academy to anyone.
Leah
Level 3 Fashion Retail
I chose to study at the Fashion Retail Academy because I knew other people who'd studied here and had a really good experience. I liked the idea of studying in London as well!
I really enjoyed my course. I got to experience all different sides of fashion retail: buying, merchandising, visual merchandising, business. My tutor also put me forward for the 'Women in Dior' sustainability programme. It's quite exclusive so I was super excited to get on to it!
Any advice for new students?
Take every opportunity your tutor gives you! They can be so helpful getting you industry links and opportunities you didn't even think you could get.
Olivia
Level 4 Fashion Retail (with Marketing)
As soon as I saw the Fashion Retail Academy, I knew this was the place I needed to go! Everyone on my course is really friendly. We all help each other out and we’re like a big family. Being in the heart of London is so buzzy.
Daisy
Level 3 Fashion Retail
I chose the Fashion Retail Academy because it was the only fashion college that offered a Level 4 course like this - I knew I didn't want to do fashion design.
I feel like I really flourished at the Fashion Retail Academy; I enjoyed every topic. My favourite was our industry project with COS - my group won that one!
Any advice for new students?
Don't think you need to know everything before you start - I didn't know anything about marketing before I did my course!
Opeyemi
Level 4 Digital Marketing
It sets you up for going straight into a job and you get loads of help including careers and wellbeing. It's shown me an insight into an industry and what's to come.
Toni
Level 4 Fashion Buying
