Should I Choose a Level 4 Diploma or an Undergraduate Degree?

One of our most frequently asked questions is whether prospective students should choose to study one of our Level 4 diplomas or an undergraduate degree.

Choosing whether to study a higher education programme is an important decision for students studying at Level 3 or A-Level. Level 4 and undergraduate degrees both have their own advantages, but studying either will help you kickstart your career in fashion!

Level 4 Diplomas

A Level 4 diploma is equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree. One of the biggest benefits of studying a Level 4 programme is you’ll earn a nationally recognised qualification in just one year, and be ready for an entry-level job. They take a more hands-on, practical approach to learning, and they're entirely assessed through coursework, so you don't take any exams. 

If you’re 18 or under, your study is fully funded so you won’t need to pay anything. If you’re 19 or over, they’re still significantly cheaper than an undergraduate degree, at just £4,220 a year.  Government-funded Advanced Learner Loans are available, making them an even more affordable option for continued education. You won’t pay anything back until you’re earning over £25,000. Visit the government website for the most up-to-date information. 

We also offer a Fast Track course for adults aged 19+. This Buying & Merchandising diploma will teach you everything you need for an entry-level role in either department in just 22 weeks. It’s perfect for those looking to improve their skills, or retrain in a new area, whilst continuing part-time work.

Whilst studying for a Level 4 diploma at the FRA, you’ll also complete the Future Pathways Programme. This is a 3-week, full-time (5 days per week) schedule of industry engagement activities to help you take your next steps after graduating, connect with industry professionals and build a range of skills and knowledge to improve your career prospects.

When you apply to the programme you can choose from the following routes: 

• Placement Pathway: Qualifying students* can apply for our Work Placement Pathway. This is a full time three week work placement within a brand.  This is aimed at providing hands on experience, however it may not always be specifically related to the course. 
• Employability Pathway: Take part in a range of activities to support your progression into employment. You’ll work with a recruitment agency, learn about head office roles and complete an assessment centre, alongside an industry project and networking event to build your fashion retail contacts. 

* Students will be provided with qualifying criteria ahead of the September in the year of placement

Our Accelerated Undergraduate Degrees

Studying for an undergraduate degree, you’ll have time to study a wider range of subjects at a more in-depth level. These courses have a more academic focus.

Our exclusive undergraduate degrees are the only two-year accelerated fashion programmes in the UK. We teach over three semesters a year, instead of the traditional two, saving you time and money on your degree without compromising on what you learn.

We created them alongside our fashion industry brand partners, to make sure we are teaching the latest skills and insights that industry needs. The highly practical, industry-focused courses benefit from unrivalled industry enrichment including workshops, masterclasses, live practical projects, a personal industry mentor and three-week work placements. We regularly re-evaluate our course content, so they’re as up-to-date as possible.

Tuition fee loans are available, and you’ll only need to start repaying your loan when you earn over £27,250 a year.

How to Choose a Course

Choosing between a Level 4 diploma and an undergraduate degree depends on your personal career goals, financial situation and what subject you think you’ll enjoy the most!

Think about which area of the fashion industry interests you, and then choose a course and level of attainment you'd like related to that career path. 

We have seven Level 4 diplomas available at the FRA, in a wide range of subjects.

• Digital Marketing for Fashion
• Fashion Buying
• Garment Technology for Fashion
• Fashion Business (with Marketing)
• Visual Merchandising
• Level 4 Fast Track Buying & Merchandising

Undergraduate degrees offer a more advanced level of education. We have eight undergraduate programmes currently on offer:

• BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising
• BA (Hons) Fashion Business
• BA (Hons) Marketing & Communication for Fashion
• BA (Hons) Sustainability In Fashion
• BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Styling
• BA (Hons) User Experience Design for Retail
• BA (Hons) Art Direction for Fashion
• BSc (Hons) Data Analytics for Retail