Online Fashion Business & Retail

Studying Fashion Business & Retail, you’ll learn about the structure of businesses within the fashion industry. You’ll discover all the roles and careers available and how they work together to achieve business goals.

You'll have one live evening lesson each week, so you can study on your own schedule around your work and other commitments.

On our Fashion Business & Retail online course, we’ll teach you the key skills fashion brands are looking for, including consumer behaviour and the fundamentals of data analytics.  

We’ll investigate how technology has disrupted the retail environment and the trend towards blending physical and virtual shopping experiences. You’ll also explore the impact of environmental, social and corporate governance, and the increasing consumer demand for sustainable and ethical fashion.    

This is the perfect course if you’d like to develop your skills across a range of areas in the fashion industry, maximising your career opportunities. You’ll complete your studies ready for a wide range of industry roles, like marketing, buying, merchandising and management. 

TUESDAY EVENING

One compulsory live lesson every week. Lessons will usually be in the evening (UK GMT). 

WEDNESDAY EVENING

Either a themed discussion group or support session, alternating every week.

FRIDAY

Pre-recorded content, learning resources and tasks become available on our Online Learning platform. Work must be completed ahead of Tuesday's lesson. 

We expect you to complete 4-6 hours of independent study a week. 

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

• Bookable sessions with your tutor, the FRA library or online learning support
• Careers advise and guidance from the Careers & Progression team

*Timetable is subject to change

Throughout the course, you'll complete 4 projects that cover a range of key topics:

• Introduction to Fashion Industry: Explore how fashion businesses are structured, and discover the full range of roles and careers available. Analyse key external factors that influence business decisions. Learn about the concerns and challenges for brands including sustainability and ethical practice

• Business & Data Analytics: Learn to find, understand and use data in a fashion business environment, including customer profiling, Comp Shops and trend forecasting. Devise creative and effective solutions for problems faced by brands.

• Consumer Behaviour: Explore consumer behaviour analysis in greater detail, and how brands use this to inform future strategy. Understand purchase decisions, marketing and branding and learn how good customer service leads to increased brand loyalty.

• Fashion Retail Environments: Investigate the changing nature of the fashion retail industry, including how brands are merging their online and physical stores. Research the concepts of virtual, omnichannel and experiential retailing.

• Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance (ESG): Learn how modern brands balance business goals with environmental and social concerns, and increasing consumer demands for sustainability.

Throughout the course, you'll have regular seminars, talks and masterclasses from our brand partners. We’ll help you develop a strong industry network that will support you throughout your career. You’ll also take part in projects and challenges set by brands that help you to develop valuable, practical skills.

After completing Fashion Business & Retail, you’ll be ready to progress straight into an entry-level role in industry. The wide range of skills you'll learn will prepare you for many different careers, including:

• Marketing
• Social media management
• Buying
• Merchandising

You could also choose to start your own fashion business.

Accreditation: Accredited by OCN

Minimum Age: 19

Course duration: 1 year

Fees: £2,100

Tuesday Evening Lesson: 19:00-21:30 (UK)

Payment Options:

When you sign up for your course, you'll need to set up a payment plan to secure your place. The first payment is due when you sign up. 

Payment Options:

• Two Payments of 50% each – 0% interest
• Six equal monthly payments – 0% interest
• Full Payment upfront

Tuition fees are subject to change - the fees due are effective at the time of enrolment.

In the highly unlikely event that the course is cancelled, your payment will be refunded in full.

The full fee is to be paid prior to the end of the course. Please contact our Finance Team (finance@fra.ac.uk) if you have any payment queries.

Recommended Entry Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with an undergraduate degree, A-levels or equivalent qualifications. We also encourage applicants with employment experience.

• As a minimum, we recommend GCSEs including Maths & English at grade 4/C or above
• For international students, we require IELTS grade 5

Fashion Business & Retail [Online] is open to applications from international students. However, you must be able to attend one compulsory live lesson, one evening a week (UK GMT).