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Store window visual merchandising for Hermes, featuring a sky blue backdrop, with rain falling. In the middle is a mannequin wearing a Hermes coat and holding an umbrella up. By BA Fashion Communication and Promotion student Beth Poulter
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Fashion Marketing and Business BA (Hons)

Unite your love for fashion innovation and business strategy as you delve into the marketing mechanisms of the global fashion industry.

Key information

How to Apply
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Our course is designed for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs and leaders who want to innovate and reshape the global fashion industry. BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Business provides a unique insight into the commercial fundamentals, marketing strategies and core brand development techniques used in the fashion industry, allowing you to fully understand, create and operate successful fashion businesses.

You’ll create dynamic marketing campaigns, retail concepts, buying proposals and business plans that will allow you to fully understand and operate within successful fashion businesses. As you build your knowledge of fashion marketing, you will develop skills in marketing and promotional strategies, international fashion branding, fashion retail and visual merchandising and fashion buying and merchandising.

You will follow the path of graduates from our sister course, Fashion Communication and Promotion, who are set up for successful careers after work experience and internships at brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Jimmy Choo, Net A Porter, and Adidas.

Why study with us

  • Share the first-year curriculum with BA (Hons) Fashion Communication and Promotion allowing you to study shared core fashion fundamentals including fashion history, branding, marketing and effective communication techniques.
  • Build your knowledge of fashion marketing and awareness in key areas including fashion retail and visual merchandising, buying and merchandising, business models and planning, corporate responsibility and law, and international fashion strategy.
  • Develop an understanding of the fashion industry, organisational management and fashion business fundamentals.
  • Create dynamic marketing campaigns, retail concepts, buying proposals and business plans to fully understand and operate within successful fashion businesses.
  • Understand how brands respond to consumer demands, from global social change to sustainability, and why incorporating it into future creative business strategies is essential for success.

Course details

Year 1

Core Units

This unit introduces you to the concepts surrounding fashion trend reporting, image making, industry innovators and culture. You will share a joint first year with our BA (Hons) Fashion Communication and Promotion degree allowing you to explore a broader range of fundamental theories and skills. We will show you to how to identify fashion and colour trends, how professional trend agencies operate, how to write trend reports and the social, cultural trends and ethical issues affecting the fashion industry today. You will have the opportunity to explore image making and experiment with fashion shoot production and execution.

40 credits

This unit will introduce key fashion marketing theories and principles, such as strategic branding, competitor analysis, consumer behaviour and the macro fashion environment. Our creative thinking technique workshops will support you on how to create unique branding solutions, creative assets and content. You will have the opportunity to explore the fashion publication landscape, looking at target readers, business costs, and how to develop media and advertising packs. Through workshops you will explore key graphic design techniques, including layout design and font explorations. In addition, you will consider the impact great design and clear communication can have within a professional industry setting. You will be introduced to new areas of practice and will explore opportunities for working within brands, within creative agencies, and as a freelance creative practitioner.

80 credits

Core Projects

The first week of each academic year is called Wayfinding week. It’s an opportunity get your bearings, establish new connections and, after your first year at Norwich, re-establish old ones. Your course team will talk you through the year ahead and explain the expectations for the year. We’ll help you navigate new encounters and identify areas to focus on as you progress through your course.

An important element of Wayfinding Week is taking part in our annual ‘Make it Manifest(o)’ project. Your course team will introduce the project in which we’ll ask you to consider your hopes and vision of the year ahead at Norwich and work with students in other year groups to bring your ideas to life. The project culminates in a celebratory display of work across the campus.  The project will help you to develop your critical creativity through different approaches, concepts, and mediums. You’ll encounter diverse perspectives and build friendships and networks within our university community.

Interchange weeks are opportunities to step away from your disciplinary studies and engage in projects, workshops, visits and talks that extend your knowledge and understanding of the world. Whether you learn a new skill or take part in a global challenge project with students from other courses, you will come away with new insights to take back to your course. Interchange is part of the schedule for all Norwich students with sessions held across and beyond the campus led by university staff, visiting lecturers and students.

Year 2

Core Units

This unit explores the world of fashion retail, visual merchandising, fashion buying, social media, and international fashion marketing. You will dig deep into sustainable and ethical practice, industry awareness and analysis, as well as communication methods for diverse global fashion markets. You will be introduced to new theories and practice in relation to PR and event management, retail environments (in-store and online) and digital technologies, as well as campaign strategy and project management. Industry sessions will explore key and emerging roles within the industry, freelance roles, start-up opportunities, CV writing and how to apply for internships.

80 credits

This unit focuses on collaboration, helping you to develop your strategic thinking, project management and team working skills to respond to creative client briefs. You may, for example, get involved in collaborations within your course, cross-course collaborations and/or collaborations with industry. Lectures and seminars will explore the key historical, cultural and industry issues facing the fashion industry today, and you’ll identify your own areas of interest within the fashion marketing and business field. You will begin to investigate your own area of research interest, supported by lectures and workshops exploring research techniques, ethical practice and report writing.

40 credits

Core Projects

The first week of each academic year is called Wayfinding week. It’s an opportunity get your bearings, establish new connections and, after your first year at Norwich, re-establish old ones. Your course team will talk you through the year ahead and explain the expectations for the year. We’ll help you navigate new encounters and identify areas to focus on as you progress through your course.

An important element of Wayfinding Week is taking part in our annual ‘Make it Manifest(o)’ project. Your course team will introduce the project in which we’ll ask you to consider your hopes and vision of the year ahead at Norwich and work with students in other year groups to bring your ideas to life. The project culminates in a celebratory display of work across the campus.  The project will help you to develop your critical creativity through different approaches, concepts, and mediums. You’ll encounter diverse perspectives and build friendships and networks within our university community.

Interchange weeks are opportunities to step away from your disciplinary studies and engage in projects, workshops, visits and talks that extend your knowledge and understanding of the world. Whether you learn a new skill or take part in a global challenge project with students from other courses, you will come away with new insights to take back to your course. Interchange is part of the schedule for all Norwich students with sessions held across and beyond the campus led by university staff, visiting lecturers and students.

Diploma Year (optional)

Level 5 Diploma (120 credits)

Students have the opportunity to spend a year after the second of their degree (or the third year if studying for a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year) enhancing their employability options through a Level 5 Diploma. They can choose from courses designed to provide:

  • opportunities to gain industry insight, developing employability skills through a series of supported experiences, expanding professional networks and building confidence in the workplace, or
  • an introduction to creative computing, building an understanding of how coding skills can be used to advance and complement creative practice.

Find out more about our Level 5 Diplomas.

Final Year

Core Units

This is the first and shorter of the two units that make up your final year of study. You will continue to explore key areas within the fashion business industry to determine your area of individual focus within entrepreneurship, retail, buying, marketing, product development or industry innovation. Our industry lecture series will support your investigations by exploring key talking points, theories and issues affecting the fashion industry today. The unit gives you the opportunity to identify, investigate and plan a self-determined, critical research project, culminating in a 5,000-word written report.

40 credits

Your final unit allows you to research, conceptualise and create a self-determined final year project, building on the skills, knowledge, and understanding you have gathered throughout the course. Your final year project will be a business plan or marketing strategy that outlines the research, development, and launch of a new campaign, product, or service. Outside your project, you will continue to explore concept generation, business planning, campaign strategy, budgeting, and finances, marketing and communications, and digital technologies. You’ll also produce a professional website showcasing the visual products, services, and promotional tools, for your final concept. Careers and employability sessions, like My Fashion Future, explore industry platforms, job roles, CVs, cover letters, interviews, and self-promotion so that you are industry-ready once you graduate.

80 credits

Core Projects

The first week of each academic year is called Wayfinding week. It’s an opportunity get your bearings, establish new connections and, after your first year at Norwich, re-establish old ones. Your course team will talk you through the year ahead and explain the expectations for the year. We’ll help you navigate new encounters and identify areas to focus on as you progress through your course.

An important element of Wayfinding Week is taking part in our annual ‘Make it Manifest(o)’ project. Your course team will introduce the project in which we’ll ask you to consider your hopes and vision of the year ahead at Norwich and work with students in other year groups to bring your ideas to life. The project culminates in a celebratory display of work across the campus.  The project will help you to develop your critical creativity through different approaches, concepts, and mediums. You’ll encounter diverse perspectives and build friendships and networks within our university community.

Interchange weeks are opportunities to step away from your disciplinary studies and engage in projects, workshops, visits and talks that extend your knowledge and understanding of the world. Whether you learn a new skill or take part in a global challenge project with students from other courses, you will come away with new insights to take back to your course. Interchange is part of the schedule for all Norwich students with sessions held across and beyond the campus led by university staff, visiting lecturers and students.

Learning and teaching

This course is taught through a mixture of learning and teaching methods including:

  • Group briefings

  • Academic tutorials

  • Group tutorials

  • Workshops

  • Critiques (crits)

  • Seminars

  • Lectures

Assessment

Assessment for this course is entirely coursework-based, meaning there are no exams. Your progress will be evaluated through the projects and assignments you complete for each unit. Throughout the year, you’ll receive ongoing feedback to help you refine your work and develop your skills. To support your learning and ensure you achieve the course outcomes, we use a variety of assessment methods, including:

  • Finished pieces of work
  • Presentations
  • Written work
  • Your research
  • A reflective journal

Find out more about Assessment at Norwich

Some of the people you’ll be working with

Our facilities

Look around our city-centre campus, and you will find studios, media labs, and creative spaces in 13 buildings that sit among the cafés, bars, independent galleries and shops of Norwich’s cultural quarter.

Here to help you succeed

The UK’s creative sector is thriving, contributing £111.7 billion annually to the economy and offering over 2 million jobs.

Employability and career development are integral to every unit of our courses, ensuring students are well-prepared for the industry. Our students go on to secure exciting roles, launch successful businesses, and make a lasting impact in many sectors worldwide.

From day one, you’ll also get specialist career advice from our Business and Employability Team to help support you as you plan your career.

A photo of Lauren Ingram, founder of Women of Web3, sat down on a sofa talking to a student.

Typical career paths

The focus throughout the course is very much on work-related learning and work placements. Dedicated employability workshops covering networking, personal brand building, CV and cover letter writing will help find you the appropriate opportunities within the industry.

Through engagement with industry guests, and bespoke workshops, graduates will go on to be the fashion CEOs, strategists, marketing directors and innovation leaders of the future.

  • International fashion marketing
  • Fashion retailer
  • Fashion campaign manager
  • PR and event manager
  • Digital content creator
  • Brand strategist
  • Social media strategist
  • Visual merchandiser
  • Fashion buyer
  • Fashion merchandiser
  • Fashion business manager
  • Fashion entrepreneur

92% of our graduates are in employment or further education within six months of graduating”

Graduate Outcomes 2021

Entry requirements

Norwich University of the Arts welcomes applicants of all ages from all backgrounds.

If the qualification that you are studying is not shown, do not worry as we are able to accept other pre-entry qualifications as well as combinations of different qualifications.

A/AS Levels (GCE)

GCE A/AS Levels 3 A-level qualifications at grades BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points) or above. Where candidates are not taking 3 A-levels, Norwich University of the Arts will consider combinations of A-level/AS-level and other Level 3 qualifications.

BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF or RQF)

Distinction, Merit, Merit in an art, design or media related subject

BTEC Diploma (QCF or RQF)

Distinction*, Distinction* in an art, design or media related subject

T Levels

A T Level in any subject with overall grade A* to C (Pass)

UAL Extended Diploma

Merit

UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Pass

UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Pass

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Pass

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design)

Pass

International Baccalaureate Diploma

A minimum of 26 points

We accept qualifications from all over the world.

To find our entry requirements from a specific country, please check our dedicated international pages.

English language qualifications

Most international students are required to hold an English language qualification. Applicants are required to have a minimum UKVI approved IELTS exam score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each section. Equivalent English language qualifications are acceptable such as, IB English language syllabus A or B/English Literature (Grade 4).

We also accept some alternative English qualifications. Learn more about our English entry requirements.

You can email us on international@norwichuni.ac.uk if you’d like to discuss your application individually.

Why Study with us

Recently named the Arts University of the Year by the Daily Mail University Guide 2025 and awarded triple GOLD in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), Norwich University of the Arts is recognised for its outstanding teaching and creative excellence. With our support and your determination, we are ready to shape the world.

Student showcases work at Big Book Crit, Norwich University of the Arts

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year

  • BA course (three year): £9,535 per year
  • Level 5 Diploma Year (optional): £9,535 year

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used is expected to be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX). We would confirm this in advance to you of each academic year. 

Find our more about fees and funding

Funding your study

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert employability team, access to workshops and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.

Tuition fees that for the 2025/26 academic year:

  • BA course (three year): £18,500
  • level 5 Diploma year (optional): £18,500

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

For Overseas students starting in 2025 inflation will be applied to your fees in later years. We will confirm this in advance to you of each academic year, and we will limit the increase to no more than the Office for Students’ recommended inflationary measure.

Find our more about fees and funding

Funding your study

Please take a look at our International students page for information about fees, scholarships for international students, visas and much more.

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert employability team, access to workshops and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.

How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses will need to be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You’ll need our university UCAS code (N39) as well as your course code which you’ll find on your course page.

When you register with UCAS you will need include your previous and current qualifications information, personal statement, and reference.

Once we receive your application form through UCAS, we will email confirmation that we have received it and will give you access and instructions for logging into the applicant portal. Our decision will be communicated via UCAS.

Applying for an undergraduate degree

Full-time Undergraduate International applicants can either apply via UCAS or directly by completing the online application form below or emailing the downloadable form to ioadmissions@norwichuni.ac.uk

Online Application Form

Undergraduate Application Form

Apply via UCAS

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our international pages.

Student work

Undergraduate open days

Get a taste of life at Norwich, learn more about our courses, our campus and meet the creators and makers you’ll be learning from.

Two smiling women in yellow t-shirts stand behind a promotional booth for norwich university of the arts at an educational fair, surrounded by banners and informational brochures.

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