Fashion Buying and Merchandising The University of Manchester

Overview

Fashion buying requires a strong commercial and analytical foundation.

The strong textile science underpinning of the programme will offer students a unique understanding as to the technical performance and construction of the garments. The programme also provides an emphasis on the numerical and data analysis, skills and knowledge essential to fashion buying. 

The role of the fashion buyer in a multi-functional team within the business is also emphasised, for example the way in which the buyer interacts with marketers to understand consumer demand, as well as merchandisers to facilitate the flow of stock in the most profitable way.

The changing nature of the supply chain, in terms of the speed to market and continual buying cycles is introduced, including fast fashion and seasonal buying strategies. Students who graduate from this programme would be ideally equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for a fashion buying or mechanising role.   

Career Opportunities:

Graduates leave the Fashion Buying and Merchandising course offered at The University of Manchester with the knowledge, specialist skills and professional attributes applicable for careers within this incredibly diverse and fast-evolving industry, including ethical sourcing, sustainability, brand and operations management, buying and merchandising, garment technology, marketing, technological innovation, and diversity and inclusion.

The course also prepares students for graduate scheme opportunities with employers from The Hut Group and Uniqlo to M&S.

Some of the roles their recent graduates have gone on to include:

• Fashion Buyer
• Retail Manager
• Design Manager
• Product Developer
• Merchandiser
• Supply Chain Specialist
• Fashion Marketer
• Garment Technician
• Trend Forecasting
• Data Analyst