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Postgraduate Course

International Fashion Marketing MSc

Combine fashion industry expertise with transferrable business and marketing skills with this specialist MSc course.

View of clothes and accessories in a fashion shop.

Fashion is an exciting and fast-paced industry and consumer demands are evolving all the time. This course will give you an in-depth understanding of marketing theory and principles, with a special focus on the challenges and dynamics of the international fashion sector.

York campus

  • Duration – 1 year full time, 2 years part time, 2 years full time with year in industry
  • Start date – September 2024, September 2025
  • School – York Business School

Minimum entry requirements

    2:2 honours degree from a UK ENIC listed institution

    Experience Evidence of relevant experience if your degree is in an unrelated subject

Tuition fees

    UK 2024-25 £8,000 full time

    International 2024-25 £11,300 full time

Discover International Fashion Marketing

Dr Sarah Cooper, course lead for International Fashion Marketing, introduces us to the subject at York St John University.

Course overview

Engage with the latest debates and developments taking place in the international fashion industry, considering the challenges facing fashion marketers and how they can be overcome. We have developed this MSc with the help of industry professionals to provide you with the specialist expertise and technical skills to thrive in the world of fashion marketing.

You will explore:

  • The impact of advancements in technology and communications
  • Global fashion consumers, and the changing nature of consumer power
  • The importance of branding in fashion
  • Trend forecasting and fashion buying
  • The ethics of supply chain management
  • The responsibilities of the global fashion industry to address issues of ethics and sustainability

You will engage with the latest contemporary research in international fashion marketing, and learn to apply these theories practically to solve real business issues. We encourage the sharing of knowledge and experience between students and staff with a wide range of professional backgrounds. This fosters a collaborative learning community which will provide both support and varied perspectives throughout your study.

You can choose to study this course with a Year in Industry, allowing you to apply your learning and gain valuable experience. If you choose a Year in Industry you will be studying for a total of 2 years. Your first year will be a teaching year. In your second year you will either be on placement or conducting a skills and research based module.

Course structure

How you will study

You can study this postgraduate course full time or part time. This allows you to fit your studies around other commitments.

If you choose to study full time the course will take 1 year to complete, or 2 if you choose a year in industry. You will study:

  • 8 compulsory modules, including a final Capstone Project module

If you choose to study part time the course will take 2 years to complete and the modules will be split across both years.

You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.

Modules

Credits: 15

Compulsory module

This module lets you familiarise yourself with the research expectations of postgraduate study. You will develop a thorough understanding of the research process and advance your skills in this area. We will support you in identifying a specialist business topic which you would like to specialise in and developing a proposal for your own research investigation. We will also introduce you to many of the interconnected contemporary issues that will are essential for the study of business.

Credits: 15

Compulsory module

This module will equip you with the management theories and marketing concepts that are at the core of all business strategy. There will be an emphasis on their application in a contemporary, global fashion context. You will cover key marketing concepts such as the marketing and communication mix and Porter’s five forces. Issues such as the impact of globalisation, increased competition and social and environmental theory will be explored and applied.

Credits: 15

Compulsory module

Develop your skills in identifying consumer insights, and learn to translate these into relevant trends and innovations in global fashion markets. Explore the role of fashion in social and cultural contexts, considering fashion as a form of communication. On this module you will approach fashion from the perspective of the consumer, taking into account their behaviour and motivations and using these insights to generate innovations in product and marketing strategy.

Credits: 15

Compulsory module

Developing a product from concept through to delivery is a complex process. Fashion professionals must balance the internal risks of time and cost against the external pressures of changing consumer demand and competitor activity. On this module you will consider the economic, social and environmental pressures which impact on fashion supply chains in global and local contexts. Central to this module is a focus on the ethical issues surrounding sourcing in the fashion industry, and the changing values which are driving the need for more sustainable sources and processes.

Credits: 15

Compulsory module

Integrated communications is the combination of all marketing communication tools and channels into a seamless, coherent campaign. Explore the theories behind effective integrated marketing communication strategies. Develop the skills to analyse, create and manage innovative promotional tools for international fashion markets. You will also learn to communicate effective, integrated messaging to an increasingly sophisticated, demanding global consumer at all levels of the industry, from value through to luxury.

Credits: 15

Compulsory module

Brands are an important intangible asset to a fashion business, and can create a significant competitive advantage. However, managing and maintaining a strong brand image is becoming increasingly difficult in a crowded global market. On this module you will explore the theories and concepts behind strategic fashion brand management. You will learn to take a creative approach to visual brand elements and develop innovative marketing campaigns.

Credits: 15

Compulsory module

As the digital revolution continues to transform the fashion industry, you will explore the changing trends of consumer purchasing behaviour. Central to this module is the analysis of the impact the demand has on a product and the supplier selection process. You will showcase independent thinking and creativity as you explore the trends in differing international fashion markets.

Credits: 15

Compulsory module

This module will focus on globalisation, and the opportunities emerging markets present to fashion retailers and brands. You will learn to analyse macro and micro environments in a fashion context and use this information to retain competitive advantage. This will allow you to develop skills in the creation of marketing strategies which work on a global scale, taking into account:

  • Products and services
  • Sales channels
  • Advertising
  • Social media
  • PR

Credits: 60

Compulsory module

This module gives you the opportunity to apply everything you have learnt throughout your course to a current business issue. You will define, research and analyse a topic of your choice, identifying potential solutions and reaching evidence-based conclusions. Your capstone project can take the form of either an academic dissertation or an applied business consultancy project.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning

All of your modules will be delivered using a variety of different teaching sessions. This includes:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Guest speakers
  • Workshops
  • Events

Each module has a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you and other postgraduate students will benefit from online debate and collaborative approaches to learning.

Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.

Optional placement year

Choosing the placement year option can give you a competitive edge in your future career. It is an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned in the workplace.

You will be on placement for a full academic year, after you have successfully completed all of the taught modules. During your placement, you will also work towards and complete your Business Consultancy Project.

Assessment

We use a wide variety of assessment types, which help you to develop skills relevant to the workplace. This includes:

  • Presentations
  • Critical essays
  • Portfolios
  • Case study work

You will receive feedback on your work throughout each module. This will help you to improve your work for your graded assessments. We will advise you on developing your skills, useful areas for research and how to extend your business knowledge further.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

Minimum entry requirements

    2:2 honours degree from a UK ENIC listed institution

    Experience Evidence of relevant experience if your degree is in an unrelated subject

If your degree is in an unrelated subject, but you can provide evidence of relevant professional experience, your application may still be considered.

International students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.

International entry requirements

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

If you do not have traditional qualifications, you might be able to provide evidence of professional experience in the subject as an alternative way to meet the entry requirements. This is called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Appropriate references and records of employment would need to be presented to support your case for admission.

Terms and conditions

Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.

Fees and funding

UK 2024 - 2025 entry

The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this postgraduate course is:

  • £8,000 for full time study

If you choose to study this course with a Year in Industry, the tuition fee for full time study would be £9,200.

These costs apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.

Funding opportunities

International 2024 - 2025 entry

The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this postgraduate course is £11,300 for full time study.

If you choose to study this course with a Year in Industry, the tuition fee for full time international students would be £14,900.

These costs apply to all students living outside the UK.

Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.

Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.

International Fees and Funding

Tuition fees

    UK 2024-25 £8,000 full time

    International 2024-25 £11,300 full time

Alumni Scholarships

If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.

Scholarships for alumni

Additional costs and financial support

Course-related costs

While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.

Accommodation and living costs

View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.

Career outcomes

Where could International Fashion Marketing take you?

This postgraduate course prepares you to work in the specialist field of fashion marketing. However, the skills and knowledge you gain will also be relevant to marketing roles in other sectors. Innovative and specialist modules will give you the industry-ready, transferable skills needed for a competitive edge in the marketplace. 

This will give you an advantage in careers such as:

  • Marketing
  • Retail buying
  • Fashion merchandising
  • Advertising
  • Market research
  • Public relations
  • Journalism
  • Supply chain management

The course could also lead you to undertake further Postgraduate study through an MPhil or PhD.

Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.

Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. Those with a postgraduate qualification will earn an average of £6,500 a year more than those with only an undergraduate degree (Department for Education Graduate Labour Market Report 2022).

Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:

  • Employer events
  • LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
  • Workshops on application writing and interview skills
  • Work experience and volunteering opportunities
  • Personalised career advice

This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.

Apply for this course

For postgraduate degrees you must apply directly to York St John University using the links below. This will take you to the application form you need to fill out for this specific course. 

To complete the online application form you will need to create login details. 

Fees and key information

Apply now

Course highlights

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