Fashion, Enterprise and Society (Taught)

Get the skills to take a lead role in the global fashion industry, able to craft socially responsible innovations.

The fashion world is in high demand for agile thinkers who can solve global challenges in the industry, like concerns around sustainability, labour exploitation, and ethical practices.

This varied and engaging course will prepare you for an enriching career as an innovator and leader in fashion. You’ll develop a deep knowledge and understanding of this rapidly evolving world and develop your own creative, enterprising, and strategic business skills.

You’ll have the expertise and confidence to challenge current thinking and propose innovative solutions that are more sustainable and socially responsible.

You’ll study how fashion enterprises are set up and run today, including the challenges they face. At the same time, you’ll learn about opportunities for fresh business ventures, whether through new product developments, advancements in communication and marketing, or the digitisation of the industry.

You’ll engage in collaborative learning from expert tutors embedded within the School of Design and Leeds University Business School. They will empower you to view the industry from a range of perspectives, including social, cultural, and commercial.

Upon graduation, you’ll have the contacts and skills to thrive as you cut a path forward for a better fashion industry.

Why study at Leeds

• Three pillars of learning: Your learning blends retail-systems management, business, and design-thinking research within global fashion, designed to give you expertise from core aspects of the fashion industry.

• Get industry experience: Get the chance to collaborate with clients and gain consultancy experience as part of our 2-week online Global Industry Programme.

• Learn in expert facilities: Test your skills with our spaces and professional-grade tools, like our state-of the art equipment for polymer synthesis fibre extrusion, yarn and fabric development, digital printing studio, and laboratory for materials testing and characterisation.

• Get the tools to succeed: Access free dedicated software such as Adobe Creative Cloud.

Rankings and awards

• 6th in the UK for Art and Design, Complete University Guide 2026

• 53rd in the world for Arts and Humanities, QS World Rankings by Subject 2026

Where this degree could take you

Recent MA Fashion, Enterprise and Society graduates have gone on to careers in a multitude of fields and roles, including:

• buying assistant

• business analyst

• marketing specialist

• senior stylist

• press assistant

• art director

They have gone on to work at companies such as:

• Browns Fashion

• Prada Group

• Mint Velvet

• C.P. Concept

• Dover Street Market

• Fashion Revolution

• VIP.com

• Monsoon Accessorize

• Condensé Paris

• & Other Stories

• Hallmark

Other recent graduates have also gone on to PhD study or set up their own business.

Alumni profile: Lucy Clanfield

“The most valuable takeaway from my industry experience has been the confidence I've developed in both me and my abilities as a designer. The role has shown me that I am fully capable of tackling complex projects and pushing myself to deliver high-quality work, even under tight deadlines.”

Lucy Clanfield, Pace Intern

Career support

Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

A range of assessment techniques are used, including presentations, essays, group and individual project work and portfolios of research and practical work.