Fashion Communication and Branding [with Foundation Year]

Learn the fundamentals of fashion business and marketing and develop the commercial skills you need for a career in the £1.5 trillion fashion industry.

In an increasingly competitive, commercial and technological environment, communication and branding professionals have never played such a central role in the fashion business.

Study at ARU and gain an understanding of fashion, branding, journalism, PR, marketing and management, as well as the complex issues surrounding sustainable fashion and environmental impact.

Prepare to play a central role in buying, retail, import and export, digital marketing and more.

Why ARU?

• Gain the commercial skills you need to start your own business or work for a fashion house.

• Learn about fashion, branding, journalism, PR, marketing and management in a global context.

• Get guidance from experienced staff who have launched and managed their own brands, and worked with top fashion companies.

• Graduate industry-ready, with a professional portfolio, showreel or website.

• Get full training in all our facilities, including our print studio and Futures Lab.

• Attend talks from visiting lecturers and take part in live briefs from our industry partners.

Careers

The global apparel market is projected to grow in value from £1 trillion in 2020 to about £1.6 trillion by 2025 (Statista, 2021). Your knowledge and skills can help meet this rising consumer demand.

As a student you can build your profile by entering national and international competitions, developing a business plan and pitching for start-up funding, finding placements and internships, and visiting trade fairs and conferences.

Graduation doesn't have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters such as our MSc Marketing or Master of Business Administration MBA. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

You could consider career opportunities as a creative director, brand manager, retail manager, account manager (wholesale), branding consultant, global supply chain manager, fashion buyer, fashion PR , journalist, fashion editor, stylist, visual merchandiser, trend forecaster, studio manager, product developer, colour developer.

You might also consider the areas of fashion marketing, and promotions and events management – or branch out on your own as an entrepreneur.

Teaching

You’ll start by learning about the fundamentals of marketing in the context of the fashion retail industry and fashion system.

In Year 2 you’ll put your new knowledge and skills to the test in more complex, and often collaborative, projects, as well as live project briefs and competitions. You’ll also further develop your understanding of career paths within the design professions.

Finally, you’ll explore sensorial marketing and personal enterprise, as well as a work placement or research project in preparation for your final Major Project, which will pull together everything you’ve learned.

Course Modules

Year 1

• Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

• Information and Communication Technology

• Introduction to Business

• Core Maths

• Critical Thinking

• Intercultural Studies

• Ethics

• Business Law

Year 2

• Fundamentals of Fashion Business

• Fashion History and Contexts

• Fundamentals of Fashion Marketing

• Fundamentals of Fashion Communication

• Digital Content Creation

• Into ARU

Year 3

• Advanced Integrated Fashion Communication

• Retail and Experiential Marketing

• Critical Issues and Debates

• Professional Studies in the Creative Industries

• Fashion Communication, Promotion and Events

• Ruskin Module (15 credits)

• Digital Media Theory: Social Media, AI, and the Cultures of the Internet *

• Online Journalism *

• Cult Media *

• Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *

Year 4

• Major Project

• Fashion for Change

• Working in the Creative Industries *

• Research Project *

Your progress will be continually evaluated throughout each year in group critiques and presentations, where your practical and theoretical research is reviewed in relation to each project proposal. The Personal Development Plan will also give you a critical tool for self-evaluation.

You will submit coursework at the end of each module, which will include both your completed project work as well as your developmental visual and contextual research, while your critical and contextual studies will be assessed through essays, seminars, visual presentations, and stand-alone contextual modules.

Specific forms of assessment will include research and translation; design/product development and realisation, portfolio/visual communication; critical and contextual studies; market, consumer, and research analysis; and placement reports.