The roles of buyers and merchandisers are key to the success of any fashion business. They are responsible for generating revenue through trading the product by assessing sales, customer demand, market trends, selecting, sourcing and managing product to maximise sales. The performance of these two roles is crucial to the success of the business. 

The BSc (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising course provides students with a thorough understanding of all aspects of the management of the product from concept to consumer, including the strategies needed to start a new business and improve business performance, helping students to succeed in a truly exciting field of work.

The breadth of knowledge gained from this course also includes product innovation, market analysis and business analytics with the essential skills needed to not only to secure graduate employment or start a new business, but for career progression to more senior functions through the focus on business strategy, supply chain and the management of people.

Specialist knowledge in finance, sourcing, logistics and business strategy equips students with the necessary skills to understand the business of fashion, from operational understanding in the first year through to the strategic perspective of senior management in the final year. The final year facilitates students’ exploration of the potential future industry, changes and business strategies employed to maximise profit and to realise this through enterprise and/or research. Supported by a team that includes ex industry professionals, the Fashion Buying and Merchandise course continues to develop successful professionals in a truly exciting field of work.

Placement options

At Manchester Fashion Institute, employability is at the heart of our teaching. All of our undergraduate courses offer an optional sandwich year route that gives you the opportunity to apply for an industry placement between your second and final year. If you choose this route, you will commit to working full-time in the fashion industry for the entirety of your third year, before returning to complete your degree in your fourth year.

A placement year is an incredibly valuable element of your course as it allows you to apply your university-based knowledge, skills and understanding to your job role. During your placement, you will make your own industry contacts and enhance your CV by gaining real-world industry experience. Currently around 40% of our student cohort take part in a one-year full-time industry placement. 

We have a dedicated placements team with over three decades of experience sourcing and securing outstanding placement opportunities. They will provide you with extensive support and advice prior to and during your industry placement. 

Placement opportunities are available both in the UK and internationally, with students previously working in countries such as Austria, Germany, Norway, Hong Kong SAR, Sri Lanka and the USA.

Fashion Buying and Merchandising at Manchester Met has a strong reputation for producing industry ready, professionals and highly capable fashion business experts.

Successful graduates have taken up roles within fashion trading retail head offices and importers, and often return to the company where they undertook their placement, working in areas such as fashion forecasting, buying, merchandising, product development and sourcing.

Previous graduates have gone on to a wide range of careers in companies such as River Island, Next, Ralph Lauren, Topshop, Abercrombie and Fitch, Reebok, ASOS, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, boohoo and many more companies in the UK and internationally.