BA (Hons) in International Fashion Branding

Fashion branding is an international industry, influencing a growing number of products and services. This distinctive programme helps you to develop both traditional and digital skills and expertise to succeed in this exciting and dynamic industry.

You will gain a thorough understanding of fashion branding, together with business and management, fashion brand development and promotion, visual merchandising, digital fashion branding and international marketing strategy. You'll also build expertise in areas such as buying and merchandising, PR, product development and brand management.

You will have the opportunity to participate in an annual study trip to iconic fashion capitals such as Paris, Milan or New York. You'll also benefit from our excellent industry links and guest lectures from a wide range of industry professionals from design houses, major retailers and fashion magazines, both national and international. Our guest speakers spend invaluable time with our students, sharing their unique insight and knowledge of both local and global markets, giving our students a truly competitive edge in a very competitive industry. Exchange opportunities are available with overseas partner institutions.

International Student Start Dates

For new international students, orientation events start on 14 September 2018. This extra time is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching.

There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.

Language Options

Students can opt to take a language module in levels 2, 3 and 4 of the programme. GCU offers modules in French, Spanish, German, Italian and Mandarin from beginners to professional level.

International Study Exchange

There is the opportunity to undertake a half semester (three months) exchange in Level 3 of the programme, places are limited. Currently we have exchanges in North America, Australia, Paris, Finland Milan and Denmark. We are working to establish exchanges in Hong Kong, Istanbul and Milan.

Assessment Methods

Our approach to the learning, teaching and assessment of our students is tailored to the needs of fashion branding, so we adopt a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure not only that you will gain the necessary knowledge and understanding of the fashion world, but also develop your intellectual and personal skills.

Teaching Methods

We employ a combination of traditional, contemporary and creative methods in our teaching; extending to online tests, visual essays using computer aided design technology and live fashion industry projects.

The career development of our students begins on entering GCU, with modules focusing on personal development and self-promotion in the fashion industry.

In addition to the optional study abroad trip in third year, we also organise annual visits to some of the world's fashion capitals, including New York, Paris and Milan.

Students are encouraged to undertake summer internships and work experience to increase their skills and knowledge of the industry. These are wide ranging and cover a variety of job functions from high street to couture. For example, one of our students sought and secured an internship with renowned designer Philip Treacy, working closely with the marketing director during the placement.

GCU also works hard to organise guest lectures from fashion practitioners and industry leaders to talk to students, giving them an invaluable insight and enabling them to better demonstrate the connection between theory and practice by providing contemporary industry insight.

We have strong links with a wide range of major fashion companies, including: Cruise, USC, House of Fraser, Reiss, John Lewis, Schuh, Johnstones of Elgin, Eleganza Sposa, Strathberry,M& CO, 18 Montrose and Cortefiel.

Your career

Graduates may pursue roles such as a buyer, merchandiser, retail manager, marketing executive, PR, brand development and management, event manager, stylist, journalist, wholesale distributor or entrepreneur.

Recent graduates have secured employment with Mulberry, Hollister and French Connection, with other jobs including Marketing Development Manager for Harris Tweed, Business Analyst at Royal Bank of Scotland, Personal Shopper at Debenhams, Stylist at AllSaints Retail Ltd and Karen Millen, Visual Merchandisers with Urban Outfitters, Topshop Topman, House of Fraser, H&M and Primark, and Buyers Assistant for ASOS and Quiz Clothing, as well as graduate programmes with Louis Vuitton and Ted Baker.

Industry links

We work hard to organise guest lectures from fashion practitioners and industry leaders to talk to students, giving you & invaluable insight to the connection between theory and practice. We have strong links with a wide range of major fashion companies, including: Cruise, USC, House of Fraser, Reiss, John Lewis, Schuh, Johnstones of Elgin, Eleganza Sposa,Strathberry, M&Co, 18 Montrose and Cortefiel.