This course prepares articulate, creative, fashion focused individuals for the stimulating world of Fashion Retail Branding & Visual Merchandising. You will gain a broad based introduction to the notion of fashion retail brands, and how they can be merchandised visually 'from the window through to the floor' to maximise the business. Learning will encompass information technology, finance and the psychology of consumer behaviour.

The course will be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshop practice, tutorials, external visits, independent learning. The students' Personal Professional Development (PPD) skills are integrated into the core curriculum and are monitored throughout the course, and the use of reflective journals will support your learning. Assignments reflect industry practice, and will involve 'live' projects to validate the learning experience. You will be engaged in two web based learning units, a team project in year 1, and Collaborative Project year 2, simulating working practice.

You will have access to CAD systems in IT suites at LCF, a 'Mock Shop', mock display windows and visual merchandising workshops. You will be taught to a large extent at the Visual Merchandising suite at LCF.

Students will take on a work placement which will give them specific sector experience and consequently demonstrate work based learning. The skills concentrated on and gathered will be transferable into various fields in the Fashion Retail Branding and Visual Merchandising sector.

Developing your skills

All our undergraduate courses are concerned with the development of your personal and professional skills. On your course you will evolve from learning basic skills in your discipline through to a position where you are an independent creative thinker capable of making an effective contribution to the relevant sector of the fashion industry. PPD (Personal and Professional Development) skills are embedded in all units on every course. Speaker programmes with contributions from alumni, members of industry and others are a part of many courses, as are work placement opportunities in industry. Where relevant, students have the chance to attend trade fairs, enter industry competitions, visit exhibitions and go on field trips and visits. The central position of our John Prince’s Street site in the West End affords students easy access to all sectors of the fashion retail market. In addition, our position as a constituent College in the University of the Arts London means that our students have access to the wide range of activities and events that occur in all the Colleges and at the University’s centre. Last but not least, being in London gives every student opportunities to explore and be inspired by the cultural, intellectual and social life of one of the great capital cities of the world.

On completion graduates will be able to focus on the business elements in the industry while still having an understanding and urge to exploit their creativity. They will be prepared for the world of work in Fashion Retail Branding and Visual Merchandising with accomplished presentation skills. Through work placements they will have experience and skills which are immediately applicable to the work place environment.

Once you have completed the FdA Fashion Retail Branding and Visual Merchandising a course with a merit certification, you will have the opportunity to be interviewed for the Honours degree programme at London College of Fashion. You will need to complete a bridging programme before the Top Up Year and on successful completion of the bridging programme and the Top Up Year, you will graduate with a BA (Hons) Fashion Retail Branding and Visual Merchandising.

Showing your work

All final year students are given the opportunity to profile their work online via Showtime. London College of Fashion can make no guarantee that your work (either in sum or in part) will be shown, exhibited or profiled in any way as part of your course. All student work appearing in College organised events, catwalk shows, exhibitions and other forms of showcase, is selected by a panel of senior staff and, in some instances, external industry judges.

For details of the wide range of careers support provided for students, please visit our Careers Support page.

Course Entry Requirements

If the application indicates suitability for the course, applicants will be invited for interview.

Opportunities for All                                     

We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and seek to recruit students from diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds. We are committed to supporting all our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.

Student Selection Criteria

Entry to this course is highly competitive: applicants are expected to achieve, or already have, the course entry requirements detailed below.

have 1 A Level at grade C or above plus passes in 4 other subjects at GCSE grade C or above (including English and Maths)

OR

have a BTEC National Diploma

OR

have professional experience

OR

Equivalent qualifications. For International qualifications see the International Qualifications Guide [PDF - 1.9Mb]

This course requires a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points.

Applicants will need to bring a research workbook of current visual merchandising and branding ideas that are of personal interest together with some original work. Applicants must also have or be willing to gain some shop floor retail experience in a full-time or part-time capacity. This experience could be retrospective or could be achieved during holiday periods. Applicants should be both business focused and have a creative interest in fashion retail branding and visual merchandising and be willing to meld these together to study in an innovative way.

Exceptionally, applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered if the course team judges the application demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by: related academic or work experience; the quality of the personal statement; a strong academic or other professional reference; or a combination of these factors.

English Language Requirements

All classes are conducted in English. The level required by the University for this course is IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 4.5 in each skill. 

For more information, read the University's English Language requirements page.

* Please note: this course will not be recruiting students for entry in 2014, therefore the final first year of this course will run in 2013-2014, the final second year will run in 2014-2015, and the final Top-up Year will run in 2015-2016. This subject area will be replaced with a new three year Honours degree.

Home/EU Applicants

All applications to study this course should be made direct to the College using this Application Form.

Download Application Form [Word Doc - 126kb]

Download Application Form [PDF - 257kb]

Please send your completed application form to the following address:

Selection Process

Selection is based initially on academic qualifications and/or previous experience, references and your personal statement. The interview process will include a written test and interview with members of the course team. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions about the course.

Applicants have the right to ask for feedback if their application is unsuccessful. Requests must be made in writing to the Student Administrator, and we will respond within 20 working days. 

Contact us on:

• Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 7563 / 7582 / 7344
• Course enquiry form