This course responds to the increasing fashion and retail industry demand for appropriately educated Design Management specialists who can effectively apply their professionalism to an organisation or consultancy. This MA programme is primarily for design graduates who wish to enhance existing knowledge of Design Management and improve their employment prospects or even prepare for further fashion research-based postgraduate study.

Course Structure

Full Time mode

Part Time Mode

Year One

Year Two

MA taught courses may be studied in full time or part time mode, as outlined above, or students can elect to study by Independent Project Mode on either a full time or part time basis. The Independent Project Mode is designed for students whose area of interest lies between, or crosses, subject disciplines. This would be discussed at interview. In addition, for students unable to complete the MA, there may be an opportunity to complete a Postgraduate Diploma.                                     

Outline of the course

Master’s Project Proposal

This unit supports the development of your project proposal. You will be able to work on your initial ideas discussed at interview, through reviewing and revising your focus in line with developing interests synthesised from your work within the specialist units of your MA course. A staged process of development and review culminates in the presentation of the proposal for assessment. Individual and original results must be underpinned by sound research methodologies, and you will be expected to consult a wide range of specialist resources. You will be introduced to a broad range of research methodologies and skills, including presentations, workshops and practitioner case studies. This unit will support you in the completion of your coursework assignments and will prepare you for the development of your Master’s Project.

Contextual Studies

The contemporary fashion and creative industries require multi-skilled and flexible individuals who understand the complexities of the global fashion industry. This unit enables you to appreciate the perspectives of both your own and other disciplines at work in fashion today, and to understand and analyse the complex economic, technical, ethical and business issues that affect the future of the creative industries. The unit is a focal point for all MA students, both full and part time, from all courses. It underpins your specialist studies by providing a common forum for debate on issues arising from the study of fashion. Aspects of design, technology, communication, marketing and the cultural industries are explored, and a programme of visiting speakers from industry and leading researchers supports the unit.

Design Compliance to Creativity and Innovation

This unit considers the two key aspects of design management operations: compliance with rules and codes, and nurturing creativity in product and service environments. Compliance is explored through three key areas in which contemporary fashion design operates within a business environment: issues surrounding intellectual property, corporate social responsibility and new technology management. Knowledge of the legal, ethical and technical compliance strategies that operate in fashion companies will be explored through case studies. From the creative perspective three areas are examined: fashion forecasting, innovation and research, and development within the product life cycle. Consideration will be given to how best to nurture creative environments that can then develop innovative products or services. This can be done by utilising strategic models calculating design risk, based on relevant forecasting for demanding and discriminating customers.

Marketing Communications

This unit will enable you to build a sound theoretical and practical understanding of the formulation and management of the marketing communication process. You will examine marketing communication strategies in the context of the fashion industry.

Managing Fashion Projects

This unit provides an introduction to core theories and practices that are specific to project management and can be translated directly into the fashion industry. This involves the management of ‘collection’ development by designers and the organisation of the fashion supply chain throughout the buying process. The fashion communication process will be mapped out considering the roles of photography, styling, PR and graphic design. Design planning, researching, formulating the brief, briefing and post analysis will also be considered. The ways in which project management develops strategies fit for purpose,  ranging from independent designers to the giants of the fashion industry, will be explored.

Fashion Brand Marketing

The international fashion consumer increasingly seeks the tangible and intangible benefits of a wide variety of local and international fashion brands. Fashion brands and their associated marketing communications have now reached revered status throughout the global economy. The design, development, marketing and retailing (DDMR) of fashion brands has now become an increasingly important and integrated part of many fashion businesses. You will investigate and examine all aspects of international fashion brand marketing and look at its significant modern growth from both a European and global perspective. This will enable you to acquire a sound theoretical and practical understanding of strategic fashion brand marketing.

Master’s Project

This unit allows you to focus on producing your own major work, which can take one of two forms, either a theoretical dissertation on an appropriate aspect of design management, or a negotiated practice-based project with an in depth report and appropriate documentation of all stages of the project. The project will be a rigorous piece of work that will synthesise practical and academic issues addressed on the course, and which will contribute to the growth of knowledge and approaches for design management in the fashion industry. It is underpinned by the units studied in the first part of the course.

Graduates from this course have an acknowledged advantage in the employment market, obtaining work in a range of fashion industry fields. The MA also provides an excellent preparation for higher level research degrees (MPhil or PhD), with an increasing number of graduates undertaking research in fashion related subjects, in practice or theory or entering into education as lecturers.

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.

Student Selection Criteria

The course seeks to recruit students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and welcomes applications from mature students.

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

Course Entry Requirements

• An Honours degree at 2.1 or above in a related discipline. Applicants with a degree in another subject may be considered, depending on the strength of the application

OR                    

• Equivalent qualifications

OR

• Relevant and quantitative industrial experience for a minimum of three years

Selection for interview will be made on the basis of your application, including the personal statement, the reference, the supporting written assignment and project proposal. If you are selected for interview you may be asked to bring a portfolio of previous design work and/or may be required to undertake a written aptitude test. 

What We Look For

The course seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:

• The potential to develop their practical and critical abilities through academic study
• Critical knowledge of a subject area
• A capacity for intellectual enquiry and reflective thought
• An openness to new ideas and a willingness to participate actively in their own intellectual development
• Initiative and a developed and mature attitude to independent study 

English language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. The level required by the University for this course is IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in any one skill.

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

International Applicants

The International Recruitment Office at the London College of Fashion will help to guide you through the application process and answer any specific questions that you may have regarding our courses. This may include portfolio advice, the application process and fee advice. We offer a ‘drop-in’ facility for applicants who may be in London and wish to obtain further course and admissions information. Please contact us for further information on this facility. We can also arrange a tour of our facilities if we are given prior notice. Our contact details are:

Address: London College of Fashion, International Office, 20 John Prince's Street, London W1G 0BJ.                                   

If you have a question, you can contact our International Recruitment Office by calling +44 (0)20 7514 7656 / 7678 / 7629 or completing our Online Enquiry Form.  

To find out more about studying in London, please visit the international students section of the London College of Fashion website.

Home/EU Applicants

Applications to study for a Postgraduate course should be made directly to the College using the Graduate School Application Form, accompanied by two references (one of which should be academic) and a copy of your highest qualification to date.

Most postgraduate courses require you to submit a detailed study proposal and / or essay. Please read the specific guidance notes before applying to this course.

• Download Graduate School Application Form [PDF - 502kb]
• Download Graduate School Application Form [Word doc - 152kb]
• Download MA Design Management for the Fashion Industries Guidance Notes [PDF - 61kb]

Alternatively, you can request an application form by calling +44 (0)20 7514 7563 / 7582 / 7344. If you have a question, you can ask us through our Course enquiry form.

Please send your completed application form to the following address:

International Applicants

Please apply directly to the College using the International Application Form, accompanied by contact details of two referees (one of which should be academic) and a copy of your highest qualification to date. We will write to your referees and obtain your references. You must also complete and send the Tier 4 Student Visa: UK Immigration History Form Guidance Notes for Students to the LCF International Recruitment Office with your portfolio  (if required) and supporting documents.

Most postgraduate courses require you to submit a detailed study proposal and / or essay. Please read the specific guidance notes before applying to this course.

• Download Postgraduate International Application Form [PDF - 200kb]
• Download Postgraduate International Application Form [Word doc - 234kb]
• Download MA Design Management for the Fashion Industries Guidance Notes [PDF - 61kb]
• Download Tier 4 Student Visa: UK Immigration History Form Guidance Notes for Students [PDF - 63kb] 

Please send your completed application form to the following address:

If you have a question, you can contact our International Recruitment Office by calling +44 (0)20 7514 7656 / 7678 / 7629 or completing our Course enquiry form.                                                                                                                                 

Selection Process

The course team will review your application and you may be called to interview. If you are selected for interview you may be asked to bring a portfolio of previous design work and/or may be required to undertake a written aptitude test. From this work and the interview the course team will decide if you are to be offered a place on 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.