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Overview
Are you a self-motivated, independent thinker who loves fashion and research? You can become fashion’s next creative innovator with our MA Fashion Marketing degree that combines the business excellence and artistic innovation of our Business and Law and Creative and Cultural Industries faculties.
You’ll learn the concepts, functions, and processes of fashion-buying and merchandising, alongside marketing management theory and practice, and explore both current and emerging communication practices for fashion and luxury businesses. You’ll gather intelligence and insights from a global and cultural landscape to create captivating marketing strategies and communications that span print, media, and digital platforms. As you build your entrepreneurship skills, you’ll complete an independent final project on a topic you choose.
With opportunities to engage with industry professionals, you'll gain an extensive understanding of brands, sectors, expertise, and innovation topics—preparing you to take part in contemporary fashion conversations after you graduate.
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Number 6 in the UK for student satisfaction
We're ranked sixth in the UK for student satisfaction in creative arts and design in the 2024 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Network with industry professionals from a range of fashion companies
- Gather and use global data to inform your marketing decisions
- Explore a range of contemporary fashion and business topics
- Hear from industry speakers, including guests from Mintel, WGSN, Size? Footwear, Lazy Oaf, Depop, and Burberry
- Complete live projects with companies such as Size? Footwear
- Build your portfolio with competitions and events, including Graduate Fashion Week, Artsthread, Fashion Revolution, and D&AD
- Attend field trips, including to flagship stores and commercial spaces
- Gain optional professional qualifications in areas such as Google Analytics and Google Ads
- Present your research to a student-led symposium as part of a research-based unit, which can help prepare you for potential PhD study
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Accreditation
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the leading professional body for marketers worldwide and exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners. University of Portsmouth has joined forces with CIM to give students the opportunity to gain professional qualifications through the CIM Accredited Degree partnership. CIM qualifications are highly sought after by employers, and their content is reflected in our own degrees which ensures we are equipping students with the best opportunities for a successful marketing career.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
January 2025 start
- A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be invited to attend an interview.
For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our MA Fashion Marketing portfolio guide.
September 2025 / January 2026 start
- A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be invited to attend an interview.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be invited to attend an interview.
For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our MA Fashion Marketing portfolio guide.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (January 2025 start)
- Full-time: £12,000
- Part-time: £6,000 per year
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £12,000
- Part-time: £6,000 per year
- Full-time: £17,900
- Part-time: £8,950 per year
Tuition fees (September 2025 / January 2026 start)
- Full-time: £12,600
- Part-time: £6,300 per year
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £12,600
- Part-time: £6,300 per year
- Full-time: £17,900
- Part-time: £8,950 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Tuition fees terms and conditions
Funding your studies
Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government postgraduate loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students and our international student scholarships.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Full-time
All modules on this MA Fashion Marketing course are core.
Core
Using key analytics tools and live data, you will learn to identify data sources, apply consumer behaviour theories, communicate insights, and evaluate the benefits and limitations of analytics data. The module develops your proficiency in drawing together information and translating analytics into actionable insights for managers.
You will gain in-demand skills to unlock the value of data for competitive advantage.
You'll learn key ESG concepts and frameworks to evaluate organisations' ethical and sustainability practices. Then, you'll use real-world case studies to analyse how leading companies communicate ESG efforts to diverse stakeholders like investors, consumers, employees and NGOs.
By the end of the module, you'll be ready to make informed strategic decisions that consider long-term sustainability and ethics.
In the dynamic world of marketing, research is a cornerstone for making informed decisions, understanding customer behaviour, and staying competitive.
Through this module, students will explore a wide range of research methods and tools tailored to the marketing field.
You will examine how technology and consumer values are transforming the sector. Through analysis of current issues, innovations, and trends, you will explore what luxury means to modern consumers.
By applying key marketing concepts from prior learning, you will evaluate communication tools and plan integrated brand strategies.
The module equips you to re-imagine business models and marketing in this period of massive change for fashion and luxury retail.
You will examine the strong links and differences between the buyer and merchandiser roles within the fashion industry.
Through ethical and sustainable perspectives, you will explore innovative and responsible approaches to address human and environmental costs of fashion. By the end of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate industry data, supply chains, and problematic practices.
You will also apply corporate social responsibility and ethical policies to make informed decisions in fashion product selection, merchandising, and range planning.
Analysing industry issues, you'll devise innovative business concepts that balance profitability with social responsibility. You'll utilise cutting-edge theory to develop solutions tailored to real-world challenges.
You'll pitch original ideas and communicate feasible solutions that address needs creatively. This empowers you with the vision and skills to drive positive change as an enterprising fashion leader.
Through hands-on experience with leading platforms and real-world cases, you will learn to create and manage campaigns, understand target audiences, maximize ROI, and maintain consumer trust.
By the end of the module, you will be able to justify decisions using theories, evaluate data, differentiate platforms, and consider legal, ethical and cultural contexts for responsible social media marketing.
Applying specialised knowledge, you'll independently investigate a complex marketing topic aligned with your interests. Demonstrating original thinking and expert communication skills, you'll propose feasible solutions with international applicability. Identifying ethical dimensions, you'll make responsible recommendations.
This module allows you to direct your learning while proving expertise in your chosen fashion field.
Part-time
All modules on this MA Fashion Marketing course are core.
Core
In the dynamic world of marketing, research is a cornerstone for making informed decisions, understanding customer behaviour, and staying competitive.
Through this module, students will explore a wide range of research methods and tools tailored to the marketing field.
Through hands-on experience with leading platforms and real-world cases, you will learn to create and manage campaigns, understand target audiences, maximize ROI, and maintain consumer trust.
By the end of the module, you will be able to justify decisions using theories, evaluate data, differentiate platforms, and consider legal, ethical and cultural contexts for responsible social media marketing.
You will examine how technology and consumer values are transforming the sector. Through analysis of current issues, innovations, and trends, you will explore what luxury means to modern consumers.
By applying key marketing concepts from prior learning, you will evaluate communication tools and plan integrated brand strategies.
The module equips you to re-imagine business models and marketing in this period of massive change for fashion and luxury retail.
You will examine the strong links and differences between the buyer and merchandiser roles within the fashion industry.
Through ethical and sustainable perspectives, you will explore innovative and responsible approaches to address human and environmental costs of fashion. By the end of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate industry data, supply chains, and problematic practices.
You will also apply corporate social responsibility and ethical policies to make informed decisions in fashion product selection, merchandising, and range planning.
All modules on this MA Fashion Marketing course are core.
Core
Using key analytics tools and live data, you will learn to identify data sources, apply consumer behaviour theories, communicate insights, and evaluate the benefits and limitations of analytics data. The module develops your proficiency in drawing together information and translating analytics into actionable insights for managers.
You will gain in-demand skills to unlock the value of data for competitive advantage.
You'll learn key ESG concepts and frameworks to evaluate organisations' ethical and sustainability practices. Then, you'll use real-world case studies to analyse how leading companies communicate ESG efforts to diverse stakeholders like investors, consumers, employees and NGOs.
By the end of the module, you'll be ready to make informed strategic decisions that consider long-term sustainability and ethics.
Analysing industry issues, you'll devise innovative business concepts that balance profitability with social responsibility. You'll utilise cutting-edge theory to develop solutions tailored to real-world challenges.
You'll pitch original ideas and communicate feasible solutions that address needs creatively. This empowers you with the vision and skills to drive positive change as an enterprising fashion leader.
Applying specialised knowledge, you'll independently investigate a complex marketing topic aligned with your interests. Demonstrating original thinking and expert communication skills, you'll propose feasible solutions with international applicability. Identifying ethical dimensions, you'll make responsible recommendations.
This module allows you to direct your learning while proving expertise in your chosen fashion field.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
This course runs from September to September, and takes:
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
If you study full-time, you can expect:
- two face-to-face sessions per week, alongside meetings with your personal tutor
- 8-10 hours contact hours per week
- to attend online study sessions
- to complete 30 hours of independent study per week
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods
Teaching activities include:
- guest/academic lectures
- seminars
- individual and group tutorials
- interactive presentations
- directed and self directed learning
- personal development planning
- work-based learning
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- case studies and industry reports
- online tests, individual qualification and certification
- an individual research project
- presentations and pitches
Meet your course leader
Mrs Karen Ryan
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project/dissertation.
Career development
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
This course prepares you for graduate employability in the fashion industry. You'll build on the skills and knowledge you gained at undergraduate level and graduate with in-depth subject knowledge, ready to make an impact in the workplace or continue your studies to PhD level.
During the course, you'll build your portfolio through degree work, competitions, and live projects as you learn to showcase your skills and experience.
Graduates of this course could go into areas such as:
- fashion marketing management
- social media management
- digital marketing
- consumer and market intelligence
- retail management and fashion buying
- marketing ethics and sustainability
- public relations and brand marketing
- entrepreneurial business concepts
Industry connections
You can meet industry experts and professionals through guest lectures. Past invited speakers include:
- Tamara Sender (Associate Director and Fashion Retail Analyst at Mintel, Size?)
- Daniel Langhorn (Senior Talent (Influencer) and Community Manager at Size?, in collaboration with New Balance)
- Amy Powney (Creative Director of Mother of Pearl, on behalf of the Graduate Fashion Foundation)
- Jen Charon (Founder of the fashion-rental app Loanhood)
Career support
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events, including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.
If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.
Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Start this course in January 2025
Start this course in September 2025
Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year
Apply now (Part-time) – 2 years
Start this course in January 2026
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.