MA Fashion Marketing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Portsmouth

Program Overview

The MA Fashion Marketing combines creativity and business strategy to give you the skills to shape the future of fashion. It’s ideal for anyone passionate about fashion who wants to understand how marketing, consumer insight, and global trends work behind the scenes to build successful brands.

Curriculum Structure

You’ll start by developing a solid foundation in marketing and consumer understanding through Consumer Insight and Analytics and Research Methods for Marketing, learning how to collect and interpret data to make smart, informed decisions — an essential skill in the fast-moving fashion world.

Early in the course, Environmental, Social Governance and Marketing (ESG & Marketing) shows you how sustainability and ethics influence marketing decisions — a crucial focus for modern fashion brands.

As you progress, Social Media Marketing equips you to run effective campaigns across digital platforms, while Fashion and Luxury Retail Marketing explores how brands connect with audiences, maintain their image, and adapt to changing consumer values worldwide.

Through Fashion Buying and Merchandising, you’ll understand how products are selected, merchandised, and brought to market, balancing business insight with ethical and sustainable considerations.

The Fashion Entrepreneurship module lets you turn creative ideas into real-world business concepts, blending your fashion vision with practical business planning.

Finally, the Fashion Marketing Major Project gives you the chance to research a topic of your choice, showcase your skills, and produce a portfolio piece that demonstrates your expertise to future employers.

Focus areas: “Fashion & luxury retail marketing; consumer insight & analytics; social media & digital marketing; fashion buying and merchandising; sustainable/ethical fashion marketing; fashion entrepreneurship.”

Learning outcomes: “Collect and analyse consumer data to inform decisions; design and execute marketing strategies for fashion and luxury brands; apply sustainable and ethical practices; manage merchandising and buying processes; develop and pitch fashion business ideas; complete a substantial research project demonstrating expertise.”

Professional alignment (accreditation): Accredited in line with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), giving your degree credibility and international recognition.

Reputation (employability): Ranked 6th in the UK for student satisfaction in creative arts and design (2024 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), reflecting strong student approval and a supportive learning environment.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the MA Fashion Marketing, you won’t just study fashion marketing — you’ll live it. From the very first module, you’ll work on real projects with actual brands, use industry tools, and gain hands-on experience that prepares you for the professional world. The course combines modern learning spaces, expert mentorship, and opportunities to showcase your ideas in professional settings, helping you build both confidence and practical skills.

Here’s how you’ll gain real-world experience:

Live projects with real brands: Work on briefs from companies like Size? Footwear, giving you practical experience and portfolio-ready projects.
Industry speakers & networking: Learn from fashion analysts, brand strategists, and digital PR professionals, and make valuable industry connections.
Field trips to flagship stores: Visit top fashion retailers to see merchandising, branding, and retail strategy in action.
Professional certification options: Gain practical digital skills with certifications like Google Analytics and Google Ads.
Portfolio-building competitions: Take part in events like Graduate Fashion Week, Artsthread, Fashion Revolution, and D&AD to showcase your creativity and strategy.
Major independent project: Complete a 60-credit Fashion Marketing Major Project, allowing you to explore a topic you’re passionate about and create a standout piece of work.
Research & presentation practice: Present your research at student-led symposiums, honing public speaking and presentation skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with the MA Fashion Marketing opens the door to a variety of exciting careers in the fashion world. You could become a Fashion Marketing Manager, Retail Buyer or Merchandiser, Brand or Social Media Executive, or even a Fashion Entrepreneur, taking creative ideas and turning them into real-world success. The course equips you with the skills, confidence, and industry insight to thrive in both creative and business roles.

Here’s how the University supports you and what you can expect after graduation:

Career support: Portsmouth’s Careers & Employability Service provides one-to-one guidance, CV and portfolio advice, interview preparation, and access to job and internship opportunities.
Industry experience built in: Work on live projects with real companies, like Size? Footwear, to gain practical experience and create a portfolio that impresses employers.
Networking & expert insight: Learn from guest speakers including fashion analysts, brand strategists, and digital PR professionals, giving you valuable industry connections.
Accreditation: The programme aligns with Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) standards, giving your degree recognition and credibility in the fashion and marketing world.
Versatile career paths: Graduates can pursue roles in fashion marketing management, digital media, ethical and sustainable retail, buying, or start their own fashion business.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re interested in continuing your studies, you could move on to an MRes or PhD in areas like fashion business, consumer behaviour, sustainability in fashion, or marketing strategy. The research and analytical skills you develop in the Major Project give you a strong foundation for advanced study or research-focused careers.