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De Montfort University · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Fashion Buying (with Design) Bachelor's degree at De Montfort University
BA (Hons) Fashion Buying (with Design) at De Montfort University. You'll develop practical expertise in how to identify, evaluate and select products for retail, while gaining insight into the design process that shapes them.
BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
continuation
About this course
Fashion Buying with Design meets the needs of the highly dynamic, fast-moving and exciting sector of fashion retail buying and design. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Fashion Buying (with Design) is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at De Montfort University. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Design studies graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £24,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Art & Design, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.8
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent86
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional90
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Fashion Consumer and MarketplaceCore
Module details
Study the fundamental principles of marketing, covering key concepts such as the marketing mix, segmentation, targeting, and positioning. You will understand the consumer and craft detailed customer personas, aiding in the identification of a brand's target audience. You will gain insights into commercial awareness and what is meant by the marketplace, exploring both traditional brick-and-mortar stores and the dynamic realm of e-commerce. You will also examine the future of the fashion retail ex
Assessment: 100% report
- Design and DevelopmentCore
Module details
Creative and cultural influences will be identified and explored to develop trend led design development. Options of styling and silhouette will be examined so design work can be justified. It is expected that you will be able to problem-solve and form opinion on suitable design outcomes through practical experimentation in pattern cutting and construction. Critical reflection should develop through the review of self-progress and consultation with the tutor and peers. Computer-aided design skil
Assessment: 100% portfolio
- Fashion LifecycleCore
Module details
Explores the buying process from trend and colour prediction, range planning, product development and the role of sustainable sourcing, through critical path management to sales analysis and trading. You will communicate and present ideas through Adobe Creative Suite to develop a range of garments, implementing knowledge gained on fabric identification. Adobe skills will be developed enabling you to become CAD proficient, while developing your own digital portfolio.
Assessment: 100% digital portfolio
- Sustainable FuturesCore
Module details
Engages you in personal reflection and development with consideration to your professionalism and your future impact in the fashion world. The module content is further underpinned by theoretical studies delivered by the Design Cultures to contextualise current practice within an historical framework. You will consider origins and influences - how traditions develop and evolve in response to social and political - as well as research methods, visual literacy, and the skills for academic writing.
Assessment: 50% presentation and 50% assignment
Year 2 4 modules
- Buying and Professional PracticeCore
Module details
Explores the buying process from trend and colour prediction, range planning, product development and the role of sustainable sourcing, through critical path management to sales analysis and trading. You will communicate and present ideas through Adobe Creative Suite to develop a range of garments, implementing knowledge gained on fabric identification. Adobe skills will be developed enabling students to become CAD proficient, while developing their own digital portfolio.
Assessment: 100% digital portfolio
- Design Innovation and Sustainable FuturesCore
Module details
Teaches the fundamental principles of sustainable design innovation and the future of fashion within a global context. The module will examine the key issues and considerations of sustainability from a design innovation perspective. The module will introduce the circular economy with consideration of the implications of cost versus planet. You will explore and apply relevant theoretical concepts in the areas of design innovation, sustainability, and fashion business.
Assessment: 50% assignment and 50% assignment
- Fashion Buying Professional PracticeCore
Module details
Examines the fundamental principles of fashion buying within a global context. It will equip you with a sound knowledge of key tasks and considerations in buying fashion products from a global supply base. The module explores open costings, negotiation, key fabrics and fabric testing, garment production and the management of the buying process. The module will examine the day-to-day role and responsibilities of a buyer within the buying cycle and critical path. It will examine the global sourcin
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Fashion Design PracticeCore
Module details
Will enable the student to experience design for Brand Licence and retail. Design concepts will be developed through guidance to build confidence in drawing upon trend research to produce fashion ranges for a specific retailer. You will be expected to investigate relevant options of design and construction detail that will include embellishment techniques. Garment realisation and communication will be developed through practical experience in CAD labs and construction workshops. Critical reflect
Assessment: 100% coursework
Year 3 4 modules
- Sustainable Sourcing and Supply ManagementCore
Module details
Focuses on the sourcing of a textile product and examines some of the global supply issues faced by buyers and merchandisers. Set within a commercial context, you will select a textile product, together with a specific type of retail outlet in the UK. You will evaluate country-of-origin, and consider flexibility of supply, managing quality, international distribution and supply chains, international political legislation, and sustainability.
Assessment: 100% assignment
- Collaboration with IndustryCore
Module details
Designed to develop your portfolio and product development / merchandising skills. The module will be based around national competition briefs and / or Industry collaborative projects which address product development skills. You will execute research, market identification, product development / design and range creation. This module is largely a 2D exercise and affords you the experience of developing a portfolio, developing CAD and verbal communication skills.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Major Design ProjectCore
Module details
Will examine and bring together all pre-acquired skills from throughout the course into a major design buying project. The module will include all areas of the buying process from market and customer research, through to theme creation, product development, range building and wardrobe creation of a range of styles. Emphasis will be on you identifying a specific market level and product range, which you wish to base your project work around.
Assessment: 75% digital and 25% assignment
- Major Research ProjectCore
Module details
Will allow you to select a topic to research and create a piece of original work under supervision. The project will provide three options of research: A dissertation An entrepreneur
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course combines fashion buying expertise with design practice, preparing you for the dynamic fashion retail sector. You'll typically start with foundational visual studies, design principles, materials and making, alongside contextual understanding of fashion history and theory. As you progress into Year 2, you'll undertake sustained studio projects, explore digital tools and creative media, and engage with live briefs from industry clients. In your final year, you'll specialise deeply in areas such as fashion and textiles, graphic design, or illustration, whilst developing your professional portfolio and positioning your work for industry. You'll culminate in a self-directed final project, publicly exhibited at a degree show.
Who it's for
You're drawn to the visual and commercial sides of fashion, with an eye for market trends and consumer behaviour. You're analytical, comfortable interpreting data and making informed purchasing decisions, but also creative, understanding how design informs commercial success. You thrive in fast-paced environments and want hands-on experience alongside classroom learning. You're interested in how products move from concept to shop floor, and you're ready to build the professional networks and skills that fashion retail careers require.
Careers & job market
Across Art & Design courses nationally, 87% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings (from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes dataset) show typical starting salaries of £22,000–£27,000 at the 15-month point; after five years, this often rises to £20,825–£29,400. Careers in buying may lead to roles such as assistant buyer, merchandiser or design coordinator, though entry points and progression vary across different retail organisations and sectors.
University & format
De Montfort University is a public university located in Leicester. This BA (Hons) Fashion Buying (with Design) is a 3-year full-time degree taught in English. The award is nationally recognised as a UK degree-awarding body. De Montfort was founded in 1992 and currently has 29,000 students. The university holds a Bronze award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Published entryBBC (A Level), DMM (BTEC), 112 UCAS poin typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Contextual offersPublished by this provider
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
PlacementPublished placement option
Optional placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysOpen Days - Book your place
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC (A Level), DMM (BTEC), 112 UCAS poin. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent95% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 112 - 127 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check De Montfort University's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesBBBA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeW224quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code W224). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask De Montfort University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£16,800 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at De Montfort University →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All De Montfort University funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
undergraduate students with household income £50,000 or less
Check eligibility →students with household income £50,000 or less
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Art & Design graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £24,500 | £22,000 – £27,000 | 6460 |
| 3 years after | £21,000 | £17,000 – £25,000 | 505 |
| 5 years after | £25,000 | £20,000 – £29,500 | 510 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 6,460. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
90%
continue past their first year
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in art & design · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Art & Design nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,500
£22,000 – £27,000After 3 years LEO
£21,000
£17,000 – £24,000After 5 years LEO
£25,000
£20,825 – £29,400national rangethis course’s medianaxis £16,000 – £30,500
National figures for Art & Design graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
90 of 100
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 6,460. Cohort 2021-22. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Art & Design courses at the same study level.
This course £25,000Peer median £24,500Middle 50% £22,125–£26,500
54th percentile
Compared with 1,698 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Job market & outlook
How Art & Design graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
87%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Art & Design courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Art & Design graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Design studios & agencies
- In-house brand teams
- Games & media companies
- Freelance & self-employed
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Art & Design graduates.
Fine Art TechnicianFirst Choice StaffPharmacy Technician – Brand New State-of-the-Art HospitalCompass AssociatesArtificial Intelligence Engineering ManagerMBN SolutionsArtificial Intelligence EngineerExperis UKDelivery Driver (Part Time 24 hours) - AndoverOcado LogisticsCompliance Business PartnerNashrock Insurance RecruitmentLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £24,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.8 out of 10: NSS 86.3% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
De Montfort University
All students23,155
International31.8%
Aged 25+27.3%
Design, and creative and performing arts across the UK
Students178,755
Aged 25+15.7%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around De Montfort University
4,747 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 1557Public Order 619Anti Social Behaviour 570Shoplifting 499Criminal Damage Arson 362
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Art & Design right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to De Montfort University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £16,800 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check De Montfort University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with De Montfort University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at De Montfort University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is offer-based and set by the university. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 112 - 127 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by De Montfort University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Design studies graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £24,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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