(Full time) 2019 start
Fashion, Enterprise and Society MA
Overview
The MA Fashion, Enterprise and Society course allows you to gain an in-depth knowledge of strategic business design, fashion enterprise and social impact to help you become a successful fashion business innovator.
Delivered collaboratively between School of Design and the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies in Leeds University Business School, the course will equip you with the skills to view the fashion industry from social and cultural as well as commercial perspectives.
Along with concepts such as consumer behaviour, supply chain structures, branding and marketing, you’ll also study the principles of business and entrepreneurship and how they relate to social enterprise. You’ll also address the challenges of sustainability.
You’ll mix design, business and market-centred innovation to gain a broad base of skills to thrive in a complex, fast-paced and rapidly evolving industry.
Specialist facilities
We have a of facilities to help you make the most of your time at Leeds. You will be able to develop your practice in well-equipped studios and purpose-built computer clusters so you can build your skills on both PC and Mac. There is also a computer-aided design (CAD) suite with access to the latest design software and some of the latest design technology, such as digital printing and laser cutting facilities, clothing engineering and colour analysis/prediction labs.
We also have an impressive range of resources you can use for research. We house the M&S Company Archive including documents, advertising, photos, films, clothing and merchandise from throughout Marks & Spencer’s history, offering a fascinating insight into the changing nature of branding and advertising over time. ULITA, an archive of international textiles, is also housed on campus and collects, preserves and documents textiles and related areas from around the world.
Course content
From the very start of the programme you’ll develop a broad base of knowledge. You’ll explore the concepts of entrepreneurship, enterprise and social enterprise as well as different ethical, social and sustainable approaches. You’ll study the challenges faced by social enterprises today and even the process of setting up a new business.
At the same time, you’ll learn about consumer behaviour and the fashion marketing cycle. You’ll research and develop prototype garments to explore how innovative design ideas can meet the challenges of sustainability and ethics, or make the most of emerging technologies.
In addition, you can tailor your degree to suit your interests and career plans with a choice of optional modules on topics such as fashion photography, fashion industry analysis and sustainability. You will be presented with a range of research methods to develop research skills by applying them in your independent Masters project, through discussion with the tutors and potential supervisors.
Your independent project can be developed as a traditional dissertation on a fashion related topic of your choice, or a more creative based Professional and Contextual Studies project. In the contextual route you’ll research and develop your own design solution – which you’ll exhibit at the end of the year – supported by case studies and other independent work.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Fashion Marketing 15 credits
- Fashion Futures 15 credits
- Cultural Research Methods 15 credits
- Enterprise and Society 15 credits
- Enterprise Awareness 15 credits
- New Venture Creation 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Brand Design and Management 15 credits
- Fashion Communication and Photography 15 credits
- Fashion Industry Analysis 15 credits
- Sustainability and Fashion 15 credits
- Fashion Product Development 15 credits
- Fashion Realisation and Contextual Studies 60 credits
- Dissertation: Fashion Enterprise and Society 60 credits
- Textile Product Design, Innovation and Development 15 credits
Learning and teaching
This diverse degree gives you a wide range of skills, and the variety of teaching methods used reflects this. We use workshops, seminars, presentations, lectures, practical sessions, tutorials, online learning, seminars and group learning sessions. Independent study is also vital to this degree, allowing you to develop your own designs and build your skill set.
Assessment
We use a range of assessment techniques, including presentations, essays, group and individual project work and portfolios of research and practical work.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification.
If you don’t have a degree, we may also consider relevant work experience in exceptional circumstances.
International qualifications
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of Design admissions team.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Business Management and Enterprise (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Business Management and Enterprise (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you need
A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying (please submit an official English translation if necessary)
Two academic references (in certain circumstances a professional reference may be considered)
A personal statement, explaining why you want to study this particular programme and an indication of your future career plans
Evidence of your English language qualifications, if English is not your first language
You don’t have to submit a portfolio for this programme, but you can choose to do so to enhance your application.
Next steps
Applicants may be invited to attend an interview with the programme manager either by phone, Skype or in person.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
School of Design Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy
Fees
- UK/EU: £11,500 (total)
- International: £22,500 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
This course is designed to give you a broad knowledge base and a wide range of skills to help you become a forward-thinking, market-conscious innovator in the fashion industry.
You will have a lot to contribute to the thriving global fashion industry – as well as other sectors – in a range of social, commercial, marketing, management and enterprise careers. Past students have obtained positions with Harper’s Bazaar China, TJX Europe and the Kuoni Group among others, or they have created their own business.
You’ll also be well-prepared to develop further research projects at PhD level, and several of our graduates have secured funded PhD positions.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.