Fashion Branding and Communication - BA (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry.
Do you want a fashion degree that will enable you to pursue a career within the industry, specifically fashion communication and branding? Then this course is for you. Its unique mix of both fashion communication and branding will give you the skills you will need to be a creative, confident, well-informed fashion communicator, ready for the industry.
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City Centre
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2024
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Fashion and Textiles
- Faculty Faculty of Arts, Design and Media
This course is:
Available with Professional Placement year
Open to International Students
Overview
Do you want a fashion degree that will enable you to pursue a career within the industry, specifically fashion communication and branding?
Then this course is for you. Its unique mix of both fashion communication and branding will give you the skills you will need to be a creative, confident, well-informed fashion communicator, ready for the industry.
What's covered in this course?
You will be taught by an industry-experienced teaching team and by visiting fashion professionals. There is also the opportunity to participate in live industry-based projects and competitions, working with all types of fashion, media and beauty brands.
You will develop visual and written communication skills across a broad range of creative media (creative direction and styling, art direction and graphics, print and digital design, branding strategy and journalistic writing) associated with the fashion industry. There will also be the chance to showcase your final-year work to industry leaders, at events such as Graduate Fashion Week in London.
Based at our City Centre Campus, you will have access to photography studios and equipment, relevant software and computer equipment, as well as a faculty of creative students to collaborate with. You can also choose to follow our four-year professional placement option, which features a one-year industry internship.
Professional Placement Year
This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.
If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.
Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.
The best thing about the course is gaining true industry knowledge and skills, across many creative areas – all while having fun! By studying a wide range of subjects, I was able to pinpoint the exact section of fashion I wanted a career in.
Kesia Zissman
Why Choose Us?
- You'll get to work on international industry competitions, such as Vogue New Talent.
- You'll enjoy a vast archive of fashion publications dating back to the 1930s.
- You'll have the opportunity to showcase your final-year work to industry leaders at events such as Graduate Fashion Week in London and our Arts, Design and Media (ADM) Faculty degree show in Birmingham.
- Develop a range of transferable skills taught by industry experienced staff and alumni.
- You'll collaborate with other students from across the ADM faculty.
Similar Courses
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Open Day: 29 June 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2024/25.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
112 UCAS tariff points
Please note: If you qualify for our BCU Accelerate scheme, you could receive an offer that is two grades below our normal entry requirements. Find out more about BCU Accelerate.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 in 2024/25
- Apply via UCAS
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £16,085 in 2024/25
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
If you are an International student and your application is progressed, you will be asked to submit a portfolio of your creative work. Your portfolio is your opportunity to show us examples of your work and creative interests to support your application.
Please see our international portfolio guidance page for guidance on how to create and submit your portfolio.
Please note that if you are a UK/ EU student you will not be required to submit a portfolio.
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
- Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
- Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
- Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
- School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
- Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Course in Depth
Year one
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Writing for fashion and design for publications is an opportunity to explore the world of fashion journalism and magazines. Creating and writing for print publications and online copy remains both relevant and a necessity throughout the fashion industry.
Good journalists act as a bridge between the specialist world of fashion and the readers. Different publications have different audiences and this affects their tone of voice as well as choice of imagery and layout.
Trend Forecasting is the identification of future concepts that drive what we will be doing and consuming in the future. The process is a vital tool to ensure products and creative concepts are launched at the right time, and marketed to the right consumer.
This module is an exploration into visual literacy and the art of visual story telling within the fashion image. You will learn the different techniques used in visual communication in the fashion industry, with specific focus on editorial content for magazine publications.
Creative Fashion Brand Communication is an exploration into the exciting and yet complex world of brand communication. This module will give you an opportunity to choose a brand of your choice, and define and explore their specific the channels of communication, through a thorough exploration into its brand touch points. You will create a report including both written and visual, you explain the current communication activity of your brand.
Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only. Year one credits
Year two
Year two modules build upon your knowledge and skills gained in year one, and apply this to a more external focus, including industry competitions and internships, thus allowing you to focus on your professional and career goals.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
This module is based on a competition set by Style Birmingham. Style Birmingham is a fashion and lifestyle media platform, which has been established in the city for over a decade.
This module is an opportunity to increase your knowledge of the individuals who shape and create the world of fashion communication. The project aims to further develop your research and presentation skills as well as prepare you for work placement. You will select a fashion practitioner of your choice, you will then use a range of research skills to gather information about the practice and work of the creative. This should include primary and secondary research from multiple sources, this will also be fully Harvard referenced.
The branding of creative concepts, product, and services form an important consideration in communicating and promoting creative outcomes. In-depth analysis of a chosen market and the commercial viability of your proposal will support an informed approach to a given brief or client. Generating such a rationale promotes good practice in validating a desired direction and design.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
The purpose of this module is to enable you to develop professional attributes and subject skills through experience in the work place, and to critically reflect upon your learning in that context. You will normally be expected to arrange your own placement, with support from academic staff and ADM Careers+.
The module is an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of collaboration by enabling you to create an interdisciplinary project with students from complementary disciplines, or with academic staff. Collaboration is a vital employability skill within the Creative Industries and this module allows you to develop these skills, making use of University facilities and with the support of academic staff. Within this module framework, several kinds of collaborative opportunities are available. For example, with the approval of your supervisor, you can determine a project based on your own interests; your supervisor may set you a predetermined project to enable you to work with other students in a way that is appropriate to your subject area; or there may be opportunities for you to collaborate with staff on research projects. In all cases, you must apply your subject skills to an interdisciplinary project which will be agreed in advance with your supervisor.
Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Year three
In your final year you will focus on the area of the fashion industry you intend to work in. You are able to tailor your final-year projects to an area of the industry you're most interested in, and supports your career ambitions.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise. The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practice-based portfolio.
The Independent Final Project is an opportunity to focus on a specific area related to future career aspirations, and develop a piece of work that reflects this. It could include creating a magazine or digital publication, developing a branding concept, a brand extension opportunity or a communication strategy. This will be grounded in extensive research both primary and secondary, with industry insight, innovation and justification.
The aim of this module is to critically reflect on good practice and experience and prepare you for the progression into industry and relevant opportunities. Self-branding and Self-promotion are key in preparing to enter the creative industries. Portfolio preparation, interview prep, online branding and applications all offer a need to present yourself appropriately, confidently and succinctly.
Download course specification
Download nowYou'll gain the skills you'll need to be a creative, confident and well-informed fashion communicator ready for the industry. Designers, brands and industry influencers all need strong visual communicators with a creative edge and commercial awareness.
You'll develop an all-round, in-depth understanding of the world of fashion communication and branding. It is an ideal choice if you are imaginative and committed to exploring the very best of the fashion sector.
Our classes
Students on this course are creative, passionate individuals who enjoy working both individually and as part of a group. Lectures are classroom-based and full of discussion and interaction. Regular visiting industry speakers provide insight and inspiration.
Practical and primary research is fundamental to all modules and you'll be encouraged to visit relevant exhibitions and cities. Collaboration is key to the fashion industry and to this course. You'll have the opportunity to work with other students from different courses across the faculty on photoshoots, films, magazines and exhibitions all as part of your study.
Trips and visits
Trips run across the three years, with regular visits to London and other UK cities.
Student stories
Spencer's story
Recognising the new ‘Gorpcore’ trend at an early stage in its life-cycle, Spencer opted to undertake dissertation research based within this niche subject to kick off his final year of study. As part of his project, he interviewed global industry representatives from Arc’teryx and some of the findings from his project are now being used to inform future brand concepts.
Georgia's story
Georgia used her skills gained on the course in creative direction, fashion styling, photography and graphic design to produce her final year film and zine project. The title ‘Second’ detailed the story-telling value of garments and their use in constructing identity for diverse and under-represented communities.
Employability
Enhancing employability skills
Employability is embedded throughout the course with relevant skills, such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, being taught as well as professional skills such as copywriting, creative narrative, trend forecasting and brand strategy.
Graduates from this course have gone on to work in roles that use these skills within the creative industries.
Placements
Students have taken internships within a wide range of fashion companies, such as fashion publications GQ, InStyle magazine, Grazia magazine, The Daily Mail and Suitcase magazine. Others have gained experience with Selfridges, ASOS and Topshop.
Live projects
Fashion Branding and Communication students have previously partnered with Birmingham company, Lounge Underwear for an exciting live brief aiming to empower women and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Collaborations like these give students an insight into the day-to-day running of a large online retailer and a chance to explore the job roles at the organisation. It also provides potential links for placements and graduate jobs.
Graduate jobs
The type of industry job roles that graduates would move in to could include: art direction and creative direction, styling, photoshoot production, magazine production and editorial content, brand management and fashion graphics, social media content creation and management, trend forecasting, journalism and copywriting for brands and magazines, and fashion film creation.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Additional information
Our course is particularly popular with students from Brunei. The Brunei Birmingham Society aims to strengthen the community cohesion of the Bruneians in Birmingham by organising events ranging from religious festivities to cultural and sports-based events.
The society welcomes any potential Bruneians planning to study in Birmingham and is happy to answer questions about student life in Birmingham.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
You'll be based in our School of Fashion and Textiles, within The Parkside Building. The Parkside Building is part of our new multi-million pound City Centre Campus development in the heart of Birmingham's Eastside development.
Our staff
Adam Guy
Course Director and Senior Lecturer, BA (Hons) Fashion Branding and Communication
Adam is a Creative Director and educator who works across print and moving image. He has 25 years working with music industry clients at Radio 1, 1Xtra and art directed print publications for fashion publishers such as EMAP. Adam was a founding member of the motion graphics studio Mainframe. More recently Adam has enjoyed success working as an...
More about AdamHelen Grainger
Lecturer
Helen has 13 years of experience working as a Senior Creative Manager for international fashion retail brands such as Urban Outfitters. She has been heavily involved in creative project management, specialising in store openings, store re-fits and spatial planning. Her industry career has provided insights into all forms of visual communication and...
More about Helen