Course Overview
Our BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising level 8 degree, awarded by London Metropolitan University, is your gateway to a dynamic career in the global fashion industry. With cutting-edge course content and innovative internships, you can transform your creative passion and interest in fashion into an exciting and rewarding career.
Designed with your career in mind, this course offers hands-on learning experiences, and you’ll study relevant topics like sustainability, trend research, product development, garment technology, fashion marketing, leadership, and more, all tailored to meet the demands of today’s competitive fashion environment.
You will benefit from our strong network of industry connections and engage in internships to build a Professional Practice and Development Portfolio and Fashion Research Project in your final year, ensuring you are job-ready upon graduation. You have the option to switch to Fashion Management after Year 1, as the first year is common with the BA (Hons) in Fashion Management.
Upon completion, you will hold a BA (Hons) in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from London Metropolitan University (London Met). This degree is recognised in Ireland, the UK and internationally.
*CATS Credits Displayed. 2 CATS points = 1 ECTS point.
Learning Outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate ability to evaluate and plan for development of study skills and monitor achievement.
- Reference other people’s work in a precise and systematic way.
- Demonstrate ability to source appropriate information and reference.
- Reflect on learning and personal experiences as a student to foster a professional identity.
- Use digital tools to complete and submit assessment components.
Learning Outcomes of this Module are to:
- Summarize the chronological historical development and timeline of fashion evolution from the 1900’s to present.
- Identify and analyze a range of primary and secondary sources relating to the history of fashion and textiles and situate them in cultural, economic, and political contexts.
- Articulate the relationship between fashion, culture, and power.
Upon completion of the module the students will be able to:
- Define the key elements in trend forecasting, interpret trends and utilise data in product range development processes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the major principles and techniques of gathering information about consumer behaviour.
- Apply knowledge about specific consumer behaviours and buying habits to the decision- making process of fashion buyers, merchandisers, and managers.
The Learning Outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse the business environment for fashion organisations, considering local and global perspectives.
- Describe and constructively critique major marketing principles and concepts.
- Design marketing strategies for organisations operating in the fashion industry drawing on major theoretical perspectives.
The Learning Outcomes of this Module are to:
- Articulate the roles and responsibilities of buyers and merchandisers in fashion industry organisations.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the buying cycle and factors influencing it.
- Identify customer profiling strategies used by fashion organisations.
The Learning Outcomes of this Module are to:
- Evaluate and apply correct textile materials, equipment and mathematics required in apparel manufacturing.
- Measure and record a variety of garments: blouses, pants, skirts, jackets, dresses, intimate apparel, and evaluate different methods used to measure garments in the industry and create garment specifications.
- Scrutinize in the context of garment design; fit and appearance, properties of materials, and cutting techniques involved in the creation of a garment
LO4. Evidence and illustrate considered reflection on appropriate industry processes and applications within their personal creative and intellectual practice
The Learning Outcomes of this Module are to:
- Articulate the role of supply chain management in implementing the business strategy of companies.
- Identify decision phases within the supply chain management and describe the main stages in the planning and coordination processes.
- Examine commercial practices and supply chain networks strategies used by companies in the fashion industry.
- Analyse the impact of disruptive technologies and sustainability concerns on global management of supply chains.
The Learning Outcomes of this module are to:
- Critically analyse examples of innovation in the world of fashion by drawing on theoretical perspectives and models.
- Apply innovative approaches to solving problems in the fashion industry using available models and tools.
- Demonstrate knowledge of major research methodologies and select appropriate research tools taking into account ethical issues.
The Learning Outcomes of the Module are:
- Evaluate the properties and performance in textile fabrics and materials in garment construction and select the most suitable for the assembly and construction of a garment/s.
- Interpret and analyse manufacturing problems, finding solutions to solving garment engineering and wholesale production problems.
- Select appropriate sources to gain relevant information on the manufacture of garment design, designed samples and wholesale production in the fashion industry.
The Learning Outcomes of this Module are:
- Utilize analytical and numerical skills to plan, prepare and execute merchandise plans
- Justify the importance of lead times and the use of the critical path model in the product development process and supplier management
- Appraise the key skills required for the role of the merchandiser with a particular focus on interdepartmental and interpersonal relationships.
The Learning Outcomes of the module are to:
- Evaluate different models and theories of leadership and relate these to ethical dilemmas of leadership within a global context in the 21st century.
- Outline the equality legislation and justify the importance of inclusive working environment for organisations within the fashion industry.
- Employ reflective learning skills to relate models of leadership, change management and ethical issues to personal learning and practice.
The learning outcomes are:
- Examine fundamental financial theories relevant to financial decision making and governance in the business of fashion.
- Analyse and critically evaluate retail financial information using various analytical tools to support strategic financial decision making
- Evaluate elements of risk, return and value in strategic operational financial decisions.
The Learning Outcomes of this module are:
- Apply creative and visual sensibilities in a commercial context.
- Evaluate the fashion retail environment and retail innovations used to improve the customer experience in stores, online and in mobile technology.
- Articulate the processes, procedures and practices of fashion retail, marketing, management and buying and merchandising strategies and link to visual merchandising.
The Learning Outcomes of the Module are:
1.Use numerical skills to complete commercial calculations used for range planning and sales forecasting
2.Apply the Critical Path Model in the product development process
3.Comapre and contrast commercial practices employed by companies in the fashion industry in the buying and merchandising processes of products from source to store.
4.Source and interpret relevant data to support decision making for buying and merchandising processes.
The Learning Outcomes of this Module are to:
- Identify and analyse the complex process of developing sustainable fashion products, the manufacturing processes involved
- Summarise and demonstrate critical awareness of business development within the context of Fashion and CSR
- Apply analytical tools to assess sustainability practices in a wide range of contexts and situations in the fashion Industry
The learning outcomes of this module are to:
- Make critical connnections between learning across modules within the professional context of the fashion industry.
- Reflect constructively on their personal and professional learning and set targets for the future development of knowledge, skills and competencies.
- Produce an e-Portofolio as a tool to support personal and professional development throughout the programme and beyond.
The Learning Outcomes of this module are to:
- Constructively critique and relate major strategy management theories, frameworks, concepts to delivery of strategic change in an organization.
- Evaluate organization’s current product range from strategic perspective, considering internal and external contexts
- .Apply strategy tools and techniques to increase a company’s product range while addressing challenges of sustainable development.
- Appraise influence of organizational culture on the strategic decision-making process.
The learning outcomes of this module are to:
- Formulate research questions and set clear and realistic research aims related to the areas fashion business, management, marketing, buying, or merchandising.
- Apply ethical frameworks throughout the research process.
- Draw on a wide range of sources to conduct a literature review into a specific area to describe, analyse and constructively critique theoretical perspectives and contexts relevant to the research question.
- Demonstrate competence in research skills through selection of appropriate tools for data gathering consistent with the chosen methodology.
- Draw on theory to analyse data and discuss research findings to develop credible arguments and generate appropriate conclusions/recommendations
Anne Marie McAuley
“I absolutely love what I do and genuinely embrace supporting a person to develop and grow. I encourage and promote people at all levels to maximise their potential and hopefully instil a sense of purpose.
The are many careers one can pursue when completing a Portobello Institute fashion course. Part of my role is to help and support you to find the best path.”
About Anne Marie McAuley
After graduating from college in the USA with degrees in Business and Psychology, I initially worked as a milieu counsellor with young adults presenting with social and developmental difficulties – I was all about saving the world and think I still can – which was fantastic and the insights I gained in that role have helped me through my own journey to this day.
I always loved fashion, when I was small and then through my teenage years. I always wanted the latest trendy gear, constantly adapting my clothes myself to be a bit different. I was the first of my friends to have a pair of drainpipe jeans (known as skinnies these days!). I always had a part-time job in retail through school and in college at stores like Macy’s and Lord and Taylor.
My first job in a department store was at Christmas time and I was tasked with selling cashmere sweaters, the only section that the full-time and staff with tenure would allow me to work in as I was the ‘blown in college student’. I soon figured out that my best customer demographic was the panicked husband looking to purchase a gift for his wife and willing to spend ‘whatever to make her happy’ and of course who does not love cashmere – Cha-Ching! I did more in sales than anyone in the department and as we were commission-based, I was a very happy student. I was destined for a career in retail and fashion and I never forgot the importance of knowing your customer.
I then secured a job in Saks Fifth Ave as an assistant – really just running around New York picking up samples for photos, answering telephones, dressing mannequins, and doing whatever I was told to do, all the time absorbing and learning as much as I could. Back then being around designers like Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Ralph Lauren was an everyday occurrence.
I worked hard and soon became a junior buyer and then a senior buyer, I loved my job. I moved into the retail operations at Saks as I wanted to develop my skills and I found that leading, coaching, and developing people to also do well was one of my favourite parts of the job. I soon was heading up new store opening teams and one of my greatest achievements was the opening of the San Fran Store. It takes a huge team effort to train several hundred new staff and merchandise the store for opening. I travelled all over the country and enjoyed every day at Saks.
I moved back to Ireland where I secured the role of Retail Operations Manager of The Body Shop Ireland. I had always loved the product and admired their business ethos and not testing on animals. It soon became clear that there were huge challenges within the group around staff training and development which I embraced and was thrilled to be able to use my American experience to influence major decisions in changing the direction of The Body Shop. I also attended any training sessions that the company had for senior management to consistently develop my own skills in leadership and management. While at The Body Shop, I looked at how we could develop the business and came up with a body shop concession concept for pharmacies. We started with one and now there are 150 and the concept has been copied across Europe.
I decided to step away from the role when we were adopting my beautiful girl from Vietnam. For the next few years, I worked as a consultant in retail, so my schedule was flexible and partnered with companies like Claire’s Accessories, New Look, The Health Store Group, I also became a qualified trainer because helping, teaching, and supporting people were always top of my list.
I applied for the role of a tutor at Portobello Institute and started with delivering QQI level 6 business planning and then an opening came up in the fashion department to teach the buying and merchandising module. Wow, to be able to combine my qualifications, my fashion and business experience with my love of helping people to become successful while still being there for my daughter – fantastic. Of course, because it is in my nature to be a leader, yet still embrace inclusivity, I became the programme manager and have developed the fashion programme to be the number one course in the country. I am also on the panel of mentors of Enterprise Ireland, and on the panel of trainers with the Education Training Board.
Why did you choose to work in education?
I understand that to be a teacher is truly a calling of not just the mind, but the heart as well. I believe that great teachers are good at explaining content, are patient, yet firm with students, are always fair, set high expectations, know how to motivate, and use humour appropriately. Being an excellent communicator who has a command of the subject matter is really important. I have forged my own style of teaching that draws on my strengths, knowledge, skills, values, and experiences yet fully realise I still have much to learn and develop and I am always learning from my peers and my students.
I have chosen education as a career because I believe that education is perhaps the most important function performed in our culture, or for that matter, any culture. I believe that teachers individually and collectively can not only change the world, but improve it, and in the process find personal and professional renewal. I love being to be part of this noble profession and hope to continue to inspire all the students I meet.
Empathy is of huge importance to me and understanding that no matter how someone presents themselves to you there are always things going on behind the scenes. I know this from experience and have learned the importance of understanding that everyone learns differently while at the same time, a tutor must balance that with the demands of the professional industry that the students want a career in.
The fashion industry is demanding and challenging. It is my role to fully prepare students for the reality of those challenges.
Your experience as a Programme Manager
As a Programme Manager, I can develop the course content, so that it remains up-to-date and relevant. I can utilise my connections in the industry to connect our students with the best companies to fulfil their dreams of a career in fashion. I can ensure we have the best team of tutors who are all on board with our philosophies, and I can share my experience and learn from everyone on the team. I get to inspire and I enjoy every day that I am part of Portobello.
Why Portobello?
I chose to work at Portobello because it allows me the opportunity to bring my unique style into the classroom. I get to work with a super team of individuals. I am respected and valued for my input. Yes, we have policies and procedures like any strong organisation has but I get to have fun at work.
We have smaller classes in Portobello which allow us to connect with each student as an individual. We have a holistic approach to education and can balance the academic content required while putting our students’ emotional and psychological needs to the fore.
We have a team of people here at Portobello who all want our student base to succeed, from the academic team to the support team in the office. We are always thrilled to share great news stories about our students, especially those who have overcome many obstacles before they arrived at Portobello and during their time with us.
A student should choose to study with us because they will have the journey of their lives while being supported the whole way through and beyond.
Anne Marie is the Programme Manager for Portobello Institute’s BA (Hons) Fashion Buying & Merchandising, and BA (Hons) Fashion Management
What Students Say
Stephanie Burns – Fashion Buying & Merchandising
“Anne Marie has the rare ability to make learning both interesting and enjoyable. Through the amazing stories of her first-hand experience in international business and her unique and fun teaching methods, she was able to inspire me in a way of wanting to be the best student that I could be. I was scared of going back to education after a long absence, but Anne Marie made the transition so easy. She encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, helped me recognise my strengths, and gave me the confidence that I needed to go forward and pursue my dream career in the fashion industry. She is both encouraging and inspiring, and I feel so lucky to have been one of her students. She truly changed my life.”
Mpho Morwaeng – Business Planning
“Being a student of Anne Marie’s has been the best experience in my tertiary education. I enjoyed each and every single class with her. Being an international student, coming all the way from Botswana to be in her class was worth it and it’s an experience I will cherish forever. She was always supportive, positive, and patient with me, in and out of class she was available to assist me with my studies. She did not criticise, she encouraged. She motivated and inspired me to do my best. She treated us equally in class and it made me feel free to ask questions and participate in class. Not only did she teach theory, but she was also very practical and demonstrated how everything applies in the real world. I will carry with me the knowledge and skills I gained from her forever.”
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree Psychology
- Bachelors Degree Business
- QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer
- QQI level 6 Supervisor
- Currently completing MA in Counselling
Research / Industry Participation
- Developed the Student Internship Programme partnered with Industry leaders Primark, Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Pamela Scott, Lifestyle Sports, Diesel etc.
- Mentor for Enterprise Ireland
- Mentor for Meath Partnership
- Panellist of Trainers for ETB
This course is delivered in person on weekdays, which means 12 to 16 hours of in-person lectures per week.
The course timetable is condensed to be delivered with onsite classes 2-3 days per week over two semesters for 3 academic years.
Timetables are considerate of students’ travel and accommodation arrangements, part-time working and study-life balance.
SMART assessments – we use a range of assessments for each module designed to support a broad range of learning styles, giving you the opportunity to excel.
Innovative and Exciting Internships
We ensure our students access diverse, paid, career-launching internships with leading fashion brands.
These opportunities are strategically timed, available during summer and as part of your third-year Professional Practice and Development Portfolio.
Partnering with esteemed brands like Primark, Brown Thomas, Arnotts, River Island, LVMH, Pamela Scott, New Balance and more, Portobello Institute students gain first hand experience in environments they are interested in.
Our collaboration with Best Seller Brands provides exposure to a range of labels, fostering valuable industry connections.
Industry Events
Portobello Institute organises trips each year to the following major fashion events, offering our students first-hand experience of trade shows, trend forecasting, networking and more.
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- Premier Vision, Paris
- White Show, Milan
- Source, London
- Moda, Birmingham
- Ireland’s Eye Knitwear Factory, Dublin
- Fashion City, Dublin
- White Show Milan or Copenhagen CIFF Trade Show
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1Complete the online application form.
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2Review of application and confirmation of eligibility criteria and entry requirements.
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3An "Offer" issued based on meeting criteria or a "Conditional Offer" issued based on successful achievement of LC requirements
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4Confirm acceptance of a place and pay deposit as detailed
Course: €5,395 + Exam Body Reg. Fee: €335.00
Option 1
40% deposit payment (€2,410.00), followed by 6 scheduled payments on the first of each month, commencing the 1st of the month after the start date of the course. Includes one off instalment fee of €295.
- €602.50 due in month 1
- €602.50 due in month 2
- €602.50 due in month 3
- €602.50 due in month 4
- €602.50 due in month 5
- €602.50 due in month 6
Option 2
40% deposit payment (€2,292.00) due on application of your course. Final balance (€3,438.00) due before the course start date.
