Fashion Production and Business

There is a growing movement in global society that seeks a sustainable way to do fashion – this is a challenge to existing practices which in turn creates new opportunities in the job market. With this new focus, fashion producers and brands are in need of graduates with a strong grounding in the traditions of designing, making and selling clothes who are conscious of the impact of their actions and choices on the world’s resources.

Encouragingly, there is a growing trend to reject fast fashion and favour more [genuinely] sustainable products. 67% of respondents to a 2020 survey by McKinsey said they preferred clothes made of more sustainable materials, focusing on quality and durability in product design.

The BSc Fashion Production and Business exposes students to the emerging narratives of ethical and sustainable practices in fashion while retaining practical development and research studies that require students to make and present a saleable product.

On the course students study a range of modules, which will allow them to combine their interest in making fashion products with an understanding of the commercial and management context. The modules will include subjects such as pattern construction, garment technology, apparel design, business, marketing and personal research.

Life cycle thinking is distributed through the 3 years of the programme and includes exploring sustainability by focussing on a “cradle-to-cradle” approach - from resource extraction to the return of the product or material, back into remanufacturing and use. The arrangement of learning is underpinned by the following themes:

Design and product development processes. Garment technology including textile materials. Principles of business and marketing

Careers may include: Garment Technologist Pattern Developer Fashion Buyer

Ready to embark on an exciting journey towards a career in Fashion Production and Business? Explore the links below to learn more about our validated awards and regulations:

OU Handbooks and Regulations can be found under the Higher Education section of our Public Documents.

Please read our Terms and Conditions before applying for or enrolling on any of our courses.

Successful graduates can follow career paths in the fashion design, clothing manufacturing, sourcing/buying or fashion retail sectors, or continue into postgraduate studies. The sector has a wide local and international base. The local sector includes smaller, indigenous companies as well as large internationally famous names.