FASHION RETAIL ACADEMY ONLINE COURSE GUIDE 2024-25

HOME OF FASHION’S NEXT GENERATION ONLINE COURSE GUIDE 2024 / 2025

INDUSTRY SUPPORTERS

We

*Brands we work with change each academic year

WHY CHOOSE US?

140+ STATISTICS

We work with over 140 fashion and retail brands, from high street to luxury

of all graduates last year secured a job or continued to study at the end of their course

4

bespoke online fashion-focused courses

18

years of experience providing the fashion industry with job-ready graduates

13K

students attended & taught by us

MILLION £93

Our Social Value (the financial value attributed to our social impact) increased to £93 million in 2021/22

Our alumni work in virtually every fashion head office in the UK

ONLINE COURSES

STUDYING ONLINE WITH THE FRA

Our online courses have been developed with our fashion industry partners across a range of subjects to fill emerging gaps in the industry and propel you into a new career or allow you to upskill in your current role.

Because these courses are entirely taught online, you can study at the Fashion Retail Academy from the comfort of your own home, and the flexible timetable means you can conveniently fit your learning around your other commitments.

COURSE STRUCTURE

You’ll have one compulsory live lesson one evening per week, alongside a bi-weekly themed discussion group, optional extra sessions and an average of 4-6 hours of independent study per week. The flexible nature of our online courses means that you can continue working full or part-time whilst you study the indemand skills that brands are looking for.

TIMETABLE

TUESDAY - 2.5-3-hour compulsory live evening lesson

WEDNESDAY - Themed discussion group or support session

FRIDAY - Lesson resources and tasks updated online

WEEKEND - Independent study to prepare for next lesson

EXTRA SUPPORT

In addition to your live lesson every week, you’ll also have access to additional support:

· You can book a weekly session with your tutor, if you need it

· Every other week, your class will have a themed discussion forum

· You can book appointments with our library and online learning assistants

· Our Careers & Progression service can also help you with your onward progression

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

We welcome applicants with an undergraduate degree, A-levels or equivalent qualifications. We also encourage applicants with employment experience.

· We recommend GCSE Maths & English at Grade 4/C or above as a minimum

· For international students, we require IELTS Grade 5

BUYING & ONLINE MERCHANDISING

Studying Buying & Merchandising online, you’ll learn how the teams work together to plan and trade a successful fashion season, and how departments collaborate to maximise sales.

We’ll teach you how to understand consumer data, spot trends and make the right strategic decisions for a successful business. You’ll learn about the stages of the supply chain, from sourcing to production, and learn how items are delivered to customers, both in-store and online. You’ll gain necessary skills such as critical paths and costing techniques, as well as exploring the increasing importance of sustainability, social influences and ethical production within the fashion industry.

Learn how to buy and plan a range from start to finish, following a real season

Design collections that satisfy customer demands and reach profit targets

Master trend forecasting and learn how to spot bestsellers

You’ll master the techniques for selecting bestselling products and buying them in the right quantities, making sure everything arrives in stores at the right time to maximise sales and profits. You’ll also learn about competitor reviews, experiential retailing and ‘comp shops’. You’ll collaborate with other students and take part in regular discussion sessions, as well as learn to use industry software and databases including WGSN, Edited, Drapers and Excel.

After 36 weeks, you’ll be ready for an entry-level job in industry. There is particular demand in the industry for entry-level merchandisers, with opportunities for rapid progression for strong candidates.

KEY INFO

START DATE

September 2024

GUIDELINE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

GCSEs including Maths & English at Grade 4/C or above

DURATION FEES

36 Weeks

£2,100

Interest free payment plans available

“I am notably more aware of factors and issues within industry that I was completely oblivious to prior to the course, and that has been eye-opening as well as contextual.”

Leah Online Buying & Merchandising

ONLINE USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN FOR FASHION

With our Online User Experience Design for Fashion course, you’ll master the key skills of User Experience and User Interface design, preparing you for an exciting career at the cutting edge of the fashion industry.

You’ll learn how to make customers’ experiences with a brand easy and intuitive. We’ll teach you how customers engage with a business, and how userfriendly and engaging products can improve a brand’s image and encourage customer loyalty. Discover the creative ‘design thinking process’ and investigate the importance of research to the success of UX and UI design. You’ll master the practical skills you need to build user interfaces like websites and apps, including information architecture, structure, workflow and content usability.

Develop effective design and storytelling skills

Learn to design and build products and services that excite customers, build brand loyalty and drive sales

Huge industry demand for skilled UX and UI designers

You’ll learn about specialist UX/UI concepts and software including Figma and Adobe XD.

You’ll also explore key business theories behind branding, graphic design and consumer behaviour. We’ll teach you how to use these to support your creative ideas and design seamless engagement between customers and businesses. You’ll learn how to ensure that your work is legal, ethical and accessible, and we’ll teach you about community management practices and how they can impact a business. You’ll also explore ethics, inclusivity and accessibility in design, and have fortnightly thematic discussions with your tutors and peers to discuss your ideas. As your final project, you’ll create a professional digital portfolio.

KEY INFO

START DATE

September 2024

GUIDELINE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

GCSEs including Maths & English at Grade 4/C or above

DURATION

36 Weeks

FEES

£2,100

Interest free payment plans available

“UX/UI is essential. Without a good user experience on a site, customers will not be able to buy products and they can lose ranking on Google because of that. Everyone’s competing for that number one spot - the difference between being on the front page of Google and the second page of Google is literally millions of pounds.”

James Digital Marketing Manager at Rise At Seven

COURSE ENDORSED BY

DATA ONLINE ANALYTICS FOR RETAIL

Understanding data is now a core skill required in every role in fashion retail. With our Online Data Analytics for Retail course, you can fast-forward your career by developing your data analytics skills, and either enhance your current position or start a whole new career. As a data analyst, you’ll work at the heart of a business alongside many different departments including buying, sustainability and operations.

Studying Data Analytics for Retail, we’ll teach you to develop creative solutions to challenges and identify new opportunities for brands through skills including data interpretation, data cleansing and an understanding of essential software including PowerBI, Excel and DAX.

Learn how to optimise performance, reduce costs and maximise growth through data

Work at the heart of a business, informing strategic decisions and influencing the future direction of a brand

Huge industry demand for data analysts

You’ll learn to find and solve problems within a business, analysing data at all stages of the design, development, construction and marketing process, and contributing to the future direction of the brand. You’ll learn the principles of data preparation, management and analysis which are highly transferrable skills that can be used across many different industries and roles.

Throughout your studies, you’ll use industry datasets and case studies to investigate and solve real-life scenarios to prepare you for the workplace. You’ll complete the course with a thorough understanding of data analysis within fashion, ready for an entry-level role in the industry - where skilled data analysts are in high demand.

KEY INFO

START DATE

September 2024

GUIDELINE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

GCSEs including Maths & English at Grade 4/C or above

AWARDING BODY

BCS Digital Modular Programme (Level 4)

DURATION

36 Weeks

FEES

£3,100

Interest free payment plans available

“Understanding data in the fashion industry allows you to notice and react to upcoming trends, and even create them yourself, by being closer to your audience than ever before. Not only can this inform the creative process, but it allows a brand to solve business and real-world problems.”

Thierry Head of Data Insight at SALT.agency

FASHION ONLINE BUSINESS & RETAIL

Studying Fashion Business & Retail online, you’ll learn about how businesses are structured within the fashion industry, and how all the roles and departments work together to achieve business goals.

We’ll teach you the key skills fashion brands are looking for, including how to understand and analyse consumer behaviour and the fundamentals of data analytics. You’ll investigate how technology has disrupted the retail environment, and the trend towards blending physical and virtual shopping experiences, including the concepts of virtual, omnichannel and experiential retailing. You’ll discover the impact of environmental, social and corporate governance, and the changing nature of the fashion retail industry.

Explore the full range of careers available within the fashion industry

Learn the importance of consumer behaviour and data analysis

Discover how modern brands balance business goals with environmental and ethical concerns

You’ll explore the increasing consumer demand for sustainable and ethical fashion, and how to use consumer behaviour data to inform future business strategy. We’ll also teach you about using data in a fashion business environment, including customer profiling, compshops and trend forecasting, so that you can learn how to devise creative solutions for problems faced by brands.

This is the perfect course if you’d like to develop your skills across a range of areas in the fashion industry, maximising your career opportunities with a broad and varied skillset. You’ll complete your studies ready for a wide range of industry roles, like marketing, buying, merchandising and management.

KEY INFO

September 2024

START DATE DURATION FEES

GUIDELINE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

GCSEs including Maths & English at grade 4/C or above.

36 Weeks

£2,100

Interest free payment plans available

“We got to network really well and it was such a great experience.”

Natalie Online Fashion Business & Retail

EXAMPLE PROJECT

Online UX/UI Design

Learners taking our online courses produce projects based on real industry briefs. Here are examples of the projects created by Online UX/ UI Design students.

ONLINE COURSE HOW TO APPLY FOR AN

1. SIGN UP

You’ll sign up for your course on our website. We recommend signing up as soon as you’ve made your decision!

2. SET UP YOUR PAYMENTS

When you sign up for your course, you’ll need to set up a payment plan to secure your place.

3. ENROLMENT

You’ll need to enrol before your course starts. You will need to upload your proof of address and proof of ID. If you are an international student, we’ll also need evidence of IELTS Grade 5.

4. WELCOME TO THE FRA!

Once you’ve successfully enrolled, we’ll send you everything you need to start your studies and give you access to our online learning platform. You’ll be given the times and dates of your weekly live lesson.

FEES & FUNDING

COURSE FEES

Buying & Merchandising: £2,100

Data Analytics for Retail: £3,100

UX/UI Design: £2,100

Fashion Business & Retail: £2,100

When you sign up for your course, you’ll need to set up a payment plan to secure your place.

Payment Options:

· 2 payments of 50% each - 0% interest

· 6 monthly payments - 0% interest

· Full Payment upfront

Tuition fees are subject to change - the fees due are effective at enrolment.

In the highly unlikely event that the course is cancelled, your payment will be refunded in full.

EU & INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Our online courses are open to applications from international students. EU students can now attend the Fashion Retail Academy online as international students.

We require a minimum of IELTS grade 5 for non-native English language speakers. You’ll also need to provide Proof of Residency as part of your sign-up process.

There is one compulsory live session, one evening a week (UK GMT).

It’s important you’re able to attend the compulsory live sessions. You will be expected to complete 4-6 hours of independent study a week and attend a fortnightly themed discussion session.

For more information, visit our website: www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk/online-fashion-courses

“I really enjoyed all the interactive parts and the insights from the industry.”

Caroline Online Buying & Merchandising

“We got to network really well, and it was such a great experience.”

Natalie Online User Experience Design for Fashion

“I’ve enjoyed being creative and making my ideas come to life.”

Naecia Online Buying & Merchandising

MEET THE TEAMS

Meet the FRA teams that will help you through your journey from applicant, to student, to graduate.

APPLICANT SERVICES

The Applicant Services team supports applicants right from the start of their FRA journey. We organise open days, help with application queries and are on hand to answer any questions around results day and enrolment.

REGISTRY

The Student Registry team is here to support learners through their journey right from their initial application, up until they enrol with us on their chosen course. We also administer the bursary process for 16 to 18-year-olds and those learners who have an approved Advanced Learner Loan.

CAREERS & PROGRESSION SERVICE

The Careers & Progression team supports students with their future career choices and progression with targeted careers advice, information and guidance. As an online learner, you will have the opportunity to book 1:1 sessions and access resources on the careers platform, such as CV360 and the Jobs Board.

WELLBEING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

The Wellbeing team is available* to support learners throughout their time studying with the FRA, through coaching, counselling and safeguarding. We can also offer ad hoc learning support and, where approriate, process requests for reasonable adjustments for learners with additional needs.

The Industry Development department is responsible for enhancing your learning. We work with our 140+ industry partners to arrange masterclasses, set projects and feedback on presentations to bring your learning to life.

GRADUATE SNAPSHOT

Our graduates go on to work in a vast range of positions at some of the top fashion companies. Here’s where some of our recent graduates have gone on to work.

Teni Buying Assistant

Graziella Buying Admin Assistant

Annabel Merchandising Admin Assistant

John Visual Merchandiser

Ezra Started his own business

DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

Jessica Online Production Assistant

Caitlin Digital PR Executive

Ines Buying Admin Assistant

Ella Visual Merchandiser

BUSINESS STARTER

John Buying Admin Assistant

Brianna Visual Stylist

Lena Merchandising & Buying Admin Assistant

Matthew Buying Admin Assistant

Claudia Buying Admin Assistant

Freya Allocator

Mikey Self-employed Stylist

@fashionretailacademy

@fashionretailacademy

@FRALondon

Fashion Retail Academy

020

0300 247 0039

info@fra.ac.uk

www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk

Disclaimer: All course information is correct at the time of printing. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website.