Course specification and structure
Undergraduate Course Structures Postgraduate Course Structures

UDFSMKJR - BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Journalism

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Bachelor of Arts Level Honours
Possible interim awards Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education
Total credits for course 360
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School School of Computing and Digital Media
Subject Area Creative Technologies and Digital Media
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 3 YEARS 6 YEARS
Part-time 4 YEARS 8 YEARS
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

BA Fashion Marketing and Journalism focuses on developing professional skills appropriate for students seeking to gain a career in journalism, marketing and PR with a specific focus on fashion.

The teaching and learning strategy seeks to engage, enthuse and support students in their learning, using blended learning, combining learning undertaken inface-to-face sessions with learning opportunities created online. Full use is made of the virtual learning environment and of media
facilities.

Teaching includes workshops, simulations, screenings, field trips, lectures and seminar discussions. Embedded into the course are three activity weeks –an enhancement week and two news weeks. During these weeks, extra-curricular activities involving guest speakers from fashion business and also career development personnel, provide students with career development support.

A work experience module is compulsory. External learning opportunities include making use of the museums and other collections, press fashion shows, trips to factories, and guided tours.

This is the only course with this title in London, and graduates have achieved success in marketing and fashion areas.

Course aims

The overall aim of the BA Fashion Marketing and Journalism course is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of both fashion marketing and journalism theories and practices.

The aims take account of QAA statements on Business and Management courses and on Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies.

The course aims to teach students:

•A broad understanding of marketing with particular focus on how the fashion industry is marketed, with both an academic and practitioner perspective of the various disciplines relevant to fashion marketing;

•The history and ideas important to understanding the practice of journalism in the UK today, as well as globally, so that they have an analytical framework with which to grasp their role within the industry;

•the role and significance fashion marketing plays in contemporary society and the process of consumer consumption;

•independent and critical thinking skills so that they can think independently, select appropriate approaches and solve problems relevant to fashion marketing and journalism

•writing skills so that they can write accurately and fluently in a variety of formats, to a variety of audiences (including academic essays, news items, headlines, features, reviews, reports, commentaries, blogs, tweets, interviews, profiles, investigations, critiques, comments, columns, nibs, campaigns and any other formats chosen –to deadline and to length);

•to develop students’ own understanding of their work so that they can produce it and target it to a range of media audiences, specialist and non-specialist;

•To develop students’ social skills so that they can interview primary sources face to face, over the phone, via email and social media and so that they can pitch ideas and presentations to possible employers;

•To foster students’ independence as learners and practitioners, especially through individual projects;

•To foster collaboration as learners and practitioners, especially through group work and simulations;

•To offer the opportunity for monitored work placements, extension of knowledge skills, and publication within and outside the course website,

•to offer them the chance to progress towards more specialised accredited learning.

Course learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

ULO: Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive,
collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline.

1.Know and understand how the fashion marketing industry works, with both an academic and practitioner perspective of the various disciplines relevant to fashion marketing, as well as understanding the role and significance fashion marketing plays in contemporary society and the process of consumer consumption;

2.Understand the social, political and ethical dimensions within which the fashion industry operates;

3.Understand the social, political and ethical dimensions within which journalism operates;

4.Devise and sustain arguments, taking account of views other than their own, and to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of journalism and/or marketing;

5.Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, through different media;

6.Describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research and practice in marketing and/or journalism, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge;

7.Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects, jointly and singly;

8.Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts, so that professional skills can be used within appropriate legal and ethical frameworks;

9.Be able to progress towards more specialised accredited learning.

Principle QAA benchmark statements

Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies [Dec-2019]
Guidance at:
https://bit.ly/3ggG0ob

The above latest subject benchmark statement and general guidance available are used in the design, delivery and review of the course and in facilitating the knowledge and skills normally expected of a typical course graduate.

Assessment strategy

The BA Fashion Marketing and Journalism draws upon various assessment methods, which include: examinations to facilitate learning and the integration of knowledge; structured coursework for example, the use of problem solving case studies, oral presentations, literature based assignments including essays and reports; portfolio work across several media and at Level 6 a research project.

In all modules, feedback is given in a week for the first assignment and thereafter within two weeks. Formative assessment is given both electronically and face to face. Summative assessment is given electronically.

Regular course committees inform the shaping of assessment timing. Regular input from industry shapes the assignments themselves –for example, in the development of social media content.
Since at least 50 per cent of assessment is on practical tasks, a coaching model ensures that students are assisted in drafting and shaping work.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

A compulsory work experience placement in the second year is credited within the course. News days and news weeks are simulations which offer work-based learning. The London Met Journalism Diversity Network is instrumental in helping students find suitable placements.
The course includes information, training and advice on employability, job applications, CVs and finances. Simulation of the work environment also includes job applications and interviews.

Course specific regulations

Year One
Practical Journalism - SJ4035 (30 credits)
Fashion History and Concepts - SJ4008 (30 credits)
Practice of Marketing - SM4060 (15 credits)
Principles of Marketing - SM4061 (15 credits)

Year Two
Journalism, History and Ideas - SJ4034 (30 credits)
Media Law and Ethics, Public Administration - SJ5033 (30 credits)
Fashion, Branding and Journalism - SJ5043 (30 credits)


Year Three
Newsroom Production - SJ5034 (30 credits)
Journalism Work Placement - SJW78 (15 credits) OR
Learning Through Work - MN5W55
Styling and Journalism - SJ5079 (15 credits)
Beauty Through the Ages - SJ5084 (15 credits)
Online Fashion Retailing - MC5062 (15 credits)
(two of the three options)


Year Four
Broadcast Journalism - SJ6035 (30 credits)
Journalism Project -SJ6P35 (30 credits) OR
Fashion Project - MC6P06 (30 credits)
Fashion Writing and Reporting - SJ6086 (15 credits)
Psychology in the Beauty Industry - SJ6088 (15 credits)

Modules required for interim awards

Cert Ed: All modules specified at L4.
Dip Higher Ed: Credits specified at L4 and L5
BA without hons: Credits specified at L4, L5 and 60 credit core modules at L6
BA hons: all credits specified in Course Spec.

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

Within each of the journalism modules, reflective elements are evident. In most cases, this is measured by an online journal on which students record their class contribution, taking account of their participation, reading, presentations, interrelations with others and extra-curricular work. This forms part of the assessment and is moderated by tutors.

News days and news weeks simulate the work environment and operate on a formative, coaching model. In addition, assessment components may be used to facilitate reflective learning, for example students may be asked, as part of the assessment process, to reflect on their learning from working in a group or reflect on their learning from project research. Students build up a portfolio of work via blogs and the course website, which can promote their job prospects.

Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development

The course is entirely work-focused. Graduates have moved into a variety of communications fields: advertising, public relations, beauty brands, social media, business communications, media production and journalism. A sizable number have gone on to further higher education degrees. Notable alumni destinations include those working for PR firms as well as well-known beauty and fashion brands.

Career opportunities

During this degree, you’ll gain the qualifications and skills you need for a range of roles in fashion journalism, newspapers and magazines (both print and online).

Our creative technologies and digital media graduates have gone on to exciting careers as content programmers, fashion copywriters, motion graphic designers, multimedia journalists and visual effects production assistants, radio presenters, studio runners and producers in companies such as D2 Interactive, TK MAXX, Motion Picture Company, Virtual Arts, Volant Media and We Are Capture.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

  • a minimum of grades BBC in three A levels (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
  • GCSE English at grade C/grade 4 or above (or equivalent)

If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing our Fashion Marketing and Journalism (including foundation year) BA (Hons) degree.

Applicants with relevant professional qualifications or extensive professional experience will also be considered on a case by case basis.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2013/14 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 01 Sep 2013 Last validation date 01 Sep 2013  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes N500 (Marketing): 50% , P500 (Journalism): 50%
Route code FSMKJR

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 04 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
MC4060 Practice of Marketing Core 15 NORTH AUT MON AM
          NORTH AUT FRI AM
          NORTH AUT WED AM
          NORTH AUT TUE PM
MC4061 Principles of Marketing Core 15 NORTH SPR MON AM
          NORTH SPR TUE PM
          NORTH SPR WED AM
SJ4008 Fashion History and Concepts Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR FRI AM
SJ4034 Journalism: History and Ideas Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR TUE PM
SJ4035 Practical Journalism Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED AM

Stage 2 Level 05 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SJ5033 Media Law and Ethics; Public Administration Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR THU AM
SJ5034 Newsroom Production Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR TUE AM
          NORTH AUT+SPR TUE PM
SJ5043 Fashion Branding and Journalism Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR THU PM
MN5W55 Learning through Work Alt Core 15 NORTH AUT WED AM
          NORTH SPR WED AM
          NORTH AUT WED PM
          NORTH SPR WED PM
          NORTH AUT THU AM
          NORTH SPR THU AM
          NORTH SPR THU PM
          NORTH AUT FRI AM
          NORTH SPR FRI AM
          NORTH AUT FRI PM
          NORTH SPR FRI PM
          NORTH AUT THU PM
SJ5W78 Journalism Work Placement Alt Core 15 NORTH SPR WED AM
MC5062 Online Fashion Retailing Option 15 NORTH SPR WED AM
SJ5079 Styling and Journalism Option 15 NORTH AUT FRI AM
SJ5084 Beauty Through the Ages: A Critical History of ... Option 15        

Stage 3 Level 06 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SJ6034 Creating Packages Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED AM
SJ6035 Broadcast Journalism Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR THU AM
SJ6086 Fashion Writing and Reporting Core 15 NORTH AUT FRI PM
MN6P05 Consultancy Project Alt Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR MON PM
          NORTH AUT+SPR TUE PM
          NORTH AUT+SPR WED AM
          NORTH AUT+SPR WED PM
          NORTH AUT+SPR TUE AM
SJ6P35 Journalism Project Alt Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED PM
SJ6074 Arts Journalism Option 15 NORTH SPR FRI AM
SJ6080 Campaigning Journalism Option 15 NORTH AUT TUE AM
SJ6088 Psychology in the Beauty Industry Option 15 NORTH SPR TUE PM