Fashion Buying & Merchandising

This Postgraduate Certificate (PGC) Fashion Buying & Merchandising programme takes the skills you have learned at undergraduate level and focuses them for a career in fashion buying. You will learn about garment production and the dynamics of global sourcing including the sustainable fashion agenda – a hot topic and to the forefront of fashion buyers today. You will also develop an appreciation of the key competitive challenges of the contemporary global markets in fashion, textiles, and related industries. You will learn to consider current competitive positions and how to recognise opportunities for business growth in your role as a fashion buyer.

Deepen your knowledge of the business of fashion

This dynamic and relevant programme will appeal to those interested in deepening their knowledge and expertise in the business of fashion. You will advance your knowledge, understanding and professional practice through engagement with current research and thinking of global sourcing, strategic buying and finance for fashion management.

Flexible study with extensive learning resources

If you have been awarded a degree in an area such as business management, accountancy, commerce, this Postgraduate Certificate (PGC) in Fashion Buying & Merchandising is designed to offer a level 9 award to focus your qualifications and enhance your career opportunities in the area of fashion buying. The delivery mode is a flexible study option for those seeking to fit learning around work and family. There is access to extensive learning resources and support materials through our virtual learning environment that enables students to choose the time and place most suited for them to study. Assignments are practical and work-based and highly relevant to enhancing your strategic management skills.

Learn from Industry Experts

Cultivating strategic and innovative thinking is a core theme and the programme is taught from this perspective. Tutors are experienced industry leaders, ensuring the relevance of the content to management in the fashion industry. Graduates can immediately implement their learning and make a positive impact to the success of their working environment. This PGC programme will benefit your personal development as well as your professional career putting you in a strong position for career progression in this sector.

Develop as a buyer

The programme focuses on your development as a competent buyer at all levels. The content and specialised online learning approach is designed to provide a rich, stimulating, and individualised learning experience. This post-graduate programme aims to facilitate an exploration and understanding of the concepts, issues in the context of the global business of fashion.

Who will recognise my qualification?
Post Graduate Certificate in Fashion Buying is awarded by London Metropolitan University (London Met). This is mapped as a Level 9 award on the National Framework of Qualifications.

You will be registered as postgraduate student of London Metropolitan University and will receive a student card confirming their student status.

Qualifications Frameworks in Ireland and the UK

The Irish and UK qualifications authorities have collaborated on initiatives that promote the transparency, recognition and mobility of qualifications between our respective jurisdictions. The qualifications authorities in the UK and Ireland have agreed the qualifications frameworks in operation, Brexit will not impact this agreement. Further guidance on this framework is available at https://www.qqi.ie/what-we-do/the-qualifications-system/national-framework-of-qualifications

Real Life Learning Opportunities

Field Trips
Portobello Institute organises trips each year to the following major fashion events in the annual calendar;

Fashion City, Dublin
Pure in London
Moda in Birmingham
Pret-a-Porter, Milan, Italy
Who's Next, Paris

These are usually one day return trips and are booked with minimal cost for students. They are not included in the fees and are optional.

Guest Lecturers
Once off guest lectures are organised throughout the calendar year to give students an opportunity to gain insight into either a particular brand, the career of an established and successful professional in the fashion industry or an upcoming trend in fashion. These lecturers vary year to year but are always an interesting experience for our students.

Considering and understanding the complex critical paths in range planning including balancing lead times, design options, pricing strategies, sourcing strategies and the movement of stock into and out of the business are core elements of the Strategic Fashion Buying & Merchandising module. Factors affecting the supply chain including product market strategies and external forces within the market are also studies during this module.

Having the ability to forecast trends needs a complete understanding of the design and development of a complete range for a fashion season. Portobello Institute has designed and developed the module of Garment Production & Global Sourcing to give students the opportunity to develop these skills. This module covers in detail design and development of an entire range, garment specification and construction.

Complementing these fashion focused modules are the core business subjects of strategic management and finance for fashion management. This Post Graduate Certificate in Fashion Buying & Merchandising is designed to encourage interaction and contribution from students, expert tutors and senior leaders. This methodology will enhance your skillset to include an understanding of a proactive approach and strategic thinking needed to advance your career as a manager of the business of fashion.

Year 1
Global Sourcing and Supply Chain Management
Strategic Fashion Buying and Merchandising
Finance For Fashion Management
Strategic Management for Fashion Retailing

Delivery Mode
What is Online with Webinar Learning?

Online with Webinar Learning is a form of blended learning. It re-structures the content introducing online learning together with interactive webinars and one to one tutor support. This mode of delivery includes contact tuition (by webinar) and web-based e-learning sessions. The e-learning platform is interactive including recorded sessions, webinars with weekly content and assigned tasks to themes and topics.

There are webinars held at regular intervals including the commencement of each module. Attendance is not mandatory but is encouraged for optimal learning. The webinars are designed to support students understand the requirements of the learning outcomes, the expectations of the assessment and meet their tutor for the module.

The Difference between Blended and Online with Webinars Delivery Modes

There are two blended learning delivery mode options to study courses in Portobello Institute.

Blended learning offers you the opportunity to study with lectures delivered on-site at the weekends.

Online with Webinars – you will not be required to attend on-site lectures if you are enrolled on a course with this delivery mode. All lectures are delivered online and are recorded so you can catch-up later.

What is a webinar?

A webinar, in the context of online learning, is a lecturer delivering a presentation or class online to a group of students. We use specifically designed e-learning software so you can participate in the class just as if you were present in the same room. You can ask a question of the lecturer at any stage during the class.

Interactive break-out rooms

The software is designed with "break-out rooms" where you can discuss a topic or complete a group exercise with a smaller group from your class. You will need a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone that has internet connection, an audio facility so you can hear and speak during the class and a camera so your lecturer and fellow class participants can see you.

Secure online learning environment

The webinar is a secure online environment and only those permitted entry by the lecturer can gain access to the "classroom". Webinars are recorded during each session and should you miss a session, you can catch up with the recorded session at a later date. You will only be able to access Webinars of the group you are assigned to.

Peer to Peer Support

Learning from the experience of other students is often cited as an integral part of any learning journey through a programme. This programme is conducted primarily online and to achieve peer to peer learning, we create study groups. This is a group of students either with a similar research interest or located regionally for ease of "meeting up". Many graduates tell us that the relationships they build in their study group, offers them a professional network to tap into through out their careers as well as some lifelong friendships.

Tutor Support

You can email your tutor during the module to ask a simple query or submit a draft of your assessment. Our programme management team are available to offer you telephone and email support and if you need to, you can arrange to meet them for further one to one guidance.

For more information about our team, click here. Portobello Institute has invested in a team of programme managers and tutors who are experienced early years practitioners as well as qualified and knowledgeable educators. They are available to assist you during your learning journey through this programme.

Online Learning Portal

During the induction webinar, we will show you how to navigate and find what you need with all of the information you need to complete this programme uploaded on to the learning portal. The content of this programme is set out in an easy to follow format with a combination of notes, articles, podcasts and other materials that will help you to understand the subject and complete your assessment. You will need basic computer skills to search the internet and type a word document to complete your assignment.

There are entry criteria available to students with differing qualifications/experience levels and these are detailed below.

This programme is intended for applicants with a primary degree preferably but not limited to business, accountancy, commerce, fashion design, retail management – or a related discipline. A lower second-class honours degree or international equivalent is required. Applicants with substantial relevant work experience will also be considered – see below.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

Entry using Experiential Learning
Students may apply for entry to the PGC Fashion Buying & Merchandising using experience gained in the workplace in place of prior educational qualifications if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Applications are reviewed on a case by case basis with practical knowledge a key criterion for entry via this route.

Our experienced course adviser team are available to support you with your programme choice. If you are unsure if this programme is right for you, . We will support you to map your experience to date and any previous educational experience you may have to our programmes so that you can select the course best suited to your career ambition and educational experience.

Entry is by direct application to Portobello Institute.

2 academic semesters online with webinars.