Fashion Management, Bachelor of Arts

Who is suited for the Fashion Management degree? Requirements & suitable target group

The Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Management at the Mediadesign University is aimed at everyone who is passionate about fashion, brand management, and economic contexts. The course is suitable both for career starters with a general university entrance qualification (Abitur) or advanced technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife) and for those who already have practical experience or have completed a fashion design degree and now wish to acquire management skills. Anyone interested in future-oriented topics such as digitalisation, sustainability, and innovative brand management in the fashion industry will find the right study environment here. Also addressed are people who want to take on key roles later on, for example in product management, purchasing, marketing, or fashion communication.

Admission requirements at a glance

• University entrance qualification: General university entrance qualification (Abitur), advanced technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife) or an equivalent recognised qualification.
• Study without Abitur: Possible with a subject-specific university entrance qualification according to § 11 BerlHG.
• Application documents: Motivation letter in English (approx. 1 page), relevant certificates as well as a CV with photo.
• Application period: Applications are possible during the current school year or even before obtaining the Abitur.
• Applicants from abroad: International certificates can be checked in advance for equivalence by a recognised examination office.
• Language skills: For the English-language campus in Berlin: good English skills are required.

Selection is not primarily based on grades, but places great importance on personality, motivation, and the individual strengths of the applicants.

Personal requirements: What should you bring with you?

• Strong enthusiasm and passion for fashion, trends, and brands.
• Interest in business administration topics as well as management and team leadership.
• Creativity, inventiveness and the ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Hands-on mentality, commitment, organisational talent as well as willingness to help.
• Good English skills for studying at the English-speaking location or for international modules.
• Openness to future-oriented topics such as sustainability, digitalisation, and innovation management.

Prior knowledge of fashion or business is helpful but not a mandatory requirement. Those who are curious, have a sense for markets and trends, and are keen to take responsibility in the fashion business will find optimal conditions.

What do you learn in the Fashion Management degree?

In the Fashion Management degree at the Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences, you gain a comprehensive insight into the fashion business – from the origins of a garment to the sustainable management of innovative brands. The focus is on economic know-how, management skills, and a deep understanding of markets, target groups, and brands within the fashion sector.

• Fashion Value Chain: Processes from sustainable raw material sourcing, procurement, production, logistics, distribution to recycling.
• Sustainability & Ethics: Environmentally friendly and ethical practices, circular economy in fashion, responsible actions along the supply chain.
• Digitisation: E-commerce, digital showrooms, omnichannel strategies, use of the latest technologies in the fashion context.
• Management:
  • Fashion Communication, Marketing and Brand Management
  • Business Processes (Supply Chain, Finance)
  • Strategic Team Leadership and Implementation
  • Market & Trend Research
  • Management of Creative Processes
• Fashion-specific Knowledge: Fashion History, Clothing Technology, Product Management, Fashion Sociology
• Practical Projects: Application of knowledge in real projects, development and presentation of own fashion concepts, excursions to companies or shows.
• Innovative Business Models: Development of economically and ecologically sustainable concepts, insight into global supply chains.
• Data-driven Fashion Decisions: Use of Big Data for trend forecasting and collection planning.
• Personalisation & Branding: Storytelling, targeted consumer communication, direct-to-consumer strategies.

The proportion of the various subject areas is approximately:

• 60 % Management & Sustainability
• 15 % Trend Research
• 15 % Marketing & Sales
• 10 % Practical Projects

How does the degree programme work?

The Fashion Management degree is designed as a full-time on-campus programme over 7 semesters (3.5 years). You complete the degree with the academic title Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and earn a total of 210 ECTS credits.

• The degree programme starts annually – both in the summer and winter semester.
• Practice-oriented training is paramount: real projects, photoshoots, excursions to fashion companies, trade fairs or fashion shows, as well as own showroom and presentation concepts.
• Classes are held in German or English, depending on campus choice.
• You study the literature, work on group and individual projects, and independently develop concepts.
• Close supervision by lecturers with practical experience, e.g. Prof. Dr Helmar Baum or Prof. Nina Hein.

In the seventh semester, you complete the bachelor’s thesis – often in cooperation with companies or based on your own practical project.

What career opportunities do you have as a graduate in Fashion Management?

As a fashion manager, you are responsible for planning fashion products, building brands, recognising trends, and running companies economically.

• Classic fields of work:
  • Marketing, PR or Social Media Manager
  • Brand Manager, Sales Manager
  • Customer Relations or Sustainability Manager
  • Buyer, Store or Area Manager
  • Product Development, Human Resource Management
• Specialisations and innovative sectors:
  • Data Analyst for fashion trends, influencer, founder of own brand
  • Sustainability management in NGOs or consulting
  • Technology companies (e.g. smart wearables)
  • Research or consulting around sustainable textiles

Graduates find positions at fashion companies such as Hugo Boss, Hermès, Adidas, Karl Lagerfeld, Calzedonia or QVC. Many take on responsible jobs directly after graduating – according to the university, this is achieved by the vast majority of alumni.

• Typical employers are: fashion and textile manufacturers, retail companies, luxury labels, sports brands, communications agencies, sustainable fashion start-ups.

With a bachelor’s degree, you also qualify for subsequent master’s programmes in design or fashion management.

Where is the degree offered?

You can study Fashion Management on campus at the Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences at two locations:

• Berlin: English-language degree at an international creative location.
• Düsseldorf: German-language degree in the centre of the German fashion industry.

There are also offerings in Munich, but the focus is on Berlin and Düsseldorf. Both cities offer excellent conditions for networking, excursions and diverse insights into the fashion business.

Costs and Financing

The monthly tuition fees start at 650 Euro for EU students and at 1,050 Euro for non-EU students. The total costs for the bachelor’s degree (7 semesters) amount to, for example, 23,100 Euro (according to portal information, as of 2024; before possible discounts or fee variations depending on location).

• Additional costs: one-time registration fee (490 Euro), examination fee (1,050 Euro, often included in the tuition fee for non-EU students).
• A discount of up to 5 % is possible when paying in advance (per semester, annually, or completely).
• The degree programme starts each summer and winter semester.

Funding opportunities are available via BAföG, scholarships or financing models, about which the university provides individual advice upon request.