Fashion Buying & ManagementCeannach Faisin ┐Bainistíocht

Being a fashion buyer is one of the most sought after careers in fashion. Behind the glamorous image of a buyer who is travelling the world to select the latest pieces off fashion week runways is a job that requires a combination of skill sets to be successful. Solely responsible for selecting and ordering what is sold in stores to ensure maximum profit, in this demanding role you’ll need to be constantly trend spotting, have a strong business sense and be a great communicator.

Trend forecasting and brand discovery

Taking from their knowledge of fashion together with business sense, fashion buyers decide what to buy, which mix of brands to buy and need to know what their customer is looking for. Besides maintaining strong relationships with top brands, buyers constantly stay on the lookout for new brands, designers and trends. Before the rise of Instagram, brand discovery would mostly be done via trade shows, networking, a magazine editor’s referral or simply from designers sending samples. Today, Instagram plays a large part in how fashion buyers discover and reach out to emerging brands.

Quantitative and analytical skills

The role of the fashion buyer is where art meets science, meaning being analytical and comfortable with math as well as fashion savvy will put you ahead. The fashion buyer uses EXCEL spreadsheet and should be familiar with the formulas in the program. One minute the buyer could be talent scouting the latest brands, the next minute he/she could be presenting to the board why the buying decision has been made to purchase a budding designer’s collection based on consumer insight.

Planning and working with merchandisers on buying

What is the difference between a fashion buyer and merchandiser? Buying is a specialization in the merchandising field. Together with fashion merchandisers, they plan and make buying decisions. Based on the customer’s buying patterns and company budget, they analyze how much of each item to buy, the mix of brands and what to buy for each location that will drive profit. Through this meticulous planning process, a framework for what to purchase will be in place for the buyer to follow.

The course is aimed at honours bachelor degree graduates (minimum 2.2 Honours) of universities or similar third level institutions who have a strong desire to succeed in the fashion industry. Holders of equivalent professional qualifications, by examination, will also be considered.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

In addition to academic requirements, all applicants must have good retail experience.

Note: Due to the considerable competition for our postgraduate courses satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place. Depending on the course of study applications will be assessed based on your academic grades and your work/life experience. Applicants may also be required to attend for interview for specific courses.

Please note due to the great demand for our courses early applications are assessed when received and dealt with promptly. Therefore, it is advisable to make early applications for an early response. If you do not yet have your final degree results this will not hinder your application as we are happy to issue conditional offer letters in such circumstances.

To make a full and complete application for this course you must include a current CV along with a cover letter stating why you are applying for this postgraduate diploma and outlining your suitability to the course.

TU Dublin's innovative MSc Fashion Buying & Management is to date, the only programme of its kind being offered in the Republic of Ireland. This one-year, full-time course is designed for graduates seeking to break the exciting and fast-paced fashion buying industry.

MSc. Fashion Buying and Management Scholarship - The Maria Wallace Foundation

The School of Business Technology, Retail, & Supply Chain are delighted to announce a new Scholarship in conjunction with the Maria Wallace Family. 

The name of the Scholarship is the Maria Wallace Foundation Scholarship. This falls under our programme, MSc. Fashion Buying and Management offered within the Retail Discipline.   

The Scholarship includes a donation of €15,000 to help cover fees and allowance for living expenses during the student's time on the course. 

The successful candidate for the scholarship must be someone who has exceptional potential to succeed however, would not be in the financial position to complete the Master's without the support of this scholarship.  

Potential candidates will be required to submit a personal statement outlining why they would like to be considered for this scholarship. This will be reviewed by the Programme Manager and Programme Chair. A shortlist of potential applicants who match the criteria will then be interviewed by the Wallace family and a trustee of the charity for final approval. 

For applications and more information, please contact aimee.hazeldine@tudublin.ie

A career in fashion buying can offer a lifestyle that is fast-paced and exciting with opportunities to travel and see the world, a great way to combine creativity and commerce.

While the timetable is yet to be finalized there are normally circa 20 to 25 contact hours per week. Given the intensive nature of the postgraduate programme and the fact that subjects are new, students are advised to keep a clear working week and to minimize other commitments in order to participate in the course. Students are also advised to be aware of time commitment needed to complete the work placement element of the course during the summer months June to August.

Applications are now open.

Apply Online – FULL TIME EU JANUARY START

What is the duration of the course?

The course runs for one year full-time January to January, with a work placement element included in the duration, June to August. An additional five months is allowed for the submission of the major research project, this is submitted the end of May.

Does the course have industry links?

The MSc in Fashion Buying and Management is very closely aligned to industry, in order to offer the best and most relevant education in this field. The Industry Advisory Panel is made up of key industry figures and organizations, both local and international. Support from the Industry will be evident in the line-up of speakers for the Fashion Seminar series.

What are the learning outcomes of the programme?

Students will be able to understand and appreciate the diversity of fabrics available for use in their product / garment construction, their general properties and variations in the methods of assembling them into products.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of ranging and merchandising in the context of overall category management and relate these to overall business of the retailer.

Students will understand how buying and merchandising interacts with the other key business functions, in particular: Design, Garment Technology, Marketing, Finance and Retail Operations.

Students will demonstrate a specialised knowledge of the range of concepts, models and processes relevant to the study of fashion buying and management.

Students will develop a comprehensive awareness of the significant concepts and processes of consumer behavior.

Students will exercise an ability to review secondary research material, interpret multiple arguments on the subject matter, followed with the capacity to present logical critical explanations.

Students will take responsibility for one`s own learning and actively participate in team and group based opportunities to develop leadership and initiative.

Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the nature of fashion distribution channels and the changing balance of power therein.

Students will be able to analyze the nature and power of brands in building fashion brand equity and appreciate the particular case of luxury brands.

Students will develop an understanding of the key media involved in the fashion industry and an ability to describe the media in relation to types, styles, power and influence.

Is there a single contact for the course?

Yes, the MSc in Fashion Buying and Management at the Technological University Dublin has a Programme Coordinator. Decisions in relation to course content and development are made by the course team and course committee in line with general TU Dublin policy.

More detailed information on course syllabi is contained in the Programme Document that is updated each year. This is available from the library, TU Dublin Aungier Street. General information on the industry is available from published and other industry sources.