LCF online degrees: Creating a pathway into the fashion industry through remote study

We caught up with Georgia to find out more about her MA Strategic Fashion Marketing (Online) experience, the benefits of online study, and more!

What made you consider studying an online postgraduate course?

As someone who studied their undergraduate course during the pandemic, online learning became the norm, and I realised I worked better this way.

The fashion industry is an ever-changing world and the fact LCF is matching this with their education is not only admirable, but it also makes these opportunities more accessible to those who are still just as driven but may have different circumstances.

What does a typical day on this online course look like?

Each day can look entirely different! Our seminars often focus on the content that is delivered during our weekly pre-recorded lectures. With online learning, you have the freedom to fit your workload into your schedule and manage your own time accordingly.

On seminar days, I join the Eastern Time session (9:30am-11:30am), where I get to hear the perspectives of my incredible peers across the globe. Post-seminar, we are encouraged to take breaks, where I often go on walks or have a cup of tea, which helps break up the day.

What do you enjoy about learning online?

We are encouraged to form our own point of view and think like changemakers of the industry in a safe space that allows us to grow as individuals. My time so far has felt life-changing.

Online learning is not just an academic journey of exploring yourself as an independent researcher, but the personal and professional growth you go through is undeniable. Embracing all of this while feeling part of a community all online is just a one-of-a-kind experience.

What are some common misconceptions about online study?

A common misconception is that you are not able to build a community when studying online. In just my first semester I made great friends in and outside of the UK, who I speak to daily on the course.

We support each other through the exciting and overwhelming moments of being postgraduate students and that’s what’s so beautiful about the friendships you make here.

How have you been made to feel part of the UAL / course community while studying online?

We are encouraged to keep cameras on and be comfortable and ourselves, whether that’s in our slippers with a cup of tea or our feel-good outfits. We are constantly reminded that this is a safe space and made to feel like it is such a welcoming environment with no judgment.

The communication doesn't end with our seminars, from group chats to lectures that make you feel as though you are sitting with your lecturer. Our Course Leader’s weekly newsletter is the biggest initiative that makes us feel like a community, offering us everything from discussions on industry news and tips to relieve our stress to what's coming up next week, we really all feel part of a journey together.

Has the course provided you with any opportunities to connect with the industry?

The teaching goes beyond the classroom, the readings we are recommended and tasks to imply our self-directed study is so helpful in allowing us to apply what we have learnt.

On our first day, we had the Founder of Luxe Collective, Ben Gallagher who shared with us his tips on how to stand out to the true definition of luxury fashion.

What has been your favourite project so far?

I have loved our module, Fashion Marketing in Practice (FMIP), where we have two projects broken down into a group presentation and an individual business report.

During this module I have been able to really grasp the strategic theories in application, while learning from my peer's perspectives. The way these two assignments are structured allows you to apply your learnings and feedback from group work to the individual assessment and grow as you develop your skills. In just 10 weeks the knowledge I have learned, understood, and applied I never knew I was capable of.