Applications are open for 2019/20 entry.
Scroll down to the How to apply section below.
The Executive MBA (Fashion) is designed for international professionals working at a senior level, who wish to progress to a leadership role.
This EMBA fashion programme combines short face-to-face teaching blocks and networking events in London with accessible, online distance learning. Participants are able to broaden their careers and develop a greater strategic approach.
The Executive MBA (Fashion) is designed for fashion business executives, directors, managers and growing entrepreneurs. This specialist programme is uniquely focused on the fashion industry, enabling participants to broaden their careers beyond their own specific experiences, developing a greater strategic approach, confidence and understanding that can equip them for more senior roles and greater responsibilities.
This exclusive blended learning programme is delivered by a combination of 3 day face-to-face teaching blocks in London, followed by online seminars, discussions and peer-to-peer learning, taught by some of the most highly respected professionals that the fashion industry and creative academia can offer.
For details in regards to the Flexible Learning option for 2018/19 entry, please contact Denisa Niculescu. Please note, recruitment for the Flexible Learning route is suspended for 2019/20 entry.
Sustainability within the Fashion Industry - This second report by the Fashion Business Council considers sustainability within the fashion industry at a time of a changing environment where conscious capitalism and the future of our world are presenting a new paradigm in business operations. Read it here
Applicants who do not have an immigration status that permits study should contact Student Services for advice.
Please note that we cannot guarantee that the current immigration rules will remain the same over the period of your study.
Teaching: Various LCF sites and Wallacespace Covent Garden
Contact Denisa Niculescu
The CMI is recognised by Royal Charter as the professional body for managers in the UK. For managers who want to sharpen their professional edge and enhance their effectiveness your EMBA (Fashion) provides the opportunity to apply for Chartered Manager, the highest status that can be achieved in leadership and management. As a CMI Approved Centre the Fashion Business School supports students and endorses applications on the Exemption Route to Chartered Manager. Furthermore, as the course is accredited by the CMI you have the opportunity to graduate with the additional qualification, CMI level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.
Hear from the current cohort at London College of Fashion.
This animation explains the two options for structuring your executive studies at London College of Fashion.
Executive MBA (Fashion) students from London College of Fashion attend a Careers Speed Networking Event followed by a networking evening at the Regent Street Coach store.
The retail industry appears to be in the midst of profound change, with headlines full of store closures, retrenchment and cash flow issues. The finger of blame is often pointed […]
Each term our Executive MBA (Fashion) business minds take an in-depth look at the fashion industry and wider issues that are having a knock-on effect on supply chains, management, cultural changes and […]
London College of Fashion and Clique Brands UK launched a partnership this year that allows students from the Fashion Business School access to their community of industry figureheads in fashion, […]
Supply chain management has harvested the fruits of globalisation and technological development to place collaboration between partners at the heart of effective B2B relationships. Such collaboration is multi-faceted: standardised processes, […]
The latest Executive MBA (Fashion) panel discussion focused on leadership and talent management, an increasingly popular topic as navigating the uncertain waters of 21st-century business management enters a global shift towards nationalism […]
Executive MBA (Fashion) at London College of Fashion continued their series of events with a fashion business panel discussion on the divide between creative vision and commercial reality, bringing together a […]
Take a tour of LCF's world renowned fashion library, ideal for research and study.
Take a tour of the lecture theatres and tutor rooms.
Explore our social spaces, for collaborative study and breaks, across our six sites in London.
The Executive MBA (Fashion) is for fashion business executives, directors, managers and growing entrepreneurs. This specialist programme is uniquely focused on the fashion industry, enabling participants to broaden their careers beyond their own specific experiences, developing a greater strategic approach, confidence and understanding that can equip them for more senior roles and greater responsibilities.
This exclusive blended learning programme is delivered by a combination of 3 day face-to-face teaching blocks in London, followed by online seminars, discussions and peer-to-peer learning, taught by some of the most highly respected professionals that the fashion industry and creative academia can offer.
You will be taught by staff with significant fashion business experience and access to the fashion industry through consultancies and research. LCF maintains close relationships with industry leaders, which underpins the EMBA’s focused content, enabling participants to learn from real-life case studies and from industry specialists.
This unique learning experience will provide you with the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills to succeed in the widest variety of fashion enterprises. During the course you will be able to enhance your evaluative, analytical and problem-solving skills by combining your growing theoretical knowledge with the decision-making challenges faced during your work roles.
Fast track:
This is a blended learning course, which is delivered through a mixture of face to face attendance and online distance learning.
Face to Face teaching
Candidates will be required to attend in person for a maximum six days every three months (three days per unit). Classes will include a mix of tutor and student-led seminars, group and individual presentations, individual and team responses to case studies, and lectures.
Lectures will be supported by guest speakers from fashion and related industries. Case studies will form a further focus for student-led seminar and workshop activity.
Industry visits
Relevant site visits are scheduled, allowing candidates restricted behind the scenes access directly related to the unit of study. Recent site visits have offered candidates the opportunity to visit the Net-a-Porter distribution centre and the denim manufacturer Blackhorse Road Atelier.
Networking events
Candidates are offered access to exclusive evening industry networking events in the form of panel discussions with high-profile speakers, which are followed by the chance to meet the speakers and academics over drinks and canapés to further discuss points raised during the debate.
Online distance learning
The advanced virtual learning environment offers candidates the opportunity to engage with tutor-led live seminars, discussion forums and chat room facilities. This blend of learning provides an accessible, inspiring and flexible space in which to gain this EMBA degree.
Candidates are expected to engage frequently in self-directed peer communication. The latter will help strengthen the strong networking opportunities afforded by the programme.
International fashion city excursion
The Product Portfolio Management unit encompasses an international fashion city excursion to look at global retailing with particular emphasis on design and retail concepts.In June 2016, the excursion was located in Amsterdam and included dedicated visits to local manufacturing and retailing fashion businesses.
Strategic Financial Management (20 credits)
Attendance dates: Monday 7 January 2019 – Wednesday 9 January 2019
Industry networking evening event: Wednesday 9 January 2019
Consultancy Project Presentations (60 credits)
(only available after completion of all other units)
Attendance dates: Monday 18 March 2019 – Tuesday 19 March 2019
Leadership and Strategic Human Resource Management (20 credits)
Attendance dates: Monday 8 April 2019 – Wednesday 10 April 2019
Industry networking evening event: Wednesday 10 April 2019
Strategic Branding and Marketing Management (20 credits)
Attendance dates: Thursday 11 April 2019 – Saturday 13 April 2019
Industry networking evening event: Wednesday 10 April 2019
Product Portfolio Management (20 credits)
Attendance dates: Monday 8 July 2019 – Wednesday 10 July 2019
International Fashion City Excursion: Thursday 11 July 2019 – Saturday 13 July 2019
The Global Supply Chain and Distribution unit explores vertical integration, alternative supply chain strategies, their impact on critical paths and delivery to market, as well as alternatives distribution routes, their costs and benefits and the emergence of e-retailing, ethical issues and sustainability. The development of multiple new routes to market such as the emergence of e-retailing has created new levels of complexity in supply chain management that require the simultaneous application of analytical thinking and the delivery of creative solutions. The unit therefore is fundamentally concerned with flow of product covering on the one hand sourcing and on the other delivery of product to customers, enabling you to evaluate business problems and opportunities arising from buying and merchandising activity across the fashion retailing sector.
Organisations and brands frequently need to be refreshed and repositioned as the global competitive environment changes around them. The Global Strategy and the Fashion Organisation unit provides the opportunity to understand the principles of strategic management and apply these principles within the twin contexts of a global competitive environment and the innovative forces that are re-defining the fashion organisation. In considering these the unit will provide tools and perspectives available to organise analysis, identify strategic challenges and design an organisational response. These issues will be explored through a global lens where diversities within cultural, legal and operational still exist and where technology has the ability to disrupt existing organisational convention. The unit will engage with these issues through the use of case studies, input from key speakers and from your own business perspectives.
The Strategic Financial Management unit introduces candidates to the financial aspects of running a business and how the management of various forms of capital is critical in the formulation of successful strategies. It is important to trace different kinds of decisions from the strategic to the operational by reviewing and being able to interpret financial statements, budgets and the impact that these different decisions may have on the financial bottom line. You will examine how finance and accounting interact and learn how to tackle the main financial problems you may encounter. You will also be able to understand and analyse the accounts of different fashion companies.
The bigger an organisation gets and the higher up in the organisational hierarchy an executive is positioned the more he/she manages work flow and delivers results via other people's work outputs. Creating teams, motivating individuals and managing outcomes therefore become crucial in determining strategies. The Leadership and Strategic Human Resource Management unit will enable you to analyse and apply leading-edge thinking in the practice of HR management in the context of leadership and business ethics, employee resourcing, talent cultivation and development/performance management. The unit focuses on exploring the nature of 'leadership' as a personal attribute and the development of skills that are essential for effective management. Communication, negotiation, presentation skills, team building, intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship are some of the areas covered within this unit. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your current skill set, develop a set of personal aims and engage in actively enhancing the skills that support your own chosen aims.
The Strategic Branding and Marketing Management unit critically examines the main principles of brand management within a global fashion context. In conjunction with an understanding of the fundaments of consumer behaviour, you will have the opportunity to view the fields of branding and marketing in a holistic manner, examining them both from a strategic and operational perspective. Broader corporate objectives need to be aligned with market positioning and branding strategies so that they maximise performance by using resources effectively. You will have the opportunity to explore the interdependence and impact of these factors on business performance via the use of case studies, analysis of theoretical frameworks and discussions with industry practitioners.
Fashion products are by nature cyclical and ever-changing, subject to trends and wider socio-economical influences. Yet a fashion company needs to manage the creation of a product line in a strategic way that transcends short-term fluctuations and reflects a conscious longer term direction. In parallel to this, the complex nature of the fashion industry will be explored to re-define ways in which we create and develop fashion using flexible collaborative networks for global markets. The Product Portfolio Management unit explores how 'Product' (be it an entirely new design concept, the development of a whole range or even a service) needs to be created in a manner that is congruent with corporate objectives and values, whilst fashion ranges can be viewed as a portfolio of investments yielding varying returns according to desirability and demand.
The Consultancy Project unit is the capstone of your course. It provides the challenge and opportunity of applying the learning and skills you have gained during the EMBA course to pursue, with tutorial support, a personally directed research project. The research project will be focussed on addressing and solving a problem within a company of your choice. With a tutor to guide the construction of the report and an expert supervisor helping you focus on the theoretical and practical specifics of your enquiry you will explore, accurately diagnose and analyse a problem within a company. You will use available theoretical models, evaluate alternatives and propose effective solutions. In your final submitted project you will need to have demonstrated your competence in evaluating and analysing the complex factors revealed by your project. Having analysed the issues you will then need to explore a range of solutions, demonstrating a clear understanding of their effects in terms of costs and benefits to the company and its market position. You will finally put forward a proposal articulating fully the rationale of your chosen solution. To accompany your written report you will deliver a presentation to a panel of fashion practitioners and academics.
James Clark is course leader for Executive MBA and senior lecturer in buying and merchandising for a number of courses at London College of Fashion. He is the author of Fashion Merchandising: Principles and Practice (Palgrave). James Clark has lectured in buying and merchandising since 2007 and prior to that worked in numerous roles within UK fashion retail businesses such as Debenhams, Viyella and House of Fraser, with his last substantive position being that of head of merchandising. He has consulted with a number of brands including Gant and House of Fraser. Read James Clark's full profile here.
Denisa Niculescu is the executive education co-ordinator for Fashion Business School, London College of Fashion. She has extensive experience in events and project management and has provided support for a wide range of businesses, from politics and corporate governance to arts and education. Denisa has a BA (hons) in Economical European Studies. Initially part of the Craft and Product Programme teams, for her current role within London College of Fashion Denisa is the first point of contact for Executive MBA candidates, alumni, and potential candidates. She is passionate about providing a rich and bespoke experience to the Executive MBA candidates, ensuring the development of their personal, managerial and leadership skills.
Liz Gee is associate dean of the Fashion Business School and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and as a chartered manager is a member of the CMI. Liz has fashion industry financial experience as treasurer of Debenhams plc and as a corporate banker with Barclays plc. Liz completed her MA in Academic Practice at UAL in 2014 with a thesis on the pedagogy of enterprise and employability and recently received a UAL award for Teaching Excellence. Liz’s subject related research interests lie in new funding paradigms for fashion businesses and she is currently writing several chapters of a textbook of Strategic Fashion Management. Read Liz Gee's full profile here.
Dr Gary Schwarz is a reader at SOAS, University of London. His research focuses on strategy, innovation, and how organisations and individuals can improve their performance. His articles have been published in academic journals, such as British Journal of Management and Public Administration Review. He was the serviceline leader of Performance Management at Deloitte and provides advisory services and management development for numerous organisations around the world. He obtained a Dean’s Award for Excellence in teaching at Harvard University and the Lord Dearing Award for outstanding achievements in enhancing the student learning experience at the University of Nottingham.
Sue Dean brings strong industry experience, coupled with a wide global perspective. Sue progressed from graduate trainee at Miss Selfridge to senior buying and merchandising positions in UK fashion multiples. Since 1990 she has combined consulting to retailers, manufacturers and investors globally, with lecturing at London College of Fashion. UK clients include Marks & Spencer, Arcadia, Debenhams and New Look. International clients include Illum, Copenhagen; Kaubamaja, Estonia; Landmark Group, Dubai; UNIDO, Bangladesh; Commonwealth Secretariat, Sri Lanka and the EU in Turkey. Sue has delivered training programmes in the UK, Argentina, the UAE, Hong Kong, China and Turkey. In 2007 she launched Lime Tree Gallery, now an internationally respected art gallery.
Dr Cherie Chen is the subject leader of Finance and Economics and has extensive experience teaching at postgraduate level. She had worked at multinational financial companies such as Standard Chartered Bank, Allianz Assets Management, Zurich Financial Group and Swiss Reinsurance within senior management. Her research area is behavioural finance.
Dr Shuyu Lin’s expertise lies in value creation and appropriation in the fashion ecosystem. Her research aims to extend the application of network-based strategic management and social capital theories to the discipline of aesthetic innovation. Exploring both structural and relational mechanism in open innovation has been at the centre of her research interest. Following a BA in Journalism, Shuyu pursued her career in the fashion industry as a PR consultant and fashion editor. She then received the degree of MSc in Management with Marketing and PhD in Management from the University of Bath.
Maureen Salmon is an experienced leadership and professional development consultant, coach and educator, working internationally, mainly in the arts and cultural creative industries. Maureen’s work has been recognised ‘Women of the Year’ 2000, ‘Millennium Festival of Women’s Work’ a finalist in the ‘European Union Women of Achievement Awards 2000. She is a senior lecturer at UAL and leads on Knowledge Exchange in the Design School at LCC. Maureen’s teaching portfolio includes EMBA Fashion, MA Arts and Cultural Enterprise (CSM), MA Public Relationship. BA Design Management and Cultures and Creative Entrepreneurship (LCC). In addition, Maureen is a member of UAL Creative Lenses team and leads on training and toolkit for business model innovation for creative practitioners and organisations. Maureen is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Chartered Management Institute, the Royal Society of Arts, and member of Association for Coaching. Read Maureen Salmon's full profile here.
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
IELTS level 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English Language Requirements .
Once you have submitted the form, you will receive a confirmation email that includes links to where you should submit the extra information we require for the selection process:
You will be required to submit a Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) in support of your application. This should include your full education and employment history.
The personal statement is a key opportunity for you to tell us about your suitability for the course.
Key points to consider:
There is no requirement to submit a portfolio for the Executive MBA (Fashion) course. However, if you wish to include a portfolio or other evidence to support your application please note, you may include a URL link to your portfolio within your personal statement.
The course team seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:
This might, for example, be demonstrated by: related academic or work experience; the quality of the personal statement, a strong academic or other professional reference; or a combination of these factors.
Your application form is reviewed when you apply to the University; it will then be assessed by Academic Reviewers who will select applicants to attend an interview. Please note that not all applicants are invited to attend interview. When you have attended your interview we will advise you of your outcome through your UAL portal.
This section includes all the information you need on how to apply and how your application is considered including entry requirements, selection criteria, making your application, and what happens next.
UK/EU students can apply to a postgraduate course at LCF by completing a direct application.
There are no official deadlines to submit your application. Applications are accepted, and offers are made throughout the year. The course will be closed once spaces are filled so we advise that you apply early.
London College of Fashion does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
All application forms and supporting documents are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry Requirements and Selection Criteria sections.
If the course team wish to consider your application further, you will be invited to an interview either in person or via telephone/skype where the course team will look at your portfolio and ask you questions to establish your suitability for the course.
If you are successful at the interview stage you will be offered a place. Applicants are not guaranteed to be asked to upload work, nor are they guaranteed an interview.
Please note that if you are unable to attend interview, the College may not be able to re-schedule.
You will receive the final outcome of your application through your portal. You will only receive further communication directly from the College if your application has been successful. This will be in the form of a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.
This section includes all the information you need on how to apply and how your application is considered: entry requirements, selection criteria, making your application, and what happens next.
There are two ways international students can apply to a postgraduate course at LCF:
For further advice on how to apply please visit the UAL International Application page.
There are no official deadlines to submit your application. Applications are accepted, and offers are made throughout the year. The course will be closed once spaces are filled so we advise that you apply early.
London College of Fashion does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
All application forms and supporting documents are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry Requirements and Selection Criteria sections.
If the course team wish to consider your application further, you will be invited to an interview either in person or via telephone/skype where the course team will look at your portfolio and ask questions to establish your suitability for the course.
If you are successful at the interview stage you will be offered a place. Applicants are not guaranteed to be asked to upload work, nor are they guaranteed an interview.
Please note that if you are unable to attend interview, the College may not be able to re-schedule.
You will receive the final outcome of your application through your portal. You will only receive further communication directly from the College if your application has been successful. This will be in the form of a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.
After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this Portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.
Once we’ve reviewed and assessed your application, we’ll contact you via the UAL Portal to let you know whether your application has been successful.
2019/2020 entry
£30,000 (Fast Track)
UAL Home/EU alumni receive a £1,000 discount
The 60 credit Consultancy Project unit can only be taken after the successful completion of all other units, totalling 120 credits.
Please note that the unit fee will be adjusted to reflect any changes in the annual tuition fee applicable to the year of study.
2019/20 entry
£30,000 (fast track)
UAL International alumni receive a £1,000 discount
The 60 credit Consultancy Project unit can only be taken after the successful completion of all other units, totaling 120 credits.
Please note that the unit fee will be adjusted to reflect any changes in the annual tuition fee applicable to the year of study.
Postgraduate loans of up to £10,000 are now available for eligible UK and EU students. A full list of eligibility criteria and information on applying can be found on the postgraduate loans webpage.
All our postgraduate courses offer career development, so that you become a creative thinker, making effective contributions to your relevant sector of the fashion industry.
LCF offers students the opportunity to develop Personal and Professional Development (PPD) skills while studying through:
The Executive MBA (Fashion) offers an opportunity for you to combine the value of a professional education with practical business experience, and is expected to add value to your career as a senior manager by enhancing your capacity to innovate and create by fostering openness of mind, team spirit and responsible behaviour.
Exposure to wider academic life at the College such as access to lectures and research seminars will enrich your understanding of fashion and the industry.
The course is a specialist management programme providing applicants with a tailored qualification that will be of optimum practical use to you in the workplace. We are confident your learning experience on the course will enable you to accelerate your career progression.
Graduates have gone on to work for brands such as Triumph International, John Lewis, Rami Kadi Maison de Couture and set up their own businesses, including Lydia Schoonderbeek, Founder of Source Beauty, Middle East.
This fashion entrepreneurship course develops entrepreneurs who can build and capitalise on the existing strengths in the UK and international fashion industries.
College: London College of Fashion Level: Postgraduate
A fashion retail course aimed at students who wish to pursue a management, or creative, career in omnichannel fashion retailing, to shape current and future international fashion retailing strategy and operations.
College: London College of Fashion Level: Postgraduate
A fashion marketing and management programme with a global reputation for success in launching fashion industry careers.
College: London College of Fashion Level: Postgraduate
