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Postgraduate

MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Digital model facing varying directions with pink background
Work by MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation student, Fernanda Bernardi.
College
London College of Fashion Start date
September 2023 Course length
12 months

MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation equips fashion creatives and entrepreneurs with the essential skills and toolkit to launch and scale new businesses effectively and offers unrivalled networks across all sectors of the fashion industry.

Applications closed 2023/24

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course.

Why choose this course at London College of Fashion

  • Learn real-world skills: Learning by doing and team learning increases your self-confidence and understanding of real-world business skills and empowers you to build and scale a fashion business.
  • Coaching and peer support: Experienced team coaches and peer coaching support you to identify action plans to work continuously towards establishing and attaining your individual and team professional goals.
  • Industry and Alumni links: Working with an extensive network of UK and international alumni, academic and industry partners across the fashion industry provides opportunities for you to develop long lasting relationships and your own network of contacts.
  • Where graduates have gone on to work: Our alumni and partner network includes: Stella McCartney, Inditex, Swarovski, Holition, LN-CC, Institut Français de la Mode (Paris), Mondragon Team Academy (Bilbao).

Based on ‘learning by doing’ principles, the course offers a dynamic and immersive entrepreneurial experience. Team entrepreneurs learn through experimentation, by testing and validating their ideas in the ‘real world’, supported by dedicated and experienced team coaches. Bootcamps and International collaborations offer valuable insights into fashion business strategy and operations, leadership and team working in fashion-tech, fashion clothing and social enterprise, in the UK and global fashion markets.

Open day

The next Virtual Open Event for this course will take place on Monday 30 October. Book your place.

Course overview

The MA Fashion Entrepreneurship & Innovation forms part of a portfolio of postgraduate courses in the Fashion Business School, London College of Fashion. Building on London College of Fashion’s world-renowned reputation for industry aligned programmes, this pioneering course was established to support the development of new business and scale of micro to medium-sized businesses, corporate ventures, and their global founders. We are committed to ensuring that your skills are set within an ethical framework and are working to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice into the course.

MA Fashion Entrepreneurship & Innovation is aimed at budding entrepreneurs and existing founders who want to challenge the status quo. New and existing creative enterprises require ethical leaders who are resilient, skilled at handling uncertainty, measuring progress, and scaling a sustainable business through testing, iteration and continuous innovation. The course focuses on applying entrepreneurship through design thinking and actionable theory in a real-world context. The ‘learning by doing’ ethos of the course is underpinned by peer learning using an innovative, self-determined coaching approach. The founder sets personal and business objectives, builds strategic networks, and creates value for their ventures. Inspired by the international success of Tiimi Aketemia (Team Academy) in Finland, this course uses team coaching techniques to support developing entrepreneurs and extant founders in building the skills, mindset and practical experiences needed to define and achieve their business and leadership goals as a team in entrepreneurship.

The course provides a safe space for global and diverse learners to come together for the purpose of sharing skills and experiences, which enrich and strengthen their brand ideas or existing businesses. The Capstone Project provides an opportunity for extensive research in entrepreneurial practice and the development of an artifact intended to lead to the launch or scale of a viable business or company project, and demonstrate the academic rigour appropriate to Master’s level work in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Mode of study 

MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a full-time course which runs for 45 weeks over 12 months. 

Credit Framework

The credit framework conforms to the University of the Arts London framework in which the unit of credit is 20 credits (equivalent to 200 hours of student study time). All credits on this master’s programme are at postgraduate level 7.

Climate, Social and Racial Justice

We are committed to developing ethical Fashion Business practices. To achieve this, we are working to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice into the course.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Postgraduate Preparation Guide

Download the Postgraduate Preparation Guide (3.54)

Course units

Organisation of the Curriculum

The Course is divided into three 15-week blocks (full-time). The first block is 60 credits and students who successfully complete this block are eligible for the award of a PG Cert. The second block is a further 60 credits and students who complete blocks 1 and 2 are eligible for the award of PGDip. The third and final block is the Capstone Project, this is a 60-credit unit and students who successfully complete this block are eligible for the award of a Masters. The final award grading is based upon the Capstone Project only.

Block 1

Practical Research for Venture Creation (40 credits)

Leadership & Team Dynamics (20 credits)

Block 2

Business Fundamentals (40 credits)

Coaching Strategies for Global Changemakers (20 credits)

Block 3

Capstone Project (60 credits)

Learning and teaching methods

The following teaching and learning methods are employed to support the integrated achievement of the course outcomes:

Course content is delivered mostly face-to-face with some online methods, providing an accessible and flexible space to interact with course and school activity. Team and individual coaching, shared training sessions, learning through practice, action learning sets, dialogue, lectures and seminars, peer review, hackathons, bootcamps, pitching and presenting, workshops, discussions, critiques, personal and professional development activities, and brainstorming sessions, with coaches, academics, practitioners and visiting lecturers will take place throughout the academic year. 

Stacia Bedford | Course leader | MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Student Neha Mathew | MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Student Paloma Mendoza | MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Student Sanjana Dhond | MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Student Bianca Avram | MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Graduate Showcase

  • Phygital Adoption for Fashion SMEs in India
    Phygital Adoption for Fashion SMEs in India, shubhagata mittal, 2022 MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation, London College of Fashion, UAL
    shubhagata mittal
  • The Local Bridge
    The Local Bridge, Taniya Bhardwaj, 2022 MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation, London College of Fashion, UAL
    Taniya Bhardwaj
  • How Fashion Luxury SMEs Can Succeed With NFTs
    How Fashion Luxury SMEs Can Succeed With NFTs, Ekaterina Tekucheva, 2022 MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation, London College of Fashion, UAL
    Ekaterina Tekucheva
  • haav
    haav, Neha Mathew, 2022 MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation, London College of Fashion, UAL
    Neha Mathew
  • Fluid Studio ; Blurring Gender Lines
    Fluid Studio ; Blurring Gender Lines, Sanjana Dhond, 2022 MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation, London College of Fashion, UAL
    Sanjana Dhond

  • See more work by students on this course on Graduate Showcase

Latest news from this course

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£12,700

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£25,970

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

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Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

  • An Honours degree at 2.1 or above in a related discipline. Applicants with a degree in another subject may be considered, depending on the strength of the application;
  • OR equivalent qualifications;

APEL (Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning)

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:

  • Related academic or work experience (minimum of three years)
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English Language Requirements

IELTS level 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English Language Requirements.

Selection criteria

The course seeks to recruit students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and welcomes applications from mature students.

The course seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:

  • A clear academic and practical interest in constructing an entrepreneurial project within the fashion sector through entrepreneurship (for-profit as well as social enterprise) and a multidisciplinary approach.
  • Awareness and relevant experience of fashion and the fashion industry at large.
  • Appropriate knowledge and skills commensurate with planned entry in the course.

Apply now

Home International

Applications closed 2023/24

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course.

This section includes all the information you need on how to apply, how your application is considered and what happens next.

UK/EU students can apply to a postgraduate course at LCF by completing a direct application.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner. Read our Admissions Policy for details, including how to request a deferral and by when.

External Student Transfer Policy

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Fashion, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English if necessary) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Extra information required for applications to this course


When you are submitting your application form, you will also need to provide the following pieces of documentation in support of your application:

Curriculum Vitae

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.

Personal statement

You should communicate your motivation for studying this course in no more than 500 words.  You should use the following questions as a guide:

  • Why do you want to study for this MA?
  • What are your main areas of research interest and how do they fit with the structure of this course?

Masters Project Proposal

You should outline a proposal for a research topic you would be interested in completing as your Masters Project. Your proposal should include the following:

  • A title
  • Rationale (reason for interest in topic). Please state how your project is innovative and original / entrepreneurial
  • A brief outline of methodology
  • References / bibliography

Your proposal should be a maximum of 500 words +/-10% (excluding references/bibliography).

Portfolio (optional)

There is no requirement to submit a portfolio for this course. However, if you wish to include a portfolio or other evidence to support your application, a digital portfolio can be submitted.
You may include examples of:

  • Fashion Apparel
  • Accessory Design
  • Illustration
  • Styling
  • Artefacts / window displays

You may include a URL link to your portfolio within your CV.

What happens next

All application forms, personal statements and relevant documents are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the entry requirements and selection criteria sections. If you meet these requirements, you will be asked to submit a video task and attend an interview.

Video task

  • We'd like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you.
  • Please speak clearly in English and face the camera.
  • Read our guidance for more information about how to submit your video task and the file types we accept.

As part of your video task, please respond to the following direction:

Please, pitch your business idea/brand or existing business, including proof of market and primary research and analysis.

Interview

The course team will select applicants to attend an interview. If you are selected for interview, these will take place online using Teams from Microsoft – please ensure that you download this software prior to the interview date; this is available as a free download from the Microsoft website. We will send you further details at a later point about how we will connect with you for your interview.

If you are successful at the interview stage you will be offered a place. Please note that applicants are not guaranteed an interview.

Please note that if you are unable to attend, the College may not be able to re-schedule.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

The result of your application will be communicated to you through your UAL Portal. If your application has been successful, you will receive a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.

Applications for this course can only be accepted for this year of entry. Applications for deferred entry cannot be accepted.

Application deadline

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

Our equal consideration deadlines have now passed. This course will remain open to applications for 2023 entry until places have been filled. Please be aware that courses can close without notice.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

If this course requires a digital portfolio as part of the application process, you will be invited to submit this through UAL’s online submission tool, PebblePad. We will request this separately after initial processing of your application is complete. Once we request your portfolio, you will have 7 days to submit it.

Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. Find out more about what happens after you apply.

Applications closed 2023/24

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course.

This section includes all the information you need on how to apply, how your application is considered and what happens next.

There are 2 ways international students can apply to a postgraduate course:

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

You can only apply to the same course once per year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn.  Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner. Read our Admissions Policy for details, including how to request a deferral and by when.

External Student Transfer Policy

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Fashion, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English if necessary) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Start your application now

Extra information required for applications to this course


When you are submitting your application form, you will also need to provide the following pieces of documentation in support of your application:

Curriculum Vitae

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.

Personal statement

You should communicate your motivation for studying this course in no more than 500 words.  You should use the following questions as a guide:

  • Why do you want to study for this MA?
  • What are your main areas of research interest and how do they fit with the structure of this course?

Masters Project Proposal

You should outline a proposal for a research topic you would be interested in completing as your Masters Project. Your proposal should include the following:

  • A title
  • Rationale (reason for interest in topic). Please state how your project is innovative and original / entrepreneurial
  • A brief outline of methodology
  • References / bibliography

Your proposal should be a maximum of 500 words +/-10% (excluding references/bibliography).

Portfolio (optional)

There is no requirement to submit a portfolio for this course. However, if you wish to include a portfolio or other evidence to support your application, a digital portfolio can be submitted.
You may include examples of:

  • Fashion Apparel
  • Accessory Design
  • Illustration
  • Styling
  • Artefacts / window displays

You may include a URL link to your portfolio within your CV.

What happens next

All application forms, personal statements and relevant documents are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the entry requirements and selection criteria sections. If you meet these requirements, you will be asked to submit a video task and attend an interview.

Video task

  • We'd like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you.
  • Please speak clearly in English and face the camera.
  • Read our guidance for more information about how to submit your video task and the file types we accept.

As part of your video task, please respond to the following direction:

Please, pitch your business idea/brand or existing business, including proof of market and primary research and analysis.

Interview

The course team will select applicants to attend an interview. If you are selected for interview, these will take place online using Teams from Microsoft – please ensure that you download this software prior to the interview date; this is available as a free download from the Microsoft website. We will send you further details at a later point about how we will connect with you for your interview.

If you are successful at the interview stage you will be offered a place. Please note that applicants are not guaranteed an interview.

Please note that if you are unable to attend, the College may not be able to re-schedule.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

The result of your application will be communicated to you through your UAL Portal. If your application has been successful, you will receive a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.

Applications for this course can only be accepted for this year of entry. Applications for deferred entry cannot be accepted.

Application deadline

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

Our equal consideration deadlines have now passed. This course will remain open to applications for 2023 entry until places have been filled. Please be aware that courses can close without notice.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them in two rounds. This means that offers won’t be sent to successful applicants until after the relevant application deadline date. Outcomes for Round 1 will be released by 31 March 2022 and outcomes for Round 2 will be released by 30 June 2022.

Remember to check the outcome of your application in the UAL Portal. If you apply in Round 1 and don’t hear back from us, we will consider your application within Round 2.

Find out more about what happens after you apply.

After you apply

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.

Careers

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:

  • Access to speaker programmes and events featuring alumni and industry.
  • Access to careers activities, such as CV clinics and one-to-one advice sessions.
  • Access to a graduate careers service
  • Access to a live jobsboard for all years.
  • Advice on setting up your own brand or company.

Career paths

Examples of expected Graduate destinations:

  • A role within a creative service based industry both physical and virtual; start-up or mature.
  • An entrepreneurial role in an existing organisation.
  • A business development role using entrepreneurial thinking to develop and extend business through innovation. This could be in retail, design, production or media.
  • Working in Research and Development in a leadership/management role within service and design-led industries.
  • A leadership/management role within an existing business or group.
  • Establishing a new business venture.

Graduates of MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation have gone on to work in many roles within the industry, including Innovation team at Swarovski, Future Academy resident at AKQA and VIP Communications at David Morris.

Alumni

London College of Fashion

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 7400
Address
105 Carpenter's Road
London

E20 2AR