This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the role of the garment technologist and to equip them with specialist knowledge skills to understand how a garment technologist operates within a wider retail context. This includes: production techniques, innovation in digital technologies, product development processes and quality assurance practices.
The qualification offers broad but in-depth knowledge and skills in preparation for work in the fashion retail sector and has been designed to balance practical and creative skills with theoretical studies.
Work placement opportunities and industry-led projects are strong elements of studying for these qualifications and will allow students to gain a comprehensive view of fashion retail work opportunities, enabling them to enter this area of the industry.
You will learn about the following:
Unit 1: Understanding past, present and future contexts in fashion retail
Unit 2: Preparation for progression
Unit 3: Production processes and techniques for fashion retailing
Unit 4: Quality assurance of materials for fashion retailing
Unit 5: Product development for fashion retailing
Unit 6: Individual negotiated retail project
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification. However, it is recommended that students have a minimum of 5 × GCSEs grade 4 or grade C, including English and Maths, and one A level (or equivalent Level 3 qualification), preferably in a related subject.
International students are expected to demonstrate that they have a good level of written and spoken English with a recommended minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 5.0.
This qualification is assessed through:
Five internally assessed and internally verified units (Units 1– 5), which are subject to quality assurance by the Awarding Body. Units 1– 5 are graded Pass/Fail only.
One internally assessed and internally verified unit (Unit 6) which is graded by the centre and externally moderated by the Awarding Body. Unit 6 is graded as Fail, Pass, Merit or Distinction.
If you will be aged 19+ before the start date of your course and plan to study a Further Education course at Level 4, and you are out of work or on a low income, your study with us may be free. Otherwise, you may have to pay the fees yourself or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.
Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.
Some courses are free of charge as they are funded by the Greater London Authority (Mayor of London). Please contact us to confirm if you are eligible.
Some courses will have other associated costs, such as specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.
You will be expected to buy art materials to support your project work.
This course has been designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to progress to degree level study or employment in the fashion retail industry.