BA (Hons) Writing Fashion and Culture (Full Time)

On this course you will gain the journalistic expertise and critical and analytical skills needed to work in magazine journalism and the fashion industry.

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Writing Fashion and Culture degree at Southampton Solent University is one of a select few that combines magazine journalism with fashion, photography and fashion-based cultural theory.

It aims to produce graduates with journalistic expertise and the critical and analytical skills needed to work in magazine journalism and the fashion industry.

The course comprises two methods of study: the practical aspects of writing for magazines and other media, together with critical perspectives of fashion and culture. The course also covers fashion for those students interested in the visual world of fashion. Theory and practice are linked throughout the degree.

Styling, fashion promotion, reportage and layout are just some of the subject you will study. You will use the latest technology, and learn to produce good copy, written accurately and to deadline.

You will study both historical and contemporary culture and the methods for its analysis, to complement the practical side of writing. You will also learn production skills, such as sub-editing to help you forge a career within the fashion and lifestyle magazines industry.

Industrial focus

Strong emphasis is placed on the student work-placement programme, which runs throughout the three years, and gives you an opportunity to build your own contacts within this industry.

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Course content

Year 1

Six core units:

• Back to Fashion Future
• The Fashion Muse
• The Style Guide
• The Fashion Mix
• The Fashion Writer
• Design Theory and Practice.

Year 2

Five core units and two options:

• Fashion Ethics
• Fashion Bricolage
• Magazine Photography
• What’s the Story?
• Developing the Brand.

Options:

• Making Magazines
• Magazine Production
• Music Journalism
• Sports Journalism
• Introduction to Fashion and Styling
• Visual Merchandising
• The Body, Magazine and Difference
• The Fame Game
• The Fashion Strategy.

Year 3

Five core units and two options:

• Major Project (Theory/Practical/Photographic/Photojournalism)
• Fashion Analytics
• Crimes of Fashion
• Publishing the Package
• The Fashion Freelancer.

Options:

• The Title Race
• Fashion and Styling
• Travel writing 
• Writing Criticism  
• Reporting Politics
• Fashion and Difference
• Digital Photography
• Advanced Visual Merchandising
• Changing the World.

Why choose this course?

• A unique blend of theory and practice making graduates highly employable.
• A team of teaching staff who continue their journalism activities.
• Study trips to Paris, New York and Tokyo.
• A wide range of facilities and supportive and dynamic study environment.
• You will build a portfolio of industry-relevant work.
• You will gain experience in the photographic studio, build your confidence in desktop publishing, and get a taste for the pressures of a magazine office.
• You will be designing your own pages using industry-standard software including QuarkPress, and the Adobe Creative Suite package (including InDesign and Photoshop).
• You will be trained in putting together your own website as well as in the practicalities of fashion photography and editorial styling.

Visit the Writing Fashion and Culture blog| where you can view some of our current student's work. Please note that the views expressed in the blog are those of the student’s and not of Southampton Solent University.

Assessment

Formal academic essays and exams, together with portfolios of photographic and design work, presentations in front of peers and professional pitches.

Key career skills

Creative thinking, writing, presentation, IT, teamwork.

Projects/work experience

Work experience has included placements at Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Stylist, Style, Glamour, Dazed and Confused.

Graduate profile

Charlie Crooks

I wanted to study at Southampton Solent as soon as I arrived to look around as I felt that the atmosphere was laid back and the university was modern and welcoming. The facilities such as the IT suite, library and the photography studios also swayed my decision as I knew that these would be key areas used on this course and were again modern and I could see myself working there.

I also really enjoyed being in Southampton. The university is surrounded by parks that are lovely in the summer and the city itself has a lot of interesting things to do.

“The course overall is really good at preparing you for the world of magazines. The lecturers are all very friendly and willing to help whenever needed and due to their industry knowledge the course is taught specifically preparing you for your career. I began the course with a view to be a journalist but my eyes were opened to all of the other aspects of magazines and now I am hoping to continue a career in magazine design and layout.

“Whilst at university I carried out a number of placements on magazines including Good Housekeeping and Red and this has helped me since graduating as I have been able to secure numerous freelance design work. I have recently completed an internship at a graphic design company that has given me a broader view of graphic design to apply to magazines.

“Whilst studying I was always advised to gain work experience in the industry and the help given to secure these placements was really useful. As the lecturers are still working in the industry their contacts and knowledge are very useful. I found that the skills that I had learnt whilst studying do directly apply to industry and with the broad and in-depth study of fashion, journalism, styling, photography and design I feel that I now have the knowledge needed to gain a career in magazines.”