Augustana University

What you'll study

This programme blends a foundational marketing curriculum with specialised courses and projects centred on the fashion sector and global trade. You study core marketing topics such as consumer behaviour, marketing research, digital marketing, brand strategy and retail management, together with fashion-specific modules on fashion merchandising, textile and trend analysis, visual merchandising, international sourcing and supply chain, and sustainable fashion practices.

• Core marketing modules: Principles of marketing, consumer behaviour, marketing research methods, advertising and promotion, digital and social media marketing.
• Fashion-focused modules: Fashion merchandising and buying, trend forecasting, retail operations, visual merchandising, textiles and product development.
• International and business modules: International marketing, global supply chain and sourcing, cross-cultural management, trade and retail law fundamentals.
• Practical projects and labs: Brand development projects, merchandising lab work, e-commerce storefront development, portfolio creation and capstone projects with industry briefs.
• Experiential learning: Internships with retailers, fashion houses or agencies, study abroad opportunities to experience international markets, and guest lectures from industry practitioners.

The degree is delivered within Augustana’s liberal-arts framework, so you also complete general education requirements in areas such as communication, economics, statistics and ethics to broaden critical thinking and quantitative skills.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need a secondary school leaving certificate equivalent to a high-school diploma. For applicants from systems using A-levels or the International Baccalaureate, acceptable academic achievement is expected in a broadly related set of subjects. Admissions consider a combination of academic record, personal statement and, where relevant, a portfolio of creative work or examples of marketing projects.

• Successful completion of secondary education with transcripts demonstrating readiness for undergraduate study.
• Personal statement outlining interest in marketing and fashion; relevant work, volunteer experience or extracurricular involvement is beneficial.
• Some applicants may be asked to submit a portfolio showing creative work (visual merchandising, design sketches, marketing campaigns) if seeking to emphasise a studio or creative pathway.
• International applicants should demonstrate English language proficiency in line with the university’s standard requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a variety of roles across the fashion and retail sectors as well as in broader marketing functions. Typical entry-level positions include fashion buyer, merchandiser, brand or product assistant, social media/ digital marketing coordinator, retail manager and e-commerce specialist. With experience, alumni progress into roles such as brand manager, category manager, sourcing manager, visual merchandising director, or consultant for fashion and lifestyle brands.

• Opportunities in fashion retail chains, department stores, online retail platforms, brand houses, PR and marketing agencies, and wholesale/import businesses.
• Paths into international roles focused on sourcing, global supply-chain coordination, trend research and market expansion.
• A background in statistics, research methods and digital marketing also supports transition into data-driven marketing roles and analytics positions.
• Graduates often combine practical experience with further study (for example in consumer analytics, business or design) to move into strategic leadership or specialist sectors such as sustainable fashion.

Why study at Augustana University

Augustana offers a small-class, liberal-arts environment where students receive close faculty mentoring and significant experiential-learning opportunities. The programme emphasises hands-on projects, internships and cross-disciplinary collaboration, enabling students to build professional portfolios and real-world experience before graduation.

• Personalised teaching: Small seminars and studio-style classes allow individual feedback and faculty support on creative and research work.
• Practical connections: Career services, internship placement support and connections with regional and national retailers help students access work experience and industry networks.
• Global perspective: Study-abroad and international-exchange options let students experience key fashion markets and sourcing centres firsthand.
• Interdisciplinary approach: Combining marketing, business, communication and design-related learning equips graduates with adaptable skills for a fast-changing international fashion industry.