MA Luxury Brand Strategy & Business

The programme is structured as four 10-week terms. The first three are taught and the final term is dedicated to independent study to complete the final projects and a thesis. The programme structure consists of modules that are shared across all Fashion Business programmes, which focus on research skills and building critical awareness of current issues as well as developments in the fashion, media and luxury industries along with programme-specific modules that enable you to acquire technical and practical skills aligned with your career goals.

Programme Structure

Term Overviews

The first term of this new MA programme will explore audience research and investigate shifts in the culture of luxury while also facilitating the development of branding, marketing and communication skills. The knowledge and skills acquired will support and underpin continued study by providing valuable context and awareness of the luxury industry.

The second term will engage your aptitude for business thinking and industry foresight – you will be asked to investigate a luxury business, questioning what business model they utilise and how they have pivoted their model to adjust to global consumer demands.

The third term will develop collaborative skills and ingenuity with the introduction of an industry-focused project and will also examine and explore some of the complex issues faced by the luxury industry at any given time. A key element of the learning experience is for you to question your own potential role in the luxury industry and reflect on what and how you can make a positive impact or contribution through your chosen specialist field.

The final term will consolidate key aspects of the previous study whilst enabling you to develop your own themes, ideas and luxury business, branding or marketing concepts within your chosen luxury sector.

The Final Masters Project will present an opportunity for you to present a body of work supported by a thesis that demonstrates your academic ability, independent thinking, and creative prowess.

To view more detailed Programme Specification click here.

To view Programme Handbook 2023-2024 click here.

Exceptional ideas and eye-opening perspectives are sought after from individuals interested in learning about the fashion and media industries and having something valuable to contribute to the future of fashion. To be eligible for this course, individuals must be at least 18 years old on 1st September at the start of the academic year in which they intend to begin their studies, and must meet the following entry requirements:

Academic Entry Requirements | UK Applicants Applicants

will need to have achieved an undergraduate degree at 2.2 or above. We welcome applicants from a wide variety of subject areas and professional backgrounds but with a genuine interest in the luxury industry.

Academic Entry Requirements | International Applicants

Applicants will need to have achieved an undergraduate degree, equivalent to a UK 2.2 classification or above. We welcome applicants from a wide variety of subject areas and professional backgrounds but with a genuine interest in the luxury industry.

If international applicants are unsure whether they meet the requirements, they can contact us for clarification. If we do not have a good enough understanding of an international qualification, we may ask an applicant to obtain a Statement of Comparability from UK ENIC

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

Exceptional applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements may still be considered through APEL if they can demonstrate the skills and capacity necessary for academic study at this level. Sometimes experience is as beneficial as what is learnt in a classroom. The admissions and academic teams will consider applications that show exceptional strengths and alternative evidence, which may include:

• Work experience
• Non-accredited courses
• Extensive reading and research
• A brilliant, relevant and credible personal statement
• An exceptionally strong academic or professional reference
• OR a combination of these.

Each application will be considered on its own merit, although we cannot guarantee every applicant an offer.

English Language Requirements

English Language Requirements International applicants will require a CEFR Level B2 in a standardised English language test e.g. IELTS Academic for UKVI Level 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking), and include the appropriate results certificate with their application:

More information on English language requirements can be found on our FAQs page.

Portfolio

There is no portfolio submission required for this course.

Personal Statement

Applicants are required to submit with their application a 1,000-word personal statement/statement of purpose that demonstrates their understanding of the focus of the course, the relevance of their background and their reason for applying

What Happens Next?

We will review applications against the entry requirements and asses the personal statement submitted. Please note that any missing supporting documents will cause a delay in an application assessment, and could result in an application rejection.

Those who pass this first application review will be invited to a 20-30 minute online interview to further assess suitability for the course. Please note that, unfortunately, not all applicants will be invited to attend an interview.

When reviewing an application and during an interview, we are looking for applicants to demonstrate their potential and current ability in the following areas:

• Demonstration of a strong personal identity
• The potential to benefit from the course
• Excellent communication skills
• Evidence of motivation and commitment

A final outcome decision will be sent to applicants within 5 working days following an interview.

How to Apply

UK and Non-UK applicants should apply directly to the College using the Apply button on this page. All applicants MUST ensure that their application contains all supporting evidence before it is submitted:

• Copy of passport
• Copies of academic transcript(s) / certificate(s) – (or partial transcript / predicted grades if studies are not yet complete)
• Suitable standardised English test results certificate (Non-UK applicants only)
• Personal Statement

For entry requirements or admissions enquiries, contact the Admissions Office.

UK & Non-UK Student Tuition Fee

£24,950 (UK) | £29,950 (Non-UK) total course fee.

Deposit Fee – Confirming a Place

In order to confirm and secure a place on this course, applicants holding an offer from us must pay a non-refundable deposit of £3,000.00. Offers must be accepted, with the deposit payment made, within 2 weeks of the offer letter date.

Paying Tuition Fees

Once a place has been accepted and secured with a deposit, students will be required to settle their relevant tuition fees by 15th August in advance of the course start date. International students are required to pay their first instalment from 15th March in order to obtain a CAS for a Student Visa application – this instalment will be due immediately for offers accepted between 15th March and 15th August by international students.

Please note that international students will be required by UKVI to evidence the full course fee amount is accessible to them (in addition to other amounts) before a Student Visa is granted. For more information please see our International Students page, including visa requirements.

All students can request an instalment plan. The total course fee (less the deposit amount) will be payable over 4 termly instalments under this arrangement. Full details and schedule in our Terms and Conditions.

Payment Method

All fees must be paid through FlyWire. FlyWire facilitates credit card, debit card and bank transfer payments. Other local payment methods may also be available in some territories.

Student Loans & Finance

UK students do not currently have access to any loans or grants from Student Loans Company (SLC)

Non-UK students generally do not currently have access to any government student loan schemes or programmes, but this may differ in some countries and may be worth researching in their locations.

Bursaries & Alternative Funding

There are no bursaries available for this course. Students are welcome to explore alternative third-party bursary or scholarship programmes that may be available to them in their locations, such as the Chevening Scholarship.

Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design is proud to work with Chevening, the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. More details here.

Additional Course Costs

There is an optional study trip abroad that is not covered by the course fee. This takes place in spring and further information is provided at the outset of the course.

For more information visit Terms and Conditions

Alumni Discount

Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design offers course fee reduction to our alumni. Please refer to Alumni Page for more details.

Living Costs

For information on studying in London and what this could cost, please visit our Living in London webpage.

For information on accommodation while studying at the Condé Nast College, please visit our Accommodation webpage.

We are dedicated to empowering our students to excel in the fashion world. We recognise that a thriving career in this dynamic field requires more than just academic knowledge; it demands practical skills, guidance, and opportunities. Throughout your educational journey with us, we will provide an array of career support options tailored to your needs.

This programme contains modules, experiences and opportunities meticulously designed to equip you with the essential skills, knowledge and practice crucial for a successful fashion career, from personal development to professional practice.

The course will explore distinct career opportunities within the luxury industries, appealing to a range of students from different backgrounds. In recent years, technological developments have driven new opportunities in the sector and the programme will focus on global and future thinking. The focus of this MA is also relevant to an increasingly broad range of job opportunities driven by growth in the luxury and luxury experience sectors. The primary programme focus is on luxury brands and businesses that create and sell luxury products and services (e.g. on Condé Nast advertisers rather than on creating magazine content).

The course is suitable for those keen to pursue the following careers:

• Work for a luxury brand in a head office position related to marketing, PR, promotion or communication
• Start your own luxury business
• Work for a luxury media publication in the communications, sales, marketing department
• Work for a creative, PR or branding agency that provides services to luxury brands.

Within the course content, there will be many career and professional development elements and activities available to you, including:

• Alumni Career panel during the induction week
• Multiple career focussed workshops until your final term
• Careers Day at the end of the course

You will also have access to our Career Services including, but not limited to:

• Strengths testing
• CV & Cover Letter Editing
• Mock Interviews
• Optional 1-2-1 tutorial with our Career Consultant

Previous students graduating from our higher education programmes have gone on to work at: Condé Nast, Vogue, Glamour, Aisle 8, Net-A-Porter, Harvey Nichols, L’Oréal, Hayley Menzies, Grazia, HanSpringett LTD (AKA H-Lans), GQ, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, WGSN, TikTok, Tatler, Louis Vuitton, The Times and many more.

For more information on careers, please visit our Careers in Fashion webpage.

Our Campus

Condé Nast College is situated in a historic building at Bedford Square, in Central London.

The area was built between 1775 and 1783 and is one of the best preserved set pieces of Georgian architecture in London. The square takes its name from the main title of the Russell family, the Dukes of Bedford, who owned much of the land in what is now Bloomsbury. Bedford Square is in the heart of Bloomsbury, an exciting area for academia and the arts; originally made famous by Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Set.

The College is a short walk from the headquarters of Condé Nast, as well as Vogue House, which our students visit as part of their exposure to the professional world.

Who Teaches at the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design?

During your course, you will be taught by a range of our academic staff as well as Industry Guests and Visiting Lecturers. Previous industry speakers have included Edward Enninful, Victoria Beckham, Nicholas Coleridge, Natalia Gamero del Castillo, Anna Dello Russo, Adwoa Aboah, Miles Aldridge, Bella Freud, Sarah Harris, Tommy Hilfiger, Anya Hindmarch, Henry Holland, Caroline Issa, Lulu Kennedy, Yasmin Le Bon, Natalie Massenet, Tamara Mellon, Suzy Menkes, Roland Mouret, Kate Phelan, Matthew Williamson and many more.

Building Accessibility Notice

Condé Nast College is located in a historic Georgian building at Bedford Square in Central London. Our campus comprises a Grade I listed building dating to the late 18th Century which is currently not fully accessible to wheelchair users. We are committed to improving the accessibility of our premises, and we appreciate your patience and understanding while we work toward this important goal. Some teaching activities may take place at other venues in central London, which have varying levels of accessibility. If you have specific questions about the accessibility of our campus, either as a visitor or prospective student, please do not hesitate to contact us at dione.hyland@condenastcollege.ac.uk