UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
UCLan
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
Main campus, UCLan
3. University Department/Centre
Art & Fashion
4. External Accreditation
n/a
5. Title of Final Award
Postgraduate Diploma Fashion and Lifestyle Brand
Studies
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full-time & part-time
7. UCAS Code
n/a
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
n/a
9. Other external influences
Reference to National Post Graduate Descriptors for Art
and Fashion
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
January 2011
11. Aims of the Programme
Specific aims for the Postgraduate Diploma course



To provide an exciting opportunity for students without a practical creative background to
engage with and study fashion lifestyle at postgraduate level.
To synthesise and apply embodied knowledge into fashion design and promotion practice and
analysis through self awareness and direction. (PG DIP)
To develop personal approaches and realisation through the synthesis of academic,
professional and subject specific knowledge, in the context of a broad review of cultural,
social and political events. (PG Dip)
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These aims support the general aims of the programme which are to:
 create a postgraduate learning environment, which stimulates debate and the exchange of
ideas through a multi-disciplinary approach to fashion, drawing on the Department’s
unique position of cross-disciplinary programmes.

develop the students' intellectual, imaginative, creative and problem-solving skills to an
advanced level through the synthesis of theoretical and practical approaches to learning.

enable students to define and conceptually extend and develop their knowledge and
understanding within their chosen specialism.

develop students’ independence of judgement and foster an inquiring and analytical
approach to the study of fashion in the wider global context of cultural, technological and
economic change.

provide an opportunity for students to develop a personal and professional focus within
their chosen specialism at postgraduate level, through the process of continual reflection,
evaluation and planning.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A.
A1.
A2.
A3.
A4.
A5.
A6.
A7.
A8
Knowledge and Understanding
Source, critically analyse and evaluate information to inform the progress of a self initiated
agreement. (FS4201)
Describe a full range of research methodologies, appropriate to postgraduate study.
(FM4202)
Critically evaluate a range of research information sources, their appropriateness and
application to personal study. (FM4202)
Identify issues of ethics and sustainability in relation to their own field of study and how they
can be implemented in their own practice. (FS4203)
Display an awareness of the social, intellectual and professional contexts within which design
or design related practice is located. (FS4406)
Illustrate an in depth knowledge of current brand developments and their impact on particular
customer demographics (FS4408)
Demonstrate a critical awareness of current brand issues and how they have developed
solutions to identified problems (FS4408)
Illustrate the ability to diagnose, analyze and critically evaluate fashion markets to identify
gaps and through a variety of creative solutions propose strategies which are at the forefront
of their subject discipline to fill those gaps (FS4407)
Teaching and Learning Methods
The modules will be delivered through experiential workshops, peer group discussions and individual
presentations, supported by lectures, seminars, case studies, visiting speakers and appropriate
practical sessions. These will facilitate the development of knowledge and understanding of their
chosen specialism and allow for a wide range of influences to impact on and inform their practice,
most of which will be at the forefront of their discipline.
Assessment methods
Assessment will be through written submission, individual presentation and practical submission.
Each module is weighted according to the learning outcomes. All assessment is referenced to the
assessment criteria for the programmes.
B.
B1.
B2.
Subject-specific skills
Describe the structure, systems and function of facets of the fashion lifestyle industry.
(FS4203)
Critically analyse and debate the role trend direction in the context of fashion markets.
(FS4203)
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B3.
To realise a creative body of work through personal study which shows in depth critical
awareness (FS4407)
B4
Demonstrate an Awareness of environmental concerns which impact on art and design, and
adopt a critical perspective which will be articulated through an individual report (FS4406)
B5
To identify the industry structure, which supports and underpins brand management
(FS4408)
Teaching and Learning Methods
Subject specific skills will be developed through workshops, demonstrations, seminars and individual
tutorials. Skill development will be encouraged and enhanced by the introduction of Atelier sessions
and students will learn through example and practice. This experiential delivery is essential for
disciplines that require a high level of industry relevance as identified through recent Skills Fast
surveys. Peer group presentation will be a valuable tool to facilitate learning and the sharing of best
practice.
Assessment methods
Assessment will be through portfolio submission, written reports and the submission of practical
outcomes and 3 dimensional realisation, weighted according to the module requirements. Power
Point presentations also form part of the assessment process .
C.
C1.
C2.
C3.
Thinking Skills
Describe an individual professional approach to the development of a research proposal.
(FS4201)
Identify and critically compare research models across disciplines. (FS4202)
Demonstrate the process of reflection, critical analysis and modification in relation to a
personal research project. (FS4205)
Teaching and Learning Methods
The nature of the subject encourages peer group discussion, questioning and critical analysis, which
are facilitated through lectures, seminar discussion and individual tutorial. Students are expected to
engage with the processes of analysis, reflection and the formulation of idea development and
realisation. Academic report writing allows the student to synthesise the thought process and their
research in order to formulate conclusions, solutions and future fashion hypotheses.
Assessment methods
Assessment will be primarily through written submission, research files, analysis of case studies and
portfolios of evidence, weighted according to the requirements of the modules.
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D.
Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1.
D2.
D3.
D4.
Develop appropriate methods of reflection and self analysis. (FS4201)
Demonstrate the ability to professionally communicate ideas through a negotiated
presentation format. (FS4201)
Identify personal styles and attributes to allow the formulation of a well managed plan of
action designed to achieve the final project in the subject area. (FS4205)
Evaluate a range of issues which impact on art and design, and adopt a critical perspective
which will be articulated through an individual report. (FS4406)
Teaching and Learning Methods
Transferable skills are embedded in the programme curriculum and are intrinsic within each module.
Students are encouraged to develop other/key skills through engagement in seminars, presentations
and individual tutorials. Liaison with outside agencies is both encouraged and expected and through
this professional contact key skills are fostered at a professional level. The management and planning
of individual projects encourages time management and organisational skill development.
Assessment methods
Assessment of these skills will be through the written assignments, project proposals, project
realisation and presentations linked to the module outcomes.
Key skills will be acquired via the visual, written and practical outcomes of individual modules.
Development of key skills will be throughout the programme and students will be encouraged to
develop an independent understanding of which and what to utilise to achieve appropriate solutions to
project requirements.
13. Programme Structures*
14. Awards and Credits*
Level
Module
Code
Module Title
Level 4
FS4201
Negotiated Agreement 1
20
FS4202
Research Methods and Application
20
Postgraduate Diploma
Requires a minimum of 120 credits at
Level 4
FS4203
Industry Context and Case Studies
20
PG Cert requires 60 credits
FS4205
Negotiated Agreement 2
10
FS4406
20
FS4408
Professional Issues in Lifestyle
Context
Brand Management
FS4407
Campaign Development
20
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Credit
rating
10
15. Personal Development Planning
The development of a student’s individual profile and aspiration is embedded in the delivery of the
Programme to enable student’s future career aspirations within the Fashion Industry to be realised.
Students are guided through tutorial PDP sessions, delivered primarily through negotiated
agreements, to establish a personal audit of transferable skills against potential project management
and employability in the fields of Fashion.
Students are encouraged through tutorial to set their own PDP targets focusing on targeted
employability, within a professional fashion environment. They are also expected to promote their own
individuality and personal career direction in a professional manner, for employment within the
Fashion and Fashion Promotion Industry.
The Negotiated Agreements are designed to encourage and develop self evaluation, reflection and
critical analysis of individual learning styles. Once this process has taken place students are expected
to continually revisit and refine their agreements in order to maximise their potential in line with, and
according to, their skills development.
PDP is designed to help students acquire the skills needed for a chosen career; and to evaluate
strengths and plan to deploy them in a range of professional situations in the global workplace.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
A 2:1 or above classification at degree level in a fashion or fashion related subject, evidence of
creative thinking/application and a clearly defined research proposal to include a study plan.
Additionally, an applicant with work experience in the industry or a closely related industry would
find that experience very beneficial and helpful but it is not an essential requirement. Exceptionally
an applicant who did not meet the above academic requirements but who had considerable
appropriate work experience could be considered but would have to also demonstrate their ability
to understand and be capable of fulfilling the academic and theoretical elements of the course.
Advice will be given according to individual needs.
Students applying from overseas with English as a second language require ILETS 6.5 or
equivalent
17. Key sources of information about the programme



UCLan website
UCLan prospectus
UClan factsheet
Academic Quality and Standards Unit
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Level
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Core (C),
Compulsory
Module
Module
(COMP) or
Code
Title
Option (O)
Knowledge and understanding
Subject-specific Skills
Thinking Skills
A1
Negotiated
Agreement 1
Comp
FS4202
Research
Methods and
Application
Comp
FS4203
Industry
Context and
Case Studies
Comp
A4
A5
A6
A7 A8 A9 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
x
x
x
x x
x
x
x x
x
FS4406
Negotiated
Agreement 2
Professional
Issues in
Lifestyle
Context
FS4408
Brand
Management
Comp
FS 4407
Campaign
Development
Comp
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A3
x
FS4201
FS4205
A2
Other skills relevant to
employability and
personal development
x
Comp
x
x
x
Comp
x
x
x
x
x
x
6