manchester metropolitan university ps1 ... - Istituto Marangoni

MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY 

PS1 

PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION 

0 Brief Overview 

(i) 

Brief Descriptive Summary 

These two Master’s courses admit students with prior knowledge in the fashion subject area wishing 

to specialise further. Applicants with prior learning or prior experiential learning are welcome to apply 

to enter the course from the point of start only (as outlined in the appendix of the PS1) and are 

considered on an individual basis. 

These taught Master’s courses are designed for students wishing to undertake in-depth study to 

prepare for the constantly evolving demands of the fashion and luxury goods industries. There is a 

strong focus on an industry linked project-based method of study taught by industry specialists and 

professional practitioners. As these two Master’s look at two different areas of the fashion industry 

there are no common units and the subjects are taught independently of each other. 

(ii) 

Articulation of Graduate Prospects 

These two level 7 courses will fully equip students for a specialist career in the fields of fashion design 

and brand management at different market levels. 

Each campus has its own dedicated careers services manager that heads the careers support 

mechanism. The purpose of the careers services manager is to bridge the gap between the fashion 

industry located in the city/ country of campus and the student/graduate. 

Students on the postgraduate programme are supported in looking for placement or employment 

opportunities after graduation appropriate both to the specialisation and high level of study. 

Graduating students would apply for jobs in their specialist fields at an appropriate level, for example: 

Women’s wear design assistant to principal designer, assistant brand manager of an international 

luxury fashion brand. 

General Information 

1 Overarching Programme 

Specification Title 

Postgraduate Fashion Network 

2 Final award(s)/title(s) 

(including any PSRB final awards conferred – 

mark these as “PSRB Award”) 

3 Combined Honours 

Subject(s)offered through the 

programme specification together 

with associated final award(s) 

(where relevant) 

4 Interim exit award(s)/title(s) 

(including Combined Honours interim exit 

awards) 

MA Fashion Design Womenswear 

MA Fashion and Luxury Brand Management 

Subject(s): None 

Final Awards: None 

PG Certificate Fashion Design Womenswear 

PG Certificate Fashion and Luxury Brand Management 

PG Diploma Fashion Design Womenswear 

PG Diploma Fashion and Luxury Brand Management 

Programme Specification: Date: November 2011 

Author: A.P.Roberts 

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5 Mode(s) 

(only include duration where there is a PSRB 

requirement for limited duration ) 

6 FHEQ position of final award(s) 

7 Awarding institution 

(include PSRBs which confer a joint or 

additional qualification on successful 

completion of programme) 

8 Teaching institution(s) 

(include collaborative partners where 

appropriate – if more than one award in 

programme specification, indicate which are 

taught by partner) 

9 Relationship with Foundation Year 

(if more than one award in programme 

specification, indicate which have links with 

Foundation Year) 

N/a 

Level 7 

Manchester Metropolitan University 

Istituto Marangoni 

N/a 

Administrative Details 

10 Home Department/ School/ 

Institute 

Department of Clothing Design and Technology 

11 Home Faculty Hollings 

12 UCAS code(s) N/A 

Collaborative Arrangements (where relevant) 

13 Approved Collaborative partner(s) 

(provide name of partner(s) and type of 

partnership) 

Partner Name 

Istituto Marangoni 

Type of Collaborative Partnership 

Validated 

14 Other Approved Academic 

Partner Name 

Type of Academic Partnership 

Partnership(s) 

(other than collaborative) None None 

Approval Status 

15 Date and outcome of most recent 

MMU review/ approval 

06/10/2011 

(ii) Major Modifications to Programme Specification 

N/a 

16 Next Scheduled Review Date: 

17 PS/1 effective date: 

(ie date from which the outcome of approval or 

last review is effective OR the date from 

which amendments to the programme 

specification are effective) 

N/a 

January 2012 

External References/Relationships 

18 QAA Benchmark Statement(s) 



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Master's degrees in business and management, 2007 

Master’s Degree Characteristics 

The framework for higher education qualifications in 

England, Wales and Northern Ireland 

19 PSRB(s) associated with final 

award of any route within the 

programme specification 

(ie those which offer professional 

status/membership/license to practise as 

result of successful completion of the final 

award as included in the University PSRB 

database) 

20 Date and outcome of last PSRB 

approval(s) 

Following successful completion of PARM event Istituto 

Marangoni would apply for accreditation to: 

• The Textile Institute 

• The Chartered Institute of Marketing 

N/A 



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Programme Information 

21 University and Programme Educational Aims 

(i) 

University Educational Aims 

• To develop flexible approaches to programme delivery and student support which reflect the 

needs and expectations of our students; 

• To provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment which will enable success for all 

learners; 

• To encourage the development of students’ intellectual and imaginative powers, creativity, 

independence, critical self-awareness, imagination and skills that will enhance global 

employment opportunities on graduation in all programmes; 

• To establish a culture of constant improvement in learning, teaching and assessment that is 

anticipatory, enabling, supportive, rewarding and fully aligned with the University’s vision and 

strategic objectives; 

• To provide a learning experience that is informed by research, scholarship, reflective practice 

and engagement with the industry and the professions. 

(ii) Programme Educational Aims 

Fashion Design Womenswear. 

The programme team aims to: 

• Encourage students to development of advanced knowledge and a breadth of skills in 

womenswear design and brand development; 

• Promote original creativity and autonomy within the student work when responding to the 

changing needs of the fashion industry; 

• Equip students to deal with existing and emerging technologies in today’s international 

fashion industry; 

• Encourage students to have in-depth understanding of specialist brand development and 

business practices globally; 

• Encourage Master’s students to become independent life-long learners, with a high 

degree of self-confidence who can progress to a high level of specialism within a 

company or when self-employed. 

Fashion and Luxury Brand Management. 

The programme team aims to: 

• Develop the students' intellectual skills and the understanding of the principles and 

practices of brand management and their application within the fashion and luxury goods 

sector; 

• Prepare and equip Master’s students with the skills necessary to undertake a career in 

the field of brand management through the study of different types of organisations; 

• Encourage students to critical evaluation of the managerial and external environments in 

which they compete; 

• Encourage students to apply acquired knowledge and understanding of business and 

management to a range of complex situations; 

• Equip Master’s students to find creative solutions and to improve brand management 

practice of different types of organisations operating within the fashion and luxury goods 

industries. 

22 Final Learning Outcomes 

MMU Educational Outcomes 



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On successful completion of their course of study MMU graduates will be able to: 

• Apply skills of critical analysis to real situations within a defined range of contexts 

• Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism characterised by initiative, creativity, motivation 

and self management; 

• Express ideas effectively and communicate information appropriately and accurately using a 

range of media including ICT; 

• Develop working relationships using teamwork and leadership skills, recognising and 

respecting different perspectives; 

• Manage their professional development reflecting on progress and taking appropriate action 

• Find, evaluate, synthesise and use information from a variety of sources; 

• Articulate an awareness of the social and community contexts within their disciplinary field. 

Programme Specific Outcomes 

On successful completion of the Master’s programme students will be able to: 

• Critically evaluate current research in their specialist field of study; 

• Select and define a research topic and implement a research plan using appropriate 

methodologies; 

• Critically analyse their results and draw logical conclusions; 

• Exercise initiative and personal responsibility in the work environment; 

• Carry out further independent learning or continuing professional development; 

• Critically reflect on experience of significant managerial responsibility; 

• Continue as a researcher in an academic or commercial setting and have the potential to 

extend the bounds of knowledge in their chosen field. 

Also, they will have the qualities needed for employment in situations requiring the exercise of 

initiative and personal responsibility together with decision-making in complex and unpredictable 

situations. 

The design of the programmes is guided by the expectations of the QAA Framework for higher 

education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that on completion of a Master’s 

degree students should ‘typically’ be able to: 

• Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the 

absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and nonspecialist 

audiences; 

• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act 

autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level; 

• Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high 

level. 

and that they will have: 

• The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: 

o The exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; 

o Decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations; 

o The independent learning ability required for continuing professional development. 

(QAA 2008, Framework for HE qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) 

(i) 

Final Award Learning Outcomes 

The Master’s Fashion Design Womenswear graduate will be able to: 

• Critically evaluate consumer, market and trend requirements for an identified womenswear 

fashion brand; 

• Carry out in-depth research within a wider context of art and design related industries 

applicable to the fashion womenswear industry; 



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• Demonstrate the creative and advanced technical processes involved in communicating 

clearly and effectively design concepts and ideas while reinforcing a fashion brand identity; 

• Critically evaluate and apply the theories and techniques used in developing new design 

proposals for the womenswear fashion industry displaying originality and self-direction; 

• Carry out successfully a substantial piece of independent research. 

The Master’s Fashion and Luxury Brand Management graduate will be able to: 

• Critically analyse how different fashion and luxury goods organisations manage their brands 

and market offerings to compete in different market environments; 

• Evaluate the interrelationships between branding strategies and corporate, business and 

functional strategies of the organisation; 

• Elaborate systematic and creative solutions to a range of real-world business and 

management problems, taking into consideration theories, frameworks and practices relevant 

to luxury and fashion branding and brand management; 

• Evaluate how current issues including new technologies, the changing role of the consumer 

and corporate social responsibility affect the competitive strategies of fashion and luxury 

goods organisations; 

• Critically appraise published work in the area of fashion and luxury branding and brand 

management and to design and produce successfully a substantial piece of independent 

research. 

These learning outcomes support the expectations of the QAA Framework for higher education 

qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that Master’s degrees are awarded to students 

who have demonstrated: 

• A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems 

and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic 

discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice; 

• A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced 

scholarship; 

• Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how 

established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in 

the discipline; 

• Conceptual understanding that enables the student: 

o 

o 

To evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline; 

To evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to 

propose new hypotheses. 

(ii) 

Combined Honours Learning Outcomes 

Include final learning outcomes for Combined Honours subjects which, are offered as a 

named route, a major subject or a minor subject. 

n/a 

(iii) 

Pass Degree Learning Outcomes 

For undergraduate honours course include final learning outcomes for a PASS degree. 

n/a 

23 Interim Award Learning Outcomes 

eg for BA/BSc (Hons) – include Level 4 and 5 but NOT Level 6; for Level 7- PGCert & PGDip but NOT MA/MSc 

The Postgraduate Certificate graduate will be able to: 

• Critically evaluate current research in their field of study at a basic level; 

• Exercise personal responsibility in the work environment; 

• Carry out independent learning or professional development; 



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• Undertake a role of higher managerial responsibility. 

The holder of a Postgraduate Certificate Fashion Design Womenswear will be able to: 

• Analyse consumer trends for an identified womenswear fashion brand; 

• Engage with issues related to the design branding aspect of the fashion industry; 

• Describe and work with the creative and technical processes involved in product development; 

• Demonstrate their understanding and awareness analysing the importance of Womenswear in the 

global high-end fashion industry. 

The holder of a Postgraduate Certificate Fashion and Luxury Brand Management will be able to: 

• Analyse how different fashion and luxury goods organisations manage their brands in different 

market environments; 

• Evaluate the interrelationships between branding strategies within fashion business; 

• Identify solutions to a range of real-world business and management problems, relevant to luxury 

and fashion branding and brand management; 

• Describe current issues including new technologies and the changing role of the consumer and 

communicate awareness of their influence on the competitive strategies of fashion and luxury 

goods organisations. 

In addition to the outcomes achieved by the Postgraduate Certificate students, The Postgraduate 

Diploma graduate will be able to: 

• Critically evaluate current research in their field of study; 

• Exercise initiative and personal responsibility in the work environment; 

• Carry out further independent learning or continuing professional development; 

• Undertake a role of significant higher managerial responsibility. 

Also, they will have the qualities needed for employment in situations requiring the exercise of 

initiative and personal responsibility together with decision-making in complex and unpredictable 

situations. 

In addition to the above: 

The holder of a Postgraduate Diploma Fashion Design Womenswear will be able to: 

• Describe consumer trends and concepts for an identified womenswear fashion brand; 

• Evaluate issues related to the design branding aspect of the fashion industry; 

• Describe the creative and technical processes involved in product development; 

• Demonstrate their critical understanding and quality awareness of womenswear in the global 

high-end fashion industry. 

The holder of a Postgraduate Diploma Fashion and Luxury Brand Management will be able to: 

• Analyse how different fashion and luxury goods organisations manage their brands and 

market offerings to compete in different market environments; 

• Evaluate the interrelationships between branding strategies and corporate, business and 

functional strategies of the organisation; 

• Elaborate solutions to a range of real-world business and management problems, taking into 

consideration theories, frameworks and practices relevant to luxury and fashion branding and 

brand management; 

• Describe current issues including new technologies, changing role of the consumer and 

corporate social responsibility and able to interpret their influence on the competitive 

strategies of fashion and luxury goods organisations. 

24 Teaching/Learning and Assessment Strategy 



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(i) 

Curriculum Design 

The University’s Master’s and Postgraduate Diploma awards are designed to ensure that students 

meet the University’s General Educational Aims. 

The curriculum for these programmes is designed to support students in achieving the intended 

outcomes in a strong industrial context. 

These two awards share no common units, as the subject areas are substantially different. 

The Manchester Metropolitan University’s general Educational Aims are addressed throughout the 

programmes: for example, in the Fashion and luxury Brand Management and Fashion Design 

Womenswear Master’s courses, industry partners will visit and brief students about their current 

market position and discuss needs to develop into other sectors. Fashion Design Womenswear 

students will produce collection proposals that are relevant to their new position in the market through 

design and branding. 

These approaches are explained further in the individual unit outlines. 

Students will be required to write a PDP journal and reflect on how they worked within a team and the 

different perspectives brought to the collaboration by the various participants. 

Learning and Teaching Methods: 

This Network of courses is mainly based around formal lectures, workshops, seminars and selfdirected 

study and within this structure a range of approaches to learning and teaching is employed as 

appropriate to the situation. Industry experienced specialists and visiting specialist Lecturers (industry 

professionals) make valuable contributions and facilitate important links to professional practice. 

Self-Directed Study – plays a major role in this programme, where students are expected to spend 

time researching and analysing subject matter independently to support and substantiate taught 

material. 

Formal Lectures – form an integral part of the programme and with formal delivery of key information 

to the whole cohort. At this level it is expected that students will use the lectures as a stimulus for 

further study/reading. 

Seminars – are used to build on themes taken from the lecture programme. Students are encouraged 

to make an active contribution by sharing in the argument and debate. They are expected to prepare 

for the seminars through directed reading given prior to the sessions. 

Visiting Lecturers – are invited to deliver specialist lectures to enhance the delivery of the units. 

Individual Tutorials – are used when individual student work is being discussed or the guidance 

required is specific to one particular student. It is especially important in the dissertation phase and 

may be face to face, over the telephone, via e-mail or Skype. 

Small Group Tutorials – enable students to discuss and plan their work in greater detail than is 

possible with larger groups. It encourages quieter students to develop their interpersonal and 

communication skills and helps consolidate leadership skills in others. 

Video Presentations - are used to give a more in-depth understanding of a specific issue. 

Case Studies – are used for detailed discussion of real-life situations. 

Demonstrations – are normally of a technical nature and are necessary in certain subject areas. 

Studio / Workshop / Laboratory / Practical Sessions – may be used to enable the creative and 

practical skill development of the student in an environment which simulates that of industry. 

Group and Team Work – requires students to operate as a member of a group or team and they 

usually have clearly identified roles. The emphasis is on collective responsibility, individual 

responsibility to the group and joint decision-making. 



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Study Trips – give students the opportunity to go outside the institute’s environment to enhance 

their understanding of specific subject material. If assessment is dependent on information collected 

whilst undertaking the study trip, the trip would be considered mandatory. The cost of study trips can 

be either the responsibility of the student or on occasion included in the annual study fee. If the visit 

is within the city students pay for public transport. This will be outlined at the beginning of any unit 

where such a trip is foreseen. 

Assessment 

The assessment strategy for the programme has been designed to incorporate a variety of assessment 

methods to enable all students to demonstrate their learning in a fair and comprehensive manner and 

is in line with the Manchester Metropolitan University Regulations for Taught Postgraduate 

Programmes of Study. A table showing different types of assessment by unit is provided in Appendix 

V. 

Assessment Methods: 

Formative assessment is used as an interim review of student work undertaken at key points during 

particular units. It provides an indicative measure of progress, allows students to consider their work in 

relation to that of their peers, allowing students to agree with staff any adjustments that are necessary 

to make in order to satisfy course requirements. They are designed to help improve student 

performance. It does not contribute to the final unit mark. Formative assessment always makes 

reference to the learning outcomes and or assessment criteria of that unit. 

Summative assessment Provides an evaluation of student progress and learning during an entire 

unit, generates a unit mark, constructive feedback and confirms the conditions for referral and 

retake. 

Peer and Self-assessment requires students to assess their own work and that of fellow students. It 

encourages: 

• a sense of ownership of the process of assessment; 

• assists the student to become an autonomous learner; 

• helps to develop a range of transferable skills; 

• makes assessment part of the learning process rather than an adjunct to it. 

Portfolio Assessment is used to assess a variety of projects that have been developed throughout 

the unit. 

Practical and Class Based Projects – allow the students to demonstrate their understanding of a 

specific subject area and application of practical areas of the programme. 

Written Reports are required in some study areas, where a clear and structured brief is provided and 

the students are asked to submit work to be marked independently and anonymously by staff. 

Formal Examinations – will be used in some subjects to permit students to demonstrate their 

understanding of a subject within a constrained timeframe. 

Presentations are used in some subjects to allow the student to develop their professional 

communication, presentation skills and to argue critical reflection and interpret findings. 

Research Proposal and Dissertation – is used to demonstrate the students’ ability to plan, prepare 

and deliver a sustained piece of personal research and justify the awarding of ‘Master’ status. In 

many cases this will take the form of a written document of around 15,000 words. 

However, with justification and by prior negotiation, a significant portion of the work may be submitted 

as other media appropriate to the subject. 

Avoiding Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is the most common form of cheating and is defined as stealing another person's ideas and 

presenting them as though they were the student’s own. 



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Please refer to the Student Handbook or Programme Handbook. 

(ii) 

Programme Specific Assessment Criteria 

If these differ for specific awards within the programme specification provide details for each award in addition to 

programme criteria 

Assessment Grade Descriptors for Level 7: 

Class 

Mark Criteria 

Range 

Fail 0- 44 The student will not have demonstrated proficiency in intellectual 

thought. The learning outcomes of the unit will not have been 

achieved. The content will be descriptive rather than analytical. 

Marginal Fail 45-49 The student will have demonstrated a basic proficiency in 

intellectual understanding in most but not all elements. Some of 

the learning outcomes of the unit will have been achieved at 

threshold level. The content will be descriptive rather than 

analytical. 

Pass 50-59 The student will have demonstrated evidence of critical thinking. 

All the learning outcomes of the unit will have been competently 

achieved. There will be some substantive and developed 

evidence of understanding. 

Merit 60-69 The student will have demonstrated intellectual thought that 

includes critical thinking, analysis and the ability to draw 

conclusions and make recommendations. All the learning 

outcomes of the unit will have been achieved at a good level. 

Distinction 70 -100 The student will have achieved all the learning outcomes of the 

unit at an excellent or outstanding level showing clarity of 

understanding, analysis and evaluation. 

25 Course structures, levels, credits, awards, curriculum map of all units (identifying 

core/option status, credits pre or co-requisites) potential entry/exit points and 

progression/award requirements 

Students are able to study these two programmes on a full-time basis only. 

MA Fashion Design Womenswear 

MA Fashion and Luxury Brand Management 

Successful students on the two Master’s courses who exit after the taught part of the programme (120 

credits) will be awarded an interim award of Postgraduate Diploma in their specialist area. 

But it is expected that students will continue on to the final stage of the programme, complete their 

Professional Practice Master’s Project or Creative Practice Dissertation (Fashion Design 

Womendwear) and be awarded the Masters degree in their area. 

In accordance with MMU AP(E)L scheme students can not enter the course after the 50% of the 

course has been taught. 

Fashion Design Womenswear Master’s Degree: Full-time Level 7 

Core Units 



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Code Status Unit Title No of 

credits 

Core The Feminine Product 40 

Core Design and Culture Interface 40 

Core Visual Communication and Brand Identity 20 

Core Creative Practice Research Methods 20 

Core Creative Practice Dissertation 60 

Interim Awards: 

On successful completion of 60 credits, which can be a combination of any 40 and 20 credit units 

within this course only, students may leave the programme with the interim award of Postgraduate 

Certificate Fashion Design Womenswear. 

On successful completion of first four units, within this course only, of 120 credits of Level 7 – interim 

exit award: Postgraduate Diploma Fashion Design Womenswear 

On successful completion of Level 7 with 180 credits – Final exit award: Master’s Fashion 

Design Womenswear. 

Fashion and Luxury Brand Management Master’s Degree: Full-time, Level 7 

Core Units 

Code Status Unit Title No of 

credits 

Core Fashion Marketing Management 20 

Core Contemporary Issues In Fashion 20 

Core Research Methods 20 

Core Luxury Management 20 

Core Strategic Brand Management 20 

Core Product Creativity and Innovation 20 

Core Professional Practice Master’s Project 60 

Interim Awards: 

On successful completion of 60 credits, within this course only, students may leave the programme 

with the interim award of Postgraduate Certificate Fashion and Luxury Brand Management 

On successful completion of the first 120 credits, within this course only, – interim exit award: 

Postgraduate Diploma Fashion and Luxury Brand Management 

On successful completion of Level 7 with 180 credits – Final exit award: Master’s Fashion and 

Luxury Brand Management 

26 Personal Development Planning 

The most widely accepted definition of PDP is that of the Quality Assurance Agency, which defines 

PDP as “a structured and supported processes to develop the capacity of individuals to reflect on their 

own learning and achievement, and to plan for their own personal and educational and career 

development.” (QAA 2001). 

PDP offers a structured way to reflect on what the student is good at and what needs to develop 

further. 

It encourages students to rate their current skill levels attained at the institute and learned from 

different situations and environments including external studies, part time work, voluntary work and 



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other social activities. 

This programme conforms to MMU’s Faculty of Art and Design’s PDP Framework, whereby PDP is 

viewed as a process that is embedded within the curriculum. 

It is an ongoing process of students reflecting on their development as learners and on their 

aspirations for their future learning and professional practice. 

PDP/Individual Development Tutorial. 

All students on all courses are required to participate in PDP. 

There are two PDP tutorials for each student within the course given by the Key Tutor. 

Students prepare themselves for this tutorial through a reflective survey of their learning journal that is 

supported and guided by a set of questions from their Key Tutor. Initially they will be asked to reflect 

on their existing skills and determine where their strengths lie. Then they will be assisted in 

determining their development needs and setting some development goals. 

Success in achieving these goals will be determined in a variety of ways: through their studies; extracurricular 

activities etc. and, with the support of the Key Tutor, the student will be able to recognise 

and record these successes, setting further goals as required. 

At the end of the course all students are given the opportunity to meet with the campus placement 

officer and discuss their future employment goals. 

27 Placement and Work-based Learning 

The structure and delivery of the programme does not allow for the formal provision of placement 

learning to be included, however each campus has its own dedicated Careers Services Manager that 

heads the careers support team. 

The purpose of the support officer is to bridge the gap between the fashion industry located in the city/ 

country of campus and once the student has graduated. It is the role of the Career services Manager 

to build and expand on industry relationships in their city. 

All students are supported by lectures, PowerPoint presentations and notes, on internship and 

employment, the nature of the fashion industry, preparation of CVs, cover letter writing, developing 

and preparing a portfolio inline with a job interview and how to adopt interview skills. 

28 Course Specific Admission Requirements 

ADMISSION REGULATIONS 

The programme admissions regulations and entry requirements comply with Manchester Metropolitan 

University’s Recruitment and Admission Policy, Regulations and Institutional Code of Practice and the 

Scheme for the Admission of Students with Advanced Standing following Accreditation of Prior 

Learning. 

The admission of a student is based on the reasonable expectation that the student will be able to fulfil 

the objectives of the programme and achieve the standard required for the award. 

The admissions requirements set out below shall be subject to such policies on entry requirements as 

the Academic Board may from time to time determine. 

All applicants shall be considered having regard for Manchester Metropolitan University’s Equal 

Opportunities Policy and such anti-discrimination legislation as may be in force. 



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Candidates must have a sufficient command of the English language to be able to meet the 

requirements of the programme in every respect. 

When considering the suitability of an applicant for a place on the programme the Admissions team 

will usually take the following factors into account:- 

• The applicant’s qualifications; 

• The information given in supporting academic references; 

• The applicant’s personal statement; 

• A portfolio of work (If appropriate to the subject). 

Overseas Applicants 

Overseas applicants will be assessed using the same factors listed above. 

Applicants must have sufficient command of English to meet the requirements of the programme in 

every respect and are normally expected to have attained either a grade C or above in GCSE English 

Language or the equivalent. For international students for whom English is not their first language 

IELTS at grade 6.5 or TOEFL 233 + points on the computer based test is a requirement for admission 

to the programme. 

1.1 Standard Entry Requirements 

As these Master’s degrees are designed for specialisation the standard entry requirement for 

the Master’s courses is a good first degree, normally 2.1 or above, in a relevant related 

subject area from a UK university or overseas equivalent. 

The Admissions Panel on an individual basis will also consider professional qualifications, 

and/or experience. 

In the case of the Postgraduate Diploma Fashion Design the standard entry requirements for 

the course is a good first degree, normally 2.1 or above, in any discipline (this course differs 

from the Master’s specialisation) from a UK university or overseas equivalent. The 

Admissions Panel will also consider professional qualifications and/or experience. 

1.2 Admission with exemption 

Applications for admission with exemption will be considered on an individual basis by the 

Admissions Panel following departmental guidelines and in compliance with the Manchester 

Metropolitan University Regulations. 

Applicants wishing to be considered for admission with exemption will need to provide 

evidence that they possess the intellectual qualities necessary to complete the programme 

successfully. 

Students who are subsequently admitted with exemption will be given exemption from 

specific agreed units. 

No exemption will be permitted in respect of the Professional Practice Master’s Project. 

1.3 Admission with specific credit 

Applications for admission with specific credit will be considered on an individual basis by the 

Admissions Panel following departmental guidelines and in compliance with the Manchester 

Metropolitan University Regulations. 

Students admitted with specific credit will be considered as having passed specific elements 

and will be credited with these. This may be appropriate for students transferring from a 

comparable programme at another institution. 



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Students may be admitted with specific credit in respect of not more than 50% of the 

programme except that they may be given specific credit for the whole of a PGDip already 

gained in a subject cognate to the Masters programme being entered. 

1.4 Accreditation of prior (experiential) learning (AP(E)L) 

Applications for admission with prior learning or prior experiential learning must be submitted 

to the special admissions panel AP(E)L Applicant Committee using the MMU AP(E)L Claim 

Decision Form and will be considered on an individual basis. The guidelines for AP(E)L 

assessors are given in the Scheme for the Admission of Students with Advanced Standing 

following Accreditation of Prior Learning will be followed. 

Istituto Marangoni respects and works within Manchester Metropolitan University’s scheme for 

the admission of students with advanced standing following accreditation of prior learning, 

approved by the academic board, June 2005. 

APL; accreditation of prior learning (certificated) 

APEL; accreditation prior experiential learning refers to learning achieved outside the 

recognised educational or training systems; it will not, therefore, be certificated. 

This scheme is to be used for the accreditation of prior learning of applicants seeking 

admission with advanced standing to a MMU validated programme, either undergraduate or 

taught postgraduate, at the institute. 

1.4.1 AP(E)L Applicant Committee 

The formal mechanism for the operation of APL & APEL at Istituto Marangoni: Campus 

Directors of Education will be the committee coordinator for their campus AP(E)L Applicant 

Committee and will report to the Group Director of Education all issues involving APL and 

APEL. The committee will comprise of Programme Leader, Key tutor and / support tutor, IM 

Partner Link Tutor, and in the case of postgraduate study the Master’s Coordinator. 

1.4.2 Procedure 

Applications for advanced standing in respect of an entire level of a programme must normally 

be made prior to the student commencing the programme concerned. 

Applications for advanced standing in respect of part of the level of a programme will normally 

be made no later than the end of the student’s first unit of study. 

Prior learning, whether certificated or experiential, accredited under this scheme shall be 

recorded on the student’s transcript of learning and Diploma Supplement. 

A student seeking to transfer from a point on one programme of study within or outside the 

Institute to the same point on another within the Institute where it can be shown that the two 

programmes are equivalent in terms of the curriculum and learning outcomes shall apply to do 

so in writing to the relevant Campus Director. The student shall provide such information to 

the Istituto Marangoni AP(E)L Applicant Committee (to the appropriate campus) as may be 

required for a decision on the transfer to be made. A record of a transfer and of the evidence 

on which it was approved shall be kept on the student’s file and included in the Diploma 

Supplement. 

1.4.3 Exceptions: 

It is not appropriate to the subject area, the academic course content or incremental learning 

structure of the Master’s courses to consider applicants with experiential prior learning (non 

certificated APEL) for entry after the normal beginning of a postgraduate course. 

The AP(E)L Applicant Committee would consider admission entry at Pg Cert level in the case 

of certificated APL. It is necessary to respect that a maximum of 50% of the course can be 

APL, as stated in the MMU regulations. 

Where similar learning outcomes with grades could be mapped against the appropriate 

content of the validated programme and unit specifications applicants could be considered for 

interim entry but final grades should be based on marks achieved during the validated Istituto 



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Marangoni units only and cannot be brought forward form other institutions. 

29 Approved Variations/Exemptions from University Regulations 

N/a 

30 Programme Leader Responsibilities 

The traditional responsibilities of the Programme leader will be supported by the Master’s Coordinator. 

Together they will have responsibility for implementing the strategic direction of the courses within 

their programme and for co-ordinating the academic administration necessary for its successful dayto-day 

operation. 

Master’s Coordinator Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for all matters pertinent to academic standards at Level 7. 

• Support all matters pertinent to the proper day-to-day operation of the programme involving 

leading, supporting and encouraging their teaching team including PDP; 

• Advise the Programme Committee on its proper responsibility for the continuing development 

and quality enhancement of the programme; 

• Liaise on behalf of the Programme Committee with all staff as appropriate; 

• Assess the value of the unit in terms of staff delivery and integration with the rest of the 

programme; 

• Recommend areas for curriculum development; 

• Liaise with Student Support Officers to ensure that appropriate study support is available; 

• Support and recommend the appropriate level of resources required for the Unit and liaise 

with the teaching team; 

• Undertake in training and professional development and contribute to the training of others; 

• Actively participate in and organise Peer Support system; 

• Organise all areas of assessment procedures, facilitate monitoring, joint marking, internal 

verification (IV) and External Examiner visits; 

• Maintain the quality of academic standards by supporting the rules and regulations concerning 

exam procedures and conduct of the students and teaching team; 

Programme Leader’s Responsibilities: 

Programme Leader’s job profile will combine the roles of the Unit Tutor and will be supported by the 

Master’s Coordinator. 

His/her responsibilities will, therefore, include: 

• Chairing the Programme Committee, and arranging for such meetings of the Committee as 

considered appropriate; 

• Acting as the Chief Executive Officer to the programme. As such he/she will be responsible, 

within the agreed policies of the Programme Committee, and Academic Boards, for the 

efficient operation of the programme as approved by the Institute; 

• Supporting and encouraging their teaching team including PDP; 

• Advise the Programme Committee on its proper responsibility for the continuing development 

of the programme; 

• Liaise on behalf of the Programme Committee with all staff as appropriate; 

• Be empowered to take on behalf of the Programme Committee any reasonable action with 

respect to the proper functioning of the programme; 

• Recommend areas for curriculum development; 

• Co-ordinate the assessment schedule for the Unit and ensure that it is communicated to 

students and the to director of education; 

• Liaise with Student Support Officers to ensure that appropriate study support is available; 

• Recommend the appropriate level of resources required for the Unit and liaise with the 



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teaching team; 

• Undertake training and professional development and contribute to the training of others; 

• Actively participate and organise Peer Support systems; 

• Monitor & respond to the student voice including regular meetings with the student Rep.; 

• Monitor Unit and course feedback, student voice and External Examiners report responding in 

Continuous Monitoring & Improvement Report (CMI) and the Continuous Improvement Plan 

(CIP); 

• Organise all areas of assessment procedures, facilitate monitoring, joint marking, internal 

verification (IV) and External Examiner visits; 

• Maintaining the quality of academic standards by supporting the rules and regulations 

concerning exam procedures and conduct of the student and teaching team; 

31 Other Staff Responsibilities 

Link Tutor: 

The Link Tutor role is crucial to the successful operation of collaborative provision. 

A Link Tutor is appointed both at MMU and at the partner institution for every collaborative programme 

undertaken. 

Together they act as critical friend, offering help, support, guidance and advice, and also monitoring 

adherence to MMU quality arrangement procedures. 

Details of both MMU Link Tutor and IM Partner Link Tutor roles can be found in appendix VI. 

Programme leaders, the Master’s Coordinator and the teaching team have also been made aware of 

the supportive role and responsibilities of the Link Tutors form both institutions. 

Key staff are appointed to give PDP guidance to their students. These are identified as the teaching 

team that has most contact time and subject specific knowledge to support their student group. They 

report to the programme leaders directly. 

A team of Professional Practitioners undertakes all other teaching roles. This has always been the 

Istituto Marangoni method and teaching policy. It is recognised that they bring currency, knowhow and 

industry contacts into the institute. 

The teaching teams report to the direction of the programme leaders. 

As they are all specialists in their areas of teaching they are expected to liaise with the Programme 

Leaders for the following: 

• Subject and curriculum developments; 

• Seminar and lecture proposals; 

• Updating of information concerning space resources that might be required; 

• Book lists for the developments of the campus learning resources; 

• Meeting with Programme Leaders in both one-to-one and plenary meetings twice a year or as 

reasonably required; 

• Play the key role in grading and giving valuable feedback during exam session; 

• Maintaining the quality of academic standards by supporting the rules and regulations 

concerning exam procedures and conduct of the student body; 

• Participate in Peer Support Observations exercises; 

• Participate in staff development when required. 

Istituto Marangoni and Manchester Metropolitan have appointed Link Tutors who are in regular 

contact concerning all academic matters. 

Student Support Officers 

A dedicated Postgraduate Student Support Officer is available for all students on the postgraduate 

programme. 

The Postgraduate Student Support Officers, act as the first point of contact for students in both 

academic and personal counselling. 

For academic counselling, Student Support Officers will liaise with tutors and programme leaders to 



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offer practical advice to resolve specific academic difficulties. 

A written record of these tutorials will be kept in the student’s file for reference and to assist in the 

monitoring of student progress. 

For matters of pastoral care the Student Support Officers will help in: 

- Finding their way around campus and city; 

- Managing their time; 

- Dealing with stress; 

- Getting the best from their course; 

- Understanding and applying the school’s rules; 

- Any other subject that may hinder a student’s learning that the student wishes to disclose. 

One-to-one appointments may be made by phone, through the receptionists or by email. 

Students can expect to be seen within 48 hours of first making contact. 

Joint Responsibilities: 

Admissions: Management of admissions is undertaken by the administrative admissions manager 

who coordinates and supports the subject specific Programme leader and the Campus Director of 

Education in dealing with interviews and portfolio assessments (where appropriate). 

32 Student Support Strategy 

Istituto Marangoni’s policies ensure that various mechanisms are in place to enhance the student 

experience, in an academic, practical and pastoral way: 

a. Programme Leaders are set in place as a first point of call to acquaint the students with the 

regulations an issues arising on the programme; 

b. Postgraduate Student Support Officers for referral of students where appropriate; 

c. Programme and Student handbooks are available to give relevant information; 

d. Induction programmes on using the Library, IT, campus facilities and Media Services, on the 

course contents and objectives; 

e. Student group representatives elected to the Programme Committee as the student voice; 

f. Programme Leaders guide students to the most appropriate help. 

33 Student Evaluation 

Student feedback is essential to programme development and student comments are used to 

enhance both the successful management of the programme and the teaching/learning strategies. 

All students are asked to provide feedback at the end of each unit of study as well as at the end of the 

entire programme. 

Student observations are considered through the tutorial systems and through the student voice on 

Programme Committees. Questionnaires are also used to elicit students’ views and opinions. The 

data gathered from all of these mechanisms is used in the Continuous Monitoring & Improvement 

Report and forms part of the development of the Programme Improvement Plan. 

As detailed previously Student Representatives are elected each year to act as the student ‘voice’ at 

Programme Committee meetings. It is the task of the Programme Leader to ensure that student 

representatives are fully aware of their role and responsibilities, and should support them in the 

fulfilment of their duties. 

The role of student representatives is: 

• To bring key issues concerning the management of the programme (including learning, 

teaching, assessment and learning support) to the attention of the programme team; 



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• To represent their fellow students; 

• To participate in the Continuous Monitoring and Improvement planning as members of the 

Programme Committee; 

• To provide advice to the programme team on issues relating to the quality of the student 

learning experience; 

• To provide advice to the programme team on the operation of processes for the polling of 

student opinion on the learning experience, its analysis, response and publication; 

• To be consulted about proposals for programme development; 

• To be members of the student/staff liaison committee. 

34 Engagement with Employers 

The Programme Team engages with employers on a regular basis, through a variety of means. 

As the majority of tutors on this programme are professional practitioners they bring with them a 

wealth of current information and a practitioner’s perspective on the rapidly changing industry. 

There is a programme of guest lectures, company visits, industry seminars and study visits to 

international trade shows which further embed industry practices and enable students to form 

valuable links and contacts with potential employers. 

Such industry collaborations produce outputs which may gain external visibility for students and their 

work. 

It is proposed that the postgraduate students will work closely with fashion industry experts within 

their industry aligned project work in a similar manner that the Institute’s Milan courses have been 

doing for some time. An excellent example being the Menswear course with Zegna and E-Fashion 

Course with Yoox. 

Over time, the London and Paris campuses will align all industry projects with an industry partner. 

It is proposed that from 2012 Boudicca will be working on industry based projects with Women’s 

wear specialist students as well as other designers / brands and industry specialist that have 

already expressed interest in future collaborations. 

We are in discussion with: Paul Smith and Robert Cary-Williams about further links. 

35 Points of Reference 

Internal 

• Manchester Metropolitan University Mission and Strategic Aims; 

• Regulations for the Academic Awards of the Manchester Metropolitan University; 

• Manchester Metropolitan University Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategic 

Framework; 

• Manchester Metropolitan University Assessment Framework; 

• Staff research at Manchester Metropolitan University; 

• Staff research at Istituto Marangoni; 

• Istituto Marangoni Student Regulations & Handbook; 

• Programme Mapping. 

External 

• QAA Subject Benchmark statement Master's degrees in business and management.2007; 

• Master’s Degree Characteristics as defined by the QAA for the framework for higher education 

qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; 

• QAA Guidelines for Preparing Programme Specification; 



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• QAA Code of Practice; 

• QAA Subject Review report; 

• External Professional Practitioners; 

• Alumni data and opinion. 

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of a Programme 

and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and 

demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities provided. More detailed 

information on the learning outcomes, curriculum content, teaching/learning, assessment 

methods for each unit and on the Programme’s relationship to QAA Subject Benchmark 

Statements may be found in the definitive document and student handbook for the Programme. 

The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed periodically by the University and 

may be subject to verification by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. 

Postgraduate Network Programme Specifications Appendix 

APPENDIX I 

• Relationship to Subject Benchmark Statements, MA Fashion Design Womenswear 

• Relationship to Subject Benchmark Statements, MA Fashion and Luxury Brand Management 

APPENDIX II 

• Assessment Mapping 

APPENDIX III 

• Assessment Mapping with Weight and Credit Appraisal 

APPENDIX IV 

• Staff Development Plan 

APPENDIX V 

• Industry collaboration 

APPENDIX VI 

• Link Tutors 

APPENDIX VII 

• Glossary 



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