People and Networks

Our network of academics and researchers work and consult with industry, and our alumni network and long standing industry connections regularly contribute to our curriculum to ensure we continue to shape our students into career ready graduates.

We are able to offer our students access to a network of industry professionals through guest lectures, conferences and work placement and internship opportunities. Our Institute and award winning courses continue to rank highly in global fashion rankings and many of our courses are accredited by industry networks offering our students industry valued certifications alongside their study.

Staff

Our academic teaching staff, professors and researchers are experienced professionals at the forefront of their fields, with well-established links in their specialisms. Full of specialist knowledge, insight and experience, many of our teachers still work, research or consult within the fashion industry. The University’s teaching quality has been recognised with a Teaching Excellence Framework silver award, reinforcing the high standards we deliver in teaching, learning and graduate outcomes.

Alongside our academic tutors we have a dedicated team of highly skilled technicians – each of whom has many years of specialist experience. From initial inductions and training, through to supporting the production of designs, garment ranges or images for our final year shows, they are on hand to help students, academics and industry partners realise their projects.

“Our team of academics, researchers and technical staff are at the forefront of their fields, they lead by example and champion our students to be the best that they can be”

Liz Barnes, Head of Manchester Fashion Institute 

Alumni

Our graduates are leaders in the fashion industry. Holding influential positions in some of the top fashion companies around the world. We welcome contact from all former students of Manchester Fashion Institute to share with us your experiences and successes since graduating.

“My course gave me a very strong base for my career in Fashion, I enjoyed absolutely everything about it!”

Jenny Tran, BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Technology Graduate

Industry Connections

Engagement with employers is an integral part of our courses and is built into the curriculum. We offer access to an impressive network of professional contacts through our programme of inspiring industry lectures, with guest speakers who bring invaluable perspectives from every aspect of the fashion world.

Our guest speakers are varied, and have come from organisations such as Ralph Lauren, Dior, ME + EM, Aitor Throup, Biba, the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and Giles Deacon.

Melanie Reim
Melanie Reim
Alexandra Shulman
Alexandra Shulman
Carlyn Franklin
Carlyn Franklin

Placement Providers

All of our undergraduate courses offer an optional sandwich route that gives students the opportunity to apply for an industry placement.

We currently work with many companies throughout the UK but also worldwide and welcome any new opportunities for industry placements for our students.

Some of our recent students have taken placements with:

Adidas AG / ASOS / Boohoo / British Fashion Council / Calvin Klein / Coach / Forever Unique / H&M / I Saw it First / JD Williams / Margaret Howell / Matches Fashion / Next / Nike / Old Navy / Puma SE / Ralph Lauren / River Island / Tommy Hilfiger / URBN / Very

“My year in industry helped me to understand which direction to take my career”

Nina Steward
Completed a 14-month placement as a Design Intern at Li &Fung, NYC before moving to Assistant Buyer, Ralph Lauren, London. Since graduating she has moved to Stockholm for her dream job at H&M.

Accreditations, Memberships & Rankings

We hold a range of accreditations and memberships with professional bodies, who recognise the quality of our teaching and research.

Many of our courses are accredited by The Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and The Textile Institute offering our students additional qualifications from these professional bodies and access to a wealth of additional resources. These links offer our students opportunities to stand out in the jobs market once they graduate.

We also rank 6th for Fashion & Textiles courses in The Guardian Best UK University guide 2021, are members of the British Fashion Council colleges council and have institutional membership with a number of international subject associations including the Association of Fashion & Textiles Courses (FTC) and The International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI).