Fashion Retail Academy

3

Hi I’m thinking of doing the Fashion Marketing and Communication degree at the FRA, however I’ve heard very mixed reviews, can anyone give me an opinion on the college and how they’ve found it?

Reply 1

Karen_hoang

6

Hi Hun!

I'm currently a student there doing a Level 3 and its a great qualification to have but they are very unorganised. There is not a lot of support given. If you read google reviews of the Fashion Retail Academy you will see how it is. I have mixed reviews my self. I'm in the last year of my Level 3 course now and I'm progressing to university and didn't apply to FRA at all since i just know it wouldn't be great.

I applied to LCF, Ravensbourne etc and even tho tuition fees are more expensive and you are in more days i think its much more worth it and you learn a lot more. Keep in mind the degree at FRA is with falmouth university.

Let me know if you want to ask anything else.

Good luck! x

Original post by Fashionstu

Hi I’m thinking of doing the Fashion Marketing and Communication degree at the FRA, however I’ve heard very mixed reviews, can anyone give me an opinion on the college and how they’ve found it?

Reply 2

Fashionstu

OP

3

Hi thank you for your response!

It’s so difficult because I know someone that goes there that loves it!!

In what sense is there no support? & do you think the connections with industry are good?

Thank you x

Reply 3

Karen_hoang

6

No worries at all,

There is very little support - assignments and deadlines are very unclear. The lectures doesn't give as much support as they are supposed to i.e their feedback given on your work as well as helping you with assignment/bringing your ideas to life. They tend to just give you the assignments brief and expect you to know everything. They don't really care on what you do after the course. For my level 3 course i had no UCAS or portfolio help and they don't really encourage you to progress to university.

The communication towards lectures and students are also very poor. Lectures are not as specialised in their teaching course and not as well experienced compared to other universities.

For BA courses there is very limited space to work in as well. Not sure if attend the open day yet?

I personally have mixed reviews too but i have more cons than pros.

I guess you can always give it a go and leave after if you aren't enjoying it - But its honestly your preference if you feel like you will enjoy it at far just give it a go theres no harm :smile:

Did you apply anywhere else or planning too?

xx

Reply 4

Karen_hoang

6

Oh really

aww so sorry to hear that!

And at FRA industry connections are quite good. We also have careers fair where companies like Arcadia, Boohoo, Karen Miller, Liberty etc come in and we are able to give them our CV to see if they offer any internships or placements (Even shop floor roles are available)

I think FRA is deffo more personal then since there aren't that many students compared to other universities.

Not sure if the BA offers a placement - if you want to be guaranteed a place you have to make sure your attendance is really good. xx

Reply 5

Fashionstu

OP

3

okay thank you so much for your help!
I've just got a decision to make :frown:

xxx

Reply 6

lilac20190

4

FRA is a terrible choice but you get what you pay for, nothing. Better not waste your time there and look for an apprenticeship straight into the business you want to be in.

Reply 7

Kate109

1

Have you studied there? I am also thinking about doing communication and marketing degree in September, but can’t really find any proper review about this course and the academy itself. So what have you decided?

Thanks

Original post by Fashionstu

Hi I’m thinking of doing the Fashion Marketing and Communication degree at the FRA, however I’ve heard very mixed reviews, can anyone give me an opinion on the college and how they’ve found it?

Reply 8

Kate109

1

Have you studied there?????

Original post by lilac20190

FRA is a terrible choice but you get what you pay for, nothing. Better not waste your time there and look for an apprenticeship straight into the business you want to be in.

Reply 9

Fashionstu

OP

3

Hi, I have decided to go to Ravensbourne University to do Fashion Promotion as I prefer the course and think as its a university it may be more respected in terms of industry, I also know that they have good links with the industry too. I have friends at the FRA though doing the marketing degree and they love it and only say good things, I looked for reviews too but i think because its so new there are hardly any

Original post by Kate109

Have you studied there? I am also thinking about doing communication and marketing degree in September, but can’t really find any proper review about this course and the academy itself. So what have you decided?

Thanks

Reply 10

GatoMessi

16

I agree with Karen that FRA lacks organisation skills. I haven't studied there but have visited there during Open Days twice. Lack of getting support for me (I am profoundly deaf), and therefore I have decided not to go there. Not very impressed at my first two meetings with FRA.

However I have no experience taking any of the course(s) there and therefore I cannot comment on it. Not many colleges have courses like with FRA (ie Level 3 & 4),and they would suit for those who wish to gain a Level 3 or Level 4 qualifications. As for degree courses, FRA do have advantages over any other traditional Universities as they only have 2 years degree courses instead of traditional 3 years.

You can always check with UCAS and see if past students were happy studying there.

Reply 11

vdach

1

Hi all, I would like to apply for level 4 fashion buyer in FRA, and I wanted to ask anyone who studied there or who did the same course if is worth it , also does they give you an opportunity for experience in some companies?Thank you !

Reply 12

GatoMessi

16

Original post by vdach

Hi all, I would like to apply for level 4 fashion buyer in FRA, and I wanted to ask anyone who studied there or who did the same course if is worth it , also does they give you an opportunity for experience in some companies?Thank you !

I have no idea about how well they do for the same course, but I do know that if you are planning to go there this September, I would suggest you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment (this course is very popular and can be full easily). I tried to apply for it few years ago but it was fully booked (Fashion Buyer).

Reply 13

harrietgrace20

2

Hey did you get in? x

Reply 14

GatoMessi-2

4

Hi I am

Reply 15

GatoMessi-2

4

I agree with Karen that FRA lacks organisation skills. I haven't studied there but have visited there during Open Days twice. Lack of getting support for me (I am profoundly deaf), and therefore I have decided not to go there. Not very impressed at my first two meetings with FRA.

However I have no experience taking any of the course(s) there and therefore I cannot comment on it. Not many colleges have courses like with FRA (ie Level 3 & 4),and they would suit for those who wish to gain a Level 3 or Level 4 qualifications. As for degree courses, FRA do have advantages over any other traditional Universities as they only have 2 years degree courses instead of traditional 3 years.

You can always check with UCAS and see if past students were happy studying there.

I am that person (lost my password). Even I applied for Data Analysis with Retail. NO response asking about support (I am deaf). All they did was asking me to pay for deposit! I refused to pay for it until I've had a talk about getting support. They didn't bother to response from ANY "Live chats" either. Therefore, their communication and organisation skills are very poor - the worst I've ever come across in ANY fashion schools/Universities/colleges.

However, don't be fool by that they looks good to be true.

Reply 16

Binlinerasapron

1

Original post by Fashionstu

Hi I’m thinking of doing the Fashion Marketing and Communication degree at the FRA, however I’ve heard very mixed reviews, can anyone give me an opinion on the college and how they’ve found it?

It's run by the Arcadia lot from Philip Green scandal. Think bums on seats and high staff and student dropout rates. Currently in the red because of problem with student retention.

Reply 17

Binlinerasapron

1

Original post by Fashionstu

Hi thank you for your response!
It’s so difficult because I know someone that goes there that loves it!!
In what sense is there no support? & do you think the connections with industry are good?
Thank you x

Bums of seats and high drop out rate.

Reply 18

Binlinerasapron

1

Original post by GatoMessi-2

I am that person (lost my password). Even I applied for Data Analysis with Retail. NO response asking about support (I am deaf). All they did was asking me to pay for deposit! I refused to pay for it until I've had a talk about getting support. They didn't bother to response from ANY "Live chats" either. Therefore, their communication and organisation skills are very poor - the worst I've ever come across in ANY fashion schools/Universities/colleges.
However, don't be fool by that they looks good to be true.

They are a bums on seats Philip Green Arcadia setup. Very high staff student dropout rate. Unless you are resilient try somewhere else. Buyer beware!

Reply 19

Binlinerasapron

1

Original post by GatoMessi

I have no idea about how well they do for the same course, but I do know that if you are planning to go there this September, I would suggest you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment (this course is very popular and can be full easily). I tried to apply for it few years ago but it was fully booked (Fashion Buyer).

Some positive responses are sneaky plants so don't believe all of them.
There is a high dropout rate because it's bums on seats with some questionable courses. Only apply if you are resilient. The person they promote 'Molly....' was only there for several weeks, not two years. PR falsehood to dupe youngsters.

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