The Student Room Group

UAL Fashion Marketing

Hi everyone, I'm currently 16 years old. I moved from London to Australia in year 9 and am hoping to move back asap to go to uni at UAL LCF, I'm currently in year 11 and will graduate in a year. I have attended a few fashion business summer schools, I have a fashion retail job, and I have a blog where I post mainly about fashion. My grades at school aren't the best, but I'm working hard to get them to the equivalent to 112 UCAS points. I have a few questions.

- What more extra-curriculars could I do to strengthen my application?
- Would I be counted as an international student (Before moving, I lived in the UK my whole life, and my family still travels back frequently)?
- Do I need a portfolio / can I submit one for my course (Undergraduate BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing)?
- Should I be super focused on getting the best grades I can (I'm doing 4 subjects and getting all C's) or should I be equally as involved in extracurriculars?

If anyone knows anything, I would appreciate it so much!!

Reply 1

Hello! I am Faye, one of the student reps for UAL. Your fashion retail job, summer schools, and blog seem to have given you a lot of valuable experience already. That's impressive for someone your age, and it will definitely make your application stand out.

Below are some links and answers to your questions which you may find helpful:
1) I would suggest volunteering at local fashion or retail events, joining fashion-related clubs if any and working on projects that you can post on your blog or social media to bolster your application. Any practical experience, such as internships or helping at fashion shows, will also be beneficial. Beyond grades, admissions look for dedication and enthusiasm.

2) To know whether you are a home or international student, you can find out more information from the official government website linked below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/student-finance-eligibility-2021-to-2022-academic-year/eligibility-rules-for-home-fee-status-and-student-finance-from-the-2022-to-2023-academic-year-onwardsThe UAL website has a section dedicated to portfolio advice and application tips, which you may find helpful. You can view the portfolio guidance here: https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/apply/portfolio-advice
3) Below are the entry requirements for BA Fashion Marketing:
Entry requirements
The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:
One or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications.

A Level Passes at Grade C or above to total a minimum 112 new UCAS tariff points (preferred subjects include, Business Studies, Economics, Fashion Studies, Information Technology, English, Languages, Media Studies and Psychology);

Distinction at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design;

Distinction, Merit, Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma;

Merit at UAL Extended Diploma;

Access Diploma or 112 new UCAS tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma;

112 new UCAS tariff points (equivalent to 280 old UCAS tariff points) from a combination of the above qualifications or an equivalent full Level 3 qualification;

or equivalent EU or non-EU qualifications such as International Baccalaureate Diploma;

and Six GCSE passes at grade A*-C or grade 9-4, to include a grade C or grade 4 in Maths.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning)
Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

Related academic or work experience

The quality of the personal statement

A strong academic or other professional reference

OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
English Language Requirements
IELTS level 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Developing marketing skills specifically for the fashion industry is the main goal of London College of Fashion's BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing program. It addresses topics like PR, digital marketing, consumer insights, and brand management. The Selection criteria is as follows:

A strong interest in fashion marketing theory and practice

Analytical problem solving skills, and the potential to develop professional, communication and business skills necessary for future industry challenges

Curiosity about fashion consumers’ needs and how they want to buy fashion products and services across a range of markets

Fashion industry experience

Motivation to succeed on the course and work in the fashion industry


The selection process at UAL considers both creative potential and academic accomplishments. The strength of your academic record and the depth of your portfolio will be crucial. In your portfolio and personal statement, be sure to highlight your enthusiasm for fashion marketing and your familiarity with the field.

All the above information can be found on the course page:
https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/fashion-business/undergraduate/ba-hons-fashion-marketing-lcf#fees-and-funding (message written as of 27 November, 2025 so please do check the website again for the most updated information!)

4) Maintaining a balance between extracurricular activities and grades is crucial. In addition to earning the necessary UCAS points, remember to show off your enthusiasm and expertise in fashion through extracurricular activities. Together, these elements create a powerful application.

Please get in touch if you have any more questions, and continue refining your portfolio and personal statement to showcase your abilities that make you stand out. I wish you all the best in your application and preparation process!

-Faye (UAL student rep)

Quick Reply

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.