Foundation Degree Visual Merchandising

This two year full time Foundation Degree is validated by the University of Hertfordshire

UCAS code: WN22
Institution code: H36 (University of Hertfordshire)
Campus code: H (Hertford Regional College)

To apply for the course please click here for the UCAS application form. Please use the above codes.

This course is equivalent to the first two years of a university degree and is designed to build a strong foundation for a career in the creative industries. You’ll dive into the essentials of visual merchandising, learning about display and spatial design, fashion promotion and styling, customer behaviour, graphic design, marketing, and product promotion.

The practical work you’ll undertake will cover a variety of techniques and industry-standard software, such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3D Substance Stager, and Adobe Creative Cloud. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to collaborate on live projects with other departments across the college, bringing diverse perspectives and ideas to your work.

We also prioritise your personal development and employability, offering high-profile live briefs and work placements with leading retail brands. On top of that, you’ll gain valuable insights from industry feedback, guest speakers, study trips, and exciting overseas visits.

Whether it’s in a physical store or a digital space, successful visual merchandising is crucial to the marketing strategy of major retailers. It helps brands define their image, create positive customer experiences, and ultimately drive sales through engaging displays, compelling experiences, and innovative promotions.

Our FdA Visual Merchandising course is a two-year full-time programme which provides the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification.

The FdA Visual Merchandising programme is validated by the University of Hertfordshire and you can read more comprehensive course information here.

What will I be doing?

Teaching on the course includes a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, small group tutorials, practical assignment briefs, and written work. We emphasise strong one-to-one teaching, ensuring that you receive the individual attention and support needed to excel in your studies and projects. You’ll have plenty of chances to dive into independent study to reinforce your learning and deepen your understanding of graphic design. Plus, you’ll collaborate on projects with students from other higher education courses, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to your work.Our FdA Visual Merchandising programme offers a comprehensive engagement with the industry through work placements, thanks to a dedicated work-based learning module. This module provides you with the chance to expand, develop, and apply the knowledge and skills you’ve gained with both local and national employers. Being situated just outside London, a global retail hub, gives you access to incredible opportunities for work placements and live briefs at some of the world’s most prestigious locations. Previous collaborations include Selfridges, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Tesco Space Range and Visual Merchandising, and IKEA, as well as many exciting smaller businesses. Plus, you’ll have the freedom to independently negotiate and organise your own work placement opportunities, giving you the flexibility to shape your career path.Level 4 (Year One) Core Modules

WBL: Developing Professional and Employability Skills Part 1 – 15 Credits
Creative Skills Development – 30 Credits
Vocational Project – 30 Credits
WBL: Developing Professional and Employability Skills Part 2 – 15 Credits
Contextual Studies – 30 Credits

Level 5 (Year Two) Core Modules

WBL Project: Professional Practice – 30 Credits
Critical and Cultural Studies – 30 Credits
Portfolio Development (Visual Merchandising) – 30 Credits
Final Major Project (Visual Merchandising) – 30 Credits

For further information on the above modules please click here.

How will I be assessed?

This programme is assessed entirely through 100% coursework, which includes practical assignment briefs and written work. You’ll engage in a variety of assessment types such as individual and group creative projects, pitches, presentations, project management tasks, live briefs, work placements, ongoing reflection and evaluation, essays, and reports. Assessment is continuous throughout the programme, involving tutor, self, and peer assessments, with a final University Exam Board at the end of each semester to approve the final grades. The work is graded using ‘The 19-point scale,’ with final grade classifications of Distinction (UG), Commendation (UG), Clear Pass (UG), and Marginal Pass (UG), according to the University of Hertfordshire School-Level Undergraduate Grading Criteria.

What do I need to bring?

You’ll need to purchase a course kit, which costs approximately £150. We’ll provide a detailed list of kit items to ensure you have everything you need before starting the course. Additionally, throughout the programme, you’ll need to buy general materials and production services to complete your module assignment briefs.

Entry Requirements

48 UCAS points IB – 48 points with a minimum of 1 HL subject at grade 4 or above (with the remaining points to come from a combination of HL, SL and Core).An interview or presentation of portfolio may also be required.The University also accepts a number of other equivalent qualifications including BTEC, IB and Access courses – to find out more about the requirements for these and other equivalent qualifications please visit UCAS.Mature students will be considered on the basis of relevant experience and an appropriate portfolio of work.How to Apply?Applications are via UCAS to the University of Hertfordshire. Please use the below codes:

UCAS code: WN22
Institution code: H36 (University of Hertfordshire)
Campus code: H (Hertford Regional College)

Please click here for the UCAS application form.

Fee information

Full-time£6165 for the 2025/2026 academic year.Students are normally eligible for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England. See https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only.There may be opportunities for trips and visits organised, these will be at an additional charge for the students.

Added Extras

You’ll have a dedicated design studio space and access to state-of-the-art facilities at Ware Campus, including a dedicated purpose-built display studio with display practice spaces and store-quality glazed windows. As well as specialists’ workshops, Mac/PC suites and industry-standard resources. Our Creative Enterprise Shop stocks products designed by you and frequently pops up at local community events, shops, vacant units, and external exhibitions in both local areas and inner London.The teaching team combines full-time teaching staff with part-time industry professionals who split their time between teaching and working in the creative industries. Throughout the programme, you’ll have exciting opportunities to participate in overseas, residential, and day visits that are both relevant to graphic design and enriching for your personal growth. These experiences are designed to broaden your horizons, inspire creativity, and deepen your understanding of the global visual merchandising industry. Our students have previously visited fascinating destinations such as Iceland, Budapest, and Helsinki. Please note that these visits are optional, and costs are additional to the course fee. Students will receive sufficient notice to budget for these events.We are exceptionally proud to say that the FdA Visual Merchandising programme is recognised by the British Display Society as a UK ‘Centre of Excellence’. Our graduates may receive the award of Fnd.Dip.bds upon successful completion of the course and have the benefit of membership of the British Display Society whilst studying on the programme.You can follow our current students’ creative exploits on Instagram @creative_enterprise_hub . You will also have the chance to manage and curate your own exhibitions in our stunning David Gentleman Gallery, as well as at external venues. The David Gentleman Gallery has exhibitions digitally as well as physically, you can see our current online exhibitions at https://thedavidgentlemangallery.co.uk.

What can I do next?

Most students choose to progress onto our BA (Hons) Visual Merchandising, Styling and Promotion (Top Up) upon successful completion of the course, which is a one-year course run in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire. This allows you to top-up your FdA qualification to a full BA (Hons) or the other option is to progress onto the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design final year at the University of Hertfordshire. Alternatively, you can progress onto an appropriate BA (Hons) programme at another institution. You could also jump straight into a dynamic career in the creative industries. There are numerous exciting opportunities in visual merchandising, display design, event and exhibition design, interior design, retail design, fashion promotion and styling, graphic design, and product promotion. Our graduates have also ventured into setting up their own businesses or continued their professional practice on a freelance or self-employed basis.

Further information

lda-hide-empty