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Visual Merchandising, Styling and Promotion Top-up Year – BA (Hons)

Course Code

ARDE601A.HU

Start Date

08/09/2025

End Date

19/06/2026

Location

Ware Campus

Study Mode

Full Time

The Visual Merchandising, Styling and Promotion Top-up Year – BA (Hons)
Level 6 programme is validated by the University of Hertfordshire.

UCAS Code: W202
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.

Students on this course will master a wide range of industry skill, including retail display, fashion styling and promotion, fashion branded spaces and graphic design. Students will also develop expertise in visual merchandising, digital visual merchandising, spatial design, and branding practices through a curriculum that explores the design process from conceptualisation through to realisation. The course also gives students the opportunity to take part in industry live briefs with local community businesses, organisations, groups, and head offices as well as prestigious national and international competitions and work placements from leading retail brands.

Whether it is in a physical or digital space, successful visual merchandising is an essential part of the retail environment. It defines a brand’s image and creates memorable and engaging customer experiences across multiple channels, ultimately driving sales.

This Top-Up Degree is the final year (Level 6) of an undergraduate degree course and allows students who have a Foundation Degree, Higher National Diploma, or equivalent qualification, to top up their existing qualification to a full BA (Hons) degree.

This Top-Up Degree will equip you with skills in these key areas, ensuring you have the necessary knowledge and understanding to guarantee a greater likelihood of employment within the retail industry, while showcasing your creativity to any employer.

This programme is unique; there are a limited number of Degree Level Visual Merchandising programmes in the UK. Hertford Regional College currently offers a Foundation Degree in Visual Merchandising and having over 50 years’ experience in running Visual Merchandising programmes is already recognised as a UK ‘Centre of Excellence’ by the British Display Society.

The College Ware Campus is located just outside the retail epicentre of London, offering students access to luxury department stores, high street flagship stores, top design and branding agencies, museums, and exhibition centres, therefore providing opportunities for work placements and participation in live briefs at some of the world’s most highly regarded locations.

What will I be doing?

On the Top-Up Year Visual Merchandising, Styling and Promotion (Level 6) you will explore critical tools which is utilised within the retail industry from high street to luxury brands, and across all channels including websites, social media, pop ups, photographic shoots and campaign images, events, fashion styling and so much more. These aspects are all integral to the success of a brand – by understanding both its identity and increasing its commerciality. Teaching consists of combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, tutorials, industry guest speakers, presentations, practical assignments, and written work. You will need to self-directed independent study to consolidate your learning and to broaden your knowledge and understanding of the subject. You will have opportunities for collaboration with other students on the programme and you are also encouraged to independently negotiate and organise your own work placement opportunities to gain industry relevant knowledge and practice by working with a prestigious company. This will enhance your employability by offering valuable experience and contacts within the industry.Modules of study for the BA Visual Merchandising, Styling and Promotion programme are:Level 6 (Year Three)Semester A Modules

Professional Practice – 30 Credits
Styling and Product Presentation – 30 Credits

Semester B Module

Final Major Project Visual Merchandising – 60 Credits

At the end of the course you will be expected to create a professional portfolio of work to gain employment operating at a high level or for further study at a MA Level.

How will I be assessed?

This programme is assessed from 100% coursework consisting of both practical and theoretical assignments. A sustained body of creative work forms the basis of assessment, supported by written documentation and practical assignments. Assessment is continuous throughout this programme to help you measure your progress in your subject, using a wide variety of assessment types, such as formative and summative assessments, which align with the programme’s learning outcomes. There will also be self and peer assessments, with the University of Hertfordshire Exam Board reviewing and approving the final grades at the end of each semester. The work is graded using ‘The 19-point scale,’ with final grade classifications of 1st Class Honours (UG), Upper 2nd Class Honours (UG), Lower 2nd Class Honours, and 3rd Class Honours/Pass, according to the University of Hertfordshire School-Level Undergraduate Grading Criteria.

What do I need to bring?

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

Entry Requirements

Successful completion of Foundation Degree/HND in a design discipline such as Visual Merchandising, Three-dimensional Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Photography, Fashion Business and Retail, Fashion and Textile, and Promotion.Provide evidence of Transcript at Level 4 and 5 from either a Foundation Degree, HND or BA (Hons) course. An interview or presentation of portfolio may also be required.How to Apply?Applications are via UCAS to the University of Hertfordshire. Please use the below codes:

UCAS code: W202
Institution code: H36 (University of Hertfordshire)
Campus code: H (Hertford Regional College)

Please click here for the UCAS application form.

Fee information

£8250 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-financeTuition 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 will have 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 dedicated studio spaces, specialists’ workshops, Mac/PC suites, professional-quality photography studio and industry-standard resources. 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 there is an international study trip, as well as national study trips and visits to businesses, agencies, retailers, museums, and galleries. These visits are not mandatory, and the costs will be additional to the course fee. Students will be given sufficient notice to budget for these events. There is the opportunity to take part in industry live briefs with local community businesses, organisations, groups, and head offices as well as prestigious national and international competitions and work placements from leading retail brands.We are exceptionally proud to say that Top-up Year Visual Merchandising – BA (Hons), Styling and Promotion programme is recognised by the British Display Society as a UK ‘Centre of Excellence’. Our graduates may receive the award of ProDip.BDS upon successful completion of the course and have the benefit of membership of the British Display Society whilst studying on the programme.You will also have the opportunity to manage and curate your own exhibitions in our stunning David Gentleman Gallery as well as at external venues.

What can I do next?

Upon successful completion of the course, you have the option to progress onto a Level 7 Master’s degree at the University of Hertfordshire. Alternatively, you can progress onto an appropriate Master’s degree at another institution. After graduating there are a range of career opportunities and roles you can enter within the industry such as Visual Merchandiser, Display Designer, Fashion Stylist, Photo-shoot Stylist, Event Designer, Exhibition Designer, Retail Designer, Interior Designer, Graphic Designer, and freelance Visual Merchandiser.

Further information

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