The fashion industry is fast-paced, competitive, and constantly evolving. From luxury brands to streetwear labels, success depends not just on creativity but also on business acumen, digital skills, and a global mindset. With consumer trends shifting rapidly and sustainability becoming a growing concern, professionals need more an exacting eye for design and an understanding of the bigger picture.
This is where a postgraduate programme can make a real difference. It gives you a structured space to deepen your knowledge of fashion marketing, supply chain management, and emerging technologies like AI in design or virtual fashion shows. More importantly, a master’s degree is a sure way to expand your network. Your lecturers, mentors, alumni, and peers are likely to be already working in or breaking into the industry. For those switching careers or trying to stand out, this support system and added credibility can open endless opportunities that would otherwise stay shut.
If this is something you’re seeking, then consider these three fashion schools:
Since 2007, the Milan Fashion Institute’s been shaping the future of fashion design in the world’s most fashionable city. Source: Milan Fashion Institute
Milan Fashion Institute
What if a specialised master’s in fashion lands you in the elegant chaos of the Milan Fashion Week? You find yourself standing in The Milano Fashion Hub, presented by the Italian Fashion Council (CNMI) – the historic non-profit organisers of the high-profile Milano Fashion Week. The room beams with neon stairs, hot pink floors, and eclectic pieces. You witness the debut of brands and designers paving the way for industrial, environmental, and social sustainability.
These are the scenes at Milan Fashion Institute (MFI). The MFI students and alumni take centre stage at the events of the fashion week, attending talks and exhibitions. It’s a glamorous opportunity, but such events aren’t rare for the MFI crowd. Not only is it located in the epicentre of luxury and ready-to-wear fashion, but it’s also the business school of CNMI. Students practically meet the world’s foremost leaders in fashion, design, and culture.
MFI runs six Master in Fashion programmes that bring together creative minds from 35 countries to Via Durando 38 to master the essence of Italian craftsmanship: Branding and Communication, Licensing and Luxury Management, Retail Management and Merchandising, Law and Business Management, CSR and Sustainability, and Design Management and Product Development.
Despite the range of disciplines covered, these programmes are built on the same DNA. They are co-designed by CNMI to keep pace with the needs of leading industry brands, whether it’s branding for the digital age or designing products sustainably. The programmes are flexible in structure, combining face-to-face and online learning formats. But no matter your chosen format, you’ll be enriched by MFI’s strong global network. CEOs, fashion designers, operations directors from Milan Fashion Week, and more often come to MFI to deliver a true hands-on experience to students.
It doesn’t stop there, not when Italy is home to 75% of the global luxury fashion supply chain. Many students intern with major Italian brands, allowing them to build a network and make their mark during Milan Fashion Week. With enviable access to the world’s most powerful fashion ecosystem, it’s no surprise that MFI graduates boast a 96% placement rate.
Design your future at the Milan Fashion Institute here.
At London College of Fashion, you’ll gain professional and creative skills through industry projects, work placements, study abroad opportunities, and guest speakers. Source: University of the Arts London/Facebook
University of the Arts London
The global fashion industry is worth US$1.7 trillion, and at London College of Fashion (LCF), it’s the driving force behind everything they do. As part of University of the Arts London (UAL), which ranks second globally for art and design (QS World University Rankings 2025), LCF is widely recognised for shaping the future of fashion education.
Its location in London gives students a distinct advantage. The city is a fashion capital where opportunities constantly unfold, from internships and networking to creative inspiration. With more than a century of history, LCF is deeply connected to London’s style scene, placing students right at the heart of the industry.
This connection to the city complements LCF’s commitment to innovation. Its postgraduate programmes are carefully designed to meet the evolving demands of fashion. Programmes like MA Fashion Marketing and Sustainability, MA Strategic Fashion Marketing, and MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation are updated regularly to stay relevant and industry-focused.
The best part? You’ll learn from professionals who live and breathe fashion. Your lecturers and technicians have real-world experience, and many are still active in the industry. From day one, you’ll be matched with a personal tutor to guide you, helping you connect what you learn to what’s happening in the field right now. With live projects, guest lectures, international study options, and work placements, you’ll gain practical experience as part of your degree.
And when you’re ready to take your next step, the Graduate Futures team is there with one-on-one career support, tailored workshops, and expert advice — so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Parsons School of Design is the number one design school in the US and one of the top three in the world. Source: The New School/Facebook
The New School
As one of the capital cities of fashion, New York is home to many fashion institutions. However, the New School‘s Parsons School of Design is #1 in the US and among the top three globally. It’s known as the school with groundbreaking academic programmes that inspire fashion majors to explore the transformative potential of design. Access, inclusion, equity, and sustainability are what the School of Fashion is fighting for, and these themes are found in its graduate programmes.
The school offers three master’s degrees to learn about fashion from lens of social, economic, and climate justice. These include Fashion Design and Society (MFA), Fashion Management (MPS) – also available online – and Textiles (MFA). It is through these programmes that you learn to challenge power structures, outdated beauty standards, and colonial thinking, while finding ethical ways to adapt and create according to today’s social climate. These programmes are research-led, where you will dive deeper into how the global fashion industry impacts the environment, society, and business.
It helps that the school is located in the heart of New York City. This location allows for partnerships with industry leaders like Kering, Tory Burch, Ganni, Mara Hoffman, Louis Vuitton, Swarovski, UNIQLO, and Woolmark. You can also apply for an internship with some of these brands, enabling you to apply what you have learned in class practically and exposing you to the industry first-hand. This only enriches your learning experience as you understand diverse perspectives and creative networks.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
You might like
