Department of Fashion, Marketing, Tourism and Events

The Department of Fashion, Marketing, Tourism and Events (FMTE) has a distinctive emphasis on vocational areas related to consumer lifestyles, products, experiences and activities. With a portfolio of seven courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, FMTE is well established and known for its business expertise, creativity and academic competence relating to the needs of associated industry and sector areas. The staff comprises academics and practitioners with a focus on ‘real-world’ teaching, research, business and community engagement.

FMTE staff work with external organisations to enhance the student experience and to develop a strong profile of graduate attributes, industry-relevant abilities, business acumen and well-developed interpersonal and communication skills. Graduates are therefore equipped with distinctive knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of today’s global business environment and gain relevant experience by working with companies on live projects and placements as well as engaging in study trips, learning journeys, master classes, competitions and collaboration with public, private and third sector organisations. This is endorsed by professional body memberships and accreditations.

Fashion at Glasgow Caledonian was established almost 100 years ago in the former Queen’s College and the department offers a well-established portfolio of fashion courses that combine theoretical learning and practical experience to give graduates the creative, entrepreneurial and practical skills required to become leaders in the business of fashion, whether in design, management, manufacturing, branding/marketing or merchandising. The fashion studios are equipped with industry-standard facilities for fashion design, CAD and production and an annual showcase event profiles students’ work in fashion design, branding and marketing.

Accreditations

Marketing is offered at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and is distinguished in FMTE by the applied aspects and input from industry. The Marketing course and MSc International Fashion Marketing are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) allowing students exemption from one of the three modules required for the professional diploma. The department also works closely with the Marketing Society Scotland (MS) which provides workshops, mentoring and competition opportunities and supports the student-led GCU Marketing Society (MACU).

International Tourism and Events Management is offered at undergraduate and postgraduate levels where it is ranked first in Scotland and fourth in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2021 league tables. Teaching is delivered by a research-active team including staff from the Glasgow Caledonian University Moffat Centre for travel and tourism research and business development. Students gain experience through company-sponsored projects, learning journeys and participation in events.

Research

The department research group, ‘Consumer Lifestyles and Experiences’, explores interdisciplinary themes of fashion, marketing, events, tourism, retailing and food with a focus on consumer lifestyles and experiences. Research is underpinned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and is disseminated at international conferences (Global Fashion Conference; Academy of Marketing) and in international academic journals. Research themes include sustainability in primary and redistribution markets; ideology and ethical practice; co-creation, volunteering and community initiatives; retailing; customer engagement; social and digital marketing, branding and internationalisation; creative process, identities and the body; and spaces for consumption and experience.

Recent examples of research activities are:

• Participation of 4 FMTE staff in the World Design Capital – future of Fashion - Valencia –October 2022
• SFES Sustainable Fashion Employability Skills ERASMUS+ project led by FMTE staff
• FMTE will host the Global Fashion Conference at GCU in November 2023

Explore our research

Meet the department

Our teaching and support staff are here to help.

For course and programme enquiries:

T: +44 (0) 141 331 8630

E:  studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk