Master of Arts in Fashion Merchandising
<p>The Master of Arts in Fashion Merchandising at Maseno University is a two-year postgraduate programme offered by the School of Arts and Social Sciences. It combines creative fashion knowledge with commercial and business acumen, preparing graduates for leadership roles in the fashion and retail industry in Kenya and globally.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 118,350 a year at a public institution, Ksh 236,700 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 247,400 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, online, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The programme bridges the gap between fashion design and business management, covering fashion buying, merchandising strategies, retail management, supply chain logistics, and consumer behaviour analysis. Students develop expertise in trend forecasting, visual merchandising, brand management, and fashion marketing.
Core areas of study include textile science, apparel product development, fashion retailing, fashion entrepreneurship, and sustainability in fashion. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications, preparing graduates to navigate the evolving fashion industry landscape in East Africa and beyond.
Students engage with contemporary issues in fashion including e-commerce, digital merchandising, sustainable fashion practices, and the growing influence of African fashion on global markets. Research methodology and a thesis component enable students to conduct original research contributing to fashion merchandising scholarship.
The programme is delivered through full-time and part-time modes at both the Main Campus and Kisumu Campus, accommodating working professionals in the fashion and retail sectors. Teaching methods include studio work, case studies, industry projects, and seminars fostering practical engagement with fashion business challenges.
Graduates are prepared for roles in fashion buying, retail management, brand management, visual merchandising, fashion marketing, and fashion entrepreneurship. The programme's accreditation by the Commission for University Education ensures recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region.
Skills Required
- Fashion Merchandising
- Retail Management
- Fashion Buying and Planning
- Trend Forecasting
- Visual Merchandising
- Fashion Marketing
- Brand Management
- Textile Science
- Supply Chain Management in Fashion
- Fashion Entrepreneurship
Key Subjects
- Fashion Merchandising and Buying
- Retail Management
- Textile Science and Fabric Technology
- Fashion Marketing and Branding
- Visual Merchandising
- Consumer Behaviour in Fashion
- Fashion Entrepreneurship
- Supply Chain Management in Apparel
- Trend Forecasting and Analysis
- Sustainable Fashion Practices
Certifications
- Textile Institute Chartered Membership
- Council of International Fashion Designers Certification
Specializations
Fashion Buying and Merchandising
Focuses on the buying process, assortment planning, pricing strategies, and merchandise management for fashion retail operations.
Retail Management
Covers retail operations, store management, customer experience design, and omnichannel retail strategies in the fashion sector.
Fashion Marketing and Branding
Examines fashion brand management, marketing communications, digital marketing, and consumer behaviour in the fashion industry.
Visual Merchandising
Focuses on visual presentation techniques, store layout design, window displays, and creating compelling visual narratives for fashion retail.
Sustainable Fashion
Addresses sustainability challenges in the fashion industry, including ethical sourcing, circular fashion, and sustainable production practices.
Fashion Entrepreneurship
Covers business planning, fashion venture creation, brand development, and entrepreneurial strategies for fashion industry startups.
Textile and Apparel Product Development
Focuses on textile science, apparel design processes, product development cycles, and quality control in fashion manufacturing.
Digital Fashion and E-Commerce
Examines e-commerce strategies, digital merchandising, social media marketing, and technology applications in the fashion industry.
What you study
10 subjects- Fashion Merchandising and Buying
- Retail Management
- Textile Science and Fabric Technology
- Fashion Marketing and Branding
- Visual Merchandising
- Consumer Behaviour in Fashion
- Fashion Entrepreneurship
- Supply Chain Management in Apparel
- Trend Forecasting and Analysis
- Sustainable Fashion Practices
Modules
11 in the programmeFashion Merchandising and Buying
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the fashion buying process, assortment planning, pricing strategies, and merchandise management for retail operations.
Retail Management in Fashion
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines retail operations, store management, customer experience design, and omnichannel retail strategies in the fashion sector.
Textile Science and Fabric Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers textile fibres, fabric construction, dyeing and finishing processes, and quality assessment for fashion merchandising applications.
Fashion Marketing and Branding
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines fashion brand management, marketing communications, digital marketing strategies, and consumer behaviour in the fashion industry.
Visual Merchandising
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers visual presentation techniques, store layout design, window displays, and creating compelling visual narratives for fashion retail spaces.
Research Methods in Fashion
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Develops research skills for conducting original research in fashion merchandising, including market research methodologies and data analysis techniques.
Consumer Behaviour in Fashion
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines consumer decision-making processes, fashion adoption behaviour, and cultural influences on fashion consumption patterns.
Fashion Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Covers business planning, fashion venture creation, brand development, and entrepreneurial strategies for fashion industry startups.
Sustainable Fashion Practices
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Addresses sustainability challenges in the fashion industry, including ethical sourcing, circular fashion, and sustainable production practices.
Trend Forecasting and Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Develops skills in identifying, analysing, and forecasting fashion trends using quantitative and qualitative methods.
Master's Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original research project investigating a fashion merchandising topic, demonstrating scholarly competence and contributing to the field.
Specialisations
Fashion Buying and Merchandising
Focuses on the buying process, assortment planning, pricing strategies, and merchandise management for fashion retail operations.
Retail Management
Covers retail operations, store management, customer experience design, and omnichannel retail strategies in the fashion sector.
Fashion Marketing and Branding
Examines fashion brand management, marketing communications, digital marketing, and consumer behaviour in the fashion industry.
Visual Merchandising
Focuses on visual presentation techniques, store layout design, window displays, and creating compelling visual narratives for fashion retail.
Sustainable Fashion
Addresses sustainability challenges in the fashion industry, including ethical sourcing, circular fashion, and sustainable production practices.
Fashion Entrepreneurship
Covers business planning, fashion venture creation, brand development, and entrepreneurial strategies for fashion industry startups.
Textile and Apparel Product Development
Focuses on textile science, apparel design processes, product development cycles, and quality control in fashion manufacturing.
Digital Fashion and E-Commerce
Examines e-commerce strategies, digital merchandising, social media marketing, and technology applications in the fashion industry.
A day as a student
A typical day involves attending lectures on fashion merchandising, retail management, or textile science at the School of Arts and Social Sciences. Students engage in studio work creating visual merchandising displays, analyse case studies of fashion retail strategies, and participate in group projects on trend forecasting and brand management. Those in the research phase spend time conducting market research, analysing consumer behaviour data, and working on their thesis under faculty supervision.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Unique programme combining fashion knowledge with business and merchandising skills, addressing a gap in Kenya's fashion education landscape. | Only one institution in Kenya offers this exact programme, limiting choice and geographic accessibility. |
| Offered at Maseno University, a public university with competitive fee rates compared to private fashion institutions. | Detailed curriculum modules are not publicly available on the university website, requiring prospective students to contact the department for full syllabus information. |
| Available in full-time, part-time, and e-Campus modes, accommodating working professionals in the fashion and retail sectors. | Fashion merchandising is a relatively niche field in Kenya, with career opportunities concentrated in Nairobi and major urban centres. |
| Kenya's fashion industry is rapidly growing with increasing demand for qualified merchandising professionals in retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing. | Limited industry partnerships and internship opportunities compared to established fashion schools in Europe or North America. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 73 art and design coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
Maseno118K/yr(yumpu,old struct).Priv:Daystar247K/yr(daystar.ac.ke)
Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, Maseno University postgraduate bursaries for demonstrated financial need, and the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme for academically talented Africans.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
Maseno University Postgraduate Bursary
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Maseno University Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Postgraduate students demonstrating financial need at Maseno University.
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
Academically talented young Africans facing economic, social, or institutional barriers.
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Holders of a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant field with at least one year of experience may be considered. The University Senate recognises equivalent qualifications from accredited institutions.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Maseno University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Africa Nazarene University.
Including Maseno University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Africa Nazarene University.
Including Maseno University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Africa Nazarene University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, studio projects, case study analyses, and group assignments conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering all module content, including essay questions and practical merchandising scenarios.
Master's Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research project assessed through written submission and oral defence, demonstrating scholarly competence in fashion merchandising.
Studio and Practical Projects
Coursework30% of the mark
Practical projects including visual merchandising displays, merchandise plans, and fashion brand strategies assessed through portfolio submission.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
Textile Institute
Professional certification
Global professional body for textiles, clothing, and footwear. Chartered membership recommended for professional practice.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Maseno University.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesFashion Merchandiser
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 160,000
Manages merchandise selection, pricing, and inventory for fashion retail operations. Average salary approximately KES 102,000 per month in Kenya.
Fashion Retail Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 180,000
Oversees retail store operations, staff management, and customer experience in fashion retail outlets and department stores.
Fashion Buyer
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 200,000
Selects and purchases merchandise for retail fashion businesses, analysing trends, negotiating with suppliers, and managing product assortments.
Brand Manager — Fashion
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 220,000
Develops and manages fashion brand strategies, overseeing brand positioning, marketing communications, and brand equity in competitive markets.
Visual Merchandiser
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000
Creates visual displays and store layouts for fashion retailers, enhancing customer experience and driving sales through strategic visual presentation.
Fashion Entrepreneur
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 300,000
Establishes and runs fashion businesses including boutiques, fashion labels, online stores, and fashion consultancy services. Earnings vary widely based on business success.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue roles in fashion buying, retail management, brand management, visual merchandising, fashion marketing, and fashion entrepreneurship across Kenya's growing fashion and retail sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
- Montessori EducatorEducation15Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Adobe Creative Suite
SoftwarePrimary
Design software including Illustrator and Photoshop for visual merchandising, brand materials, and fashion presentation.
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Used for merchandise planning, inventory management, sales analysis, and financial modelling in fashion retail.
Shopify
Platform
E-commerce platform for fashion retail, enabling online store creation and digital merchandising.
Google Analytics
Platform
Web analytics tool for tracking e-commerce performance, consumer behaviour, and digital marketing effectiveness in fashion retail.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Fashion merchandising is just about designing clothes.
The programme focuses on the business side of fashion, including buying, retail management, marketing, supply chain, and brand strategy, not just design.
A career in fashion merchandising is not lucrative in Kenya.
Fashion merchandisers in Kenya earn an average of KES 102,000 per month, with experienced professionals earning up to KES 160,000 per month, according to salary data from worldsalaries.com.
Fashion merchandising has limited career options.
Graduates pursue diverse roles including fashion buying, retail management, brand management, visual merchandising, fashion marketing, trend forecasting, and fashion entrepreneurship.
The programme is only for those with a fashion design background.
The programme accepts graduates with bachelor's degrees in relevant fields, including business, marketing, textiles, and design-related disciplines.
Fashion merchandising is irrelevant in the digital age.
The programme addresses e-commerce, digital merchandising, social media marketing, and the growing intersection of technology and fashion retail.
The Kenyan fashion industry is too small to support career growth.
Kenya's fashion industry is rapidly evolving with growing local and international markets, supported by government initiatives through the Kenya Fashion Council and EPZ manufacturing.