Master's Degree in Fashion Management (MSc) | SKEMA
Looking to turn your interest in fashion and luxury into an international business career? SKEMA Business School's Master's Degree in Fashion Management, the MSc Luxury & Fashion Management, develops the strategic, marketing and managerial skills needed to work with leading brands in two fast-moving global industries.
Taught entirely in English at SKEMA's Sophia Antipolis campus in the south of France, the program combines academic expertise, hands-on learning and direct exposure to fashion and luxury professionals. Students explore how brands are built, positioned, communicated and distributed, while developing a deeper understanding of consumer behavior, retail, design, innovation and sustainability.
What is a master's degree in fashion management?
A master's degree in fashion management is a postgraduate business program designed for students who want to manage brands, products and customer experiences within the fashion and luxury industries.
Rather than focusing primarily on garment creation, pattern cutting or production, fashion management looks at the business behind a brand: marketing, communication, branding, retail, distribution, merchandising, pricing, innovation and international development. It can apply to businesses ranging from ready-to-wear, knitwear and accessory brands to cosmetics, jewelry, hospitality and other luxury sectors.
The aim is to prepare graduates for positions where creative vision meets commercial strategy.
A master in fashion management therefore differs from a specialized fashion design degree. It also differs from a luxury marketing master's, which tends to focus more specifically on marketing and communication, and from a general luxury management degree, which may cover a wider portfolio of industries.
SKEMA's MSc Luxury and Fashion Management deliberately combines both dimensions. Its international approach reflects an industry characterized by global branding and communication, cross-border ownership and international manufacturing and distribution.
Based at Sophia Antipolis, close to Cannes and Monaco and within reach of major European fashion hubs such as Milan, the program offers a distinctive environment in which to study both fashion and luxury.
Why choose SKEMA's Master's Degree in Fashion Management (MSc)?
SKEMA's Master's Degree in Fashion Management combines business school expertise with specialized knowledge of fashion and luxury.
The MSc Luxury & Fashion Management ranks 5th worldwide in the 2026 Eduniversal Best Masters Ranking for Fashion Management. SKEMA also holds major international accreditations, including AACSB and EQUIS, alongside EFMD accreditation and EESPIG recognition in France.
The teaching approach combines academic rigor with practical industry experience. Students have regular access to specialists who bring both academic expertise and in-company experience, while courses are complemented by presentations and seminars from professionals working in fashion and luxury.
Career outcomes are another key strength. According to SKEMA Talent & Careers' survey of the MSc class of 2024, the program recorded a 100% net employment rate within six months, while 60% of graduates work outside their home country.
Graduates have joined companies and maisons including LVMH, Hermès, Cartier, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, Bulgari, L'Oréal and Saint Laurent. Students also gain access to SKEMA Alumni, an international network of more than 63,000 graduates in over 145 countries.
Who is the Master's Degree in Fashion Management for?
The master's degree in fashion management is aimed at candidates who want to build a career in the business side of fashion and luxury.
Students may come from backgrounds such as marketing, management, business, design, applied arts or the humanities. A previous fashion degree is not required: the MSc can also provide a route into the sector for candidates studying or working outside art, fashion and luxury.
The program is particularly relevant for candidates interested in branding, retail, communication, product development and premium customer experience, and for those targeting industries including fashion, leather goods, cosmetics, fragrance, watches and jewelry, beauty or luxury hospitality.
International profiles are strongly represented, creating opportunities to learn in a multicultural environment and develop cross-cultural professional skills.
Admission depends on the chosen track.
- The Two-Year MSc is open to applicants holding a three-year university degree or equivalent, representing 180 ECTS or RNCP level 6.
- The One-Year MSc requires a four-year university degree or equivalent, representing 240 ECTS or RNCP level 7, plus at least two months of professional experience or internship.
SKEMA also provides tailored arrangements for high-level athletes, including timetable flexibility, adapted internship and examination arrangements and recognition of sporting commitment through three additional ECTS credits.
What skills does a master's degree in fashion management develop?
A fashion management master's program develops the ability to understand both the creative identity of a brand and the strategic decisions behind its commercial development.
Students strengthen their expertise in fashion and luxury brand management, international marketing, integrated communication and advanced advertising. They also learn to address pricing, distribution, retail management and merchandising challenges.
Consumer analysis is another major component. Students examine trends, changing expectations and purchasing behavior to understand how brands can create relevant products and differentiated customer experiences.
The program also connects design and innovation with management. This helps future managers communicate effectively with creative teams while assessing the commercial, strategic and financial implications of new products and services.
Sustainability and responsible value creation are integrated into the curriculum, reflecting the transformations reshaping the global fashion and luxury industry.
What subjects are taught in the Master's Degree in Fashion Management?
The Master's Degree in Fashion Management combines specialized business courses with a strong focus on fashion and luxury.
Semester one includes subjects such as:
- Global Luxury & Fashion,
- International Marketing Strategies for Luxury & Fashion Goods,
- Design and Innovation,
- Integrated Luxury and Fashion Communication,
- Fashion & Brand Management,
- State of the Art in Fashion and Luxury,
- Retail and Luxury Analytics,
- Regulatory Issues in the Luxury Industry.
During semester two, students study:
- Growth Strategies in Luxury & Fashion,
- Value Management and Marketing,
- Pricing,
- Distribution & Retail in Luxury and Fashion,
- Consumer Trends and their Impact on Marketing Strategies,
- Finance and Accountability in Luxury and Fashion,
- Sustainable value creation,
- Creation in the Luxury Industry,
- How to Build a Brand, Advanced Advertising Strategies,
- Advanced Service Management in the Luxury Industry.
These courses help students build a broad portfolio of managerial skills rather than specialize in one narrow function.
The academic year represents 90 ECTS: 30 credits in semester one, 30 in semester two and 30 for the dissertation.
Format, duration and organization of the MSc Luxury & Fashion Management
The MSc Luxury and Fashion Management is a full-time program delivered entirely in English at SKEMA's Sophia Antipolis campus in France.
Depending on previous studies, students can join either the One-Year MSc or the Two-Year MSc. The specialized academic year consists of two semesters of courses followed by the dissertation and professional experience.
The program places considerable emphasis on applied learning. Industry experts contribute to courses, seminars and professional activities, helping students connect theory with current business practices. The professional orientation of the MSc is designed to ensure graduates are operational when entering the employment market, while internships can lead directly to employment opportunities.
Students graduate with a Master of Science degree and the Diploma of Specialised Studies in International Management (DESMI), a qualification recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education at master's level and registered under RNCP no. 41056.
Career opportunities after a master's degree in fashion management
A master's degree in fashion management can lead to a wide range of careers across fashion, luxury and premium industries.
Typical opportunities include Brand Manager or Brand Director, Marketing Manager, Communication Manager, Advertising Manager, Retail Manager, Boutique or Store Manager, Merchandising Manager, Buyer, Sourcing Manager, Product Manager, Innovation Manager, Distribution Manager, Luxury Brand Strategy Consultant and positions in finance or budgeting.
Graduates can also work alongside creative professionals in areas such as product creation, design strategy and brand identity. SKEMA's program prepares students for strategic, analytical, marketing and planning roles as well as positions linked to sourcing, merchandising and advertising.
Recruiting sectors extend beyond fashion itself to leather goods, watches and jewelry, cosmetics, fragrance, beauty, luxury hospitality and premium retail. Graduates have joined brands including BA&SH, Bulgari, Cartier, Dior, Hermès, Kitsuné, L'Oréal, Patek Philippe, Polène, Rouje and Saint Laurent.
This breadth also makes the degree relevant to candidates interested in international career opportunities across different luxury industries.
What to study after a master's degree in fashion management?
The master's degree in luxury and fashion is primarily designed for professional employment, but graduates can choose to continue their studies.
Some may develop an additional specialization in areas such as sustainable luxury, digital fashion or luxury hospitality, or consider an MBA later in their career once they have gained more substantial professional experience.
Professional certifications in fields such as digital marketing, Salesforce CRM, retail, branding or advertising platforms can also complement the degree and support continuous skills development throughout a career.
How to apply for the Master's Degree in Fashion Management?
Applications for SKEMA's Master's Degree in Fashion Management are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis. Because the number of places is limited, candidates are advised to apply early.
- For the Two-Year MSc, applicants must hold a three-year university degree or equivalent, representing 180 ECTS or RNCP level 6.
- The One-Year MSc requires a four-year university degree or equivalent, representing 240 ECTS or RNCP level 7, together with a minimum of two months of professional experience or internship.
An English-language test is required unless the candidate qualifies for an exemption. SKEMA currently accepts several tests, including TOEIC and Duolingo English Test; applicants should consult the latest admissions requirements before submitting their application.
Applications are submitted online through MySKEMApply. The application is assessed on academic performance, motivation and the candidate's objectives in relation to the program. Selected applicants are then invited to an interview.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, tuition fees are €22,000 for the One-Year MSc and €41,000 for the Two-Year MSc. A €500 service fee is added for each year of study, together with a non-refundable €100 application fee.
SKEMA offers information on scholarships, bank partnerships, student jobs and financial support, including specific support for high-level athletes. International applicants can contact financialaid@skema.edu for further information.
Frequently asked questions about the master's degree in fashion management
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No. Students can come from business, marketing, management, design, humanities or other academic backgrounds. The MSc is also designed to provide opportunities for candidates who want to change career direction and enter the fashion or luxury industry.
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A master's in fashion management focuses more specifically on fashion-related brand strategy, retail, merchandising, product development and marketing. Luxury management covers a broader range of sectors, which can include fashion but also hospitality, jewelry, cosmetics, wines and spirits and other premium industries. SKEMA's MSc combines both perspectives.
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Fashion management describes the field of study. An MSc is a specialized postgraduate degree, generally suited to recent graduates or early-career professionals seeking expertise in a specific sector. An MBA is a broader management qualification usually designed for professionals with more substantial work experience.
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Sophia Antipolis offers an international study environment in the south of France, close to Cannes and Monaco and connected to the wider European luxury and fashion ecosystem. The program also draws on its location to create links between academic study and the professional sector.
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The current SKEMA admissions requirements for this MSc do not list the GMAT or GRE as mandatory tests. Candidates should check the latest requirements before applying.
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Graduates can pursue careers in brand management, marketing, communication, retail, merchandising, buying, sourcing, distribution or strategy for international fashion and luxury companies. SKEMA's employment survey also shows that 60% of MSc graduates from the class of 2024 work outside their home country.