Santa Clara University

What you'll study

The programme blends rigorous marketing fundamentals with modules tailored to the fashion sector and international business. Core topics typically include consumer behaviour, brand management, digital marketing and marketing analytics. Fashion-focused studies cover global fashion marketing strategy, international retail channels, product development and assortment planning, global sourcing and supply-chain management, and sustainability and ethical practice in fashion.

Students also learn practical skills in e-commerce, social media and influencer marketing for fashion brands, pricing and promotion strategies for seasonal product cycles, and visual merchandising and retail experience design. Coursework emphasises applied learning: case studies of global brands, industry-led projects, market-entry strategy simulations and capstone projects that often involve partnerships with fashion houses, retailers or start-ups.

• Core marketing modules: marketing strategy, consumer insights, marketing analytics, digital marketing.
• Fashion-focused modules: international fashion marketing, global supply chains, assortment and merchandising, sustainability in fashion.
• Practical experience: consulting projects, internships, capstone with industry sponsor, workshops on retail tech and e-commerce platforms.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Admissions typically consider academic transcripts, a CV or resume demonstrating relevant experience or interest, a personal statement outlining career goals and fit with the programme, and one or more academic or professional references. Some applicants may be invited to interview.

For applicants whose first language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required through recognised tests or approved institutional alternatives. Prior study or experience in business, marketing, design, retail or fashion is advantageous but not always mandatory; quantitative comfort for analytics modules is required and applicants with limited quantitative background may be asked to complete preparatory coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of roles across fashion houses, global and regional retailers, luxury brands, e-commerce platforms, brand consultancies and start-ups. Typical job titles include fashion brand manager, international marketing manager, product or merchandise manager, buyer, digital commerce manager, retail operations manager and sustainability coordinator. The programme also prepares students for roles in omnichannel retail strategy, influencer marketing and data-driven customer experience design.

Given the programme’s emphasis on practical projects and industry engagement, graduates often leverage internships and capstone collaborations to build industry networks and secure entry-level and mid-level roles. Some alumni pursue entrepreneurial paths, launching direct-to-consumer labels or fashion-tech ventures that combine design with digital platforms.

Why study at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University’s location in Silicon Valley offers unique advantages for a fashion marketing programme: proximity to technology firms, digital marketing agencies and e-commerce innovators supports learning in areas such as platform strategy, analytics and retail technology. The university’s business school emphasises experiential learning, small cohort sizes and close faculty mentoring, so students receive practical exposure to industry challenges and personalised career support.

Students benefit from cross-disciplinary opportunities across business, design and entrepreneurship resources on campus, as well as a network of alumni and corporate partners in both traditional retail and fast-growing fashion-tech sectors. The university’s Jesuit values also underscore an ethical and sustainability-aware approach to business, which aligns with growing industry emphasis on responsible sourcing and social impact in fashion.