Love fashion? What if you could help transform the entire industry?
When people think of the fashion industry, they often picture designers, catwalks and the latest collections.
In reality, behind every successful fashion brand is a wide range of professionals who build brands, analyse consumer behaviour, develop more sustainable business models and make decisions about what products are made, where they are produced and how they reach consumers.
To educate these future professionals, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences is launching a new English-taught Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Fashion Business Management. Applications for the programme will open for the first time during the January 2027 joint application period, and the studies will begin in autumn 2027.
Fashion is about much more than clothes
Fashion shapes how people express themselves, build their identities and make purchasing decisions.
"Fashion is not superficial. It is culture, communication and influence. Through fashion, people express their values, identities and sense of belonging," say Senior Lecturers Päivi Lonka and Pauliina Westman, who have designed the brand new degree programme.
If you are curious about why consumers choose certain products, how successful brands are built or how the fashion industry can become more sustainable, this programme is designed for you.
Where creativity meets business
One thing is important to understand from the start: Sustainable Fashion Business Management is not a traditional fashion design degree.
Instead, the programme focuses on profitable business, consumer insights, branding, international markets and sustainability.
"We want to educate professionals who understand the fashion industry as a whole and can drive meaningful change. The graduates will work closely with designers, but their role is to turn products, services and ideas into successful businesses," Lonka and Westman explain.
Learn to understand tomorrow's consumers
The fashion industry is constantly evolving, and so are the expectations of consumers.
Successful companies need professionals who understand consumer behaviour, can build strong brands, leverage data and digital technologies, and develop sustainable business models that create long-term value.
Throughout the degree programme, you will explore international fashion business, branding and marketing, consumer insights, trend forecasting, global sourcing and data-driven decision-making. Rather than simply responding to change, you will learn how to anticipate trends and help shape the future of the industry.
The goal is not simply to follow change in the fashion industry, but to help shape its future, Lonka and Westman underline.
Study in an international environment in Helsinki
The degree programme is taught entirely in English at Metropolia's Arabia Campus in Helsinki, one of Finland's leading hubs for creative industries.
From day one, you will study in a truly international learning environment while building valuable professional networks with companies in Finland and around the world.
Teaching is delivered by experienced experts in fashion, textiles and business who combine academic expertise with extensive industry experience. Throughout the studies, guest lecturers and professionals from leading fashion companies bring the latest industry insights and real-world perspectives into the classroom.
Lonka and Westman emphasise that the programme is strongly practice-oriented. Students work on real business challenges in project assignments, and many courses are developed in collaboration with industry partners.
The degree programme also includes two practical internships, allowing students to apply their knowledge in professional settings while building valuable career connections. Exchange studies at partner universities around the world and internships with international companies are also available during the programme.
As fashion is a global industry, graduates will be prepared for careers both in Finland and internationally. Through practical projects, internships, close industry collaboration and an international study environment, students graduate with the skills, experience and confidence to build careers at the intersection of fashion, sustainability and business.
Help shape the future of fashion
This degree programme is ideal for anyone who sees fashion as an opportunity to create a more sustainable and commercially successful future for the industry.
It is designed for students who want to understand fashion beyond products and trends and are interested in business, branding and consumer behaviour, the foundations for building meaningful brands and engaged communities.
The degree programme is also an excellent choice for anyone interested in sustainability, international business and shaping the future of the fashion industry. It is particularly suited to curious, ambitious individuals who enjoy both creative thinking and analytical problem-solving.
As a graduate, you may work in areas such as brand development, marketing, sourcing and procurement, sustainability, supply chain management, trend analysis or international business. With a strong combination of business expertise, industry knowledge and practical experience, you will be ready to create value for organisations operating in an international environment.