Master (MSc) Product Management Fashion & Textiles
- Duration: 1.5 years, 1st sem. Distance Learning, 2nd sem. Full time, 3rd sem. Major Project
- Start: August each year
- Location: Wattwil and Zurich / Switzerland
- Costs: CHF 15'300.-
- Course description for download (PDF, 94 KB)
- Study guide (PDF, 187KB)
- Time table (PDF, 27KB)
Aims and special Features of the Master's Programme
Product management means meeting the challenges of today's dynamic, economic changes within international markets. The variety of products continues to increase, while product life cycles grow ever shorter under increasing cost pressure. Customers' buying habits are changing and so are the markets and the business environment.
A holistic mindset is required in order to be successful in this challenging field. This includes knowledge about the sales and procurement market, trends, desires and needs of customers, a willingness to research, methodical product development skills and knowledge of the possibilites inherent within manufacturing. In product management, the interplay between customers, suppliers, developers, designers and producers is coordinated by means of close collaboration. Today, the ideas deriving from product management are mostly implemented in project work.
The technical specialisation prepares graduates for a demanding career in product management, where they can expect to perform managerial functions and assume responsibility for interdisciplinary projects in companies throughout the textile and fashion industry. The programme focuses on the following objectives in particular:
- Strategic thinking and acting in the field of design and development in the textile and clothing sector
- Leading and promoting interdisciplinary cooperation, communicating effectively while at the same time acting responsibly and prudently
- Independently developing a sound knowledge of design and textile and/or clothing production in accordance with the objectives
- The ability to apply enhanced knowledge and extensive technical know-how in a systematic and target-oriented manner
- Target-oriented application of methods in the field of research and development, as well as evaluation and assessment of the research results and the creation of new hypotheses
- Using target-oriented project management in a team to achieve cross-divisional action, while thinking in a joined-up manner and analysing, evaluating and implementing interdisciplinary connections in their entirety
- Independently obtaining and evaluating current market knowledge in the textile industry
- Understanding how to deal confidently with the issues of ethics, different cultures and sustainability as part of an entrepreneurial mindset
- A creative mindset based on sound technical knowledge enables graduates to have a direct influence upon product development
The overriding objective of the Master's programme is to familiarise graduates with various methods, tools, models and mindsets. They should be able to hold competent technical discussions with experts from the fields of marketing, production and research, and bring about decisions contributing to the success of the company.
Career prospects
Graduates from the master's programme work in companies throughout the entire textile and fashion industry, on both the retail and production sides. They design, develop or organise products and ranges, decide on collections and work in, or closely with, research & development teams. They often work:
- as sales/product managers or junior product managers
- as brand managers
- as product engineers
- as category managers
- in the area of design and development/construction
- as project managers
- in R&D
Nearly all divisions within companies as well as their customers, are closely connected to product management. Product management is responsible for everything relating to a product or a product group/collection and is therefore crucial for the success of a product line and the company. Both the textile and clothing industry and the retail trade depend heavily on product management, and it has gained in influence and significance in recent years.
Course elements
In the first semester of the programme, the principles and models of business management are analysed, evaluated and applied (innovation and change management, marketing and sourcing). Students who have completed technical courses (fashion or textile technology/chemistry) have the opportunity of expanding their knowledge and learn about the transfer of theory into practice.
The first semester is based on the "Long Distance Support System" (LDSS) which the Swiss Textile College uses. The well-balanced system is primarily made up of four tools, which complement each other context- and methodology-wise.
Sources
- chosen literature
- complementary scripts of the lecturers
- Internet
Aims
- precise outline via learning targets
- content of modules in learning steps based on each other
- increasing complexity of questions and aims
Learning Methods
- introduction into the fields of study via video lesson
- autonomous study according to STC guiding rules
- reflection via chat / forum on the STC platform
- tests and formative assignments via platform
- individual e-mail correspondance
Activity Confirmation
- exams to be sat in Switzerland
- short presentations via the Internet
- online-tests
During the LDSS phase students must be employed in a relevant branch for at least 50%. The vocational training is part of the study. It allows the sudents to project their newly acquired theoretical knowledge unto the practical tasks undertaken in their job, thus undergoing active reflection. This practical relevance enhances and deepens the newly-won insights.
The second semester focuses on implementing and strengthening this knowledge in a field of the student's choice. The information and skills learned will be applied to practical problems from the textile industry in the form of case sutdies and project work. The "process management" and "Customer Relationship Management (CRM)" course content and the case studies highlight the integrated and holistic aspects. The students can also select a required elective in either textiles or fashion to learn more about their subject. This elective focuses in particular upon encouraging and trading methodical R&D work.
Sources
- chosen literature
- complementary scripts of the lecturers
- Internet
- comprehensive and modern machine park (textile & fashion)
- test and development laboratories
- CAD- and creative studios
Aims
- precise outline via learning targets
- content of modules in learning steps based on each other
- increasing complexity of questions and aims
- finding solutions autonomously for complex problems is trained in projects
Learning Methods
- introduction into subject via lessons
- in-house training programme according to STC guiding rules
- reflection and feedback in groups and individual meetings
- project work with evaluation of outcome
- excursions
Activity Confirmation
- exams to be sat in Switzerland
- presentation of project works
- hands-on tasks
The students write a Master's thesis during the third semester. This includes the planning and implementation of a project in the field of product management in fashion & textiles, using a scientific approach and considering issues of sustainability.
The teaching is supplemented by interdisciplinary cooperation between experts with different ranges of knowledge, leading partner institutes from within industry, external companies and research institutes. Excursions to industry partners and institutions both in Switzerland and abroad guarantee closeness to the industry in practice. The European excursions and the interaction between students from different cultures are an important element of the degree course. The course is rounded off by external speakers from industry and retail talking about selected current issues.
Participants
This Master's programme is aimed at people who
- have already obtained a higher qualification in the technology domain and wish to learn more about product development and marketing
- already hold a position in the field of production management and would like to enhance their skills
- have already obtained a higher qualification in the textile / fashion industry and wish to obtain additional qualifications in business management and product management
- have already obtained a higher qualification in business management and wish to obtain additional qualifications in textiles and fashion, particularly in the area of product development
Course prerequisites
- Bachelor's degree in textile technology, textile chemistry, design or management, quality indicator level A-C
- Equivalent educational background with at least 8 years of successful practical experience in relation to product management in fashion / textiles in the broadest sense
An aptitude test by the admissions board for the programme and successful completion of any courses required to fill in knowledge gaps may be required for participation in the programme.
