Direct answer
For 2026/27 entry starting September 2026, the University of Manchester requires applicants to the MSc International Fashion Retailing (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) to hold a 2.1 UK Honours degree or equivalent. Preferred academic backgrounds include Marketing, Management, Arts, Fashion, and Social Science. Other backgrounds such as Accounting, Finance, Science, and Engineering are considered where the degree contains substantial management, marketing, or social science content.
For Chinese applicants, a good bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or 80% from a recognised university (preferably a 211 or 985 institution) is required. Alliance Manchester Business School typically requires a 4-year bachelor’s degree with an average of 80–85% for Chinese applicants. English language requirements are IELTS 6.5 overall with no sub-test below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 90 overall with no sub-test below 20, or Pearson PTE 70 overall with no sub-test below 64. Applicants who do not meet the English language scores may need to complete a pre-sessional English language course.
Academic entry requirements
The programme requires a 2.1 UK Honours degree or an equivalent international qualification. The official evidence lists Marketing, Management, Arts, Fashion, and Social Science as the preferred academic backgrounds. Degrees in Accounting, Finance, Science, and Engineering are also considered, provided they contain substantial content in management, marketing, or social science subjects.
China-specific academic requirements
The University of Manchester sets out two layers of academic criteria for Chinese applicants. First, a good bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or 80% from a recognised university is required, with a preference for 211 or 985 institutions. Second, Alliance Manchester Business School, which delivers the programme, typically requires a 4-year bachelor’s degree with an average of 80–85% for Chinese applicants. Both thresholds are drawn directly from the official entry requirements and should be read together.
English language requirements
Three English language tests are accepted with the following minimum scores:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no sub-test below 6.0.
- TOEFL iBT: 90 overall, with no sub-test below 20.
- Pearson PTE: 70 overall, with no sub-test below 64.
Applicants who do not meet these scores may need to complete a pre-sessional English language course, as stated in the official evidence.
How the degree classification equivalence works
The official page provides a UK degree classification (2.1) and a separate equivalence rule for Chinese applicants. It does not publish a percentage of Chinese applicants or a conversion table beyond the stated GPA and percentage thresholds. When assessing your own qualifications, you should refer to the 80% minimum and the 80–85% typical requirement from a recognised university, preferably a 211 or 985 institution.
Pre-sessional English language course
If your English language test scores fall below the published requirements, the official evidence states that you may need to complete a pre-sessional English language course. The evidence does not specify which pre-sessional courses are accepted, their durations, or the exact entry scores for each course. These details require live rechecking on the University of Manchester’s current pre-sessional English language pages.
What still requires live rechecking
The official evidence confirms the core academic and English language entry requirements for 2026/27 entry. The following items are not covered by the supplied evidence and should be verified directly with the university before making any application decisions:
- Whether the programme participates in UCAS Clearing or holds limited or unknown vacancies for 2026/27.
- The specific pre-sessional English language course options, durations, and entry scores.
- Any application deadlines, tuition fee amounts, or deposit requirements.
- Whether the 80–85% typical requirement applies uniformly to all Chinese institutions or varies by institution tier.
FAQ
What is the minimum GPA for Chinese applicants?
The official requirement is a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or 80% from a recognised university, with a preference for 211 or 985 institutions. Alliance Manchester Business School typically requires a 4-year bachelor’s degree with an average of 80–85%.
Which academic backgrounds are preferred?
The preferred backgrounds are Marketing, Management, Arts, Fashion, and Social Science. Degrees in Accounting, Finance, Science, and Engineering are also considered if they contain substantial management, marketing, or social science content.
What English language tests are accepted?
IELTS, TOEFL iBT, and Pearson PTE are accepted. The minimum scores are IELTS 6.5 overall (no sub-test below 6.0), TOEFL iBT 90 overall (no sub-test below 20), and Pearson PTE 70 overall (no sub-test below 64).
Can I take a pre-sessional English course if my scores are lower?
Yes. The official evidence states that applicants who do not meet the English language scores may need to complete a pre-sessional English language course. You must check the university’s current pre-sessional pages for specific course options and entry scores.
Does the programme require a 4-year bachelor’s degree from Chinese applicants?
Alliance Manchester Business School typically requires a 4-year bachelor’s degree with an average of 80–85% for Chinese applicants. This is stated alongside the general requirement of a good bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
Official sources
The entry requirements in this article are drawn from the University of Manchester’s official programme page for MSc International Fashion Retailing (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) 2026/27 entry. All academic and English language criteria, including the China-specific thresholds, are taken directly from that page. For the most current details, always refer to the university’s own website.
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