WELCOME!
The Department of Materials is a leading hub for innovation, education, and research, located in a city with a historic legacy of industrial excellence. Known as Cottonopolis during the Industrial Revolution, Manchester pioneered advancements in textiles, engineering, and materials, shaping global industry.
Manchester – one of the world’s first industrial cities – has long shaped the design and production of materials and textiles.
Known as ‘Cottonopolis’ during the 19th century, the city was a global centre for textiles, with a concentration of mills and manufacturers that revolutionised how fabrics were made and distributed.
The University of Manchester – and our Department of Materials in particular – continues to influence this field. Our researchers, designers, engineers and graduates are advancing new technologies, sustainable practices and design that respond to today’s global challenges.
Our fashion courses sit within the Department of Materials, and combine business-based and analytical learning with a strong industry focus. You’ll explore how marketing, retailing and management theory is applied to the fashion sector, equipping you with the skills to analyse markets, develop strategy and respond to consumer behaviour. Many of our academic staff are active researchers with industry experience, ensuring your learning is informed by current developments and real-world practice.
4th
Ranked 4th in the UK (QS World Rankings 2025)
21st
Ranked 21st globally (QS World Rankings 2025)
One of Europe’s largest single-site centres for materials research and teaching
OUR RESEARCH AREAS AND THEMES
Our Department drives impactful multidisciplinary research, supported by cutting-edge facilities and specialist equipment for characterisation, materials growth, and device manufacture.
Strong collaborations with industry, from SMEs to multinationals, ensure our work addresses real-world challenges and delivers societal benefits.
Our research in fashion management and marketing addresses the complex challenges of a globalised and fast-evolving industry. We explore the impact of shifting retail landscapes, rapid production cycles, and new digital platforms – from e-commerce to social media – on business strategy and consumer engagement.
Sustainability is central to our work, with a focus on ethical sourcing, environmental responsibility and consumer perceptions of access-based models. We also examine labour practices in global supply chains, including the risks of modern slavery.
Technological innovation underpins much of our research, from digital design and production tools to the use of human–computer interaction systems, eye-tracking and 3D body scanning to analyse consumer behaviour.
Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, we study the entire value chain – from pre-production to consumption – and collaborate with industry to shape future-focused business models and more responsible, resilient fashion systems.
The University of Manchester Oxford Rd Manchester M13 9PL UK
Royal Charter Number: RC000797