MFM full form Master in Fashion Management is a postgraduate program of 2 years that focuses on imparting knowledge and skills required to develop industry leaders and top managers in the fashion industry.
A career in fashion will be a highly lucrative option in India as the fashion industry in India would become the sixth largest in the world by 2023 creating job opportunities for candidates having degrees in fashion, especially in Fashion Management.
According to a report by McKinsey, the candidates of the MFM course would be in high demand during the next few years because over 300 new brands are expected to open shops in India and would require managerial candidates.
This course is mainly provided by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), but there are other colleges and universities as well that provide this course.
The admission to the course is done mainly on the basis of the entrance examination. The NIFT MFM entrance examination is mandatory for admission to the NIFT.
The average course fees of the MFM course range between INR 400,000-INR 450,000.The candidates after completing the course are generally offered jobs in sectors. retail, marketing, e-commerce, etc. The salary ranges between INR 50000-INR 625000 per annum.
MFM: Course Highlights
Listed below are some of the major highlights of MFM degree:
Full Form | Master of Fashion Management |
Course Level | Post Graduate |
Duration | 2 years |
Examination Type | Semester System |
Eligibility | Undergraduate Degree from any Institute / University recognized by law in India |
Admission Process | Based on counselling after clearing Entrance Tests like NIFT-MFM for different colleges. |
Course Fee | INR 4,50,000 |
Average Starting Salary | INR 3-8 LPA |
Top Recruiting Companies | Textile mills, Home furnishing companies , Design BPO's, Large retailers, Brand marketers, Manufacturers, Consultancy organizations, E-retailers, International Brands, Startup firms, etc. |
Job Positions | Showroom Sales Manager, Technical Design Manager, Cutting Assistant Costume Designer, Fashion Coordinator, Fabric Quality Control Manager, Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, Fashion Merchandiser, Export Sales Manager, etc. |
All About MFM Course
A career in fashion is now seen as a viable option in India for the last two decades. With the establishment of the various fashion schools in India, candidates have the option to pursue different courses in fashion related to design, management, retail and many more.
- The MFM full form Master in Fashion Management is a course that trains the aspirants into deep understanding about the management, marketing, retail and export, international trade practice,and many more about the fashion industry in India.
- The course is a fusion of marketing and merchandising in a unique manner with a strong emphasis on management orientation that creates a versatile manager for the global fashion industry.
Let us understand why the MFM course can be a good academic choice for future career options.
Why Study MFM Course?
MFM or Master of Fashion Management is a postgraduate management course especially designed to produce future managers required to meet the increasing demands of the fashion industry. The future manager of the course. The course allows the aspirants to train aspirants to detect micro and macro trends in the fashion industry and create innovative strategies to improve the brand position in the industry.
The following details underline the importance of studying the MFM course
- Bustling Growth: The Indian fashion industry is accepted to grow at a rate of around 10 % in the coming years and is expected to be worth USD 59.3 Billion dollar by 2023 and is expected to become the sixth largest in the world, at par with the United Kingdom (USD 65 Billion) and Germany (USD 63.1 Billion). Hence creating employment opportunities for the MFM graduates.
- Job opportunities: McKinsey’s Fashion Scope reports that the over 300 fashion brands are going to open up shop in India, thus creating new opportunities for the various MFM candidates. The course allows the candidates to work in various segments within the fashion Industry such as retail, sales, market research, forecasting and many more.
- Competitive Pay and other Benefits: Master of Fashion Management, MFM candidates after the completion of the course earns roughly around INR 6,25,000 per annum. The average course fees of the MFM course ranges between INR 400,000-INR 450,000, thus allowing them to break even within the first year after getting the job. Apart from competitive pay the MFM graduates also get other benefits such as health insurance, retirement benefits, travelling expenses and many more.
- Opportunities to turn entrepreneur: The course allows the candidates to set up their own business after completion of the course. A large number of NIFT graduates have set up their own business after gaining experience in the relevant field after the completion of the course.
- Students will become increasingly familiar with the language and rules of the fashion system. They will be guided to set and perform smart research projects, grow an analytical approach, make informed decisions, develop creative and financially sustainable strategies, where the brand image matches the definition of the distribution channels and the brand/product portfolio
- The objective of the Master of Fashion Management (MFM) program is to prepare future managers of fashion companies, who will be able to deal with competitive global environments and to promote the exchange of experiences and best practices in the international fashion arena.
Who should do MFM Course?
- Candidates who are interested in working in the fashion industry should take up the course.
- The Master in Fashion Management Course is focused on gaining a global foothold in the fashion industry. Candidates who have the ability to think out of the box regarding strategies as well product placement should take up the course.
- The course would be a perfect fit for candidates who are capable of understanding the early trend in the fashion industry.
- Candidates who wish to turn entrepreneur in the future should take up the course as it allows them to open up their own line.
- A job in the fashion Industry is very hectic and requires a lot of travel. Candidates who are open to the idea of frequent travel should take up the MFM course.
When to do MFM Course?
- Candidates can take up the MFM Course immediately after the completion of the undergraduate program.
- For Candidates who have completed a degree in fashion and relevant field, it would be ideal for them to gain some experience before continuing with their studies as it would become handy during the placement.
- The Master of Fashion Management Fees is quite stiff. Hence, the candidates should arrange for the finance through various loans and scholarships, to avoid dropping out of the course.
MFM: Admission Process
Admission to the MFM Course is done through the NIFT admission test. The entrance examination is followed by a round of group discussion and personal interview. A few colleges offer admission through the merit list.
Let us understand the MFM Admission process in more detail.
Eligibility
The following are the eligibility criteria for admission to the MFM course.
- Any student can pursue this course if they have completed their graduation from a recognized university or college.
- The duration of the graduation course must be at least 3 years or more.
- Candidates who have completed a minimum 3 years of undergraduate diploma from any NIFT or National Institute of design (NAD) are also eligible to apply for the course.
- Apart from the above criteria, NIFT postulates that the candidates must have good knowledge of English as because the medium of instruction is in English in NIFT.
- Similarly the candidates must have the basic knowledge about computer application and internet surfing.
MFM Admission 2023
The following are the steps that must be followed by the candidates for the MFM admission 2023.
- Admission in MFM course is mostly done on the basis of performance in a relevant Entrance Exam like NIFT-MFM Exam 2023.
- Candidates are required to visit the NIFT website and go to the admission section and register themselves.
- After the completion of the registration the candidates must submit the application form and pay the required fees and take out the receipt from the website. Those making payment through Demand draft must make the DD in favour of the concerned authorities. In case of NIFT MFM Entrance the DD must be in favour of “ NIFT HO”.
- The NRI candidates must take the GMAT examination in order to pursue the course from the NIFTs.
- After appearing in the entrance examination, the shortlisted candidates are called for a Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) round.
- Final MFM admission is done considering marks scored in the Entrance examination and the performance in GD & PI.
- Initially provisional admissions are done. Admissions are confirmed after the candidates are able to produce the relevant documents during the admission process.
MFM Entrance Examination
One of the most common entrance exams for Master in Fashion Management is NIFT MFM Exam 2023 for admission into one of the many NIFT institutes.
Other than this, colleges also accept CAT, GMAT & MAT scores as well for the MFM admission process.
NIFT MFM Entrance Exam
- The NIFT MFM Entrance examination is conducted by the NIFTs for admission to its various undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
- The entrance examination would be done in offline, pen and paper mode.
- The entrance examination for the MFM course would be MCQ based.
- The duration of the entrance examination is 3 hours.
- The application form for the entrance examination is INR 1500 for the general candidates and INR 750 for the reserved candidates.
Important Links:
GMAT
- NRI candidates who want to study the MFM course in NIFT must appear for the GMAT entrance exam.
- Candidates must register for the GMAT entrance exam at least 6 months in advance so that they are able to book the slot.
- The duration of the entrance exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
- The entrance exam consists of MCQs in sections such as Verbal reasoning, Quantitative reasoning, Integrated reasoning, and Analytical Writing (optional).
- The cost of the application form for the GMAT is USD 250 (INR 18,310).
Important Links;
CAT
- The CAT is an entrance exam conducted by the IIMs for admission to the management courses in the master level. Some colleges prefer to take masters of fashion management, MFM admission based on the CAT score.
- The CAT exam would be entirely based on MCQs and there would be a total of 100 questions.
- The overall duration of the entrance examination would be 2 hours.
- The total application fees of the CAT exam is INR 2000 for the general candidates and INR 1000 for the candidates belonging to reserved categories.
Important Links
MAT
- The AIMA is responsible for conducting the MAT entrance examination for admission to the management courses at the postgraduate level.
- MAT 2023 Exam Pattern generally consists of 5 sections. The sections broadly measure the candidate's ability in Mathematics, English, and General Awareness.
- The MAT exam is held 4 times a year, either in computer based or ink and paper based mode
- The entrance exam consists of 200 MCQs and the duration of the entrance exam is 150 minutes.
- The application fees for the MAT exam is INR 1650 for PBT and INR 2750 for CBT.
Important Links
Important Dates
Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Exam Dates |
---|---|---|
ATMA | 1st week of June 2023 | July 23, 2023 |
CAT | August 3, 2023 | November 26, 2023 |
CMAT | February 13, 2023 | To be Announced |
GMAT | To be Announced | To be Announced |
NMAT | September 2023 | November 2023 |
SNAP | 2nd week of August 2023 | 2nd week of December 2023 |
XAT | To be Announced | To be Announced |
How to prepare for NIFT MFM Exam 2023?
The exam consists of 150 questions that are to be attempted in the time duration of 3 hours.
There are two main parts of MFM exam:
- General Aptitude Test (GAT)
- Group Discussion & Personal Interview (GDPI)
GAT test the candidate’s Quantitative Ability, Communicative Ability, Analytical Ability and General knowledge & Current Affairs. A Case Study is also included in the GAT which is a new addition to the MFM Exam.
GDPI Round will evaluate the students on the basis of conceptual clarity, problem solving approach, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, career orientation, creative thinking etc.
Read More: NIFT MFM Exam Syllabus 2023
Points to keep in mind while preparing for the NIFT MFM Exam:
- NIFT MFM Exam is a strip down version of MAT Exam, hence you can consider MAT practice books for the preparation. Otherwise, there are many preparation books available in the market which you can consider while preparing for the exam.
- Students should be aware of the syllabus and strategize their study time to cover the entire syllabus before time.
- Students should also give ample time to the Case Study section of the exam
- Give at least 10-12 timed mock tests to get comfortable with the exam pattern and type of questions.
- Solve previous years question papers as well to get a fair idea of the pattern of questions that can come in the exam.
MFM Syllabus
The MFM syllabus is divided into 4 semesters that incorporate various theoretical subjects. The main objective of the MFM syllabus are:
- To develop managerial and leadership skills for building competitiveness of the fashion industry.
- To provide competence among young talent in the areas of marketing, merchandising, retailing, supply chain management, and garment exports in order to meet the specific skill needs of the industry.
The MFM Syllabus according to the four semester has been tabulated below:
MFM Syllabus First Year | |
---|---|
MFM Syllabus First Semester | MFM Syllabus Second Semester |
Basics of Fashion | Fashion Finance & Economics |
Process of Garment Manufacturing | Logistics & Resource management |
Fashion Marketing & Merchandising | Fashion Communication |
Fashion Styling & Photography | Lifestyle Journalism |
Fashion Design Process | - |
MFM Syllabus Second Year | |
MFM Syllabus Third Semester | MFM Syllabus Fourth Semester |
E-commerce | Industry Internship |
Consumer Behaviour | Fashion Event Management |
Research Methodology | Masters Project |
Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship | - |
Communication skill, Grooming & Etiquettes | - |
Visual Merchandising & Window Display | - |
Course Comparison: MFM vs MFTech
MFM is a fashion management course, on the other hand, MFTech is a Fashion Technology course. Both these courses are considered one of the most pursued master courses in the field of fashion.
The table below draws some of the major differences between them:
Parameters | MFM | MFTech |
---|---|---|
Full Form | Master of Fashion Management | Master of Fashion Technology |
Eligibility | Graduation in any degree from a recognized college or institute | Graduation in BE/BTech from a recognized college or institute |
Admission | Entrance Exams Based Admission (NIFT MFM Exam) | Entrance Exams Based Admission (NIFT MFTech Exam & GATE) |
Course Objective | The main objective of the Master of Fashion Management course is to equip students with the skills and knowledge of management, along with marketing and merchandising that is required to fill in a variety of roles in the fashion industry. | The main objective of Master of Fashion Technology is to cultivate qualified professionals required for techno managerial roles in the fashion and allied manufacturing sector. |
Average Fees | INR 4,50,000 | INR 4,50,000 |
Average Salary | INR 3-8 LPA | INR 3-6 LPA |
Major Job Positions | Fashion Merchandiser, Fashion Marketing Manager, Export manager, Area Sales Manager, Social Media Manager, Business Analyst, etc. | Fashion Technologist, Design Technology Manager, Fashion Critic, Fashion Quality Manager, Fashion Designer, etc. |
MFM Colleges
The table below shows some of the best NIFT colleges that offers MFM degree to the students who are interested to pursue this management course:
Collegedunia Rating (out of 10) | NIFT College Name | Average Total Fees |
---|---|---|
9.5 | NIFT Navi Mumbai | INR 4,50,000 |
9.4 | NIFT New Delhi | INR 4,50,000 |
8.7 | NIFT Hyderabad | INR 4,50,000 |
8.6 | NIFT Kannur | INR 4,50,000 |
8.4 | NIFT Bangalore | INR 4,50,000 |
8.3 | NIFT Bhubaneswar | INR 4,50,000 |
8.2 | NIFT Chennai | INR 4,50,000 |
8.0 | NIFT Shillong | INR 4,50,000 |
Apart from NIFT, there are many colleges and universities which offer masters in fashion management programs. The table below shows some of them:
College Name | Location | Average Total Fees |
---|---|---|
Amity School of Fashion Technology (ASFT) | Noida | INR 3,50,000 |
International Institute Fashion Technology (IIFT) | Chandigarh | INR 4,70,000 |
Indian Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT) | Bangalore | INR 7,00,000 |
Jaipur National University | Jaipur | INR 5,00,000 |
Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University | Jaipur | INR 2,00,000 |
Pacific University | Udaipur | INR 1,50,000 |
Read More: Top MFM Colleges in India 2023
MFM College Comparison
The table below compares the top colleges offering MFM course in India:
College Name | National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi | National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai | National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore |
---|---|---|---|
Overview | The Delhi campus is the largest among all the NIFT and has the largest student strength. They offer 7 bachelors and 3 masters degrees. | NIFT Mumbai offers world class infrastructure and highly trained faculties. They started a craft cluster initiative to help the craftsmen with their product selling. | This NIFT campus specializes in the design, technology, and management. |
Ranking | #1 by India Today 2019 | #2 by India today 2019 | #3 by India Today 2019 |
Average Annual fees | INR 1,95,600 | INR 1,95,600 | INR 1,95,600 |
Average Placement offer | INR 5,50,000 | INR 4,30,000 | INR 6,00,000 |
Top Placement Companies | Ampm Fashion Pvt. Ltd., Decathlon, Monte Carlo, Weddingz.in, Amit Aggarwal, Future Group, Raniwala Jewellers Pvt. Ltd., The BlueBeans, Blackberry, Gaurav Gupta, Tailorman | Zara, Benetton, Hidesign, Fossil, Ti-cycles, Renault, Royal Enfield, Anita Dongre, Arvind Mills, Welspun, Times of India, Hindustan Unilever, Future Group, TCS, Tata Elxsi, Titan, L&T Infotech. | 99 Labels, Benetton, Calvin Klein, Dhananjay Apparels, ITC Wills Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop, Tommy Hilfiger, Marks & Spencer, Nike Inc, Zara, Puma, Gucci, Levis, Body Shop and many more. |
Return on Investment (ROI)
Below table compares some of the top colleges for Masters in Fashion Management in terms of ROI:
College Name | Average Annual Fees | Average Placement Offer | ROI Rank |
---|---|---|---|
Pacific University, Jaipur | INR 75,000 | INR 6,60,000 | 1 |
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore | INR 1,95,600 | INR 6,00,000 | 2 |
National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi | INR 1,95,600 | INR 5,50,000 | 3 |
Indian Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai | INR 1,95,600 | INR 4,30,000 | 4 |
Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida | INR 1,70,000 | INR 3,00,000 | 5 |
Similar Courses:
MFM Jobs and Salary
This course of masters in fashion management is very specific towards the fashion, textile, apparel industry and its teachings help the students to develop skills that are usually required to run the companies under the fashion industry.
There are various positions that need to be managed from making the product to selling it to a customer, and this fashion management course is all about learning the skills to manage these all.
Marketing, Retailing, Export, Merchandising, etc. are some of the sectors which require fashion management professionals for proper functioning of the company or business.
Some of the common job prospects after doing Master of Fashion Management course are as follows:
Job Position | Job Description | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
Marketing Manager | A marketing manager is responsible for supervising and helping to create the various advertising or merchandising sales campaigns that help to sell the products. | INR 7.12 LPA |
Brand Manager | A Brand Manager job role revolves around various things. They control and manage all the ways that particular brand is exposed to the public, and also help drive advertising and marketing initiatives. | INR 10.36 LPA |
Visual Merchandiser | A visual merchandiser is responsible for designing and developing the visual look of a retail store and the merchandise being sold. | INR 4.15 LPA |
Export Sales Manager | An Export Sales Manager is responsible for generating and enhancing the sales of different products and merchandise products in other cities, states or countries. | INR 6.28 LPA |
Business Development Executive | BDOs are responsible for bringing an executing business for the company in which they are employed. | INR 3.2 LPA |
Apparel Merchandiser | An Apparel Merchandiser is an important person for a buyer and an exporter, whose main responsibility is to execute the orders perfectly as per the costing and pricing. | INR 5.21 LPA |
Design Manager | A Design Manager is responsible for overall operations and function of a fashion company or consultancy. | INR 11.43 LPA |
Read More: More About Master of Fashion Management Jobs & Salary
MFM: Future Scope
Master of Fashion Management is considered to be one of the best courses that yields diverse job opportunities in various fields.
Most of the students opt for manager positions in sectors such as retail, merchandise, marketing, sales, etc. but few also become fashion designers and manage their business or company.
The average MFM salary after completing masters in fashion management is around INR 4-8 LPA. In major metropolitan cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, etc. after getting fiem experience in a similar role, you can get upto INR 12-15 LPA or even more.
In terms of higher education, not many students prefer to study further as in the fashion industry experience is given much more preference than education.
But still students can go for PhD in Fashion Design since it is considered to be the highest degree in the field of fashion, and you can become an expert in a particular aspect of fashion, like fashion management, recycling, merchandising, etc.
MFM: FAQs
Ques. What is Master of Fashion Management?
Ques. Which NIFT is best for MFM course?
Ques. Is Fashion Management a good career?
Ques. What is Master of Fashion Management NIFT Eligibility?
Ques. What is Master of Fashion Management NIFT Fees?
Ques. Will there be any delay in the Admission process of NIFT for MFM degree due to COVID 19?
Ques. What are the changes in the MFM course in NIFT because of COVID 19?