This MSc responds to the growing demand for retail professionals who have the intellectual and practical abilities necessary to cope with the pace of change in this dynamic, global industry.
Course objectives
The overall aim of the course is to provide you with a high level of knowledge and understanding of the concepts and processes involved in retailing, and to equip you with the necessary practical, research and analytical skills necessary for a professional management career in the retail trade or an allied sector. The objectives of the MSc in Retail Management are:
- To develop knowledge and understanding of contemporary retail management issues at the strategic level
- To describe and analyse the way retailing works, specifically the key activities and relationships
- To provide an academic underpinning to the above through the application of retailing theory and research
Entrance requirements
Applicants for this course should be able to demonstrate a well-defined interest in retailing. A good Honours degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in business and management-related subjects represents the most suitable background for the programme. Candidates with a good Honours degree in other areas, or mature non-graduate applicants with relevant managerial experience, may also be considered for entry to the course.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5.5 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 21.
Funding
Three 30% scholarships based on merit will be awarded for the MSc Retail Management programme in September 2012. These scholarships are funded by the Stirling Management School. They cover course fees up to 30% of either the home/EU or overseas rate. This means that the successful candidates will pay a programme fee reduced by 30% in September 2012. E-mail: msc-retailmgt@stir.ac.uk for further information.
The closing date for receipt of scholarship applications is 29 June 2012.
Successful students will be notified of the outcome via e-mail in July 2012.
This course is currently approved for PTFL (Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan) funding from SAAS, full details of how to apply for PTFL can be found here: http://www.stir.ac.uk/postgraduate/financial-information/scholarships/#PTFL
Full details of the PTFL fund and how to apply online can be found here: www.saas.gov.uk
For further information on possible sources of funding, visit: http://www.stir.ac.uk/postgraduate/financial-information/
Modes of study
Full-time
MSc: one year
Diploma: nine months
Course start date
September
Structure and content
The course consists of eight modules taught over two 15-week semesters (Autumn/Spring), plus either an individual dissertation and an individual reflective journal or a group project and an individual reflective journal, which is undertaken over the summer period.
In the autumn semester, you will study:
- Professional Skills: Emphasises the importance of individual and team skills in bringing about market-led strategic change in organisations. The module includes a team-building weekend
- Retail Strategy: Assesses the role of senior management in setting the direction of an organisation and examines how they confront strategic issues. The module helps you to understand the decision-making process, the need to develop a corporate strategy and to specify the key success factors for a retail company
- Reflective Practice and Learning: Focuses on forming successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to retailing and retail management
- Retail Marketing: Investigates the nature of the retail ‘product’, segmentation and positioning, consumer behaviour and retailing, marketing communication in a retail context, retail branding, store formats and customer service
In the spring semester, you will study:
- Retail Management Applications: Entails conducting a ‘live’ piece of research/consultancy for a real client either in, or with links to the retailing industry. Recent client organisations have included British Council of Shopping Centres, Playtex International, Texstyle World and the Thistle Shopping Centre, Stirling
- Critical Thinking: Sets out to develop the critical thinking, analysis and presentation skills of students. The module encourages systematic critical evaluation of material, its assimilation, interpretation and presentation in various forms. Such skills have academic and applied relevance
- Retail Buying and Merchandising: Covers both strategic and operational decisions of retail product management. It explains the context of buying and merchandising operations, the issues facing retail buyers in different types of retail organisation, the activities of retail buyers and their interaction with other functional areas
- Logistics and Channel Management: Focuses on logistics, channel relationships and the supply chain. The module relates logistics to the economy and to business and develops an understanding of supply chain management in the retail context
Delivery and assessment
The taught modules of the MSc course are delivered using a variety of methods e.g. lectures, tutorials, case studies, role playing, fieldwork exercises, guest speakers and company projects. Much of the assessment is continuous and may include research reports, essays, briefings, management reports, case analyses and presentations. Assessed work is often conducted in groups, as developing teamwork and communication skills are seen as important for careers in the retail industry.
Further details of these modules, including essential reading, may be found on the MSc Retail Management web page at: www.management.stir.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-courses/retail-management
All lecturing staff on the course are high profile academics with excellent international reputations and often with strong links to retail companies. Our teaching is based on our research activities; our own research and research publications (books and journal articles) are used in our modules. Staff members have the highest academic qualifications (PhD) and hold senior positions at the University of Stirling. Meet the staff at: www.management.stir.ac.uk/about-us/institute-for-retail-studies
Preparation
Contact the School for information on your timetable and reading lists.
Recommended reading
A good way to start!
Dawson, John, Findlay, Anne and Sparks, Leigh (2008): The Retailing Reader. Routledge: London. [ISBN-13: 978-0415356398]
Fancy a deeper insight?
Berman, Barry and Evans, Joel R. (2010): Retail Management. A Strategic Approach. Pearson: Boston. [ISBN-13: 978-0132465502]
Fernie, John and Sparks, Leigh (2009): Logistics and Retail Management. Kogan Page: London. [ISBN-13: 978-0749454074]
Course Director
Professor Paul Freathy
RAE rating
The School is committed to a research-led approach in all of its activities. This was recognised in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), which rated 85 percent of our research activity to be of ‘International Significance’. Retail research at Stirling was acknowledged as ‘World-leading’.
Our students
Student Viewpoints
Ziwei Wang (2009-2010)
Retailing is a fresh area and a promising subject. After completing the MSc course, I had learned
some fundamental knowledge as well as some current issues. The Professors at Stirling were very
helpful and patient.
Nurul Zamratul (2009-2010)
I gained tremendous experience of the different points of views on European retailing. The modules
taught on the course enhance my knowledge of retailing following my degree in Retail
Management previously at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia. I would strongly recommend
to anyone who wishes to pursue their education in Retail Management to attend the course at
University of Stirling as it is the BEST.
Vikram Goil (2007-2008)
I am currently working for Louis Vuitton, Indian Private limited. The MSc in Retail Management from
the University of Stirling is definitely a programme to opt for. The hospitality of the University staff and
the humble but thorough approach of the School leave an indelible experience. It has indeed left me
memories, just as one would have of its home.
Rejeev Nair (2007-2008)
Within a week of graduating I became the Customer Relations Executive of an online retailer which
sells electronic goods. My experience in Stirling not only helped me indulge in the job from day one,
but has also helped me analyse the position of the company and since introduce new money saving
techniques for the company. All the lectures in Stirling were very thought provoking and my research is
currently helping in the first steps to starting my own business in the global procurement and logistics
field. The University is just superb.
Paula Glbert-Haworth (1999-2000)
I found the MSc in Retail Management course very useful training for my current role, Supply Chain
Developer in Marks and Spencer. It provided me with an overview of the various elements within the
UK retail sector. Taking part in projects, presentations and team work not only enhanced my skills but
also taught me about time-management. I would recommend this course to anyone looking for a
Head Office career within retail.
Our staff
About Stirling’s MSc Retail Management Programme
About us – The Institute for Retail Studies
This MSc is operated by The Institute for Retail Studies at the University of Stirling. The Institute was established in 1983 to act as a focus for the academic and applied study of the retail industry. It is now one of Europe’s largest University based retail institutes and has developed a reputation for offering a range of high quality education and training programmes to the retail sector as well as undertaking research of an international standard. The Institute has for a number of years been recognised as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for its contribution to retail education and training. The reputation of the Institute was further enhanced in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) where retail research at Stirling was described as ‘World Leading’.
Knowledge and skills: The programme modules cover contemporary issues in the field of retailing – marketing, strategy, internationalisation, branding and logistics. Students experience an exciting dialogue between retail theory, research and practice, thus enhancing employability. Our programme sharpens students’ team working and critical thinking skills. Presentations form high calibre practitioners and field trips complement theoretical content.
Lecturing staff: All members of staff are high profile academics with excellent international reputations. Our teaching is based on our research activities; our own research and research publications (books and journal articles) are used in our modules. Staff have the highest academic qualifications (PHD) and hold senior positions at the University of Stirling. Meet the Staff for the Institute for Retail Studies.
International expertise: The MSc in Retail Management is a truly international programme – in every respect. The members of staff are from different European and non-European countries. Our programmes run in various countries around the globe, e.g. our Institute operates a Bachelor Retail Programme in Singapore and our Executive Retail MBA programme has been taught in Europe, Asia and Africa. We research retailers in international contexts. Last but not least our students come from more than 20 countries.
Download our new MSc Retail Management brochure!
Why become an expert in retailing?
Retailers lead economies: Retailers are some of the largest and most powerful organisations within economies; examples include e.g. Tesco (UK) and Walmart (USA). Their scale, complexity and growth result in an increasing need for well educated members of staff - at many levels and internationally in developed and emerging countries.
Retailers influence what people buy: Two thirds of all decisions of what to buy are made at the point of sale. Knowing how to win shoppers’ body, mind and money at the Point of Sale (retail stage) impacts on the success of both retailers and manufacturers.
Retailers dominate marketing: Retailers have taken over marketing leadership from manufacturers. The increasing number of (highly successful) retail brands, retailers’ gate keeper role in new product introduction, their promotional power (e.g. retailer related advertising spending is the highest) and leverage using customer knowledge illustrate exceptional marketing leadership.
Retailers lead innovation and change: Retailers are highly innovative; retail operations are increasingly sophisticated. Examples include IT-driven Customer Relationship Programmes, computer-based merchandising systems, automated product ordering systems and flexible supply chains.
Retailers are now more than product sellers: Retailers are close to consumers and have the most influence on the placing and promoting of products and services. Due to this privileged position retailers have diversified their business into the service sector (insurance, mobile communication, real estate, banking) or the manufacturing sector (clothes, apparel, consumer electrics, food). Examples include: Zara and H&M (fast fashion) or IKEA have become large manufacturers in their fields; Tesco have become a dominating marketing research company by using its sales data. Understanding retail means understanding other sectors and parts of the supply chain.
Retailers offer excitement and interest: For all the above reasons retailers are the most exciting and interesting of organisations to work for. Whether large or small, retail challenges managed on a daily basis providing stimulus and change. If you want to get on in a business or set up your own, retailing is the sector with the most opportunities worldwide.
Find out more
http://www.management.stir.ac.uk/about-us/institute-for-retail-studies
Career opportunities
Graduates of the MSc Retail Management course have gained employment in large and small retail organisations, both in the UK and overseas, and in other retail-related sectors. Examples of companies who have recruited recent graduates include Marks and Spencer, B&Q, Louis Vuitton, Thorntons and Canon. Many graduates return to their countries of origin to work and we have alumni in Greece, Norway, Germany, Taiwan and India, amongst other fast-developing retail markets.
Several former MSc Retail Management students have taken further degree courses, including PhDs: two have recently completed doctorates with a retail theme, having continued their studies at Stirling, after completing the MSc.
