BA (Hons) Retail Marketing

Study Retail Marketing at the University of Stirling and benefit from our links to business and outstanding employability record.

Retail Marketing

Key facts

  • Award BA (Hons)
  • Start date January 2025, September 2025, January 2026
  • Application notes We are now closed to new applications for January 25 entry for all applicants who require a visa to study in the UK.
  • Duration 48 months or 36 months
  • Mode of study full time, part time
  • Delivery on campus
  • UCAS Code N550
  • Study abroad opportunities

Overview

Shopping is changing. Consumers no longer differentiate between shopping online or visiting the shops on the high street or the shopping centre. The industry has been responding to change for years with retailers having to adapt to a new competitive reality. Actions by governments and the consumer response to the Covid-19 crisis has required retailers to alter how they operate, resulting in a different retail experience.

Our Retail Marketing course provides a solid grounding in the principles of retail business, including store operations, marketing and consumer behaviour. You’ll have the opportunity to develop an understanding of human resource management, international business, logistics and merchandising. Our staff are high-profile academics with excellent international reputations, and our teaching reflects the very latest research and industry thinking. You’ll also benefit from our extensive contacts with leading retailers, which open the door to invaluable field trips and guest lectures.

The challenges of the rapidly-evolving retail sector mean companies covet skilled, knowledgeable managers who can put theory into practice. With a Retail Marketing degree from the University of Stirling, you could be the difference they’re looking for.

We are AACSB accredited

The University of Stirling is accredited by AACSB International in recognition of our excellence in business education. This puts the University of Stirling Management School among the top 6% of business schools globally.

AACSB Accredited logo

Top reasons to study with us

* Rankings are based on institutions within the Guardian University Guide

Professional accreditation

The university is accredited by AACSB International.

Entry requirements

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

SQA Highers
AABB

GCE A-levels
BBB

IB Diploma
28

BTEC (Level 3)
DDM

Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours

SQA Advanced Highers
ABB

GCE A-levels
ABB

IB Diploma
32

Other Scottish qualifications

Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.

Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.

SWAP access course - for mature students only.

Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.

Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B

Other qualifications

English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions

English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.

International entry requirements

Advanced entry

Year 2 and Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.

Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.

Other routes of entry

If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the Foundation and International Year 2 routes available.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
  • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Pre-sessional English language courses

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses

Course details

You’ll study Retail Marketing as a four-year single honours degree. Your first year will provide a background in business-related subjects, which will be taught alongside students from Marketing, Business Studies and Human Resource Management. In later semesters, core modules in Retailing and Marketing are studied alongside a selection of elective modules – building up your knowledge in everything from visual merchandising to multi-channel marketing and supply chains.

Modules

Course details

Teaching

Teaching on your course will centre around lectures and tutorials, with considerable emphasis being placed on the analysis of case studies. To give you an all-encompassing view of the retail sector, the theory you’ll hear in lectures is also complemented with site visits and guest speakers from industry.

Assessment

Assessment is through a combination of coursework and formal examinations. You’ll also be graded on your final-year dissertation – a comprehensive body of work focused on a particular aspect of retail you’re interested in.

Study abroad

You have the option of spending Semester 5 or 6 studying abroad under our exchange programme, or take part in exchanges administered by the University’s Study Abroad Office to destinations in the USA, Canada, Australia and elsewhere. The Institute for Retail Studies also offers an undergraduate Retail Marketing course at the Singapore Institute of Management, which means you have the option of spending an entire semester of your course in Singapore.

Find out more about studying abroad.

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Academic year: 2024/25 2025/26
Scottish students £1,820 £1,820
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,535
International students (including EU) £17,200 £18,400

Scottish students

This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.

Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.

You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.

You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.

International students (including EU)

Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

Funding

See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.

Students from Scotland

Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.

International students

Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.

Cost of living

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling.

Payment options

We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.

After you graduate

What jobs can I get with a Retail Marketing degree?

Our Retail Marketing degree can prove key in pursuing a specialised retail career or a more general management career.

Many of our Retail Marketing graduates are now in senior industry positions, including Managing Director and Fashion Buyer for large retail chains. We also seek to give you an edge in the job market via a range of specialist career services that you can access during and after your studies.

We’re members of the Marketing Society Scotland – strengthening our bond with industry and business.

Retail Marketing graduates from Stirling are working for leading organisations such as Tesco, Primark and Amazon.

Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to make sure you have every possible advantage when you enter the job market. Our module in Professional Development and Practice places a special focus on preparing you for the workplace, and our overall focus on personal and professional development is designed to help you achieve your career ambitions.

Find out more about how we prepare you for the world of work.

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What our students said

Chloe Herd
Chloe Herd
United Kingdom
BA (Hons) Retail Marketing
I was attracted to Stirling as the University was ranked 2nd in Scotland for Marketing (and the beautiful campus helped a lot too). I enjoyed how enthusiastic all the staff are about their subjects and the wide range of module options available.
Read Chloe's story
Kaixin Tung
Kaixin Tung
I'm spending one semester here in Stirling as part of my Retail Marketing degree. The beauty of the campus is postcard-worthy, making it a great environment to relax as well as study. The staff and students are so helpful; this place feels like home.
Read Kaixin's story
Jenna Cassidy
Jenna Cassidy
Scotland
BA (Hons) Retail Marketing
The flexible degree structure was also something that drew me towards applying. I liked the fact that there were so many elective modules throughout all divisions I could study.
Read Jenna's story

Flexible study

This course is not available as a combined degree.