Retail Management
BA(Hons)
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Course summary and entry requirements
Course duration
Full-time: 3 years
With placement year 4 years
UCAS code N240
About the course
Retail is critical to the future growth and development of the global economy - in the UK alone accounting for approximately 12 per cent of all employment and 24 per cent of GDP. As an industry, retail is one of the most diverse there is.
You will combine business and management skills with the specialist knowledge required by retail employers. Modules, teaching and assessment are designed to enhance your knowledge and ability to operate in this fast paced and rewarding environment. You will benefit from a high level of industry contact through applied case studies and industry guest speakers.
Typical entry requirements
The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2014. Entry requirements for students thinking about starting a course in 2013 can be found in the online prospectus. Individual offers may vary
A-levels:
BBB (typically translates to 300 points in the UCAS tariff).BTEC
DDM.International Baccalaureate:
32 points.Access to HE Diploma
pass (at least 45 credits at level 3), with 18 credits at merit or above. Must include level 3 units in business or management.GCSE (minimum grade C) or Access Equivalent
at least three subjects including English language and mathematics.Foundation degree/HND
/HNC may enable you to start the course in year 2 or 3. Contact the course team for specific requirements.For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.For equivalent international qualifications
We can help you meet our English language entry requirements
For help meeting English language requirements contact our
Language Institute.We can help you meet our academic entry requirements
For help meeting academic entry requirements contact our
International College.If you cannot find your country listed, please email admissions@brighton.ac.uk
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Course content
Course structure
Teaching staff have industry experience of retail management and use a blend of lectures, workshops and group seminars to ensure an engaging and stimulating learning experience.
You can opt to undertake a 48-week work placement after your second year. We offer a wide range of opportunities (including many overseas) enabling you to obtain valuable work experience and also a hands-on understanding of the industry. You will also develop industry links and many of our students then go on to full-time employment with their placement company after graduation.
Areas of study
Year 1 focuses on operational issues within retail whilst introducing key principles of management. Year 2 focuses on specialist retail subjects such as merchandising and logistics. Management skills, such as human resources, are developed through a variety of case studies.
During the final year you will be encouraged to take a strategic approach to management and engage in research into contemporary retail trends.
Syllabus
Year 1
Retail Environment
Branding and Consumer Psychology
Retail Location and Operations
Economics and the Business Environment
Marketing Principles
Professional DevelopmentYear 2
Merchandising and Retail Consumption
Buying and Supply Chain Logistics
Retail Management in Action
Research Methods
Managerial Accounting
Understanding and Managing PeopleOptional placement year
Final year
Contemporary Retail Trends
Business Strategy
Dissertation or placement project
Options may include:
Fashion Retailing
Change Management
Public Relations
Retail Consultancy
International Management
Service Quality
E-tailing
Customer Relationship Marketing
Ethical Retailing and CSR
You can view the programme specification for this course as a PDF file by clicking on the link below:
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Fees and costs
The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2013-14. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.
The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.
What's included in the fee?
When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.
You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.
Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.
BA(Hons) Retail Management [J2EA017] UK/EU 9,000 GBP Island Students 9,000 GBP International 10,900 GBP If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is currently £750 for Home and Island Students and £1,760 for International students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.
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Location
Location
Eastbourne Eastbourne is a thriving town which offers traditional seaside attractions, modern nightlife, good shopping and a wide range of sporting activities. It’s one of the sunniest places in the UK.
Our Eastbourne campus is located at the foot of the South Downs National Park, about ten minutes walk from the seafront and 20 minutes from the pier and Eastbourne town centre. Almost 3,000 students are based here.
View campus maps and directions
Living in Eastbourne
Eastbourne’s buzzing university community and compact town gives it a laid back and friendly feel. The town combines the traditional seaside attractions with modern nightlife, a wide range of sporting activities and an exciting arts scene.
Social scene
The student community in Eastbourne ensures it has a thriving social scene, with dedicated student nights at many of the town’s pubs and clubs. Eastbourne’s expanding nightlife includes trendy cocktail bars, laid-back country pubs and modern nightclubs.
Arts
The striking Towner contemporary art museum in Eastbourne features international exhibitions as well as a permanent art collection. Eastbourne's six theatres give you a chance to see West End musicals, touring shows, live music and comedy.
Sports
Eastbourne has long been the home of pre-Wimbledon tennis tournaments at Devonshire Park. Eastbourne also hosts an extreme sports festival and the Beachy Head Marathon that takes place across the South Downs National Park.
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Staff profiles
Dan Bennett
Senior lecturer
Dan has been working for the School since February 1999 and during his time has progressed through a number of roles including Marketing and Business Development, and Chair of the Faculty Recruitment and Admissions Group.
Prior to joining the University, Dan worked in account management undertaking a number of projects in client management, market research and communications.
He continues to offer consultancy support to SME’s and local government in the area of marketing communications, market research and client relationship development.
Dan teaches on both the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including modules in marketing principles, marketing communications and advertising, customer relationship marketing, strategic marketing, public relations and sponsorship and fundraising.
Dan is also a visiting lecturer at Queens University (Canada), the Ecole de Management Normandie (France), the Angell Business School (Germany) and the Ecole de Savignac (France).
He also teaches on the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and is an active member of CIM Sussex.
He is a regular conference presenter and is a Co-Chair of the Academy of Marketing’s Special Interest Group on the Marketing of Higher Education.
He has been published several times by the Association for the Advancement of Relationship Marketing and by the Learning and Teaching Support Network. Dan has a Tourism Management BA(Hons) and a Masters in Marketing.
He is currently working on his PhD investigating the credibility of sources of influence upon a students decision to study in higher education. His other research interests include the credibility and persuasive influence of marketing communications and advertising, higher education marketing, relationship-based approaches to marketing, and the history of marketing.
Dan is also a registered Chartered Marketer.
Harvey Ells
Principal lecturer
Prior to working for the university, Harvey worked in a variety of retail store operation and head office roles for national food retailers. He holds an MA in Learning and Development, an MSc in Food Policy and Postgraduate Certificates in Research Methods and Academic Practice.
Since joining the university he has focused on the ongoing development of our retail courses and food curriculum.
His personal research interests include higher education service quality, food street markets/ pop-up retailing, retail SMEs, retail branding, community food projects, sustainable food supply chains and UK urban agriculture policy.
Harvey has completed a wide range of consultancy activities and in doing so has helped to inform and update our taught undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Projects include an ‘A’ Rated Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, two national research projects on behalf of the Institute of Customer Service and evaluations for Tourism South East.
He has also worked on a number of short-term projects with a range of regional retail businesses.
Currently he is working in partnership with the University of Sussex on BBSRC funded food and satiety research, developing a community garden on-campus with students and Sussex Oakleaf, expanding the retail offer at Spring Barn Farm near Lewes, and undertaking new product development for hot food vending with Bon Appetit at Crawley.
Chris Dutton
Principal lecturer
Chris has been with the university since 1995 when he was charged with establishing the retail marketing degree programme. Prior to this, he spent 12 years gaining retail management experience with J. Sainsbury PLC which included a number of years as a store manager.
With expertise in course and module design Chris has been an influential addition to the development team. Since 1998 he has been an associate lecturer at Surrey University and was recently appointed as external examiner at the University of Westminster.
Chris's research interests include customer service, service quality and business ethics. Chris has gained an MBA and is currently studying for a PhD. Chris is also involved in a number of key consultancy contracts for the university and works closely with a number of European partners.
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Student views
Annie Brazel
Retail Management BA(Hons)
Year: one
The main reason I chose to study in Eastbourne was the course. The different modules really interested me and I particularly liked the option of having a sandwich year working in industry.
I enjoy the combination of group and individual assessment work. There are also strong links between the university and major retailers, many of which present at the school.
Great atmosphere and facilities
I came straight to university from sixth form, and have been living in university halls - there is a great atmosphere. Making friends has been really easy and being on the Eastbourne campus you are always seeing familiar faces. There are excellent facilities for students including a good library and sports centre.
Seaside life
Eastbourne has a number of clubs, bars and restaurants, alongside a large range of shops, all just a short walk from the university. And of course it’s great being just a stone’s throw from the sea!
Eastbourne is a surprisingly lively place to live. All staff and lecturers are very friendly, and the university has modern facilities - it’s definitely well worth a visit!
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Career opportunities
The combined focus and multidisciplinary nature of the course enables you to pursue a variety of career opportunities in retail, service or business environments. You could consider store management, logistics or merchandising, for example. Graduates of our retail degrees have taken up positions with companies including Ted Baker, Tesco, Ralph Lauren, New Look, Jaeger and River Island.
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More...
Work placements
This course gives you the option of taking a 48 week work placement between your second and final year of study.
The placement is a great way to get valuable practical experience in a workplace relevant to your degree.
Where can I go on placement?
Our placement team has links with employers throughout the UK and overseas and can help you find the right placement to suit your course.
Students have been placed with such diverse and prestigious employers including:
- Tesco Logisitcs
- Harrods
- ToysRUs
- MIH Fashion, London
- Iconix Brand Group, New York
- Superdrug
We also have a longstanding placement partnership with Walt Disney World. Each year students have a chance to do their placement with them in the USA.
Why should I go on placement?
You will gain contacts and a competitive advantage for when you graduate. Many placements pay a salary, as well as providing valuable recruitment and workplace experience.
While on placement you can apply the knowledge of your degree subject in a real-life work situation. Furthermore the knowledge you gain from the placement will inform your final year project and academic study.
Successful completion of your placement will also help you stand out from the crowd when you seek work.
Senior lecturer Dan Bennett
Applying for 2013 entry
We have limited places available on this course.
Please call us for advice 01273 644644
International applicants should call
+44 (0)207 250 6749Find out more01273 643645
Email sasmadmissions@brighton.ac.uk