MSc in Retail Management - University of Stirling

MSc in Retail
Management

Introduction from the Institute for
Retail Studies Director
The demands of the retail industry are continually
changing. The sector has become increasingly complex
and the need for professional and well trained managers
has never been greater.
The Institute for Retail Studies at the University of Stirling
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 (IRS) 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’.
The IRS operates in a global market with a number of international partners. It has
an office at the Singapore Institute of Management in Singapore and staff based
permanently in South East Asia.
In addition to running the unique MBA in Retailing by distance learning
programme and bespoke retail management development programmes,
the IRS undertakes research projects for a range of public and private clients.
Professor Paul Freathy
Director
Institute for Retail Studies

MSc in Retail Management
An Introduction from the
Programme Director
Thank you for taking the time to read through the
brochure for our MSc in Retail Management. It outlines
our postgraduate programme which has been designed
specifically for graduates who have a passion for marketing
and management in the field of retailing. Whilst it is aimed
at those with an Honours degree from the field of business,
candidates with a good Honours degree in other areas, or mature
non-graduate applicants with relevant managerial experience, may also apply.
This internationally recognised degree has been created in collaboration with
the British and European retail industry and is designed to offer a postgraduate
qualification on a full-time basis.
The programme began in 1996 and draws on the experience of the members of
the Institute for Retail Studies, which provides a focus for education and research
initiatives in retailing within the Stirling Management School. Since 2005, the MSc
in Retail Management has been recognised by the ESRC for its Studentship Awards.
The members of staff who teach on the programme have an excellent international
academic reputation in their field. Our teaching is based on our up-to-date knowledge
of the retail industry within the UK and worldwide. It draws on our excellent
relationships with leading retailers as well as our research activities in fields such
as the retail supply chain, consumer behaviour in retailing, marketing, and
international business.
We look forward to welcoming you onto the MSc in Retail Management programme.
Dr Keri Davies
Director
MSc in Retail Management
1

MSc in Retail Management - an overview
The MSc in Retail Management provides an opportunity for students to study the theory and practice
of retailing at an advanced level. It is particularly suitable for students with a defined interest in
retailing and who wish to develop academic and practical skills in the subject to further their careers.
It is also suitable for marketing and business graduates who wish to specialise in retailing, or existing
managers in retail and allied trades who wish to gain an academic perspective in the subject.
Graduates of the MSc in Retail Management programme 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 B&Q, Thorntons, Marks & Spencers and
Canon. Many graduates return to their countries of origin to work and we have alumni in Greece,
China, Taiwan and Dubai, amongst other fast-developing retail markets.
Several former MSc in Retail Management students have taken further degree programmes, including
PhDs: two have recently completed doctorates with a retail theme, having continued their studies at
Stirling, after completing the MSc.
2

Study framework
The University of Stirling operates a system of two teaching semesters. The Autumn Semester runs
from mid-September until mid December. The Spring Semester operates from mid-February until the
end of May. A mid-semester break of one week occurs during each semester. The taught parts of the
MSc programme is delivered during the Autumn and Spring semesters (see below).
On successful completion of the taught element of the MSc programme, you may become eligible for
the award of the University’s Diploma in Retail Management. To qualify for the award of MSc degree
you must undertake an approved piece of independent study.
As a postgraduate student, the university has particular expectations of the strength and persistence of
your motivations, particularly those governing your appetite for self-study, i.e. to work independently,
or in a group, as learning situations demand. You are expected to manage effectively the responsibility,
freedom and time you are given to pursue your studies and personal development. Initially you may
have to take care to adjust to this greater responsibility and freedom - it may not be what you have
experienced during undergraduate study. To facilitate the process, the teaching timetable is blocked
into 2 or 3-hour sessions, leaving you with ample periods of time to undertake the coursework,
reading and independent study that you need to undertake as part of each module.
AUTUMN SEMESTER (September to December)
(60 credits)
Professional Skills
Reflective Practice
& Learning
Retail Marketing
Retail Strategy
EXAMINATIONS (December)
SPRING SEMESTER (February to May)
Retail
Management
Applications
Critical Thinking
Logistics & Channel
Management
(60 credits)
Retail Buying &
Merchandising
EXAMINATIONS (May)
SUMMER SEMESTER (June to August)
Knowledge Management & Practice
(60 credits)
GRADUATION (November)
3

Programme Content
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. 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. It 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.
• 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 with links to the retailing industry. Recent client organisations have included Playtex
International, Texstyle World and the Thistle Shopping Centre, Stirling.
• Critical Thinking: Concentrates on academic scholarly research. It involves critiquing published
research, a poster session in which you present ideas for your dissertation, and is followed by a full
research proposal.
• Retail Buying and Merchandising: Covers both strategic and operational decisions. It explains the
context of buying 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:
This module focuses on logistics, channel
relationships and the supply chain. It relates
logistics to the economy and to business
and develops an understanding of channel
management.
Assessment
The taught modules of the MSc programme
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 further details please visit our web-site:
www.stir.ac.uk/management/
about/retail-studies/
4

What our graduates say about the MSc in Retail
Management
Ziwei Wang (2009-2010)
Retailing is a fresh area and a promising subject. After completing the MSc programme, 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 programme 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 programme 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 electonic goods. My experience in Stirling not only helped me indulge in the job from day one,
but has also holped 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 Univeisty 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 programme to anyone looking for a
Head Office career within retail.
5

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, computerbased
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.
6

Why study on Stirling’s MSc in Retail Management
programme?
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.
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 we have students from
more than 20 countries studying on our programmes.
The Institute for Retail Studies: The Institute for Retail Studies at the University of Stirling 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 an international
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 (IRS) 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’.
7

Entry Requirements
Academic
A good Honours degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in business and managementrelated
subjects. Candidates with a very good Honours degree in other disciplinary areas, or mature
non-graduate applicants with an appropriate level of relevant managerial experience, may also be
considered for entry to the programme.
English Language Requirements
Your first language must be English; or you must have been taught in English at a university or college
where English is the main language; or you must achieve a minimum standard of English proficiency
such as IELTS 6 (minimum 5 in each skill) or TOEFL 550/213/79 (Paper/ Computer/Internet).
Fees
For full detail on these go to our website: www.stir.ac.uk/postgraduate/financial-information
Discounts are available for Alumni of Stirling University:
www.stir.ac.uk/alumni/member-benefits/
Funding
The Postgraduate Student’s Allowance Scheme (PSAS) awards are also available on a competitive basis
to Home/EU fee paying applicants. For information on possible alternative sources of funding, visit:
www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/financial-information
Contact Details
Lynne McCulloch
Postgraduate Secretary
Stirling Management School
University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4LA
Scotland, UK
Email: msc-retailmgt@stir.ac.uk
Tel: + 44 (0) 1786 467381
Fax: + 44 (0) 1786 464745
Web: www.stir.ac.uk/management/about/retail-studies/
8

Why Stirling?
The recognition of the University’s activities
was acknowledged in a speech by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Alistair
Darling MP, at the University in November
2007. In it, the Chancellor noted:
‘You are building links with universities
across the world: one in every seven
students come from outside Britain, from
80 different countries in total. The university
now has partnerships with universities in
many countries including Singapore and
Shanghai. Your retail marketing experts
helping improve skills and expand the
tertiary education market in Singapore
and South Africa.’ 08 November 2007
The Institute for Retail Studies was
described by the Department of Trade
and Industry as a ‘Centre of Excellence’.
This recognition was further enhanced
in December 2008 when the Research
Assessment Exercise described the
University’s research into retailing as
‘World Leading’.
The University of Stirling is Scottish University of the Year for
2009/2010 (Sunday Times) and is consistently ranked best in the
UK for ‘a good place to be’ (International Student Barometer,
2007 and 2008). The University has high student satisfaction
levels, and an excellent employability rate for our graduates.
Scottish
University
2009/2010

Contact us
IRS General Enquiries:
Sharon Deery
PA to Director
Institute for Retail Studies
University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4LA
Scotland, UK
Inverness
Aberdeen
E-mail: irst1@stir.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1786 467386
Fax: +44 (0) 1786 466290
Web: www.stir.ac.uk/management/
about/retail-studies/
Lynne McCulloch
Postgraduate Secretary
Stirling Management School
University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4LA
Scotland, UK
Email: msc-retailmgt@stir.ac.uk
Tel: + 44 (0) 1786 467381
Fax: + 44 (0) 1786 464745
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