Business and Retail Management
Factfile
| Typical Entry Requirements | A level grades BBB (300 points) |
|---|---|
| Required Subjects | Minimum grade C in GCSE Mathematics and English. |
| English Language Requirements | An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for non-native-English-speaking applicants. |
| Other Suitable Qualifications | BTEC National Diploma - DDM A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis such as HND, Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish qualifications, Access Diplomas and Foundation courses. |
|---|---|
| Selection Process | Offers are usually made in terms of points. With the exception of mature students, interviews are not part of the process. We do not include General Studies in our offers. We invite suitable candidates to visit the University to find out more about the programme and meet staff and students. |
The Business and Retail Management degree at Surrey was introduced in 1989 as one of the first of its type to be developed. The degree has been designed to equip you with essential management skills together with the specialist knowledge of the retail industry that you will need for a successful career.
In addition to studying a range of key business and management topics, you will have the opportunity to study a range of specialist topics that will enable you to develop an understanding of the working realities of retail management, operations and relevant retail concepts. You will learn to apply and evaluate appropriate techniques and frameworks that lie at the heart of successful retailing.
Further information
Degree Programme
BSc (Hons) Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BSc (Hons) Business and Retail Management | N240 | 3/4* years |
Our Degree
Retailing is a dynamic industry, consisting of sectors such as food, fashion, consumer goods, financial services and leisure, which comprise some of the largest companies in Europe. This degree aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge required to be a successful retail business manager. You will gain an excellent business education and the specialist approach needed for your chosen career. The programme is based around a core of business and management subjects combined with industry-related retail modules.
In your first year, you will be given an introduction to the retail industry. You will also be introduced to the complexities involved in managing a large-scale retail business. As you progress, you will learn about the importance of store location and its significance in the performance of retail stores. You will develop an understanding of the logistics involved in getting products to consumers and the importance of retail buyers in this process.
In your final year you will develop an understanding of international retailing and the marketing challenges faced by organisations operating on a global platform. This knowledge, combined with the awareness and skills you will develop in measuring performance, the role of branding, pricing strategy, quality control and consumer behaviour, is aimed to ensure that you can become an effective retail manager.
We are the only business school in the world to hold simultaneous accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Programme Overview
The programme consists of compulsory and elective modules which you study to earn credits towards your final degree. You will study for 120 credits per level where each of the modules is worth 20 credits.
At Level 1 all of the modules are compulsory and languages can be studied as optional elective modules. The compulsory modules will enable you to develop fundamental and retail-specific management skills and knowledge. A compulsory module, fundamental to management, such as Management Skills, looks at a wide range of behaviours at work, how we make decisions and how we interpret and assess people. A retail-specific compulsory module, such as Retail Industry and the Consumer, facilitates your understanding of the fundamentals of retail activity.
At Level 2 and Level 3, you will study a combination of compulsory modules based on fundamental management topics such as Business Skills and Business Strategy, and retail management-specific topics such as Retail Buying and Merchandising Management. You will be able to choose from a wide selection of elective modules based on a variety of management topics including business, entrepreneurship, finance and consumer behaviour.
Level 3 provides the opportunity for you to undertake a final-year project consisting of detailed research in your particular field of interest.
Programme Structure
Level 1
Core modules:
- Management Skills
- Business Environment
- Marketing Principles
- Introductory Accounting
- Operations Management
- Retail Industry and the Consumer
Plus optional elective language modules
Level 2
Core modules:
- Business Skills
- International Fashion Marketing
- Managing Organisations and Human Resources
- Managing Retail Locations
- Plus elective modules
Level P
- Optional professional training year
Level 3
Core modules:
- Business Strategy
- Retail Buying and Merchandising Management
- International Retailing
- Final-year Project
Plus elective modules
Professional Training
The optional professional training year allows you to consolidate the management education you have acquired and provides a platform on which you can build when you return to your studies. It gives a valuable opportunity to put your management learning into practice in real organisations in the UK, with some placements available overseas.
The School of Management has many years’ experience in placing students and has partnerships with a range of excellent companies, such as House of Fraser, John Lewis Partnership, Waitrose, Fortnum and Mason and Majestic Wine Warehouses.
Ten reasons to study Business and Retail Management at Surrey
- An excellent reputation in the retail industry
- A truly international and multicultural environment in which to learn
- Professional placements with leading UK and overseas companies
- Outstanding employment prospects – 98 per cent of graduates employed within six months
- Academic staff with excellent retail industry experience
- Dedicated student support networks and services
- Integrated technology is utilised to enhance your learning
- International student exchange opportunities around the globe
- A leading centre for retail management higher education
- A strong entrepreneurial culture is encouraged throughout our programmes
Top for Jobs
Graduates over the last few years entered employment with organisations such as:
- Fortnum and Mason, London – Customer Services Supervisor
- McKinsey & Company – Junior Analyst
- Mothercare – Buyer
- Topshop – Merchandising Administrative Assistant
- Resource Solutions – Recruitment Consultant
- Schindler – Marketing and Sales Assistant
Career Opportunities
There is great demand for our Business and Retail Management graduates from retail organisations and related service sector industries. Some of our graduates choose to go into operational management roles, others specialise in marketing, buying, IT and other head-office retail positions. Other graduates move into banking, accounting and teaching. Graduates of this degree have proven to be highly employable across a wide range of organisations, not just limited to retail.
Teaching
Each of our modules is designed to involve 200 hours of student work. This time will be spent in lectures, laboratories and tutorials, and includes private study on your own or in small study groups. You will also write essays and assignments that draw on your understanding of a particular area.
Our staff members are innovative in delivering engaging learning sessions that bring together theory and practice for your intellectual and professional development.
Contact Details
T: 0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681681
What our students say
Graduate Profile: Jennifer Thomas
BSc Retail Management*
I chose this degree as I am really interested in business, especially retail, and wanted to focus on my studies without ‘closing any doors’. My ambition is to work in a head office role in the luxury goods sector, either for a designer fashion house or jewellery house.
I spent a considerable amount of time reviewing degree courses on offer and the BSc Retail Management* degree at the University of Surrey really jumped out at me.
I have really enjoyed the subject areas we have studied such as buying and international retailing. It really benefits students that the lecturers have commercial experience and it is also great being part of a relatively small year group as you get to know the other students on the course.
I found the professional training year was one of the best experiences of my life. I worked for Fortnum and Mason in London and had the opportunity to gain experience across a range of functional areas and departments.
I gained confidence as well as experience of retail business and my role included supervising 25 staff over the very busy Christmas period, coordinating events and customer service. I feel this practical experience, in addition to my academic studies, has prepared me for the real world of retail management brilliantly!
*BSc Retail Management has now been replaced by BSc Business and Retail Management
