MSc Marketing Management (Retail)

During your studies on MSc Marketing Management (Retail) degree, you will have the opportunity to achieve CIM professional qualifications. You can achieve the Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing or Professional in Digital Marketing* and / or the CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing or Professional Digital Marketing or Sustainable Marketing** – this will depend on the amount of prior professional experience you have in marketing. You can also obtain both qualifications after graduating.

Exemption

*You will be exempt from the Applied Marketing and the Marketing Campaigns modules and need to complete one elective module. Please note additional costs and work involved. 
** You will need to achieve a 2:2 or above degree classification and successfully pass the specified (non-exempt) modules at the chosen level of study to be awarded the CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing. You will be exempt from the Marketing and Digital Strategy module and need to complete one mandatory module and one elective module, currently from a choice of two electives. Please note additional costs and work involved.

If pursuing CIM qualification after graduating: you will need to start non-exempt modules within three years of graduation and complete within five years for exemptions to be valid. 

Benefits for you:

• Opportunity to graduate with two highly recognised qualifications, the CIM Foundation Certificate in Marketing and the IPA Foundation Certificate, alongside your academic degree
• Improved placement and employability prospects, due to achievement of academic and professional qualifications whilst in higher education
• Membership of CIM and associated benefits.
   

Benefits for employers:

• Graduates and placement students with proven practitioner and academic skills.

• BU will provide all assessment guidance at no additional cost. 
• We will ask you to pay the CIM Affiliate Studying Membership fee of £65 directly to the CIM on registering for the CIM programme. This covers the cost of CIM annual membership.
• If studying on a Level 4 CIM Certificate, you will need to pay the CIM assessment fee for the one unit at a cost of £150. Again, you will need to pay this fee directly to the CIM. If studying on a CIM Diploma, you will need to pay the CIM assessment fee for two units (at a cost of £190 per unit, £380 in total).
•  In the event of a failed assessments: if you wish to submit for a later assessment session, you will need to pay the relevant CIM assessment fee and renew your annual CIM studying membership (cost £65).

• Marketing & Strategy: The unit aims to explore and analyse the premise that in order to be successful, organisations need to gain a good understanding of their customers’ requirements and to seek to achieve organisational objectives through the satisfaction of their customers’ needs and wants. The Unit will also look at marketing against the backdrop of corporate strategy development, and establish the linkage between the two activities.
• Retail Principles & Practice: This unit will introduce you to the structure and dynamic nature of retailing throughout the world. It examines the forces that are at work shaping the industry and the changes it makes in order to survive.
• Digital Marketing: You will be introduce to a range of digital marketing concepts underpinned by the digital marketing planning process including analysis, planning, implementation and control. Emphasis will also be placed on evaluating the effectiveness of various digital marketing tools
• Omnichannel Strategy & Supply Chain management: In this unit you will apply the operational, managerial and strategic uses of technology and strategic management information systems to a global omnichannel business environment, considering the end-to-end process of product development and marketing/selling business-to-business and business-to-consumer.
• Sustainability & Social Marketing: Sustainability and social marketing examines current trends in marketing theory and practice which are occurring as a result of change in the business environment, technology and organisations. This unit develops students’ critical understanding of the theoretical and practical application of sustainability and social marketing, and, draws upon the contemporary cross-disciplinary research to provide students with knowledge of the important developments in various areas of sustainable and social marketing thought and practice.
• Leadership Essentials: The unit aims to provide a critical understanding of leadership theory and practice through developing your personal leadership skills. You will develop greater self-awareness through reflexivity and working with teams, combined with a theoretical understanding including emotional intelligence, resilience and well-being.
• Research Project: An opportunity to undertake a significant piece of self-managed research in an area that interests you.

The placement is intended to foster personal and professional development, and to help you to make a connection between academic learning and the working world. You should consider how a range of management theories can be used, and if management in industry could be improved. The transferable skills developed will improve your performance in your future career, both as an employee and a manager.

You will complete semester one and two of your programme as well as completing your final disseration at BU, before you undertake the 30 weeks of work experience.

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the university's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Students on this course are expected to be proactive and enthusiastic about the retail industry and appreciate the complexity of any retail offer, from the independent family-run business to the multinational chain.

This course suits people who are keen to work with others and are prepared to take on a leadership role, guiding and influencing the views of others to achieve the goals set. Students on the course are likely to come from a diverse range of backgrounds, having studied a number of different subjects for their first degrees. The course welcomes students who possess a strong desire to develop their knowledge and skills in this dynamic industry.

This course selects candidates by looking at their applications. There are no interviews or additional selection activities and therefore we suggest that you make your application stand out from the crowd. For more information take a look at our how to apply pages.

There is no application deadline for this course. However, if you will need a visa to come to the UK to study, think carefully about the length of time it will take for your visa application to be processed and make sure your visa will be ready in time for the beginning of your course.

Click the green ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application free of charge online through myHub, our application portal. You will create your own myHub account so that you can track the progress of your application. Don’t forget to save your application as you go; you can return to it at as many times as you want before you submit it. For more information visit our How to apply section.

The normal requirements for embarking upon a postgraduate taught degree are:

• A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject, or equivalent.

If you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, there are several alternative routes to follow – some based on experience. Contact the Future Students Enquiry Team for more information.

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry:

• China:  学士学位 (Bachelor degree) with a minimum of 65% overall
• Nigeria:  Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution in Nigeria
• Thailand:  Thai Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognised higher education institution.
• Vietnam:  Bachelor's degree/Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with an average score of at least 7.0, or a Master’s degree/Thac si.
• Turkey: Bachelor’s Degree (Lisans Diplomasi -four years) to be considered for a postgraduate course at BU.

All applications will be subject to a minimum grade and your degree may need to be in a relevant subject area.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

• IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

Bournemouth University International College offers a number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes to prepare international students for postgraduate study at BU. Admission to the degree is guaranteed on successful completion of your course to the required level. 

We provide a lot of support for you to help you find work, including a block of seminars, covering topics such as writing a CV and a covering letter, completing an application form, performing well in interviews, and we also provide language support to assist you with the written elements of your applications.

However, it is ultimately your responsibility to find work. The university does not guarantee that you will find a place. As you all probably know, it is hard work finding a job.

During your time on placement you will be supported by a unit tutor and a placement development advisor who will visit you on placement and keep in touch by phone and email.

If you choose to do a placement as part of your course:

If you have previously studied in the UK, we will consider any study limit that may apply. We will issue your CAS according to the length of time you are entitled to under UKVI regulations (if you do not have enough time left for a work placement year, we will issue your CAS to cover your course dates only).

If you decide after you have enrolled on your course that you do not want to do a placement, this will be reported to the UKVI when you have successfully completed your course.

If you choose not to do a placement as part of your course:

We will note this on your CAS and your visa will only be granted long enough to cover your taught course, excluding placement.

If you change your mind while you are here and decide you want to do a placement, you will need to leave the UK to make a new Tier 4 visa application for the additional year of study. You would need to pay for your return travel back to your home country, as well as the cost of a new Tier 4 student visa application.

You will be prepared to undertake roles such as:

• Digital Merchandiser
• Retail Officer
• Head of Marketing
• Retail Marketing Manager
• Retail Manager.

• Retail
• Finance
• Management
• Marketing
• Business.

If you want to continue your studies after achieving your Master’s, you can look into our range of doctoral programmes.

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features. 
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
• Disability and additional learning support
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices. 
• Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website.
• Travel costs, outdoor wear and footwear for optional field trips.
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website.
• SportBU membership

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra-curricular activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

If you need to repeat one or more units during the course of your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full time fee.

International (not Rep. of Ireland) students need to pay a non-refundable £3,000 deposit to secure their place on a postgraduate course. You will need to pay your deposit by the date stated in your offer letter. The remainder of your fee will be payable on registration/enrolment. There are two exceptions to the non-refundable rule on the deposit:

• You fail to meet the academic or English requirements of your offer
• You are refused a visa to enter the UK, provided the reason for the refusal is not a fraudulent application.

We offer a range of scholarships to students who are beginning their studies at BU. Our fees and funding pages also provide details on living costs, budgeting and paying your tuition fees.

Dr Julia Hibbert is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Programme Leader for the MSc Marketing Suite. She received her BA from the University of Lincoln and both her MA and PhD from Bournemouth University. She currently teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes within the Business School. Her fascination with understanding people means that her research interests lie around consumer behaviour and the role of identity in the decision making process. Julia has worked in industry and has led successful marketing campaigns in the childcare sector. 

Jeff is a Consumer Behaviour researcher and educator focused on the societal challenges of sustainable consumption both from an environmental perspective and a personal (health) perspective. This research has received external funding from a variety of sources and generated numerous academic journal publications.

Jeff graduated from Bournemouth University in 2001 with a BA (hons) in Retail Management, from Stirling University in 2004 with an MBA. After a career in a variety of operational retail project management roles he joined Bournemouth University as an academic in 2004 and graduated with a PhD in Consumer Behaviour in 2011. 

Jeff’s research and scholarship is interdisciplinary and focuses on applications of consumer theory to a variety of contexts. His current research examines consumer decision making with respect to food choice, and the health impact that might be achieved through influencing these choices. This work has been recently funded by EU project FoodSMART  and British Council project Veg+.

Outside of the university he is active in promoting our societies young people. He serves as Chair of Governors for a large local school and as non-executive director of Bournemouth Primary Multi-Academy Trust, roles which provide significant strategic leadership experience. He is keen to supervise Doctoral students in the areas Consumer Behaviour, Food Choice and Ethical Consumption.

Elvira is the Director of Accreditation (leading portfolio of world-leading​ accreditations, i.e. AACSB, CMI, CIM, IDM etc.), Principal Academic in Marketing at the Bournemouth University Business School and and Senior Fellow of HEA and Department of Marketing Assurance of Learning (AACSB) Lead. She is Regional President (UK) of IAPNM, on editorial board of Journal of Business to Business Marketing and Deputy Chair for the Academy of Marketing B2B SIG.

Elvira has gained PhD with thesis titled 'Mobile Technology Capabilities and their role in service innovation practices in creative SMEs' and now is supervising other doctoral students in the fields of marketing and management with the focus on digital/interactive marketing.

Currently, her research focuses on social media influencing, adoption of technology by businesses, trust repair in online space and responsible online gambling. Her recent consultancy projects have covered digital marketing planning and implementation for Dr Jackson's, Kudu Clothing and Eat Pho Ltd.

Chris' research interests are in marketing and branding in the non-profit sector, particularly education. He has published and spoken widely on aspects of higher education branding, and is involved in ongoing consultancy projects in the sector. Prior to academia he held senior marketing roles in the publishing and leisure sectors, as well as higher education, where his interest in education branding first began. His PhD by publication was based on a series of papers that explored the concept of branding in the higher education sector.

He is currently working on research into brand orientation in the nonprofit sector.

Chris has received external funding for a number of projects including research into UK University Vice Chancellor's roles in branding. The finding were presented at practitioner conferences throughout the UK.

He has has also undertaken marketing consultancy for organisations including South East Coastal Communities, Portsmouth Climate Action Network and Addiction Recovery Foundation.

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Melissa is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist with significant experience in the field of organisational development and organisational behaviour. Melissa spent six years working as a senior faculty member at Ashridge Business School lecturing in leadership and organisational behaviour. She was also a Programme & Client Director responsible for one of the flagship general management programmes. 
 
Specialties: Executive education, leadership development, psychometrics for individual development, team building and recruitment, research into women in business.