Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Retail Marketing

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.

Key Facts

• Award: BA (Hons)
• Start date: September 2025, January 2026
• Duration: 48 months or 36 months
• Mode of study: full time, part time
• Delivery: on campus
• UCAS Code: N550
• Study abroad opportunities

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.
• Care-experienced applicants: 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.
• 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

View the entry requirements for your country.

Advanced Entry

• Year 2 and Year 3 entry: Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course.
• Other qualifications: Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications.

Other Routes of Entry

If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses.

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.

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

The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2025. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

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.

Fees and Funding

Fees and Costs

• Scottish students: This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
• 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.
• International students (including EU): Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course.

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.

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.

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.