The dynamic retail landscape penetrates the everyday lives of consumers and their shopping journeys. As an aspiring or current retail professional, it is therefore vital to upskill your present skill sets and knowledge to meet the evolving needs of the industry to create integrated and exciting retail experiences for your customers.

Supported by the Institute for Retail Studies (IRS) and its extensive retail networks within Singapore, this programme prepares you for the retail industry by providing a relevant, practical curriculum with opportunities to interact with retail practitioners.

Objectives

• To understand the fundamental importance of retailing as a customer-focused activity and as an important service sector within the environment and society at large
• To be able to apply core retail marketing principles to the delivery of customer values in the digital age
• To understand the nature of specific retailing activities and how they are integrated within a distribution channel and the wider exchange process
• To have an opportunity to craft your career and equip yourself with the skills necessary to excel in decision-making positions in retail today

Career Prospects

You will acquire a comprehensive range of analytical, problem-solving and professional skills, which are increasingly valued not just in the retail industry itself but also in other areas of commerce, education, government and non-profit organisations. Thus, a degree in Retail Marketing can become the key to pursuing a specialised retail career or a more general management career.

Previous graduates have become successful Buyers, Brand Managers, Operations Managers, Visual Merchandisers and Store Designers.

Graduates look forward to job positions in retail and related businesses, including:

• Store management
• Merchandising
• Retail supply chain
• Industry-level & public-sector positions relating to retail trade

Opportunity for Postgraduate Study

Graduates can apply for Stirling’s taught postgraduate programmes including, MSc Multichannel Retail Marketing with Retail in UK.

For an up-to-date list of postgraduate programmes available at the University, please visit the University’s website at: stir.ac.uk/

Teaching Faculty

Lectures – Teaching faculty from University of Stirling and local lecturers

Tutorials – Local tutors

Mode of Delivery

Two semesters a year. Classes conducted with a structured curriculum of fifteen (15) modules and a dissertation.

Flexible format to meet a variety of study needs subject to the University’s approval.

Mode of Study

Teaching centres on face-to-face lectures and tutorials delivered on block teaching basis.

Lectures may be scheduled from 12.00pm to 6.30pm on weekdays over two weeks per module, with breaks in between sessions.

Tutorials for the same module will be conducted by local tutors over three weeks, scheduled on weekdays at three hours per session. Classes are conducted over three time slots: 8.30am / 12.00pm / 3.30pm.

Saturday classes may occasionally be scheduled if required.

Classes are held at SIM campus unless otherwise stated.

Modules

Year 1

• Fundamentals of Business & Management (20 credits)
• Fundamentals of Marketing (20 credits)
• Global Retailing in Society (20 credits)
• Leisure Management and Consumption (20 credits)
• Sports Studies – Issues and Concepts* (20 credits)
• Sustainable Marketing (20 credits)

Year 2 and 3

• Buying and Visual Merchandising (20 credits)
• Delivering Value in the Digital Age (20 credits)
• Digital and Experiential Marketing (20 credits)
• Effective Communication and External Relations for Managers (20 credits)
• International Business (20 credits)
• Marketing Analytics and Brand Creation (20 credits)
• Multi-Channel Retail Marketing (20 credits)
• Retail Strategy and Operations (20 credits)
• Understanding Consumers (20 credits)
• Dissertation* (60 credits)

*A supervisor will be assigned to guide with the dissertation which focuses on a particular marketing topic.

Note:

• The modules to be offered would be pre-determined by the university.
• The modules listed here and on the University’s website may occasionally be subject to change.

Module Synopses (PDF 460 KB)

Exchange Semester at Stirling

Students can choose to attend 1 semester (Year 3 first semester) at the University of Stirling home campus in the UK. Students are expected to complete modules equivalent of 60 credits in the UK. The experience enhances the global outlook and mind-set of students, and prepares them to work better in a global economy.

The programme fee is exclusive of airfares, accommodation and expenses related to the exchange semester at Stirling.

Exchange semester is contingent on global conditions and travel restrictions.

Duration/Candidature Period

Duration of programme: Three years

Candidature: Four years

Students who did not complete the programme by the candidature period will not be entitled to any recourse or refund.

Minimum Class Size

Minimum to commence: 50 students

If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed within one month before programme commencement with the refund of application fee.

Entry Requirements

Admission to Year 1 of the programme:

• GCE ‘A’ level passes
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or other equivalent pre-university certificates

• Applicants with the relevant diplomas may be eligible for direct entry to Year 2 of the programme
• Applicants with a Non-Retail and/or Non-Marketing related diploma may be admitted into the programme subject to the approval of the University. Applicants may also be required to complete and pass a 3-months Preparatory Course in Retail Marketing for entry into the Year 2 programme.

All other qualifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and all admission will be based on merit and is subject to the approval of the University.

Applicants who obtained their qualifications from countries where English is not the standard medium of instruction or the first language, will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English language.

English Proficiency Requirement

Students must have acceptable level of competency in English Language and meet one of the following in addition to an approved diploma:

• Minimum C6 pass in English as First Language at GCE ‘O’ Level; or
• TOEFL 567 (paper-based) or 87 (iBT) with Reading 22, Writing 21, Listening 21, Speaking 23; or
• IELTS 6.0 overall (no band less than 5.5); or
• Successful completion of a recognized approved Diploma, where the language of instruction was English

Preparatory Course in Retail Marketing (If Applicable)

Developed and awarded by SIM, Singapore.

Applicants with Non-Retail and/or Non-Marketing related local Polytechnic Diploma are required to complete and pass a three-month SIM Preparatory Course in Retail Marketing for entry into Year 2 of the Bachelor’s programme.

The preparatory course, comprising two modules, will cover the essential foundation concepts to prepare students for undergraduate study with University of Stirling.

• Introduction to Marketing
• Retail Studies

University of Stirling may require students to complete a minimum of one and up to a maximum of two modules.

Preparatory Course – Module Synopses (PDF 86 KB)

The course, conducted annually between May and July, is delivered through blended learning, a combination of face-to-face lectures and e-learning components.

On-campus lectures are typically 3 to 6 hours on weekdays. Some lessons may also take place on Saturdays if required.

The modules are fully assessed either by written exams, continuous assessments^ or a combination of both. Written exams are typically held at the end of the preparatory course in July. These exams may take place weekday mornings and there are no re-sits.

^Coursework may include in-class tests, assignments, online quizzes etc.

The minimum class size is 25 students. If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed within one month before programme commencement with the refund of application fee.

Certification

A certificate of completion will be awarded upon successfully passing the Preparatory Course in Retail Studies. There will not be any refund or recourse should students fail to complete the course within the course duration.

Preparatory Course in Marketing: S$695.50 per module

Bachelor’s Programme Fees

Local students

Year 1: S$8,795.40

Year 2 & 3: S$39,033.60

Total: S$47,829.00

International students

Year 1: S$9,309.00

Year 2 & 3: S$41,344.80

Total: S$50,653.80

Other Fee – Student Development Fee:

S$251.45

A one-time payment applicable to all students embarking on a full-time Diploma or Undergraduate programme at SIM. This fee goes towards activities that will help in students’ personal growth and equip them with functional skills that enhance their employability.

Other Fee – International Student Induction Fee:

S$428.00

A one-time fee payable by new full-time international students. This fee covers pre-arrival and arrival support, including activities to enhance the international student learning experience.

The “Other Fees” as applicable, are payable with the programme fees’ first instalment.

Application Fee applies

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST (exclude textbooks, repeat fees and expenses related to exchange semester at Stirling) and valid for 2022 intake.

Scholarships

SIM GE Scholarships available

Exemption Eligibility

Marketing/Business related diploma from SIM or local Polytechnics may be eligible for entry to Year 2 with exemption from Year 1.

All other qualifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and all admission will be based on merit and is subject to the approval of the University.

Lecturers & their Teaching Modules (PDF 543 KB)

Average teacher-student ratio 1:50

Assessments & Teaching Methods

Assessment is based on combination of coursework and exams.

End-of-semester main exam is normally in December and May. The assessment schedule is subject to change by the University.

Attendance Requirement

Local students – 75%
International students – 90%

Progression

Students are allowed to progress through each semester till they satisfactorily complete the graduation requirements.

Award & Graduation

To successfully complete the programme requirements to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Retail Marketing Degree.

The degree awarded and degree certificate, is the same as that awarded in the UK.

For Chinese international students, the University of Stirling degrees delivered through SIM Global Education in Singapore is further recognised by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China (Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange).