MSc International Retail Marketing

Entry standards

Applicants should usually hold a Bachelors degree (UK Lower Second/2.2 or above) or equivalent qualification from a recognised British/overseas university. Every applicant is assessed individually on their own merit. Higher level professional qualifications may also be accepted. Relevant work experience could be an additional benefit where applicants have not reached the standard entry requirements, although it is not an admissions requirement for this particular degree programme.

As a result of their high popularity, we have successfully secured further places for our postgraduate programmes in this area. We are therefore extending our deadline for submission of applications to 31 May 2012. Applications received after this date will only be considered subject to availability of places.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

MSc International Retail Marketing - structure and modules

Module Titles

Compulsory Modules

• Retail Services Marketing
• International Retailing
• Relationship Marketing
• Retail Buying and Merchandising
• Consumer Behaviour
• Research Methods
• Dissertation

Optional Modules

• Financial Management
• International Marketing Investigation
• Marketing Communications
• Marketing Research
• Technology-enabled Marketing

Compulsory Modules  

Retail Services Marketing

This module uses theory and case studies to assess and analyse the meaning and application of marketing in the retail context.

International Retailing 

This module is designed to help you to understand the extent and nature of retail internationalisation and to critically evaluate related theories and conceptualisations.

Relationship Marketing 

Relationship marketing (RM), including customer relationship management (CRM), is a very current topic in marketing and as such needs to be delivered to marketing students who are about to take up occupations where the concepts and approaches need to be fully understood. 

Retail Buying and Merchandising 

This module evaluates the role and nature of buying and merchandising strategies in meeting objectives (both financial and non-financial) of retail organisations. It examines specific management applications utilised in meeting product and service criteria set by the retail mix. 

Consumer Behaviour

Consumer behaviour is evident in everyday life and a knowledge and understanding of this subject is beneficial to marketing and strategy formulation. The lectures will focus on behavioural concepts, appropriate research techniques and recent research findings to enhance your understanding of how consumers choose products. Recent trends in consumer behaviour applied to services are also incorporated.

Dissertation 

The dissertation is the final element of the programme which provides an opportunity for a sustained period of research. It allows you to concentrate on a topic that is of particular interest to you and it draws upon a range of different aspects of the taught programme. It also gives an opportunity for you to work on your own with individual supervision. 

Research Methods 

This module is designed to provide you with the fundamentals of research practice. The module introduces you to the process of research project formulation and the key elements of research design for your research study and dissertation. 

Optional Modules 

Financial Management 

This module encourages the ability to think across management disciplines and appreciate the significance of the fiscal implications of decisions. It enables you to apply accounting principles and financial theory to decision making in modern business organisations. 

International Marketing Investigation 

This module provides an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during the programme to a set problem of international marketing with a view to supporting reasoned choices. 

Marketing Communications 

This module provides a comprehensive framework for understanding marketing communications within an international arena, introducing concepts, issues and the theory and practice of marketing communications (marcoms) and integrated marketing communications (IMC). 

Marketing Research 

This module focuses on the critical aspects of marketing research theory and practice to support and improve marketing management practice in an international context. 

Technology-enabled Marketing 

This module provides you with a comprehensive framework for understanding the contextual, strategic and operational issues involved in the application of ICT to marketing (including databases, the web and mobile technologies).

MSc International Retail Marketing - entry standards

Entry standards

Applicants should usually hold a Bachelors degree (UK Lower Second/2.2 or above) or equivalent qualification from a recognised British/overseas university. Every applicant is assessed individually on their own merit. Higher level professional qualifications may also be accepted. Relevant work experience could be an additional benefit where applicants have not reached the standard entry requirements, although it is not an admissions requirement for this particular degree programme.

As a result of their high popularity, we have successfully secured further places for our postgraduate programmes in this area. We are therefore extending our deadline for submission of applications to 31 May 2012. Applications received after this date will only be considered subject to availability of places.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

Start date

Programme Leader

• Dr James Bell

MSc International Retail Marketing - fees and funding

Fees

International Retail Marketing (full time):

UK/EU - £9,190
Overseas - £14,830

www.surrey.ac.uk/pgfees/2012

MSc International Retail Marketing - professional context

Professional recognition

The Surrey Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This programme has been approved and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) to provide direct entry onto the CIM’s Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing.

MSc International Retail Marketing - teaching

Academic Support

Academic Support 

The Surrey Business School prides itself on its high teaching standards, research excellence, employment record, international reputation and flexible teaching methods, and has an outstanding group of academics committed to education. 

Throughout your time at Surrey you will have access to a range of services and support. The School is committed to developing your study skills through a variety of different teaching methods and tutorials. In addition, our learning resources are second to none.

Staff perspective

Dr James Bell (Postgraduate Prospectus 2012)

The International Retail Marketing programme offers you the opportunity to study the academic theory and industry practice of retail marketing from an international perspective.

In addition to developing industry knowledge, it supports you in developing critical thinking and analysis skills, especially through the use of business case studies that fuse theoretical perspectives with real–life retail marketing experience.

Furthermore, our students benefit greatly from reflecting upon and sharing their own industry experience. Classes encourage you to reflect on your own business experience and to actively share knowledge and best practice, whether from a retail head office viewpoint, an operational perspective or from a background working in retail and marketing–related industries such as FMCG, research, consultancy, supply chain or advertising. 

The international nature of the group is of great benefit in terms of developing both retail business and consumer market knowledge across a variety of international contexts. Whether through class discussion or more formally organised group work, you are actively engaged in broadening your knowledge of retail marketing across a range of developed and developing markets and world regions.

Modules are developed and taught by specialist retail and marketing academics. Close links with industry also allow the opportunity to invite guest speakers to present within the modules. We strive to deliver rich, practical and academic insights into the contemporary international retail marketing business environment.

MSc International Retail Marketing - learning

Facilities and Equipment 

You will work in the state-of-the-art School of Management building which is wireless networked and has well-equipped computer laboratories, dedicated high-quality seminar rooms and a 400- seat auditorium. 

When students wish to relax and meet friends, the School offers a purpose-built student common room, its own coffee shop and the Lakeside Restaurant which operates as a professional business but is also a fundamental part of the School’s Hospitality Management programmes.

MSc International Retail Marketing - graduate profile

Student Profile: Bruno Schlemm

MSc Retail Management*

The Masters degree in Retail Management at the University of Surrey was a turning point in my career. The combination of a business case focus, world-class teaching and the one-year dense programme made Surrey my first choice from the start.

After having worked in retail for several years I was looking for that extra bit of knowledge to complement my experience. It provided me with a unique academic background, a fantastic awareness of the retail environment and the analytical ability that I was hoping for.

At Surrey I found dedicated academics with a strong commitment to teaching quality and a passion for retail. The multicultural classes have the right size and are based on interactivity, which gave me the opportunity to share ideas with people from all over the world in a truly international environment. I also had the option to focus my degree on a specific field by choosing from an array of complementary modules. The hard bit was choosing what not to do, since they were all very interesting.

The campus is brilliant and I made many friends. The room I had on campus was perfect. I am still in touch with my flatmates and often we remember the great times we had together. There is plenty to do outside the classroom too. There are many extra activities available, ranging from learning a new language to sports. Not to mention that London is only 40 minutes away. All those qualities make Surrey one of the best choices in the country.

*This programme has now been replaced by the International Retail Marketing Programme

Student Profile: Marisabella De Castro Abello

MSc International Retail Marketing

I really enjoyed my time at the University of Surrey. Studying at Surrey and living in a foreign country helped me grow as a person. I found the British education system challenging, but very encouraging as well. 

Moreover, the experience of studying with people from different parts of the world helped me realise all the differences in retail that exist worldwide and it has made my learning even more meaningful. I also took advantage of the Language Centre classes. They helped me develop my writing and oral skills and made me more successful as a result. 

Student life was different for me, as I lived on campus with my husband, who was also a PhD student at Surrey. We’ve had the opportunity of living with other people from around the world, which has also enriched our experience. I wish I had more time to experience more of the student activities that Surrey offers; sadly the programme only lasted a year. 

I have many years’ experience in marketing and PR positions in the banking and education sector, and have run consultancy projects related to market research and customer satisfaction. I have also worked as an administrative and commercial director for L´Occitane, a relatively new brand in Colombia, and my last job before I came to Surrey was to coordinate the development of an international event called REELA (Roundtable on Entrepreneurship Education). 

Having now completed the MSc International Retail Marketing, in the future I would like to work in the head office of a fashion retail company, in the marketing or buying fields.

MSc International Retail Marketing - more

Probing Commerce – the Retail Research Group 

The Marketing and Retail Research Group, based in the Surrey Business School, conducts research into strategic and operational management and planning and policy issues relating to retailing and consumption. 

Members are also actively involved with industry and practitioners through a number of links which include consultancy projects, executive classes, speaking at industry conferences and events, and supplying media commentary. 

The Marketing and Retail Research Group also supervises doctoral students studying for a PhD in the area of retailing. 

A wide range of experience 

Members of the Marketing and Retail Research Group have significant experience in a raft of issues relating to retailing. Specific interests include: 

• Evolution of retail systems 
• International retailing 
• Managing Retail Performance 
• Retail-led urban regeneration 
• Retail location management 
• Retail marketing 
• Retail regulation and planning 
• Retail restructuring and strategy 
• Retail Service Delivery
• Supply chain management 
• Town centre management

MSc International Retail Marketing - apply

• MSc International Retail Marketing Full-time - starting September 2012