Retail Management BA (Hons)

Course overview

You can still apply to BU (including through UCAS Extra). Please apply through UCAS as soon as possible; your application can only be assessed once we have received it from UCAS.

One of the largest sectors in the UK for graduate employment, retailing offers a wide range of challenging and exciting careers. This course, regarded by many retailers as the best in the country, develops an understanding of the industry and the environment in which it operates and will equip you with the knowledge, technical skills and commitment for a successful career.

Retail management is about managing the whole retail process from the raw materials to the final consumer; it's not just about working in shops, although some of our graduates do manage retail stores out of choice.

To succeed in the competitive and demanding world of retailing, potential managers need an understanding of the industry and the environment in which it operates in addition to the technical and functional skills necessary for success. Retailers recognise the demands they place on graduates entering the industry, and significant responsibility and reward often comes at an early age.

Equipped with the skills of analysis and critical evaluation, and with a high level of innovative and creative ability, graduates become highly effective in key areas of the business such as marketing and promotions, personnel and buying - as well as in operations.

As part of the final year students undertake a Retail Management Consultancy Project which involves giving a presentation to industry, Steve Clarke, Merchandising Director for Tesco said, "Over the past twenty five years I have been at lots of presentations from Multinational companies and this presentation would not be out of place in comparison."

What our students think

"The course has surpassed my expectations. The units that I have sat have been extremely relevant within the retail industry in the ‘real world’. I experienced this first hand during my placement and the feeling of applying study to industry in reality is extremely rewarding." Vicki Wholton

See our Graduate Employment section for news of our latest graduates' job titles and employers.