This course is designed for people engaged in shopping centre management or the retail industry, including both long-standing centre managers and comparatively new entrants to the shopping centre sector.
Applications are invited from employees of Members of the British Council for Shopping Centres (BCSC) or International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC).
Summary
Award: BCSC Diploma in Shopping Centre Management
Duration: 2 years
Time commitment: 8 hours of study a week
Application by: 15 December 2009
Course starts: 1 February 2010
Accreditation – BCSC
The course has been developed jointly by BCSC and the College of Estate Management.
Entry requirements
At least two years’ experience of centre management or employment in centre management, or appropriate experience of management in the retail or related industries over the same period.
If you are not directly employed in the shopping centre industry, you must demonstrate a commitment to obtaining qualifications in order to progress to centre management.
BCSC
Formed in 1983, the British Council for Shopping Centres represents the retail property industry. Its primary objective is to encourage improvement in the standards of management, planning and design of British shopping centres. Membership is open to all professional consultants, retailers and contractors involved in the ownership, development or operation of shopping centres.
BCSC organises regular lunchtime lectures, centre visits, seminars and conferences to keep its Members updated on the latest trends and developments in the UK and overseas. It also operates a Regional Secretariat.
Scholarships
The BCSC Educational Trust awards scholarships to students who are not eligible for financial support from other sources. To apply for a scholarship please contact the Course Administrator before submitting your course application.
Course outline
Year 1
Five modules
Business Management Skills – management functions related to shopping centres; retailing; management structures and organisation; business plans; communication and reporting; customer relationship management; financial controls and budgeting.
Centre Management Practice – strategic provision of centre management services; providing and maintaining trading environment; outsourcing of contracts; performance reviews; tender procedures; estate management and FM principles; car park management; security; fire precautions; maintenance and external consultants; service charges.
Shopping Centre Development and Public Controls – origins and different types of purpose-built centre (with international comparisons) and integration into traditional retail environment; town planning controls; Building Regulations; health and safety standards and other public policy measures influencing shopping centre development and management.
Planning and Design – retail space layout; internal and external design; planning and design of markets; food courts; leisure complexes; car parking; public transport facilities.
Managing People in Shopping Centres – recruiting and developing people; understanding peoples’ motivation and managing behaviour.
Year 2
Four modules and a major project
Law – English property law relevant to shopping centres; law of contract; rights of way; covenants; joint maintenance responsibilities; fundamentals of leases; employment and security law.
Shopping Centre Marketing – managing and implementing public relations; promotions and display activity; market research; advertising.
Investments and Valuation – ownership of shopping centres; funding; letting policies and tenant mix; financial aspects of lease arrangements; business rates.
Refurbishment and Retail Trends – understanding the management processes of refurbishment; current retailing trends; characteristics of future shopping centres; external consumer and retailer demands influencing shopping centre development.
Personal dissertation project – an individual piece of research and examination of a specific topic, identified by the student and approved by the Course Director and Project Tutors.
Face-to-Face teaching
Year 1
• Introductory seminar – February
• Shopping centre study day and visit – April/May
• Mid-course teaching day – July
• Revision day – September
Year 2
Broadly similar in structure to Year 1
We recommend that you also attend the annual BCSC/CEM Shopping Centre Management Conference in March, at which the College has arranged a number of reserved places for participants at a discounted rate. Overnight accommodation is not provided as part of the course.
Assessment
Assessment consists of assignments and examinations with the exception of the major project in Year 2, which is 100% weighted on one coursework submission.
Assignments
You will complete and submit one assignment per module for assessment according to the timetable of the course. You will also submit a project in Year 2.
Exams
Exams are normally held in October and comprise:
• Five 1-hour written papers in Year 1
• Four 1-hour written papers in Year 2
Applications from suitably qualified candidates living or practising overseas are welcomed but the course does involve attendance at a number of obligatory sessions in Reading and elsewhere in the UK.
Admissions and enquiries
Email: courses@cem.ac.uk
Tel: 0800 019 9697 (freephone UK)
+44 (0) 118 921 4696 (international)
Fax: +44 (0) 118 921 4620