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    Diploma in Retail Business Management

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    Apply by:
    28 February 2026
    start by:
    16 March 2026
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    Diploma in Retail Business Management

    The Diploma in Retail Business Management is a three-year online qualification that will equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the retail industry. The programme covers a wide range of modules, including retailing, supply chain management, consumer behaviour, financial management, and professional selling, ensuring a well-rounded education tailored to the retail sector. Students are introduced to core principles of managing retail operations, building business plans, and understanding consumer decision-making processes while gaining practical insights into inventory control, merchandising, and strategic retailing. We integrate critical skills such as communication for academic and occupational purposes, advanced computer literacy, and information literacy, fostering competency in professional environments. The programme emphasises legal and financial aspects, including contract law, retail financial planning, and the impact of regulations like the Consumer Protection Act. Personal development modules in life skills, such as conflict resolution, time management, and health awareness, are incorporated to support student success in a higher education environment. 

     

     

    FLEXIBLE PAYMENT
    •  Pay per module as you progress with your studies.
    •  Register and pay for only one or two modules at a time (depending on the curriculum requirement). 
    •  Multiple start dates a year, allowing you to save for each module.

    Requirements and Opportunities

    Admission requirements

    To apply for this qualification, a student requires:

    • A Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification, with a D symbol at Higher Grade or a C symbol at Standard Grade for English.
    Recommended subjects:
    Accountancy, Business Economics, Business Management, Economics, English and Commercial Law or Mercantile Law or Commercial Law.
    OR
    • Senior Certificate (before 2008) requires a bachelor’s or diploma endorsement, or an equivalent qualification with an achievement level of at least 4 for English (home language or first additional language) and 3 for Mathematics or Technical Mathematics or 4 for Mathematical Literacy.
    OR
    • National Senior Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4 with a bachelor’s or diploma endorsement, with at least 50% for English (first additional language), and 40% for Mathematics or 50% for Mathematical Literacy, and 40% for Life Orientation (excluded for APS calculation), and 50% for any other three compulsory vocational subjects. The certificate must be in any of the following fields: accounting, computer science, economics, finance, hospitality, information technology, management, marketing, office administration or tourism.
    AND
    • An Admission  Point Score (APS) of at least 24 (excluding Life Orientation).

    Technical requirements

    Students who are registering for the module Retailing I Part A (RB125AN) and Part B (RB125BN) need to purchase the following textbook:
     
    Title: Retail Management: A South African Perspective 

    Author: Terblanche et al. 
    Year: 2016
    Reference: Terblanche, N., Beneke, J., Bruwer, J.P., Corbishley, K., Frazer, M., Nel, J., Pentz, C. & Venter, P., 2016, Retail Management: A South African Perspective, Oxford University Press, Cape Town.
     
    Purchase sites for paperback include: 
    • Van Schaik, Takealot, Amazon, Loot, Yaga, Oxford University Press, and Wize Books.

    Online purchases of the eBook: 
    VitalSource

     

    Students who are registering for the module Retail Operations Management II Part A (RO226AN) and Part B (RO226BN) need to purchase the following textbook:
     
    Title: Introduction to Business Management 12th Edition
    Author: Erasmus, B., Rudansky-Kloppers, S., & Strydom, J.
    Year: 2023
    Reference: Erasmus, B., Rudansky-Kloppers, S., & Strydom, J. 2023. Introduction to business management (12th ed.). Oxford University Press Southern Africa (Pty), Cape Town.
    Hard copy: ISBN: 978-0-19-073961-4
    E-Book: eISBN: 978-0-19-075180-7
    Online purchase of the ebook:
    Oxford University Press.

     

    Students who are registering for the modules Professional Selling I Part A - PF125AN (launches 25 August 2025) and Part B - PF125BN (12 January 2026) need to purchase the following textbook:

    Title: Personal Selling 5th Edition
    Author: Cant, M.C. & Drotsky, A.  
    Year: 2022
    Reference: Cant, M.C. & Drotsky, A.  2022. Personal Selling (5th ed.). Juta, Cape Town
    Hard copy: ISBN: 978-1-48-513270-7
    E-Book: eISBN: 978-1-48-513271-4
    Website Link: Personal Selling Textbook 5th Edition Cant & Drotsky

     
     
    To successfully complete your online qualification, you will need:
     
    • A laptop or desktop computer
    • A stable internet connection
    • To be computer literate

    Modules & Credits

    Fees are paid per module. The programme will be completed over three years. Compulsory modules - 360 credits

    Fees are subject to an annual increase.

    Communication for Academic Purposes

    Module Fees: R2,320
    Credit: 10
    The purpose of the module is to enable the student to apply a variety of listening and note-taking skills for academic and professional purposes; to apply different reading strategies appropriate to the purpose of reading in both an academic and professional environment; to compose a selection of written texts related to a specific field of study; to plan, draft, revise and edit written work for clarity, coherence, style and appropriateness; and to present information orally in a variety of academic and professional situations such as employment interviews, participation in problem-solving activities, and individual and group presentations related to the intended field of employment.

    Computer Literacy and Computer Literacy II

    Module Fees: R3,610 and R4,340
    Credit: 10 and 12
    *Computer Literacy (CPL125N) is a prerequisite for Computer Literacy (CPL225N) This module provides students with foundational knowledge in computing fundamentals, essential digital skills in key applications based on MS Office Suite and network basics (i.e. MS Outlook and Internet). Online exams are mapped with End-User Computing: SAQA 49077 (61591) Core Element as well as Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3).

    Information Literacy I

    Module Fees: R720
    Credit: 2
    Introduction of information literacy. Development of a search strategy and application of a search string to search engines and academic databases. Evaluation of information sources. Ethical and legal use of information.

    Life Skills I

    Module Fees: R720
    Credit: 2
    Personal, socio-emotional and academic skills development for students in higher education. This module includes 1. Intra- and interpersonal skills (e.g. emotional intelligence, relationships, and conflict management); 2. General study skills (e.g. time management, goal setting, learning styles); 3. Health and wellness (e.g. HIV/ AIDS, GBV issues, substance abuse); 4. Student life and adjustment (e.g. identity development, adjusting to a higher education environment); and 5. Financial management.

    Professional Selling I Part A and B

    Module Fees: R4,340 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    The purpose of the module is to have knowledge and an understanding of aspects and functions relating to professional selling. The topic deals primarily with selling concepts, processes, techniques and models. Topics addressed include Selling as a profession, preparing for relationship selling, the selling process, and specialised aspects of selling.

    Retailing I Part A and B

    Module Fees: R4,340 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    Retailing includes all the activities involved in the selling of goods and services to consumers for their personal, family and household use. The module aims to provide a good foundation regarding the retailing environment and how it fits into the broader scope of the business environment. Students will develop an understanding of the important role retailing fulfils in contributing towards the economy and the value it adds to the supply chain. The focus will be on the various activities that retailers perform, the many services that they render, and the strategies related to managing a retail organisation.

    Retail Operations Management I Part A and B

    Module Fees: R4,340 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    The principles of managing a retail organisation are explained. The module aims to describe how resources and activities should be managed in order to operate the retail organisation in the most profitable way possible. Students are also introduced to a basic business plan.

    Practical Accounting I Part A and B

    Module Fees: R4,340 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    Introduction to accounting, the accounting equation, books of prime entry, bank reconciliation statements, debtors and creditors control accounts. Adjustments, financial statements (sole trader), inventory (different systems and valuation), budgets and budgetary control, non-current assets and their disclosure, manufacturing accounts, cost-volume-profit analysis, different forms of enterprise, their financial statements and related matters, basic cost accounting and cost behaviour.

    Consumer Behaviour Part A and B

    Module Fees: R4,340 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    An overview of the model of consumer behaviour is provided, and a basic foundation is laid for the consumer decision-making process. The demographics of the South African consumer market are detailed. The student develops an understanding of the strategies focusing on the external influences on consumer behaviour. The influence of situations on the consumer is expounded. All the work is practically applied. The student develops an insight into strategies that utilise knowledge of internal (psychological) influences on consumer behaviour. The consumer decision-making process is covered in detail. Factors influencing each step of the consumer decision-making process are explained. The focus is also on the post-decision behaviour of consumers. All the work is practically applied.

    Retailing II Part A and B

    Module Fees: R4,340 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    *Retailing I Part A and B are prerequisites for these modules. This module will enable the student to acquire the necessary knowledge to develop a successful retail strategy. The major focus areas will be strategic retailing, merchandising and the retail communication mix. Students will also be acquainted with the important role of layout and design in retail business management. The concept of market research is also explained.

    Retail Operations Management II Part A and B

    Module Fees: R4,340 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    *Retail Operations Management 1 Part A and B are prerequisites for this module. The focus of this module is on the business environment. Knowledge regarding entrepreneurship, social responsibility, operations management, human resource management and financial management is shared with students to give them the necessary competency to manage various divisions in an organisation.

    Supply Chain Management I Part A and B

    Module Fees: R4,340 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    An introduction to supply chain management, Supply chain management activities; procurement and logistics; inventory management: warehousing, materials handling, physical distributions, transportation, customer service, packaging, global supply chain management, public sector supply chain management. Inbound and outbound supply chain management. Demand forecasting, and ICT in supply chain management.

    Communication for Occupational Purposes

    Module Fees: R2,890
    Credit: 8
    *Communication for Academic Purposes (CAP125N) is a prerequisite for this module. The module is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to engage meaningfully with English in both academic and professional environments. It aims to develop the students’ note-taking and reading skills, as well as writing skills, by exposing them to a selection of written texts related to a specific field of study. On completion, students will have an understanding of the writing process and be able to plan, draft, revise and edit work for clarity, coherence, style and appropriateness.

    Financial Management for Retailers II Part A and B

    Module Fees: R4,340 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    * Practical Accounting I Part A and B are prerequisites for these modules. One of the core objectives in retailing is to operate a successful business that will profitably be sustainable in the long term. The main purpose of this module is to explain the process of financial management in retailing. To achieve this, students are guided in terms of the role of financial management in retailing, the key issues regarding financial management that should be addressed and the process of how to prepare a financial plan for a retail business.

    Law for Retailers Part A and B

    Module Fees: R4,340 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    This module provides students with a thorough understanding of the general principles regarding the law of contract. The National Credit Act, 2005 (Act No. 34 of 2005), Consumer Protection Act, 2008 (Act No. 68 of 2008), contract of sale, lease, agency and insurance will all form part of the focus areas. This module aims at equipping students with detailed knowledge and allows them to develop the competency to analyse and solve problems relating to the general principles of the law of contract that is related to the management of a retail organisation.

    Retailing III Part A and B

    Module Fees: R5,060 per module
    Credit: 14 per module
    * Retailing II Part A and B are prerequisites for these modules. The main purpose of this module is to expose students to the retail buying process which pertains to the global market. To achieve this, students are exposed to the various types of retail classifications. The role of a buyer in a specific classification is discussed, and guidelines are given to develop a buying plan that will best suit the needs of that particular retail organisation. This includes aspects such as attending to the type of merchandise offered, the exact number of products needed, determining the timing of the purchase and how to follow through with a purchase. Some practical guidelines are given in terms of negotiating a purchase, developing private-label merchandise, and setting the prices for products.

    Retail Operations Management III Part A and B

    Module Fees: R5,010 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    *Retail Operations Management II Part A and B are prerequisites for these modules. This module aims to enlighten students on the different management strategies that can be followed in managing a retail organisation. One of the significant focus areas includes an in-depth discussion and practical application of developing a business plan.

    Supply Chain Management II Part A and B

    Module Fees: R5,020 per module
    Credit: 12 per module
    *Supply Chain Management 1 Part A and B are prerequisites for these modules. Practical application of economic order quantity, financial aspects of logistics and supply chain management, forecasting supply chain requirements, design of storage and handling, equipment used in facilities, international transport, and product returns and reverse logistics management.

    FEES

    Fees are payable at the start of each module and payment must be received by the payment deadline to successfully register and start the programme.

    * Fees quoted are as at 2026 and are subject to an annual increase.
    Number of modules: 32
    Programme credits: 360
    Fees per programme credit: ± R358
    Total tuition fees: R128,880
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