Programme: BConSci (Clothing Retail Management)

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty Department
02130110 Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Department: Consumer and Food Sciences
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 4 years Total credits: 510 NQF level:  08

Admission requirements

Important information for all prospective students for 2022

  • The admission requirements apply to students who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications.
  • Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to:
    • Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2022: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.
  • Citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens) should also refer to:
  • School of Tomorrow (SOT), Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) and General Education Development Test (GED): The University of Pretoria no longer accepts qualifications awarded by these institutions.
  • National Certificate (Vocational) (NCV) Level 4: The University of Pretoria may consider NCV candidates, provided they meet the exemption for bachelor’s status criteria and the programme requirements.

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme at the University of Pretoria (UP) –

  • is a registered student at another tertiary institution, or was previously registered at another tertiary institution and did not complete the programme enrolled for at that institution, and is not currently enrolled at a tertiary institution, or has completed studies at another tertiary institution, but is not currently enrolled at a tertiary institution, or has started with tertiary studies at UP, then moved to another tertiary institution and wants to be readmitted at UP.

A transferring student will be considered for admission based on

  • an NSC or equivalent qualification with exemption to bachelor’s or diploma studies (whichever is applicable); and meeting the minimum faculty-specific subject requirements at NSC or tertiary level; or having completed a higher certificate at a tertiary institution with faculty-specific subjects/modules passed (equal to or more than 50%), as well as complying with faculty rules on admission;
  • previous academic performance (must have passed all modules registered for up to the closing date of application ) or as per faculty regulation/promotion requirements;
  • a certificate of good conduct.

Note: Students who have been dismissed at the previous institution due to poor academic performance, will not be considered for admission to UP.

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme –

  • is a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP, or was previously registered at UP and did not complete the programme enrolled for, and did not enrol at another tertiary institution in the meantime (including students who applied for leave of absence), or has completed studies at UP, but is not currently enrolled or was not enrolled at another tertiary institution after graduation.

A returning student will be considered for admission based on

  • an NSC or equivalent qualification with exemption to bachelor’s or diploma studies (whichever is applicable); and meeting the minimum faculty-specific subject requirements at NSC or tertiary level; or previous academic performance (should have a cumulative weighted average of at least 50% for the programme enrolled for);
  • having applied for and was granted leave of absence.

Note: Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP.  The Admissions Committee may consider such students if they were not dismissed more than twice. Only ONE transfer between UP faculties will be allowed, and a maximum of two (2) transfers within a faculty.

Important faculty-specific information on undergraduate programmes for 2022

  • The closing date is an administrative admission guideline for non-selection programmes. Once a non-selection programme is full  and has reached the institutional targets, then that programme will be closed for further admissions, irrespective of the closing date. However, if the institutional targets have not been met by the closing date, then that programme will remain open for admissions until the institutional targets are met.
  • The following persons will be considered for admission: Candidates who have a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement; candidates who are graduates from another tertiary institution or have been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution, and candidates who are graduates of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
  • Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the Admission Point Score (APS).
  • Grade 11 results are used for the conditional admission of prospective students. Final admission is based on the final NSC/IEB results.

University of Pretoria website: click here

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Mathematics

APS

NSC/IEB

NSC/IEB

5

4

28

Other programme-specific information

1.1    Requirements for specific modules
A candidate who:

  1. does not qualify for STK 110, must enrol for STK 113 and STK 123;
  2.  egisters for Mathematical Statistics (WST) and Statistics (STK) modules must take note that WST and STK modules, except for STK 281, may not be taken simultaneously in a programme; a student must take one and only one of the following options:
  • WST 111, WST 121, WST 212, WST 211, WST 221, WST 311, WST 312, WST 322, WST 321, and STK 353

or

  • WST 111, WST 121, WST 212, WST 211, WST 221, WST 311, WST 312, WST 322, STK320, STK353.

or

  • STK 110, STC 122, STK 210, STK 220, WST 212, STK 310, STK 320, STK 353.
  1. registers for a module presented by another faculty must take note of the timetable clashes, prerequisites for that module, subminimum required in examination papers, supplementary examinations, etc.

1.2    Fundamental modules

  1. It is compulsory for all new first-year students to satisfactorily complete the Academic orientation (UPO 102) and to take Academic information management modules (AIM 111 and AIM 121) and Language and study skills (LST 110). Please see curricula for details.
  2. Students who intend to apply for admission to MBChB or BChD in the second semester, when places become available in those programmes, may be permitted to register for up to 80 module credits and 4 core modules in the first semester during the first year provided that they obtained a final mark of no less than 70% for Grade 12 Mathematics and achieved an APS of 34 or more in the NSC.

Promotion to next study year

A student who did not pass all the prescribed modules of a particular year of study, has to register for the outstanding modules first. With the approval of the head of the department, modules of the following year of study may be taken in advance only if no timetable clashes occur; all the requirements and prerequisites have been met and not more than a specified number of credits per semester are taken. The credits of the semester of which modules are repeated, are taken as a guideline for the calculation of the number of modules permitted.

  1. A student registers for the second year when at least 80% of the first-year module credits have been passed.
  2. A student registers for the third year when at least 85% of the module credits of the previous years have been passed.
  3. A student registers for the fourth year when at least 95% of the module credits of the previous years have been passed.

Practical/clinical/internship information

KTP 403 Experiential training in the industry: During the 4 years of study, during holidays, weekends and after hours, students must complete a total of 480 hours experiential training in the industry to develop practical and occupational skills, participate in community projects/development, engage in service learning. This is equal to 3 weeks x 40 hours (120 hours) per year, according to requirements as determined by the head of the department. These "credits" include evidence of experiential training, service learning and community engagement during the four years of the study programme and must be successfully completed together with a complete portfolio before the degree will be conferred.

Minimum credits: 136

Fundamental  = 14
Core               = 122

Additional information:
Students who do not qualify for STK 110 must register for STK 113 and STK 123.

Fundamental modules

Core modules

  • Module content:

    This module provides an overview of the fundamentals of marketing by considering the exchange process, customer value, marketing research and the development of a marketing plan. It also addresses the marketing mix elements with specific focus on the seven service marketing elements namely the service product, physical evidence, people, process, distribution, pricing and integrated marketing communication.

    View more

  • Module content:

    This module deals with the core principles of economics. A distinction between macroeconomics and microeconomics is made. A discussion of the market system and circular flow of goods, services and money is followed by a section dealing with microeconomic principles, including demand and supply analysis, consumer behaviour and utility maximisation, production and the costs thereof, and the different market models and firm behaviour. Labour market institutions and issues, wage determination, as well as income inequality and poverty are also addressed. A section of money, banking, interest rates and monetary policy concludes the course.

    View more

  • Module content:

    This module deals with the core principles of economics, especially macroeconomic measurement the private and public sectors of the South African economy receive attention, while basic macroeconomic relationships and the measurement of domestic output and national income are discussed. Aggregate demand and supply analysis stands core to this course which is also used to introduce students to the analysis of economic growth, unemployment and inflation. The microeconomics of government is addressed in a separate section, followed by a section on international economics, focusing on international trade, exchange rates and the balance of payments. The economics of developing countries and South Africa in the global economy conclude the course.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Presentation techniques: story boards and technical drawings. Presentation techniques using CAD.

    View more

  • Module content:

    The nature and function of accounting; the development of accounting; financial position; financial result; the recording process; processing of accounting data; treatment of VAT; elementary income statement and balance sheet; flow of documents; accounting systems; introduction to internal control and internal control measures; bank reconciliations; control accounts; adjustments; financial statements of a sole proprietorship; the accounting framework.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Budgeting, payroll accounting, taxation – income tax and an introduction to other types of taxes, credit and the new Credit Act, insurance, accounting for inventories (focus on inventory and the accounting entries, not calculations), interpretation of financial statements.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Computer processing of accounting information.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Basic clothing construction techniques and quality control.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Application of basic clothing construction techniques and quality control.

    View more

  • Module content:

    An introduction to the elements and principles of design as is applicable to interior and clothing design and food preparation. Colour theory.

    View more

  • Module content:

    The entrepreneurial mind-set; managers and managing; values, attitudes, emotions, and culture: the manager as a person; ethics and social responsibility; decision making; leadership and responsible leadership; effective groups and teams; managing organizational structure and culture inclusive of the different functions of a generic organisation and how they interact (marketing; finance; operations; human resources and general management); contextualising Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in each of the topics.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Value chain management: functional strategies for competitive advantage; human resource management; managing diverse employees in a multicultural environment; motivation and performance; using advanced information technology to increase performance; production and operations management; financial management; corporate entrepreneurship.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Descriptive statistics:
    Sampling and the collection of data; frequency distributions and graphical representations. Descriptive measures of location and dispersion.
    Probability and inference:
    Introductory probability theory and theoretical distributions. Sampling distributions. Estimation theory and hypothesis testing of sampling averages and proportions (one and two-sample cases). Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

    View more

Minimum credits: 134

Core modules

  • Module content:

    Internal and external influencing factors of consumer behaviour, the consumer's decision process and application fields of consumer behaviour, consumerisms and social responsibility, buying behaviour of consumers in both product and service related industries, consumer psychology and the influence thereof on buying behaviour, psychology of pricing, influencing factors in consumer buying behaviour, the impact of various forms of marketing communication on buying behaviour.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Integrated brand communications approach, marketing communication planning, objectives and budgets for integrated marketing communications, principles and strategising of marketing communication elements, new media, the brand name communication process, marketing metrics and evaluation for marketing communication effectiveness.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Costume and fashion history: Appearance characteristics of Western dress. Influencing factors. Evolution of styles from Ancient Egyptian up to and including the present.

    View more

  • Module content:

    The South African fashion industry: Basic principles of fashion; fashion as a product; and the consumer.
    Fashion production: Haute Couture and ready-to-wear clothes. Fashion forecasting and fashion analyses.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Flat pattern design. Computer Aided Design (CAD).

    View more

  • Module content:

    Pattern use and good fitting. Commercial pattern sizing and use, pattern drafting, fit evaluation and pattern alterations to ensure good fit, grading techniques and size specification sheets. Electronic pattern design using Gerber Accumark software.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Logistics management
    The role of logistics in an enterprise; definition and scope of customer service; electronic and other logistics information systems; inventory management; materials management with special reference to Japanese systems; management of the supply chain. Methods of transport and transport costs; types and costs of warehousing; electronic aids in materials handling; cost and price determination of purchases; organising for logistics management; methods for improving logistics performance.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Project management and negotiations:
    Introduction Project management concepts; needs identification; the project, the project manager and the project team; types of project organisations; project communication and documentation. Planning and control: planning, scheduling and schedule control of projects; resource considerations and allocations; cost planning and performance evaluation.
    Negotiation and collective bargaining: The nature of negotiation; preparation for negotiation; negotiating for purposes of climate creation; persuasive communication; handling conflict and aggression; specialised negotiation and collective bargaining in the South African context.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Utility aspects: basic components of textiles, consumer decision making, utility aspects that include durability, comfort, maintenance, health/safety/protection and aesthetic aspects. Fibres and yarns: Fibre structure and performance including textile chemistry, fibre morphology and formation, fibre properties, classification and identification. Yarn structure and performance (including spun yarns, filament yarns, compound and novelty yarns).

    View more

  • Module content:

    Fabric structures: Introduction to fabric structures. Woven fabrics, knits, non-woven fabrics and compound fabrics. Finishes and dyeing processes: Introduction to fabric finishing. Preparatory and final finishes. Finishes for special end-uses: durability, comfort and protection; ease of maintenance; aesthetic appeal. Dyed and printed fabrics.

    View more

Minimum credits: 120

Core modules

  • Module content:

    The role of marketing research, the process of marketing research, interpretation of secondary research, qualitative research, survey research, observation, measurement and attitude scaling, questionnaire design, sampling design and sampling procedures, basic data analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, interpretation and reporting of results, research report writing.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Strategic issues in marketing, strategic marketing, strategic analysis (market analysis, customer analysis, competitor analysis and internal analysis), market strategies (competitive strategies, strategies in the product life cycle and relationship building strategies) and strategy implementation and control.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Basic principles of law of contract. Law of sales, credit agreements, lease.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Labour law. Aspects of security law. Law of insolvency. Entrepreneurial law; company law, law concerning close corporations. Law of partnerships.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Introduction to aesthetics. The interaction between environments and consumers’ aesthetic experience. Visual merchandising: basic components, tools, techniques, and equipment used in clothing and food retail settings. Use of sustainable strategies in visual merchandising planning in clothing, and food retail settings. Latest trends in clothing and food visual merchandising. This module addresses UN sustainable development goals: #8 (decent work and economic growth), #9 (industry innovation and infrastructure) and #12 (responsible consumption and production).  

    View more

  • Module content:

    Social-psychological and cultural aspects of clothing: development of a framework to study individuals’ clothing behaviour, symbolic-interactionism and a cognitive perspective. Development of the self: self and self-concept: the body as indicator; personal values and norms. Appearance management and presentation of the self: role acceptance, identity, social control social cognition. Cultural context and dress: human adaptation; culture creations (technical, moral and ceremonial patterns); societies and clothing; beauty standards and beauty ideals. Social context, identity, change and clothing: the family, politics, religion, economy and the role of clothing as a reflection of social and personal identities; mentefacts and identities; social change and clothing.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Small scale production: Industrial machines, production systems, quality assurance. Practical exercises and assignments are based on the themes covered in the module theory component. The UN sustainable development goals #11&12 are addressed during the theory components and practical sessions. Projects are focused on responsible consumption and production as well as community engagement.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Consumer decision-making (determinants of informed, responsible consumer decisions, the complexity of consumer decisions), consumer satisfaction, consumer socialisation (consumer education, development of consumer skills), consumerism (consumer protection) and consumer complaint behaviour. Gender issues in consumer decision-making, expenditure patterns of the diverse South African consumer market and globalisation. The UN sustainable development goals #5 and 12 are addressed in this module and all projects are focused on responsible consumption behaviour. 

    View more

Minimum credits: 124

Additional information:
KTP 403 Experiential training in the industry: During the 4 years of study, during holidays, weekends and after hours, students must complete a total of 480 hours experiential training in the industry to develop practical and occupational skills, participate in community projects/development, engage in service learning. This is equal to 3 weeks x 40 hours (120 hours) per year, according to requirements as determined by the head of the department. These credits include evidence of experiential training, service learning and community engagement during the four years of the study programme and must be successfully completed together with a complete portfolio before the degree will be conferred.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    Clothing retail aspects: Functioning of clothing retail landscape. Environments, formats and structures of South African clothing retailers. Merchandising and store positioning. Fashion consumer behaviour. Business ethics, social and environmental responsibilities of clothing retailers, and ethical consumer behaviour. Fashion marketing communication advertising, direct marketing, sales promotions, personal selling and service provision, publicity and public relations, and future trends in clothing retail. This module addresses UN sustainable development goals: #8 (decent work and economic growth), #9 (industry innovation and infrastructure) and #12 (responsible consumption and production). 

    View more

  • Module content:

    Clothing merchandising aspects: fashion buying and planning function, controlling inventories, factors influencing stock movement, redistribution of stock; merchandising processes, sourcing and relationship with suppliers; management roles and responsibilities. Buying strategies, forecasting and records, preparing a buying plan, developing an assortment plan. Global sourcing perspective for the South African clothing industry. Economic, social and environmentally responsible sourcing practices of retailers. This module addresses UN sustainable development goals: #8 (decent work and economic growth), #9 (industry innovation and infrastructure) and #12 (responsible consumption and production).

    View more

  • Module content:

    Entrepreneurship in the South African clothing industry, business planning, starting a business and the product development processes that form part of the manufacturing of clothing.
    Production: planning, conceptualisation, development, product analysis, execution and presentation of products. Application of clothing, textile and consumer knowledge by utilising a CAD-program for planning and assembling apparel. 
    Marketing aspects: Small business marketing and management, economic and strategic decisions regarding a clothing small business as well as the development of new clothing products, bearing in mind the needs of the selected target market, financial aspects and overall business planning 
    Assignments are based on the themes covered in the module. The UN sustainable development goals #8, 11&12 are addressed during the module and all projects are focused on responsible consumption and production, community engagement and economic growth.

    View more

  • Module content:

    During the 4 years of study students must complete a total of 480 hours experiential training in the industry to develop practical and occupational skills, participate in community projects/development and engage in service learning. This is equal to approximately 3 weeks x 40 hours (120 hours) per year. These "credits" include evidence of experiential training, service learning and community engagment during the 4 years of the programme and must be successfully completed and documented before the degree will be conferred.

    View more

  • Module content:

    New developments that address the impact of textiles on the environment and sustainability. Focus is directed toward the UN sustainable development goal #12 through assignments that include principles of life cycle assessment, reusability as well as open- and closed loop recycling of textile and apparel products.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Clothing textiles and textile products from a quality assurance and consumer perspective. Practical project: Project to assess quality and performance properties of textiles for specific end-use by using laboratory tests. A written report of the results is required.

    View more

  • Module content:

    Research methodology. Plan, execute and report research project in clothing retail management, food retail management, hospitality management or culinary science.

    View more


The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences