University of Brighton
Print

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
MSc (PGCert PGDip)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 1 year

    Professional accreditation

    The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and graduates with sufficient work experience are automatically eligible for the internationally recognised MCIPS status. This signals your professional credibility to employers, clients and peers.

    About the course

    This full-time, one year masters course provides you with a detailed understanding of logistics, purchasing and supply-chain information systems. Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to address a wide range of logistical problems and to support decision making in organisations worldwide.

    Topics covered include operations management, logistics and supply chain consulting, forecasting and modelling, enterprise systems, e-procurement and strategic purchasing. In addition, you will learn business skills such as budgeting, problem solving, managing groups and teams, and consultancy skills.

    You will take part in consultancy workshops and use the knowledge acquired on the course to solve business problems, with the option of undertaking a consultancy project for a real client.

    On completion of this course you can expect to work as a purchasing manager, supply chain analyst, consultant, logistics analyst, manufacturing manager, or sales and operations manager.

    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. Individual offers may vary

    For non-native speakers of English:
    In order to benefit from, contribute to and enjoy the course, a good command of spoken and written English language is required. If English is not your first language, you will need English language proficiency equivalent to an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5, with 6 in the written test.

    International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out above should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the University of Brighton's Language Institute.

    Degree and/or experience:
    Normally a good honours degree or equivalent is required. Work experience is useful but not essential. Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications will be considered. If you are unsure whether you meet the entry requirements then please contact us.

    International students who need help meeting the academic entry requirements should contact our International College.

  • Course content

    Course structure

    The classroom-based elements of the course are delivered from October to June. This is followed by either a dissertation, for which you may choose your own research topic, or a work placement and work placement report. You will be assessed by a combination of individual work, group course work and by examination.

    Syllabus

    Modules include:

    - Moving to masters
    This module is delivered in the first week of the term. It is designed to help students make the transition to studying at master's level in the UK.

    - Accounting for Managers
    The financial accounting element of this module shows how accounting data is compiled and presented to external users including shareholders and investors. The managerial accounting component will explore accounting as a tool for decision making, planning and control within the organisation.

    - Managing Organisational Behaviour
    This module addresses issues involved in managing people and introduces alternative approaches to organisational design and its impact upon behaviour. It also explores the management of organisational change, groups and teams.

    - Operations Management for Logistics
    This module builds an in-depth knowledge of operations management in manufacturing and distribution, including key techniques in process and layout design, inventory control, capacity management, quality management and 6 sigma, improvement and lean operations.

    - Forecasting and Modelling
    This module provides students with an understanding of techniques for demand forecasting, computer simulation and algorithmic approaches to logistics problems, including warehouse layout and vehicle routing. It is largely delivered in the computer laboratories and includes practice in using simulation software.

    - Enterprise Systems
    Examines how and why enterprise systems (eg SAP and Oracle) are used by organisations. The module explores the impact of enterprise technologies. It is delivered in the computer laboratories and includes exposure to a SAP enterprise systems environment.

    - Logistics and Supply Chain Consulting/Management
    This module provides a broad, strategic view of logistics and supply chain management, covering topics such as transportation modes, supply network design, reverse logistics, supply chain risk, planning and control, the role of key performance indicators (KPIs), customer service and the role of consultants.

    - Business Research Methods
    Delivered through a series of workshops and activities, this module develops knowledge of business and management research methods. It provides students with the research skills necessary to undertake their dissertation or work placement report.

    - E-procurement
    This module evaluates the value of e-procurement in the information gathering, negotiation and processing phases of electronic business transactions. It examines current developments in e-procurement and develops an understanding of the effects of e-procurement on business and other organisations.

    - Strategic Purchasing
    Explores the principles and practices in a wider global context and examines the potential of strategic purchasing to increase profitability through quality driven approaches to sourcing, buyer-supplier relationships, and costs and supply chain management.

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    Logistics and Supply Chain Management (MSc) (Full time)  [J1BH530]
    UK/EU (Full Time)7,290 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)8,925 GBP
    International (Full Time)12,750 GBP

  • Location

    Location Help Moulsecoomb

    Located to the north of Brighton city centre, the Moulsecoomb campus offers students an excellent learning environment and a wide range of facilities. It is the largest of our five campuses with over 8,000 students.

    View campus maps and directions

    Living in Brighton

    Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

    Social scene

    Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

    Music event on the beach

    Arts

    The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice festival

    Sports

    Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront

  • Staff profiles

    Logistics and Supply Chain Management

    Peter McCullen, Course Leader

    Peter McCullen BSc FIOM is a member of the International Advisory Committee for the International Symposium on Logistics and is a regular speaker at their conference.

    His research and publications are in the area of supply chain improvement, and he has been involved in a number of consultancy projects involving re-engineering and other techniques to improve supply chain responsiveness. Within the school, he is the programme leader for the specialist masters degrees and is subject group leader for the Business Systems Management area.

    He is currently supervising a PhD on the significance of cultural influences on continuous improvement activity.

    Originally graduating from the University of Nottingham in Production Engineering and Production Management, he worked in industrial engineering and then business planning for Lucas Diesel Systems (now Delphi Diesel Systems) in the UK motor industry. He then moved to a small technology-based company, where he implemented the company's first manufacturing resource planning (MRP) system. He has also worked as an Operations Planning Manager and Logistics Controller for the BOC group of companies, where he was responsible for demand forecasting, production planning and inventory management.

  • Career opportunities

    There is a large demand for logistics and supply chain analysts with good modelling and forecasting skills. The course has been designed for people wanting to start careers in:

    - purchasing
    - supply chain management
    - consulting and e-business
    - logistics
    - manufacturing management
    - sales and operations planning

    You could work for a wide variety of organisations, such as:

    - procurement divisions of companies
    - third-party distribution companies
    - the retail industry
    - logistics and distribution divisions of manufacturers
    - manufacturing logistics
    - freight forwarders
    - parcel delivery services
    - local and central government consultants
    - road freight hauliers
    - supply chain consultancies
    - the Armed Forces
    - the health services
    - charities

    Visit the careers service website.

  • More...

    Sought after skills

    You will gain experience of using the SAP system, one of the world's most widely used suites of enterprise planning software. Our partnership with SAP ensures that by the end of the degree you will have obtained a sound grasp of this highly valued software application.

    Real-world experience

    The Logistics and Supply Chain Consulting module enables you to develop the skills and knowledge required to be an effective internal or external consultant.

    You may also choose to build on the skills acquired by undertaking a work placement. Former students have successfully completed work placements with companies such as Schenker Logistics, Unilever, Edwards Vacuum and Rolls Royce Motor Cars.

    Who is the course for?

    This course is for people who are planning to work in, or are already working in, a supply chain or logistics environment. The skills and knowledge gained on the programme will make you a valuable resource in any supply chain-based enterprise.

    Students should be qualified to degree or equivalent level. Examples of relevant degrees include business, accountancy, engineering, economics, computing and social sciences.

    Why Brighton Business School?

    The Business School at the University of Brighton has a postgraduate community of around 600 students from a diverse range of backgrounds whose learning experience is enriched by the high quality of our research.

    The latest Research Assessment Exercise (2008) ranked us in the top 15 UK business schools in terms of world-leading research outputs. Our postgraduate programmes reflect the research that is being undertaken.

    Our equipment includes lecture theatres equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment and over 100 hot desks with high-speed internet access. Once at the university you will have access to a range of services including a modern library, comprehensive careers and personal support, and opportunities to volunteer or take part in sport.

    Support for international students

    The Brighton Business School is a truly international place to study. No matter where in the world you are from, we look forward to welcoming you. You will be supported from the moment you start with us. This includes:

    - a free orientation programme to introduce you to other students, the university and the city of Brighton

    - a free pickup from Heathrow or Gatwick airport

    - free English language tuition (throughout your first year)

    - guaranteed accommodation in your first year

    - a team of support staff to assist you, including a personal tutor.

    For more details visit the university's information on support for international students

    Your level of English

    The level of English you need depends on the course. The details are included in the course information, but for more general information read our information onEnglish language requirements.

    However, we provide a number of ways to improve your English before you start your course, and free English language support you while you are studying.

    Meeting entry requirements

    We can help you meet our academic entry requirements if your qualifications are not the correct level to study at university in the UK. The preparation courses at the University of Brighton’s International College have been specially designed to help international students to progress to a postgraduate degree course at the university.

    More about our university preparation courses

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
Apply now for your place
Book your open day place
Find out more

+44 (0)1273 642197
Email postgrad.business@brighton.ac.uk

International students:
+44 (0)207 250 6749
international@brighton.ac.uk

 

Visit the school that delivers this course