Supply Chain Management MSc (PGCert PGDip)

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

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Course structure

This course is designed for graduates of any subject with or without work experience. Case studies, company visits and the option of paid work experience help prepare you for a career in the supply chain. 

Core modules will give you practical knowledge in a variety of logistics and supply areas as well as key business skills such as financial analysis. In term 3 you will be able to tailor your course through a choice of a final project or work placement.

Teaching takes place over three terms, from late September to early June, with breaks after assessments in mid-December to early January and late March to mid-April.  

At the end of the course, you have a choice between a final year project or a work experience-based report. These are completed after teaching finishes in the summer.

Field trip to Shepherd Neame – Britain's oldest brewer

Practical learning 

You will have the opportunity to visit industry partners, learning directly from them about their manufacturing, logistics and distribution activities and challenges. Previous visits have included the Port of Southampton, Liz Earle Beauty Co., the Shepherd Neame brewery, TEVA Pharmaceuticals and the Jaguar automobile assembly plant.

Practical experience is essential in acquiring your chartered membership through CIPS and CILT. As part of your programme you have the opportunity to complete a six-month paid work placement, contributing to your progression towards CMILT and MCIPS status.

This course is also available as full-time over two years which includes a paid placement year, providing you up to 12 months experience towards your chartered membership.

Syllabus

You'll complete seven modules, and a major project that brings together your knowledge, and research, analytical and communication skills.

Modules

• Operations Management

  You will gain an advanced understanding of the key concepts and techniques of operations management in this module. You’ll study areas including the strategic role of operations within an organisation; quality management approaches and techniques; inventory management, including continuous and periodic review methods; performance management and monitoring; and project management.

• Global Supply Chain and Finance

  This module introduces concepts of global supply chain management and explains the challenges and opportunities of trading between countries. You will explore the use of digital and information technology for particular supply chain functions and coordination. You will gain the conceptual understanding, skills and analytical tools and techniques to support effective decision-making and control financial resources.

• Supply Chain Analytics

  In this module you will learn how analytical and quantitative techniques are used for supply chain management within business. You’ll gain problem-solving skills that you can apply to logistics and supply chain management issues and develop skills in the use of computer software for analysis and decision support.

• Procurement

  You will study the key principles, theories, process and tools of procurement during this module, examining the potential of procurement for increasing corporate profitability through quality-driven approaches to sourcing, buyer-supplier relationships and supply chain management. You will also gain a clear understanding of e-procurement and its role in facilitating the procurement process.

• Supply Chain Management

  This module is designed to deepen your knowledge of supply chain management and provide a broad strategic view of the subject. Topics covered include the value chain as a source of competitive advantage and the strategic supply chain management; planning and control within the supply chain; the impact of globalisation, complex systems and the challenge of managing the extended supply chain in the light of exogenous factors; and evaluating and managing supply chain risk.

• Information Systems for Supply Chain Management

  In this module, you will explore the impact of digital technologies on modern enterprises. You’ll look at the role information systems have in supporting business processes that cross departmental and organisational boundaries, including procurement, manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, sales and customer management and human resource management.

• Research Methodologies and Methods

  This module will help build your knowledge of the theories used in marketing, management and supply chain research. Topics covered may include worldviews and research methodologies; exploratory and conclusive research; introduction to quantitative methods; measurement and scaling; quantitative and qualitative sampling methods; writing research proposals; reviewing literature; and presentation of research findings.

• Supply Chain Management Project

  This module will give you the skills, knowledge and techniques required to research and prepare an in-depth report on a topic within the field of supply chain management. It will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to carry out independent research, assimilate and interpret advanced knowledge, understand and apply complex methodologies and accurately analyse primary and secondary data.

• Work Placement Project (40)

  In this module you will complete a work placement report using your intellectual, research, analytical and communication skills to solve a real business problem in your chosen field. By undertaking a 9–12 month work placement you will have an opportunity to carry out ‘in company’ research, analyse data and prepare a business report that employs logical arguments and evidence to develop sound conclusions and practical recommendations.

Straddle carriers at the Port of Southampton

Learning support 

Our supportive learning environment includes an induction programme and specialist diagnostic tools to assess your learning strengths and needs. You will also be assigned an academic supervisor to support you in your project work. We also provide free language and support services throughout for international students. 

Online learning tools and libraries also ensure academic journals, e-books, business articles and other resources are available to your 24/7, both for use at the university and at home.

You will also have access to our Careers Service, including CV checking, mock interviews and advice on setting up your own business.

Core modules will give you practical knowledge in a variety of logistics and supply areas as well as key business skills such as financial analysis. In term 3 you will be able to tailor your course by choosing to complete your final project or work placement.

SAP University Alliances

The University of Brighton is a member of SAP’s globally acclaimed University Alliances program. The programme provides hands-on experience of key SAP technologies.

Through demonstrations, exercises, case studies and research projects, students are able to put theory into practice. Being acquainted with the world’s leading enterprise performance management software brings with it greater employability potential and higher starting salaries. 

Placement year 

To further increase your employability and international experience we offer full-time students starting in September the opportunity to take a placement year. This means that your course will take two years, but you’ll be graduating with work experience.

The year on placement in a role related to your course will allow you to put all that you have learned on your masters into practice, enhancing your career opportunities and giving you practical experience in your area of expertise.

During your placement you will also complete a business project. This project is assessed as part of your masters and, depending on the topic that is agreed between you and your employer, could also provide a valuable piece of insight for your placement employer.

Our placement partners include BMW, Bosch, Deloitte, Disney, Hewlett Packard, HSBC, IBM, Ipsos Mori, L’Oréal, Nike, Panasonic, PwC, Renault and Warner Brothers.

Work placements are optional, and you are responsible for arranging your placement with support from our dedicated Placements and Employability team.

We are now offering a two-year international study visa route to support applications for this course.

Find out more about how we can support you finding a placement.

Course leader 

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

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Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton