Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc (PGCert PGDip)

Course in brief

Do you want a managerial career in logistics or supply chains? Are you hoping to understand the processes and systems crucial to the world of business? If so, this is the course for you.

In just one year, you will cover international logistics, operations management, analytics for logistics, enterprise systems, e-procurement and strategic purchasing.

You will also learn practical business skills in financial analysis, problem solving, cross-cultural teamwork and consultancy.

The University of Brighton is a member of the SAP University Alliances Programme. You will gain experience of using SAP software, one of the world's most widely used enterprise planning systems.

Later in the course, you can take part in consultancy workshops and use the knowledge you've acquired to solve business problems, with the option of undertaking a consultancy project for a real client. Alternatively, you can undertake a supply chain analytics project, learning how to analyse big data sets to improve the supply chain.

Graduates from this course will be equipped for work as supply chain analysts, consultants, logistics analysts, procurement managers, manufacturing managers or sales and operations planning managers.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)

The University of Brighton is ranked as a top 5 university for world-leading research impact in business and management studies (REF 2014)

Apply online

You can apply for 2016 and 2017: please check that you meet the entry requirements before you make your application.

Apply now for your place

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2017. They should be used as a general guide.

We operate a flexible admissions policy – this means that you could receive a lower conditional offer than the typical offer, informed by our assessment of your complementary non-academic achievements and experiences. For courses that require interview or portfolio review, this may also be considered in the level of any conditional offer that follows if your application is successful.

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.

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country

Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For academic preparation courses.

Course in detail

Professional accreditation

CIPS accreditation

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). Throughout the world, CIPS qualifications are recognised as driving leading-edge thinking and professionalism in procurement. Graduates with sufficient work experience may apply for the internationally recognised MCIPS status. This signals your professional credibility to employers, clients and peers.

CILT accreditation

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), an active and exciting professional organisation that focuses on transportation and warehousing within the supply chain. CILT run an annual student conference, giving students an opportunity to network with professionals. Graduates with sufficient work experience may apply for MILT status, which – following managerial experience – can be upgraded to chartered membership and prestigious CMILT designation.

Course structure

Industry visits give you the chance to meet practising managers and see the practical application of the theoretical concepts covered in class. Students recently visited the Port of Southampton, the Jaguar Car plant in Birmingham, Liz Earle's (natural beauty products) e-fulfilment centre on the Isle of Wight, and the Body Shop’s main warehouse and e-fulfilment centre in Littlehampton. All visits included presentations on company logistics and supply chain issues.

An exciting part of your studies with us is the opportunity to gain valuable experience through a paid work placement. Past students have taken work placements with organisations such as Rolls Royce Motor Cars, Elekta Oncology Systems, Crown Agents, Edwards Vacuum, Liz Earle and Mace (construction). A number of students have obtained their first job with the company where they undertook their work placement.

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 work and by examination.

Find out all the latest news on our courses, students, staff and research.

Field trip to Shepherd Neame – Britain's oldest brewer

Term 1

Moving to a Masters
This introductory module is delivered in the first week of the term. It is designed to help you make the transition to studying at masters 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.

International Logistics
The module explores international logistics and decisions concerning facilities location, port of loading, port of discharge, and the transportation modes employed within the supply chain. Contextual factors include international trade and infrastructure development, as well as the microeconomic forces affecting markets for logistics services. The module also introduces you to core logistics concepts and terminology, and involves a visit to a port.

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

Straddle carriers at the Port of Southampton

Term 2

Analytics for Logistics
This module provides you 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 and E-procurement
This module examines how and why enterprise systems such as SAP and Oracle are used by organisations, and explores the impact of enterprise technologies. It is delivered in the computer laboratories and includes exposure to a SAP enterprise systems environment. This module also examines current developments in e-procurement and develops an understanding of the effects of e-procurement on business and other organisations.

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
This module provides a broad, strategic view of supply chain management, building on the concepts introduced during the first term. It is delivered through workshops, lectures and class exercises. You will explore the practical application of logistical concepts and techniques through case studies and an industrial visit to a vehicle assembly plant (eg Jaguar Land Rover).

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 project or work placement report.

Field trip to the Jaguar factory

Term 3

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

Option 1: Supply Chain Consulting
Supply Chain Consulting allows you to participate in a two-day consulting skills workshop and add real business experience to your CV. With support from your tutors, you form groups and visit a client to clarify the consulting task, and then make a presentation on your progress. The final presentation is assessed by your tutor in discussion with the client. You then write an individual report that includes further coverage of a supply chain topic, as you reflect on the consulting and group-work processes in relation to relevant theories. Past projects have been undertaken for Shepherd Neame (a brewer), The Body Shop, The Social Business Partnership and Edwards Vacuum.

Option 2: Supply Chain Analytics
Supply Chain Analytics allows you to apply analytical and quantitative techniques to real-world problems in logistics and supply chain management. It involves an individual project based on the completion of an analytical approach to problem-solving, and is assessed by an individual presentation and report. Past projects have involved forecasting methods, warehouse location and SKU allocation within the supply network, and considering both centralised and de-centralised approaches to inventory management.

Students in the lobby of Edwards Vacuum

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.

Staff profile

Peter McCullen

Course leader

Peter McCullen is a member of the International Advisory Committee for the International Symposium on Logistics and a regular speaker at their conference. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Operations Management.

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.

At Brighton Business School, he is subject group leader for the Operations and Systems area and is currently supervising a PhD on 'same day' logistics.

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.

Careers and employability

There is a significant demand for logistics and supply chain analysts with good modelling and forecasting skills.

This course has been designed for people wanting to start careers in:

supply chain management
consulting and e-business
logistics
manufacturing management
purchasing
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

Many job advertisements state that it is highly desirable to have SAP enterprise planning experience and/or a professional qualification. This course fulfils both requirements as it is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation (CILT) and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).

Today's jobs market is highly competitive and a postgraduate degree can command a premium with employers. A survey of destinations six months after graduation – carried out by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (Hecsu) – found that postgraduates were more likely to have found employment and be working in a professional role than those with only a first degree.

This course has strong links to a number of local companies with significant supply chain operations. Industry-based projects provide valuable experience.

Links with industry

"Our students engage with industry through work placements, projects and guest speakers. This close link with industry often provides our students with opportunities to get a job. This is what the business school is all about."

Aidan Berry, Director of Brighton Business School

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (full-time) 8,550 GBP

International (full-time) 14,400 GBP

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for this course. Find out if you are eligible.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2016–17. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee. Further details regarding tuition fees are available from the university’s student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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 DBS 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 check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Brighton

Brighton has been called the happiest place in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. With five miles of pebble beach, more than 300 pubs and a packed festival calendar, Brighton is the ideal place to spend your student years.

Arts and culture: The Royal Pavilion is the most famous landmark in Brighton, opening its doors to around 400,000 tourists every year. Right next door is the Brighton Dome, the south coast’s premier multi-arts venue, and the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, which holds a diverse collection of decorative arts, textiles and archaeological artefacts.

Festivals: The Brighton Festival is now the largest arts festival in England and a major milestone in the international cultural calendar. Meanwhile, The Great Escape has been established as the UK’s leading event for new music, with over 300 bands playing 30 venues across the city over three days.

Nightlife: Aside from the many nightclubs that line the city’s seafront, student favourites include The Haunt, Concorde 2 and Patterns, which attract leading bands and DJs from around the world. If you don’t feel like dancing, you can take your pick from the many hundreds of pubs and bars that dot the city centre.

Shopping: The quirky North Laine district houses Brighton’s finest collection of boutique shops and independent cafes, while the narrow, winding streets of the South Lanes house collections of jewellery and antiques. Churchill Square is the city’s main shopping centre and serves all of your high street needs.

Sports: Brighton’s seaside location offers the perfect opportunity to try paddle boarding, kayaking and windsurfing. Further into the city, The Level has a skate park for skateboarders and BMX riders to practise their skills.

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Just two miles north of Brighton city centre and the seafront, Moulsecoomb is the largest of our five campuses with more than 8,000 students. A wide variety of subjects are taught here, from engineering and product design to business and law.

Students benefit from many professional-standard facilities, including a flight simulator, design and digital media suites, and specialist research laboratories. The campus library, Aldrich, offers long opening hours and a diverse collection of books and journals for students from all subject areas.

Sports enthusiasts will enjoy our basketball and badminton courts, fitness suite and climbing wall. The campus is also a few minutes walk from the South Downs National Park, providing a great place to relax during the summer months.

Accommodation

Brighton

Our Brighton halls of residence are located across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

Our Grand Parade campus is in central Brighton and has one hall of residence, Phoenix Brewery, within walking distance. We have around 300 rooms available in Phoenix Brewery, which are all ensuite and self-catered.

Moulsecoomb is two miles from the city centre and also has one hall of residence, Moulsecoomb Place, on campus. All accommodation in Moulsecoomb Place is catered, offering breakfast and an evening meal during term time. There are more than 150 rooms available here, with six to eight rooms per flat.

Varley Park offers the biggest choice of student accommodation with ten halls of residence. The site is four miles from Brighton centre but within walking distance of Falmer train station. You can also catch a free bus service to Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb and Falmer campuses, which is operated by local bus service The Big Lemon.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence: Great Wilkins and Paddock Field. Great Wilkins offers 150+ self-catered single rooms and one-bed couples flats, while Paddock Field offers 450+ catered and self-catered single rooms only. All rooms in Falmer are en-suite.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. The rent covers all utilities and includes £5,000 of contents insurance for your personal belongings.

You can also choose to join the many students who live away from campus in private rented accommodation. We have a list of high-quality, university-endorsed private sector accommodation and can help you find housemates to move in with.

If you have any questions about accommodation in Brighton, our accommodation team will be happy to help. You can contact them by email at accommodation@brighton.ac.uk or by telephone on 01273 644100.

Paddock Field