Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc (PGCert PGDip)

Course in brief

Our accredited Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc provides you with the specialist knowledge and skills that you need for a career in logistics and supply chain management.

Alongside traditional lectures you will gain practical experience from projects, case studies and talks from industry experts. You will learn about 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.

With our emphasis on practical learning, in your third term you will have opportunities to either visit our industry partners to learn about their activities and challenges, or to apply your new knowledge acting as a consultant. As part of this programme you also have the opportunity to complete a six-month paid work placement.

The University of Brighton is also 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.

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for this course. Find out if you are eligible in the fees and funding tab below.

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)

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Please make sure that you meet the entry requirements before applying. If you have any questions the course team will be happy to help.

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 here should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the university'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.

Applicants who hold an HND or Foundation degree equivalent can take our nine-month Business BSc top-up degree.

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

Course structure

This one-year, full-time course is designed for graduates of any subject with or without work experience. Case studies, live client projects, 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 two option modules and 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.

Your final project will take place over the summer after teaching finishes. Your optional work-experience based final project may continue for up to one-year past the end of teaching.

Field trip to Shepherd Neame – Britain's oldest brewer

Accreditations

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.

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 (natural beauty products), the Shepherd Neame brewery and the Jaguar automobile assembly plant.

In term three you also have the option of taking the Supply Chain Consulting elective, which involves applying your knowledge to solve a client's supply chain problem via a live consulting project.

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.

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

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.

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 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. His research and publications are in the area of supply chain improvement.

Peter also brings a wealth of commercial expertise from previously having worked in a number of senior business planning and operations roles in Delphi Diesel Systems and BOC.

Find out more about Peter McCullen.

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.

Careers Service

As a student you will have access to our Careers Service, including careers counselling sessions, CV checking, mock interviews and advice on setting up your own business. Read more on our Careers Service website.

Careers counsellor

As the Business School's career development advisor, Christina Keiller helps you to write your CV, prepare for interviews and plan your career. She also works closely with tutors to ensure that your courses teach vocational skills as well as academic ones.

Entrepreneurship network
Beepurple is the university’s entrepreneurship support network. They offer free support for any student or graduate with their business ideas, freelance plan or social enterprise project. Beepurple run events throughout the academic year, designed to equip you with skills that will improve your employability and help you grow a successful business. By taking part in beepurple activities, you will meet like-minded people, hear how other recent graduates have set up their own businesses and gain key enterprise skills that will help you stand out from the crowd.

For more information visit beepurple

Mentoring scheme
Momentum is our award-winning mentoring scheme. It pairs students with professionals who wish to share their experience. Students and their mentors meet regularly to exchange ideas. The scheme helps students to develop new skills and enhance their career prospects.

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (full-time) 8,640 GBP

International (full-time) 14,490 GBP

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 full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2017–18.

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.

You can find out more about our fees in 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, 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

Forward-thinking and welcoming, the city of Brighton & Hove is a community of creative and diverse people who share values like sustainability and inclusivity – just like its university.

Miles of pebble beaches, hundreds of bars, restaurants and clubs, a packed calendar of culture, music and sport and great independent and high street shopping attract visitors from all over the world. By the end of your course you’ll still be finding new things to enjoy about the city.

The Brighton Festival, England’s largest arts festival, takes place every May – as does the Great Escape Europe’s leading industry showcase for new music, 300 bands perform over three days at venues across the city. Major events celebrate Pride, digital culture, cinema, photography, food and the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate show is a highlight, turning the university into the largest exhibition space in the south east as we celebrate the outstanding creativity of our students.

As a student here you’ll have a unique opportunity to experience what the city has to offer. Volunteering and placement opportunities enable you to play your part in the events, organisations and communities that make Brighton such a compelling place to be.

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.

Grand Parade is in central Brighton and has one hall of residence, Phoenix Brewery, within walking distance.
Moulsecoomb is two miles from the city centre and also has one hall of residence, Moulsecoomb Place, on campus.
Varley Park offers the biggest choice of student accommodation with ten halls of residence.
Falmer campus has two halls of residence: Great Wilkins and Paddock Field.
Varley Park and Falmer are around four miles from Brighton centre; there are good public transport services nearby.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords.

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.

Find out more on our Brighton accommodation webpages and if you have any questions, 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

Moulsecoomb Place

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map

Find out more

Brighton Business School
01273 642197
postgrad.business@brighton.ac.uk

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Student Views

MSc Students

Altan Isik and Matthew Levett discuss their experience of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc.

Charlotte Vereecken

After graduating Charlotte spent time working in a Belgium chocolate factory before focusing her career in the supply chain area.

Her dissertation research concentrated on improving the efficiency of the returns process for an online clothing retailer.

Charlotte graduated with a distinction and now works as a Logistics Engineer for Volvo Trucks.

Read more about our students on our blog.

Siby Parackal

After completing an Electronic and Communications Engineering B.Tech at the Cochin University of Science and Technology and having worked in an electronics manufacturing business, Siby joined the MSc.

As part of his course Siby completed a work placement at Liz Earle (natural beauty products) on the Isle of Wight, where he obtained a full-time position as a Business Analyst.

Read more about our students on our blog.