Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc (PGCert PGDip)

International equivalencies

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

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.

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.

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. 

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map