Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc (PGCert PGDip)

Course structure

This 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. 

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 (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 module, 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

• 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 project
  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. 

International requirements

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

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.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

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-time 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.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map