MSc Supply Chain Management

Start date
September 2024
Duration
1 year full-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees

For 2024-2025:
£16,290 (UK)
£31,410 (International)

MSc Supply Chain Management at Birmingham

Be part of the next generation of senior supply chain specialists and leaders with our forward-thinking Supply Chain Management MSc.

Today’s supply chains are increasingly being relied upon to respond to our every need. They must be resilient in the face of unexpected change and transformative in response to new paradigm shifts and technologies, whilst also being managed responsibly and sustainably.

Achieving this requires supply chain specialists and leaders who have a particular blend of knowledge and skills that make them future ready.

The Supply Chain Management MSc at the University of Birmingham seeks to do exactly that. It has been designed with industry experts to help you succeed in your career and play a key and transformational role in the future of supply chain management.

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for graduates from a range of backgrounds who seek a career in this field, as well as those with work experience in supply chains who seek further career development and professional accreditation, such as:

  • Recent undergraduates looking to specialise in supply chain or logistics
  • Supply chain or logistics professionals seeking to further develop their skills and obtain a qualification which reflects their experience
  • Other business professionals with relevant experience wishing to use the qualification to transition into a supply chain or logistic role

Why study this course at Birmingham?

  • You will be part of a small cohort on this focused, specialist programme, allowing you to develop a closer relationship with experts, staff, and fellow students.  
  • You will have the opportunity to work on real projects as part of a summer internship or to undertake a traditional dissertation. 
  • You will experience a global education with an international trip to our Dubai campus. This will offer you a unique cross-campus international experience, working with students, academics, and industry professionals in the city of Dubai, a global logistics hub. This is a great opportunity to work across diverse cultures and business contexts.
  • You can take part in our new Supply Chain Management Professionals Programme, which is exclusive to students on this course.
  • This course focuses on real-world challenges with an emphasis on ethics and sustainability alongside digital supply chains and supply chain analytics, presenting an array of possibilities for graduates. Find out how we are working for a responsible future at Birmingham.
  • Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK and sits within the Midlands ‘Golden Triangle’ - a major supply chain hub renowned for its high density of distribution facilities and home to some of the biggest names in manufacturing, retail and service. Our strong relationships with a diverse range of key employers including Jaguar Land Rover, DHL, DPD and major retail give you the chance to meet and network with leading local and global organisations. 

Discover our unique scholarship offers

Students walking on University campusAt Birmingham Business School we offer a wide variety of scholarships for our new MSc students in 2024.

These awards are available to both UK and international applicants and range in value from partial to full tuition fee support.

Find out more about our scholarship offers

Accreditation

The MSc Supply Chain Management programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) providing a fast track pathway for you to membership of CILT offering full exemption from the academic requirements for membership at either Chartered Member or membership level of the CILT*. There may also be a reduction in the length of industry experience required. In addition, students gain access to a range of professional development activities including exclusive industry events and career support, and to an international network of logistics and supply chain professionals. 

*An overall pass mark of 50% and above will be required for Chartered Membership.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport accreditation logo

The MSc Supply Chain Management programme is accredited by Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).  CIPS accreditation constitutes recognition of a world-class programme, which reflects the current and future needs of the global procurement and supply management profession. A complimentary 12-month affiliate membership is offered to all students as part of the programme accreditation with CIPS. Students are also eligible to apply for MCIPS on successful completion of a CIPS accredited degree programme along with evidence showing a minimum of 3 years’ work experience within the procurement and supply sector *.

*To apply for MCIPS designation, you will need to submit your application to CIPS within 5 years of graduating.

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) logo

 

Dubai Campus

Study in Dubai 

Places are also available on the MSc Supply Chain Management degree at our campus in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC). Our leading academic staff teach to the same standards as our UK based programmes and you will graduate with the same MSc degree from the University of Birmingham. Dubai is a rapidly developing, cosmopolitan city that offers an exciting experience and a world of opportunity to students. 

Study MSc Supply Chain Management in Dubai

This MSc SCM programme goes a long way to addressing this issue - it has the right balance of specialist knowledge/experience development and the ability to interpret real life situations for practical application.

Warren Taylor (FCIPS, MBA, IIM), Vice President - Strategic Procurement, Civil Aerospace, Rolls Royce Plc.

Modules

Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2024.

Core modules

You must take the following modules which are worth 20 credits each. 

Optional modules

Choose one of the following:

Choose one of the following:


Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Fees for 2024 - 2025

  • £16,290 (UK)
  • £31,410 (International)

Please note that you will be required to pay a £50 non-refundable application fee for all of the above courses.

  • For further information on programme fees and information please visit our Fees and Financing page.

Scholarships

  • For information on scholarships you may be eligible to apply for, please use our PG Funding Database.
  • Business School Scholarships may be available, find out more about our scholarships.

Additional Course Costs

  • In addition to the Tuition Fees you will need to consider accommodation, living expenses and daily costs. You can find financial advice and support on our Finance pages.
  • For information on our accommodation and services, including the support we offer to students wanting to rent privately, please visit the Accommodation pages.

Questions about funding? Use our Student Help knowledge base to find the answer.

How To Apply

7 May 2024 is the application deadline for international students applying through the student route who wish to study in the United Kingdom. We are not able to consider applications for 2024 made after this date. The deadline for Home students is 30 August 2024.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

In order to be considered, applicants will have or should be expecting to achieve an Honours degree (2:1 or higher) or postgraduate diploma from a UK university (or overseas equivalent) in any subject.

Relevant experience is not a strict requirement but will add weight to an application.

Applicants who demonstrate being able to exceed the minimum entry requirements will be given preference.

Find out more about entry requirements

International Requirements



International Students

Standard English language requirements apply (IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band). 


  • IELTS 7.0 with no less that 6.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any band
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: PTE Academic 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced or Proficiency – minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component

If you are currently studying at a Chinese university, please view our specific entry requirements including our list of acceptable universities for further study at Birmingham.

English Presessional Programmes 

If you’re looking to improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham, our pre-sessional English courses are for you. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications. Find out more 

The Supply Chain Management MSc will give you all the tools, knowledge and hands-on experience you need to successfully manage and develop businesses beyond the boundaries of the firm.

You will work with leading academics to discover and apply a deep understanding of supply chain strategy, supply chain digitalisation, data analytics, network design, negotiation, communication, supply chain collaboration, relationship management, and supply chain forecasting.

The course will provide you with:

  • Specialised knowledge and understanding in all core aspects of supply chain management;
  • A strategic management perspective and framework of the firm within its wider supply chain;
  • Expertise in key contemporary aspects of supply chain management, including resilience, ethics and sustainability;
  • An understanding of digital technologies and supply chain analytics;
  • Data analytics skills, with an application to the supply chain discipline;
  • An ability to critically interpret real-life supply chain strategies and practices; and
  • Practical supply chain management experience and an ability to apply supply chain concepts to solve real-life business problems

You will also benefit from our strong links with industry through networking opportunities, company visits, and lectures from distinguished guest speakers.

A high-class learning environment

Students outside the Alan Walters BuildingAs a postgraduate student, you will have access to our award-winning £10 million postgraduate teaching space, the Alan Walters Building. This will provide you with access to facilities of the highest quality, including a state-of-the-art lecture theatre, dedicated computer clusters and seminar rooms as well as communal areas for studying and group work, which look out over the University's ambitious Green Heart development, which was completed in 2019.

Assessment Methods

The assessments will focus on real-world challenges and help you to develop self-confidence to deal with the global investment and finance communities. Assessment methods include a combination of case studies, participative exercises, interactive lectures, presentations, written exams and group projects.

 

Excellent career prospects

Supply Chain Management skills are in great demand and as a result, this is an attractive profession which with higher-than-average typical salaries. Graduates will leave Birmingham perfectly placed to take up key supply chain executive and management roles across a range of businesses, including manufacturing, retail and service. We also provide ongoing careers support for international students who wish to work in the UK after graduation.

Top jobs in Supply Chain Management include:

  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Sourcing Manager
  • Procurement Manager
  • Inventory Controller
  • Transportation Planner

This postgraduate course is also a great first-step towards doctoral research in supply chain management for those wishing to pursue a career in academia.  

Strong industry links

Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK and sits within the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’, the most desirable location in the UK for business and home to major supply chain hubs.  Our ever-growing relationship with key employers such as Jaguar Land Rover, large supermarkets and companies such as DPD and DHL will provide you with the opportunity to meet and network with leading global organisations.  

BBS Careers and Careers Network

As a Birmingham Business School student, you will benefit from two award-winning Careers teams.  

Careers Network is the University of Birmingham careers and employability team offering: career fairs, employer events with top firms across the UK, start-up and entrepreneurial activities, and support. Internships and bursaries are also available exclusively to University of Birmingham students.   

BBS Careers is a dedicated service for Birmingham Business School students. The team provides guidance, support, and work experience opportunities, tailored to business school students, to help you succeed during and after university. We offer workshops, alumni and employer events, and 1-to-1 consultations. These will help you to develop your skills and learn how to submit high-quality internship and graduate applications.  

BBS Careers is one of a few, if not the only business school career service to offer life-long support.  

We are here to support you! Whether you are applying for postgraduate end-of-study internship, a graduate job, or applying for a management role five years after graduation.  

Visit the BBS website for more details

The University of Birmingham MSC Course in Supply Chain Management has as its prime objective producing senior supply chain professionals with the necessary breadth and depth of technical and general leadership skills to have significant business impact and long term successful business careers.

Ewen Kinnear, Ex Executive Vice President, Operations Excellence, DHL Supply Chain