Operations and Supply Chain Management MSc

About the course

Operations & Supply Chain Management Masters Degree

This master’s programme was introduced in response to the growing importance of professionally-managed purchasing and supply chains, as well as recognising the strategic value of skilled operations managers.

These topics have been high on the political agenda for several years and as companies have become more aware of the strategic value of supply chain management, salaries have risen rapidly.

Throughout the programme there also runs the thread of sustainability and social responsibility.

The programme is taught by staff from the School of Engineering and Technology which was recently awarded an excellent grading in the HEFCE auditors' report.

Why choose this course?

Operations & Supply Chain Management Masters Degree

This MSc programme has been specifically designed to equip students for a career in Supply Chain Management and / or Operations Management. It offers a dual focus on these areas, incorporating subjects which employers seek in prospective graduates.

Supply Chain Management is a growing field as internationalisation and global outsourcing continues to gain momentum. Students will be given the tools to excel in this field, both through completing the coursework and practical assignments as well as through completing their own thesis project in this area.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply reports that “Global membership has continued to increase [in 2011/12] and the number of people taking CIPS qualifications is at an all-time high”

Operations Management is central to the successful running of any organisation, regardless of its size. It enables organisations to provide products and services in every area. Good operations managers are an invaluable asset to any organisation.

Students are taken through the various key aspects of operations management and through a combination of theory and assignments are given the tools for success in this area, culminating in a thesis project.

Study routes

• Part Time, 2 Years
• Full Time, 1 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Graduates of this programme will be highly sought after given the demand for well known companies to find graduates with this training.

Teaching methods

The School of Engineering and Technology has a reputation for innovation in teaching and learning, where nearly all MSc modules are delivered through a combination of traditional face-to-face teaching and backup tutorial's using the University's StudyNet web based facility.

StudyNet allows students to access electronic teaching and learning resources, and conduct electronic discussion's with staff and other students. A heavy emphasis is placed on theory and practice, and AADE has a policy of using industrial standard software wherever possible. The School of Engineering and Technology also operates an open access laboratory, and computer policy, that will help students complete coursework and assignments, at a scheduled pace and on time.

Professional Accreditations

Accredited for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Financial Control

  By studying this module the students will gain an understanding of the relevance of financial and management accounting in the business world. The successful students will be able to demonstrate the relevance of financial and accounting measurements to plan, deploy, monitor and control the performance of manufacturing organisations. The module provides a learning opportunity through lectures, case studies and discussion the relevance of funds, the sources and the deployment of finance, typical financial management ratios used; such as liquidity and profitability ratios, their link to management accounting measures with typical techniques used to evaluate costs, profit vs volume analysis and financial and management risk evaluation.

• Human Resource Management

  Students will gain an understanding of the strategic and operational role of HR within a variety of organisations, including those relevant within supply chain. The module will examine the legal implications of industrial relations and health and safety. It will further analyse the trend of HRM within differing types of industries and businesses. Students will use case studies and scenarios to support lectures and guided learning.

• Legal Aspects of Supply Chain

  The course will consider the following elements of legal aspects of supply chain management: - The fundamental aspects of contract law;offer, acceptance, consideration, and exclusion clauses. - An overview of relevant statutory protection;Sale of Goods, Contracts for Services. - The role of other key legal areas such as Competition Law, Intellectual Property, International Trade (Sale of Goods), and Insurance Law. - A consideration of Remedies via Contract Law as well as Dispute Resolution.

• MSc Projects

  The Masters Project is a key integrating feature of the programme. It is designed to challenge and develop critical thinking skills at a post-graduate level. It provides the student with the opportunity to bring together and apply much of what they have learnt both in their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Potential projects are identified with the support of staff across the school covering a wide range of appropriate areas. Some will be based in industry, others based within our own laboratories. Students are supported through the delivery of an initial short course training programme designed to equip them with the necessary project management, research methodology, investigation tools and analysis skills necessary to undertake a Masters level project. They will also be allocated and supported by individual project supervisor. It is expected that the project will require 600 hours of student effort and will result in a worthwhile and practical contribution to the chosen subject area.

• Manufacturing Information Systems

  By studying this module the students will gain an understanding of the role of integrated information systems relevant to manufacturing organisation. Through applications of systems analysis and design techniques, the students will be able to develop skills in systems modelling techniques, project management and acquire a broad understanding of networking topologies and eCommerce with relevant applications.

• Manufacturing Strategy

  By studying this module the students will gain an understanding of the need for deployment of a successful and integrated manufacturing strategy. Through lectures, case studies and group discussion, the students will develop their knowledge and understanding of how successful manufacturing strategies for competitive advantage could be designed and deployed, taking into account; - the human resource issues, resistance to change, technology and process influences and constraints.

• Operations Management

  This module will cover the fundamentals and strategic aspects of operations management and will enable the students to develop their understanding of operational processes, techniques, planning and control systems. Students will examine case studies relating to both manufacturing and service operations to support lectures and guided learning.

• Operations Research

  What makes the difference between a good decision and a bad decision? A 'good' decision is one that uses analytical decision making, and is based on logic and considers all available data and possible alternatives. Engineers and managers are decision makers, thus to achieve their goals, they must understand how decisions are made and know of which decision-making tools to use. To a great extent the success or failure of human resources and management depends on the quality of their decisions. Therefore, this module determines that with the use and implementation of good operations research decision-making tools, then the process of decision making should be made easier.

• Procurement & Supply Chain Management

  By studying this module the students will be able to explore and develop an understanding of procurement & supply chain issues through case studies, group work and lectures. Key areas that will be developed include the role of procurement and supply chain management and the increased importance of managing the internal and external supply chain.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £6,700 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £11,000 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply