Operations and Supply Chain Management (online) MSc

About the course

This MSc Operations & Supply Chain Management (online) develops skills and knowledge and specifically focuses on the areas of business related to procurement & supply chain management in an operational management context.

Case studies are utilised throughout the online modules to highlight situations, solutions and problems solving methods and this will include analysis and synthesis. The contribution to profitability through understanding of purchasing, procurement, and logistics will also be understood. There will be critical review of the strategic value related to procurement, and supply chain management.

Key intellectual skills developed will include:

• Design of process models and evaluation of internal and external influences.
• Abilities to conduct research and analysis to manage long, medium and short term issues including problem solving strategies and their use and outcomes.

Why choose this course?

MSc Operations and Supply Chain Management has been running successfully on campus for four years by the School of Engineering and Technology. With their progressive approach and career-relevant programmes, the School of Engineering and Technology has an international reputation for attracting students and developing talented graduates who are highly sought after by employers.

Building on these successes this on campus Master's course has now be developed for 100% online delivery. Ideal if you do not wish to put your career on hold for study or unable to get to our campus in Hatfield, UK.

Find out more about this online course, visit the UH Online micosite

Study routes

• Online - Part Time, 3 Years
• Online - Part Time,
• Online - Part Time, 2 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Underpinning the knowledge, understanding, intellectual and practical skills these studies will allow you to increase your key transferable skills.

Teaching methods

Visit the UH Online microsite on details of how distance learning works.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Manufacturing Strategy (on-line)

  This module provides an introduction to the requirements for Manufacturing Strategy. In studying this module students will gain an understanding of the need for the deployment of a manufacturing strategy in any business. Through the material, case studies, and group discussion the students will develop their knowledge and understanding of how successful manufacturing strategies for competitive advantage will be designed and deployed. The human resources issues, management of change and resistance to change, technology and process influences, and constraints will be taken into account in this module.

• Operations Research (on-line)

  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.

Optional

• Financial Control (on-line)

  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 Resources Management (on-line)

  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.

• Individual Project (on-line)

  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 online support of staff across the school covering a wide range of appropriate areas. Students are supported through the delivery of an initial short course online 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 using online technology. 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.

• Legal Aspects of Supply Chain DL

  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.

• Manufacturing Information Systems (on-line)

  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.

• Operations Management (on-line)

  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.

• Procurement and Supply Chain Management (on-line)

  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 online 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.

Fees & funding

Additional course costs

A breakdown of the fees for this online course can be found on the UH Online microsite

Other financial support

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

How to apply