MSc Supply Chain Management (18-month route)

Why choose Herts?

Industry accreditation: This course meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UKSPEC).
Employment prospects: Our graduates work as Supply Chain Analysts, Procurement Officers, and Supply Chain Managers for organisations including GSK, Tesco, and DHL.
Industry connections: Benefit from our strong connections with Samsung, BAE, and Leonardo who support with course projects, industry talks, and work placement opportunities.

This course is up for periodic review
To ensure this course continues to be cutting-edge and enables you to be ready for the modern workplace, it is due to be reviewed by January 2024.

Our website will typically be updated within a month of the review confirming any enhancements, including:
- module titles (and whether they are core or optional)
- expected contact hours
- assessment methods
- staff teaching on the course

An honours degree (at least 2:2 or above) in an engineering discipline or an appropriate science or any other related discipline where the subject content does not overlap with this programme to any substantial extent.

International qualifications will be considered on the basis of their equivalence to UK qualifications, typically guided by a resource such as the National Academic Recognition Information centre (NARIC). Candidates will be required to demonstrate a suitable level of proficiency in written and spoken English. An IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) would typically be required from candidates whose first language is not English. Candidates who do not satisfy these requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you do not have the required level of English for entry, our academic English courses can help you to achieve this level.


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science
Course length	Full Time, 18 Months
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

Upon graduation you may gain employment in a wide variety of sectors, including: aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, distribution and logistics sector and other FMCG industries.

About the course

There is an increased need for professionally managed purchasing and supply chains mangement to ensure businesses are able to succeed and provide to their customers. The School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science have developed this unique programme to help you develop a wide range of skills for your chosen career ensuring success in whatever sector you decide to work in.

The programme offers two award routes that you can choose to study:

One-year full-time MSc Supply Chain Management (September and January entry)
18-months full-time MSc Supply Chain Management (September and January entry)

Why choose this course?

1st for production and manufacturing Engineering in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, Advance HE, 2023).

You will develop skills and advancement of knowledge on the broad areas of business to enable you develop transferable skills in all areas. Areas include: operations management, operations research, procurement and supply chain management, financial control, manufacturing information systems, manufacturing strategy; legal aspects of supply chain; and human resources management.

You will focus on a combination of practical work and case studies, including analysis and synthesis, contribution to profitability, understanding of purchasing, procurement and logistics. It will promote critical review and analysis of strategic value, procurement and supply chain management.

What will I study?

The School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science 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 the School has a policy of using industrial standard software wherever possible. The School also operate an open access laboratory, and computer policy, that will help students complete coursework and assignments, at a scheduled pace and on time.

Where will I study?

Learn in our brand-new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building, opening in 2024, where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones. You will have access to modelling, simulation and research labs, our Merlin Flight Simulator and automotive workshop (complete with electric vehicle facility), wind tunnel, welding bay and controls testing suite.

You will also benefit from a Success and Skills Support Unit, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.

The new building will also provide space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Human Resource Management	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will gain an understanding of the strategic and operational role of HR within a variety of organisations, including those relevant within the 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.
Financial Control	15 Credits	Compulsory
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.
Procurement & Supply Chain Management	15 Credits	Compulsory
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.
Inventory Management	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will explore inventory management on with focus on reducing operating costs, enhancing customer service and enabling efficient and effective purchasing. The relationship between the risks and decision making will feature in this module with control features being explained and compared. Some quantitative simulation and examples will be used to provide a range of experience. The systems that manage the data will be discussed including data capture, deterministic models and the impact of ERP and AI for the future.
Operations Research & Logistic	15 Credits	Compulsory
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. It is essential for engineers and managers to know the difference between a good decision and a bad decision. A 'good' decision is one that uses analytical decision making and is based on appropriate logic and considers all available data and possible alternatives. Essentially, 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.
Lean Manufacturing & Services	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module will equip students to apply lean manufacturing techniques and the Toyota Production System to the manufacturing and service sectors, while also incorporating a systems thinking perspective to operations and in particular through an understanding of the theory of constraints. It will approach the topics initially from a historical perspective discussing the first principles of these practices. Students will then progress to applying these philosophies to current industrial contexts and applications.
MSc Individual Projects Option 1 & 2	60 Credits	Compulsory
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.
Sustainable Business of Supply Chain Logistics	15 Credits	Compulsory
Recognition of implications relating to regulatory constraints and risks, including legal, ethical, environmental and commercial. Analyse and gain skills in business management processes and within the supply chain logistics specialisation. Development of interpersonal skills through learning how to negotiate, present defensible recommendations, and work within as well as lead a team.

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Supply Chain Management	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Supply Chain Management	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

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

Fees 2024
UK Students

Full time
- £11655 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
EU Students

Full time
- £16450 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
International Students

Full time
- £16450 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

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

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

Start Date	End Date	Link
21/09/2024	31/05/2025	Apply online (Full Time)
18/01/2025	31/05/2025	Apply online (Full Time)

2025

Start Date	End Date	Link
21/09/2025	31/05/2026	Apply online (Full Time)
18/01/2026	31/05/2026	Apply online (Full Time)

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MSc Supply Chain Management (18-month route)

Why choose Herts?

Careers

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Where will I study?

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

2025