• A choice of routes to complete the final stage of your Masters degree:  the traditional dissertation route or an ‘operations, synthesis and professional practice’ project
• Accredited by both the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
• Industry speakers and company visits
• Award-winning support from induction through to graduation
• Innovative teaching that focuses on learning for the real world and the employability of our graduates
• Flexible study - Start in September or January. Study full-time or part-time.

Core Modules

• Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise in Markets
• Managing Financial Information
• Strategy and Operations Management
• Personal and Professional Development
• Global Supply Chain Management
  
• Managing Projects for Innovation and Enterprise
• Strategic Supply Chain Risk & Vulnerability
• Management Research Design and Project

Elective (one of the following):

• Diversity & Cross Cultural Management
• International Logistics Management
• Lean Principles and Agile Supply Chains

Project

• Management Research Design & Project OR
• Operations, Synthesis and Professional Practice Project

Core Modules

Innovation, Creativity, Enterprise in Markets
In this module, the nature of (and connectedness through) interactions between creativity, innovation, enterprise are explored across individual, organisational, national and international contexts. The module will provide students with a multi-dimensional and applied understanding of theory, practice and management of creativity, innovation and enterprise related activities by organisations from all sectors.

Managing Financial Information
The rationale for this module is for students to understand that the effective use of financial information is a vital part of the management process. This module aims to develop the understanding of financial information for the use by managers in planning, control and performance measurement. It should be noted that the emphasis of the course is to promote an understanding of financial information rather than focus on the preparation of sets of accounts.

Personal and Professional Development
This module aims to develop individuals’ mastery in personal and interpersonal effectiveness in order to support career entry and development, thereby enabling positive and professional organisational impacts. From the students’ point of view, the module facilitates acclimatisation to their local learning environment as a basis for contributing to contemporary working environments at local, national and international/ global levels (the workplace). From employers’ point of view, the module develops rounded graduates who have not only a subject/ technical capacity but also a personal and professional capability. This capability, which is readily transferable to the workplace, distinguishes students who successfully complete the module from other graduates. The module comprises study of, and development in, the individual and interactive organisational behaviours that underpin professional performance and mindful practices in the workplace.

Strategy and Operations Management
This module constitutes the first stage of understanding the integrated component parts of strategic formulation and operations management in the public, private and voluntary sector business contexts. It begins with an overview of the role that strategy plays in the public, private and voluntary sector organisations by introducing students to theoretical perspectives. The module assists students in understanding strategic issues using appropriate frameworks to critically evaluate how managers undertake internal and external analyses to develop informed strategic decisions. The theoretical underpinnings will also facilitate analysis of strategy and operations in an international business context.  Leading on from this, students will develop a critical understanding of organisations’ strategic aims, options and choice and the strategic role that operations management plays in that process. By focusing on formulation as part of the strategy process, the module sets the scene and prepares students for the study of the implementation of strategy. The module will enable students to understand the role of operations within public, private and voluntary sector organisations. On completion of the module, they will be able to identify how the operations function enables the fulfilment of strategy and delivers quality to the customer.

Global Supply Chain Management

This module aims to develop the knowledge and understanding of the role and extent of supply chain management in modern organizations. Leading on from this, students will develop a critical understanding of the key processes involved in global supply chain management including sourcing, procurement, warehousing, inventory management. The module assists students in understanding how different technologies can be used to expand and support organizations on a global basis and how they can be used reconfiguring supply chain networks and achieving competitive advantage. Students will have the opportunity to explore the current operation of existing global supply chains across different organizations and in a variety of industry sectors. The module will finally examine key issues and concerns arising from global supply chain management including forming collaborative partnerships, building trust and managing different languages and cultures.

Strategic Supply Chain Risk & Vulnerability
This module aims to develop a critical knowledge and understanding of the issues in developing supply chain strategy and risk management. The module will aim to provide an appreciation of how supply chains can be leveraged and add value to organisations and gain competitive advantage.  Specific attention will be given to how modern supply chain networks can be managed to minimize risk and the range of tools available. The module examines strategic supply chain theories, supply chain networks and rtsk assessment, configuration, integration of supply chains, the application of innovative technologies and building strategic partnerships. This module also examines contemporary issues and challenges presented through supply chain management such us sustainability and future directions.

Managing Projects for Innovation and Enterprise
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the concepts surrounding project management for innovation and enterprise.  The key project management concepts including the roles and responsibilities of project managers, organisational structures within which project management operates, project implementation, project teams and project leadership, communication, relationships with clients, end-users and funding bodies and network analysis will be studied within the context of emerging enterprises.   The module uses both business simulation software and project management software.

Elective Modules

International Logistics Management
The module is to provide students with a critical analysis of current theory and practice in logistics management in its global context.

Students will be introduced to the principles and concepts of Logistics Management, and also have an insights of its internationalisation, as well as a review of the role of the Logistics Management function within organizations.

Students' analytical and evaluative skills are developed through the critical examination of theories, models, tools and techniques employed in Logistics Management.

The purpose of the module is to equip students with a foundation of essential knowledge of contemporary Logistics Management and its application domestically and internationally.

Lean Principles and Agile Supply Chains
(Weber and Wild (2004) Application of Lean and Agile Principles to Workflow Management Extreme Programming and Agile Processes in Software Engineering, Springerlink)

 "Today's dynamic and uncertain business environment requires quick reaction to change and frequent deviations from plans. Lean principles and agile methods address this need." (Weber and Wild, 2004).  This module will provide students with the knowledge and skills to undertake Lean and Agile projects in the workplace.  A key element of the module will be working through practical examples to ensure that students are confident in their abilities.  The module assumes no prior knowledge, and covers the theories, tools and techniques of Lean and Agile businesses across a range of sectors.  A guest speaker will provide further examples of Lean and Agile practice.

Diversity and Cross Cultural Management
Culture is a multi-layered concept. It is also a set of complex practices in the workplace as workforces become increasingly diverse. Cultural factors influence the way business is conducted in different countries and international/ multi-national organisations have to cope with diversity. Awareness of the nature and impact of culture in the workplace is therefore important in managing human resources effectively. This module aims to develop insights into key elements of culture at national and individual organisational levels. The purpose is to support cross-cultural capability and inculcate a global mindset by stimulating self-awareness and widening frames of reference

Project

Operations, Synthesis and Professional Practice Project
This module provides an alternative to the traditional dissertation and incorporates three elements – a consultancy approach to operations needs analysis; application, synthesis and engagement for managers; and business transformation in operations.  Each element incorporates a short series of introductory lectures, seminars and practical workshops followed by a substantive piece of independent research.  The module covers appreciation of different research approaches, critical analysis and technical and soft skills.

Management Research Design & Project
The Management Research Design and Project module consists of two elements: an initial taught element focused on management research design followed by the management research project. The overarching aim of the module is to develop critical knowledge and understanding, and the relevant competencies required to effectively design and conduct management research/consultancy and report on the findings.

• Individual courseworks
• Written and multiple choice question exams
• Lab-based assignments
• Group presentations
• Individual and group case studies
• Electronic discussion forums
• Self Reflection logs
• Personal Development Planning
• Class contributions
• Individual project

The MSc Global Supply Chain and Logistics programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and graduates of the programme will qualify immediately for associate grade membership of the Institute progressing to full membership (MCIPS) with three years management experience.

Students on the programme are eligible to seek student membership while they are studying, thus taking the first step to becoming Chartered. For further details on CIPS and membership benefits see the CIPS website: http://www.cips.org/en/

The MSc Global Supply Chain and Logistics programme is recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)and graduates of the programme will qualify immediately for associate grade membership of the Institute (ACMI) progressing to full membership (MCMI) with three years management experience.

Students on the programme are eligible to seek affiliate membership of the Institute while they are studying, thus taking the first step to becoming a Chartered Manager. For further details on the CMI and membership benefits see the CMI website:  http://www.managers.org.uk