Overview

Every product we buy and every service we use relies on effective operations and supply chain management.

From sourcing raw materials and managing production to delivering products across international markets, organisations depend on efficient and resilient supply chains. As businesses respond to global disruption, technological change and increasing sustainability expectations, demand continues to grow for professionals who can manage complex operations and supply networks.

Our MSc International Operations and Supply Chain Management prepares you for a career in this rapidly growing field.

Open to graduates and professionals from a wide range of academic and industry backgrounds, the programme does not require previous knowledge of operations or supply chain management. Instead, you'll develop the specialist knowledge, practical skills and industry insight needed to succeed in the sector.

You'll explore the principles and practices that underpin modern business operations and global supply chains.

Key areas include:

procurement and purchasing
logistics and transportation
global supply chain management
operations management
project management
sustainability and responsible business practice.

You'll develop the strategic and analytical skills needed to improve efficiency, manage risk and support decision making across complex international supply networks.

Learning is practical and industry focused. You'll apply your knowledge through:

simulation games
live case studies
analytical and data-driven problem solving
industry guest speakers
field trips and industry engagement opportunities.

This hands-on approach helps you build the skills employers are looking for and apply theory to real business challenges.

Sustainability, ethics and the Common Good are embedded throughout the programme. You'll explore how organisations can improve performance while making responsible decisions that consider people, communities and the environment.

The programme is accredited by both the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). You'll also have the opportunity to gain Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Carbon Literacy certifications as part of your studies, helping you develop additional credentials recognised across industry.

Whether you're looking to start a career in procurement, logistics, operations or supply chain management, or build on existing experience, this programme will help you get there.

You'll graduate ready to improve organisational performance and help businesses navigate the challenges of a complex global economy.

You can study this course full-time or part-time, giving you the flexibility to balance your learning with work or personal commitments. You can find more details in the ‘Additional Information’ section below.

Why study International Operations and Supply Chain Management at GCU?

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). This puts you on the path to professional membership.
Opportunity to gain Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Carbon Literacy certifications as part of your MSc. You’ll develop skills in process improvement and sustainable business practice that are valued by employers.
Study live global supply chain challenges. You'll explore the issues affecting organisations worldwide, from sustainability and risk management to digital transformation.
Develop practical skills using real data, industry scenarios and hands-on tools. You'll apply your learning to real business challenges and prepare for careers across a wide range of industries.
Bring your existing knowledge and experience to a new field. This degree welcomes graduates and professionals from a wide range of academic and industry backgrounds.

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply

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The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

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What you will study

Modules

Ethics Sustainability & Governance

Managing Operations Excellence

Global Supply Chain Management

Sustainable Operations Management

Postgraduate Research Methods

International Logistics and Transport

Procurement Policy and Practice

Project Management

Developing Leadership for the Common Good

Masters Research Project

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Careers

Operations and supply chain professionals are needed across almost every sector. From manufacturing and retail to healthcare, transport and energy, organisations depend on skilled professionals to manage operations, improve efficiency and keep supply chains running effectively.

Graduates of this programme have gone on to careers in areas including:

procurement
logistics
operations management
supply chain management
project management
business improvement.

Others have chosen to continue their studies through further postgraduate research.

Our graduates work for organisations across the public and private sectors, including:

NHS
Rolls-Royce
Amazon
Scottish Power
Thales
Deloitte
Kuehne+Nagel
HP Inc
Glasgow City Council
Tesco

The calibre of GCU graduates is recognised by employers. Organisations regularly engage with the University to promote career opportunities and connect with our students and graduates.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	1 year	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	2-3 years	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	16 months	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	2-3 years	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	1 year	Sep 27	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	2-3 years	Sep 27	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	16 months	Jan 28	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	2-3 years	Jan 28	Glasgow	Enquire

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Minimum academic requirement

UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in any subject area.

English language requirement

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no element below 5.5.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Teaching methods

We combine academic theory with practical application through a range of teaching approaches. You'll learn through lectures, seminars, practical workshops, group work and online learning activities.

Learning is hands-on and industry focused. Simulation games, live case studies, analytical tasks and data analysis help you apply your knowledge to real business challenges. You'll also benefit from industry guest speakers and field trips that provide insight into contemporary operations and supply chain practice.

Developing employability skills is a key focus throughout the programme. Teaching activities and assessments are designed to help you build the professional, analytical and problem-solving skills employers are looking for.

Assessment methods

We use a range of assessment methods to develop your intellectual, professional and transferable skills.

Assessment methods vary between modules and may include:

examinations
class tests
written coursework
presentations
individual assignments
group work.

Accreditation

This MSc is accredited by both the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation (CILT).

This means you can apply for student membership while you’re at GCU for a reduced fee.

After you graduate, you can apply for membership of either once you have three years of relevant experience, for example, MCIPS or MCILT.

During your studies, you’ll benefit from events organised by CIPS and CILT. You'll meet professionals and students from other academic institutions and build valuable networks.

Visit the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) website

Visit the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation (CILT) website

Part time study options

You can study this course part-time, giving you the flexibility to balance your studies with work or personal commitments.

The course can be completed over two to three years (depending which trimester you start) and is designed to support working professionals. You’ll build your qualification gradually, progressing from PgCert to PgDip and finally MSc level. Modules can be combined across trimesters, helping you shape your studies around your schedule and professional development goals.

Alongside teaching, you should expect to spend around 10 hours per week on independent study, depending on your experience and study approach. This includes reading, preparing for assessments and engaging with case materials. The structure is designed to remain manageable alongside employment and other responsibilities, while still supporting strong academic engagement.

Applied learning is a key feature of this programme. If you are a working professional, you’ll be encouraged to draw on your own organisational and professional experience throughout your studies. This helps you apply academic concepts directly to workplace challenges, supporting practical insight and immediate value for employers.

The Masters Research Project gives you the opportunity to focus on an area of direct organisational relevance. This may involve exploring a live issue or strategic priority within your workplace. Your project can produce outputs that help inform decision making within your organisation.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.

Overview

Why study International Operations and Supply Chain Management at GCU?

Accreditations

What you will study

Careers

Course information