Department of Business and Management

Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management (2015 entry)

MSc, 1 year full time

Register your interest for 2015 entry

Subject overview

  • Our courses are taught by world-renowned faculty with a strong background in relevant areas of research. 
  • Our range of courses builds on Sussex’s strong foundation of interdisciplinary study, encompassing corporate risk management, entrepreneurship, international finance, and international and innovation management. 
  • Our teaching is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to compete effectively in the fast-paced world of work. We tailor our taught courses to meet current and future employer demands, and will continue to adapt to the changing employment market. 
  • Our courses offer a choice between practice- and research-oriented study opportunities. They have been developed drawing on the expertise and input of experienced practitioners from industry and professional bodies. These experts complement our own expertise in research and help to enrich your learning experience. 

Global perspective

55th in the world for international outlook

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013-2014

Academic quality

14th in the UK
43rd in Europe
111th in the world

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2014-2015

  • 1,600 km2 of South Downs
    National Park area

  • 4,600
    students live on campus

  • 700,000 books and e-books, and
    30,000 journals in the library

  • 13,800
    students study at Sussex

  • Around 4,500 full- and
    part-time jobs advertised each year
    Over 900 paid internships
    advertised in the last 18 months
    300 careers events each year

  • £500-million future investment
    in campus buildings and facilities

  • Over 95 countries across the world
    are home to Sussex graduates

  • 956 academic staff
    1,214 professional services staff

  • 140 student societies and
    over 30 sports clubs

  • 28,000-seater American
    Express Community Stadium

  • £24.7-million
    research income

  • < 9 minutes to Brighton
    < 30 minutes to Gatwick Airport
    < 60 minutes to central London
    < 90 minutes to Heathrow Airport

Internships

For students on the MSc in Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management, we have secured internship opportunities with a number of companies involved in procurement and supply-chain activities. The internships are likely to last one month and in some cases the costs of travel and accommodation may be paid by the company. An internship is an opportunity for outstanding individuals to gain real-world experience of working in successful companies. For more details, contact Dr Des Doran (E d.doran@sussex.ac.uk).

We are pleased to announce a new partnership with DHL. From September 2016, DHL Express (Nigeria) will offer a paid four-week internship to one student graduating from the MSc. For 2016, this is open only to Nigerian nationals. For more details, contact Dr Des Doran (E d.doran@sussex.ac.uk).

Accreditation

Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Our MSc in Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management has achieved full assessment accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and Membership accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). This double accreditation allows our graduates the opportunity to become full members of both institutions without the normal conditions which apply to applicants who have not completed this degree.

Both accrediting bodies provide a number of events and other opportunities designed to enhance your employability. As a graduate – once you have successfully demonstrated the required level of management expertise – you can use the titles MCIPS (with no additional examination requirements) and MCILT (with some additional examination requirements) on your CV, offering you a significant advantage in the job market.


Constantin's faculty perspective

Professor Constantin Blome

‘In the MBA program I teach topics that synthesize my latest research insights as well as consulting experience letting participants learn from recent, real world challenges. My academic expertise focuses on supply chain management, specifically the management of suppliers. Topics covered in lectures are various supply chain and operations management topics like a) supply chain risk management strategies in unstable environments, e.g. informed by research in the automotive industry, or b) strategies for sustainable supply chain management, informed by numerous research projects including on multi-tier supplier relationship management or conflict minerals.

Participants learn tools to address these challenges in a convincing manner, experience best practices and develop the necessary analytical mind-set including the prerequisites to implement potential changes in their own organisations. In order to achieve these objectives participants will be challenged in real-life and highly interactive simulations, case studies, role-plays, and presentations.’ 

Professor Constantin Blome
Professor of Operations Management,
University of Sussex

Des's faculty perspective

Dr Des Doran

'I have been involved in organising and designing supply chains within the retail sector and have extended my research to cover supply chain issues in a number of manufacturing and service environments. One key issue I have observed over the last decade is the growing importance of supply chain and logistics management and the impact such management has on the competitive positioning of organisations around the globe. As operations have become more dispersed, the need to understand how to maximise the potential of suppliers and to understand the role of effective logistics has become critical.

'I have designed this course to give you a fundamental understanding of the key issues that face supply chain and logistics professionals and to prepare you for your journey to become a professional in a growing and vibrant sector of economic activity.'

Dr Des Doran
Senior Lecturer in Strategy,
University of Sussex

Programme outline

This course offers you the opportunity to attend a wide range of career-enhancing events and provides you with access to potential employers. In addition, your studies benefit from company visits, simulations, case studies and a guest lecture series featuring international speakers and industry leaders. You also have the opportunity to network with other supply chain and logistics associates through a series of industry-specific conferences that we have selected to improve both your capabilities and your employability. 

This MSc is an exciting course for those seeking to enter the growing field of supply chain and logistics management, and for those wishing to advance their current position within supply chain or logistics organisations. You study issues relating to the development of buyer-supplier relationships, operations management, procurement strategies, logistics operations, negotiation and outsourcing. The academic experts contributing to the course are world-leading researchers in the fields of supply chain and logistics management. 

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a combination of coursework, essays, group and individual reports, and presentations. There are also unseen examinations.

We continue to develop and update our modules for 2015 entry to ensure you have the best student experience. In addition to the course structure below, you may find it helpful to refer to the Modules tab.

Autumn term: you take the four core modules Managing Operations and Quality • Outsourcing • Logistics Management • Procurement Fundamentals. 

Spring term: you take the four core modules Information Technology for Logistics • Management of Negotiation • Managing Complex Projects and Systems • Research Methods. 

Summer term: Personal and Professional Development. You also work on your dissertation.

Back to module list

Essentials of Procurement

15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1

This module will demonstrate the importance of procurement strategies and techniques within both service and manufacturing environments. You will gain a clear understanding of the importance and scope of the procurement function and will explore and critically assess the elements of contracts and contractual obligations. The module will also allow you to demonstrate how supplier selection and assessment criteria leads to improved procurement performance.

Information Technology for Logistics

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

Logistics Management

15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1

This module provides you with a critical analysis of the current theory and practice in logistics management in its global context. You will be introduced to the principles and concepts of logistics management and given an insight to its internationalisation, as well as a review of the role of the logistics-management function within organisations. 

Your analytical and evaluative skills will be developed through the critical examination of theories, models, tools and techniques employed in logistics management. The purpose of the module is to equip you with a foundation of essential knowledge of contemporary logistics management and its application domestically and internationally.

Topics covered may include:

  • logistics in different parts of the world 
  • the role of logistics in international supply chain management 
  • logistics functions and processes
  • packaging and materials handling
  • transportation infrastructure
  • transportation operations 
  • ports management 
  • sourcing 
  • reverse logistics 
  • relationship development and management
  • green logistics
  • future issues in logistics and its management

Management of Negotiation

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

This module equips you with the knowledge, understanding and skills to manage the negotiation process at the tactical and strategic levels. Managing negotiations is inherently interdisciplinary and multi-functional, therefore the approach is integrative. Organisational, behavioural and psychological elements are studied together, with the objective of improving the effectiveness of negotiations.

The principal argument is that the main techniques are common to all negotiations, however organisational, behavioural and psychological considerations constrain choices and actions in specific contexts.

The module provides participants with a broad understanding of the negotiation process and the development of negotiating strategies and tactics across a range of contexts. Conceptual foundations are studied and combined with role play and live scenario building (including video feedback), enabling you to formulate and explore ideas, and providing opportunities to extend your negotiating skills.

Managing Complex Projects, Products and Systems

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

During this module you will address three central issues:

Organisational capabilities: how organisational forms and capabilities in project management, systems integration and software engineering are essential in the design and production of CoPS. Special emphasis is given to project management capabilities.

Models of innovation: how industrial structures, product life cycles and innovation management in CoPS differ from the conventional model of innovation often based on the mass production of consumer goods.

Firm strategy: how firms are changing their strategic positions, building new service capabilities and creating customer-centric organisations to provide bundles of products and services as integrated solutions to their customer's needs.

Managing Operations and Quality

15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1

This module provides you with an understanding of how the fundamental principles of operations management can support the improvement of management performance in both public and private organisations. These principles may be applied equally to both manufacturing and service operations.

You will develop an understanding of the systemic and interactive nature of operations and quality management problems and their relationship to the external environment, through the application of quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, utilising guided problem-based activities and case study analysis.

Quality management processes – the ideas, theories and tools that are central to organisational development, change management, and the performance improvements that are generally desired for individuals, teams and organizations – will be explored. Methods used to measure organisational performance other than financial output or profit, including focusing on the essential activities, resources and other factors that impact on outputs, will be analysed and applied.

Personal and Professional Development

15 credits
All year teaching, year 1

This module aims to develop your mastery of personal and interpersonal effectiveness in order to support career entry and development, thereby enabling positive and professional organisational impacts. The module facilitates acclimatisation to your local learning environment as a basis for contributing to contemporary working environments at local, national and international/global levels. 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 those 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.

  1. Elements of effective self-management in the workplace

    Content/applications: self-perception, self-awareness, personal values, learning preferences, personal reflection, communication styles, verbal and nonverbal communication, self-management, stress management, reflective practice.

    Core concepts: perception, perceptual world and filters, habituation, mental sets, conditioning, behaviour modification, cognitive and social learning, reflective thinking.

  2. Elements of effective interpersonal relationships in the workplace

    Content/applications: confidence and assertiveness, cultural awareness and sensitivity to diversity factors, crosscultural communication, teams and team building, team-based and creative decision-making, listening and communicating, handling emotion and conflict. 

    Core concepts: socialisation, behaviour modification, cultural similarities and differences, prejudice, group working.

  3. Individual strategies and techniques for self-development

    Content/applications: personal development planning, goal setting, identification of priority learning and training needs, receiving feedback, crosscultural relations.

    Core concepts: motivation and exchange.

  4. Qualities of personal leadership approaches and their impacts on others

    Content/applications: influence and persuasion, negotiation, networking, diversity management, managing feedback, cooperation and compromise, goal accomplishment.

    Core concepts: leadership, power, leaderful behaviour. 

  5. Development of continuing professionalism in engaging with others in the workplace

    Content/applications: continuous professional development, ethical principles in the management of others, international and global mindsets.

    Core concepts: life-long learning, emotional and social literacy, ethics.

Research Methods for Supply Chain and Logistics Management

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

The main aims of this module are to introduce a range of research methods for the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, to advance your analytic research skills through practical experience, and to develop your abilities in reading and evaluating journal articles and research papers.

The main topics to be covered are:

  • Literature reviews, searches and referencing
  • Social science research
  • Case study research
  • Comparative and longitudinal methods
  • Survey research
  • Basic concepts in statistical analysis
  • Goodness-of-fit tests and contingency tables
  • Correlation analysis
  • Simple comparative tests
  • ANOVA: one-way and RCB designs
  • Two-variable regression
  • Multiple regression.

Research Projects (GSCM)

30 credits
Summer teaching, year 1

The main aims of this module are to introduce a range of research methods for the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, to advance your analytical research skills through practical experience, and to develop your skills in reading and evaluating journal articles and research papers.

The main topics to be covered are:

  • literature reviews, searches and referencing
  • social science research
  • case study research: comparative and longitudinal methods
  • survey research
  • basic concepts in statistical analysis
  • goodness-of-fit tests and contingency tables; correlation analysis
  • simple comparative tests
  • ANOVA: one-way and RCB designs
  • two-variable regression
  • multiple regression.

Supply Chain Management

15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1

This module aims to develop a knowledge and understanding of the role and extent of supply chain management in modern organisations. Leading on from this, you will develop a critical understanding of the key processes involved in global supply chain management including sourcing, procurement, warehousing, inventory management and logistics. 

The module assists in understanding how different technologies can be used to expand and support organisations on a global basis and how they can be used reconfiguring supply chain networks and achieving competitive advantage. You will have the opportunity to explore the current operation of existing global supply chains across different organisations 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. 

Topics covered may include:

  • introduction to supply chain management 
  • outline of key supply chain management theories
  • evolution of globalised supply chain networks 
  • understanding supply chain processes
  • sourcing (international sourcing) and procurement (sustainable procurement), 
  • warehousing, inventory management (co-managed inventory), 
  • logistics (outsourcing & 3PL)
  • applications of different technologies: internet, ERP systems, RFID
  • reconfiguring supply chain networks and achieving competitive advantage
  • management of global supply chains: visibility in the supply chain
  • challenges of global supply chains: collaboration, partnerships, trust, culture 
  • consolidation and revision.

Supply Chain Modelling

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

The aim of this module is to examine quantitative approaches to optimizing supply chain and logistics management using appropriate modelling techniques. The module will enhance the Supply Chain Management module delivered in TB1 and will equip you with an understanding of how to apply modelling and control techniques in a number of supply chain and logistics settings.

Back to module list

Entry requirements

UK entrance requirements

A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree or equivalent professional qualification.

Overseas entrance requirements

Overseas qualifications

If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

The following table is given as a general guide for our taught postgraduate degrees requiring a first- or upper-second class undergraduate honours degree. If you have any questions, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

CountryOverseas qualification
Australia Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
Brazil Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8
Canada Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+)
China Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university
Cyprus Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5
France Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13
Germany Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better
Ghana Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division
Greece Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7
Hong Kong Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
India Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent
Iran Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15
Italy Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105
Japan Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minimum C/GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
Malaysia Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0 or B+
Mexico Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8
Nigeria Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.5/5.0
Pakistan Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3
Russia Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4
South Africa Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70%
Saudi Arabia Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent
South Korea Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
Spain Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4
Taiwan Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university
Thailand Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
Turkey Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university
United Arab Emirates Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
USA Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university
Vietnam Masters degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent

If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each section.

For more information, refer to What qualifications do I need?

Visas and immigration

Find out more about Visas and immigration.

Additional entry information

If you are a non-EU student and your qualifications (including English language) do not yet meet our entry requirements for admission directly to this degree, we offer a Pre-Masters entry route. For more information, refer to Pre-Masters for international students.

For more information about the admissions process at Sussex

For pre-application enquiries:

Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

For post-application enquiries:

Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk 

Fees and funding

Fees

Fees for studying on courses available on a part-time basis will be charged at 50 per cent of the full-time fees listed below.

Home UK/EU students: £7,300 per year1
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £7,300 per year2
Overseas students: £15,350 per year3

1 The fee shown is for the academic year 2015.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2015.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2015.

For more information on fee status, visit Fees

Visit Living costs

Scholarships

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

Visit Postgraduate taught scholarships 2015

Visit Career development and part-time work

We are in the process of updating funding sources for postgraduate study in the academic year 2015/16. For general information, visit Postgraduate taught scholarships 2015.

For more information on scholarships go to the Scholarships web pages.

Faculty interests

Prof Constantin Blome
Professor Of Operations Management
C.Blome@sussex.ac.uk

Research interests: Manufacturing Procurement, Operations Management, Operations Strategy, Outsourcing, Procurement, Public Procurement, Risk management, Supply Chain Innovation, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability: Environmental

View profile

Dr Des Doran
Senior Lecturer in Operations & Supply Chain Management
D.Doran@sussex.ac.uk

Research interests: Logistics, Operations Management, Production Management, Supply Chain Management

View profile

Mr Royston Morgan
Teaching Fellow in Operations Management
R.E.C.Morgan@sussex.ac.uk

View profile

Dr Thanos Papadopoulos
Senior Lecturer In Information Systems
Athanasios.Papadopoulos@sussex.ac.uk

Research interests: Behavioural OR, Information Systems, Interventions, Operations Management, Production Management, Systems Thinking

View profile

Careers and profiles

This course provides you with the skills to enter a range of careers within the broad fields of supply chain and logistics management – including roles such as buying specialist, procurement manager, supply chain operative, warehouse manager, contracts and negotiations specialist. 

To find out more, visit Careers and alumni

School and contacts

Contact us

School of Business,
Management and Economics,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9SL, UK
T +44 (0)1273 872668
E bmec@sussex.ac.uk 

School of Business, Management and Economics Online Open Event

Find out more about the taught postgraduate (Masters) courses offered by the School, and understand how they can boost your career prospects.

Wednesday 15 April to Wednesday 29 April

To secure your place, register for our Online Open Event today

Visit the Department of Business and Management

Visit the Department of Economics

Visit SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit

Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions

If you cannot make it to our Postgraduate Open Day, you are welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in autumn, spring and early summer and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.

Book your place on one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions

Other ways to visit Sussex

We run weekly guided campus tours year round.

Book your place on one of our guided campus tours

You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.

Our online campus tour can also give you an excellent introduction to the University.

Take our online campus tour

Overseas visits

Meet with Sussex staff in your country at exhibitions, visits to schools and universities, and at a wide range of other events. Forthcoming visits are planned all over the world:

Bahrain • Brazil • Brunei • Canada • China • Colombia • France • Germany • Ghana • Greece • Hong Kong • India • Indonesia • Iraq • Italy • Japan • Kenya • Kuwait • Malaysia • Mexico • Nigeria • Norway • Pakistan • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • Singapore • South Korea • Spain • Sri Lanka • Taiwan • Thailand • Turkey • UAE • USA • Vietnam.

In-country representatives

In the International Office, we manage a network of overseas representatives who have been trained to support international students with their application to study at the University. Services representatives provide can include pre-departure information, support in submitting your housing application and advice regarding applying for a UK Student Visa.

Find out more about our overseas visits and in-country representatives

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