MSc Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics

You can study this online programme from anywhere in the world. The flexible approach to learning enables you to fit your studies around your commitments whilst providing the academic rigour and structure of an on-campus programme.

Modules are offered over two 22-week sessions each academic year. You choose which sessions to enter and how many modules to take in each session.

Assessment deadlines are outlined clearly in advance of the session. You can study up to six modules (or four modules and the Business Research Project) at any one time. You will also receive comprehensive learning materials and support from online tutors.

Study materials

We provide you with all of the resources and study materials you need to complete the course successfully, including the essential reading for each module. You can access these through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) on a range of devices.

Our online learning resources typically include multimedia content, activities and exercises (e.g. multiple choice quizzes, reflective exercises and self-assessment questions), as well as facilities for you to interact with your tutor and fellow students. You’ll also receive access to two short introductory modules that help you get the most from your studies.

When you register with us, you will gain access to all resources and study materials via your Student Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), that will equip you to complete each module successfully. You will gain access to a range of multimedia content, activities, and exercises, as well as the opportunity to engage with your online tutor and fellow students.   

Online Library   

As a student at the University of London, you will have access to a range of resources, databases, and journals via the Online Library. You will be able to contact a team of professional and qualified librarians for any help you require. 

Senate House Library 

If you’re based in the United Kingdom, or are visiting London, make sure to visit Senate House Library. Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources. 

Tutor support

All students receive tutor support and feedback while studying this programme. Tutors introduce the modules, respond to queries, monitor discussions and provide guidance on assessments.

Student Support

We are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience for all of our students, regardless of which of our programmes you are studying and whether you are studying independently or with a Recognised Teaching Centre.

You will have access to support through:

• The Enquiry Hub – provides support for application and Student Portal queries.
• TalkCampus – a peer support service that offers a safe and confidential way to talk about whatever is on your mind at any time of day or night.

Time commitment

Study at your own pace, either part-time or full-time. Once you begin a module it is generally expected that you will complete it in the six-month session. Each module presents about 150 hours of study. Over a 20-week study session, each 15-credit module will typically require six to eight hours of work/effort per week, and each 30-credit module will typically require 12 to 16 hours of work/effort per week.

Assessment

Each module includes a mix of assessments. During your study period you will undertake formative assessments, which help you to measure your progress but do not count towards your grade, and summative assessments. Summative assessments do count towards the final grade. These include a mid-session coursework submission and an unseen written examination (or final project) at the end of the session.

Written examinations are held two times a year. You can defer sitting an exam once (subject to a fee) but you cannot defer the submission of coursework.

More about exams.

Academic direction is provided by Bayes Business School, one of the world’s leading global business schools and a central part of City, University of London.

Bayes Business School has been at the helm of business education for over 50 years, with many of their academic staff having worked or still working in their specialist area of teaching. This brings an international perspective, which enables progressive thinking and innovative research.

Programme Directors

Dr Byung-Gak Son is a Senior Lecturer in Supply Chain Management at Bayes Business School. His research expertise revolves around supply chain partnerships, supply chain risk management, offshoring and outsourcing. His consultancy work includes the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Korea Trade Investment promotion Agency.

Dr Joerg Ries is a Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management. He works on the development of advanced planning tools and has collaborated with a wide range of companies from the processing, manufacturing and transport industry.

What qualifications do you need?

• MSc and Postgraduate Diploma: a first or second-class bachelor’s degree (or an acceptable equivalent) preferably in a quantitative subject, or
• applicants who wish to apply for MSc or Postgraduate Diploma but do not hold a bachelor’s degree, can apply directly by the “Work Experience Entry Route” provided that they have 10 years' minimum work experience in a relevant field, such as operations, manufacturing, supply chain management, logistics, procurement, retail, transportation, import/export, humanitarian SCM or similar, or
• applicants who wish to apply for the MSc or Postgraduate Diploma but do not meet the above admission criteria, can still pursue these degrees through the “Progression Route” provided they have two years minimum work experience in a relevant field, such as operations, manufacturing, supply chain management, logistics, procurement, retail, transportation, import/export, humanitarian SCM or similar. The progression route involves completing the Postgraduate Certificate; at that point, you may progress to either the Postgraduate Diploma or the MSc.

Postgraduate Certificate:

• A first or second-class bachelor’s degree (or an acceptable equivalent) preferably in a quantitative subject, or
• Two years minimum work experience in a relevant field, operations, manufacturing, supply chain management, logistics, procurement, retail, transportation, import/export, humanitarian SCM or similar.

References

If you are applying for the Postgraduate Certificate with work experience only, you will need to submit at least one work related reference which supports your current position and professional performance in your current role. You can either upload your reference with your online application or you can email it at a later date.

English language requirements

You need a high standard of English to study this programme. You will meet our language requirements if you have achieved one of the following within the past three years:

• IELTS: at least 6.5 overall with 6.0 in the written test
• Pearson Test (Academic): at least 59 overall, with 59+ in reading and writing and 54+ in speaking and listening.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English.
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (grade C or above).
• TOEFL iBT: at least 92 overall, with 22+ in reading and writing and 20+ in speaking and listening.
• Duolingo: must achieve an overall score of at least 120.

Alternatively, you may satisfy the language requirements if you have at least 18 months of education or work experience conducted in English.

Computer requirements

We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly.

More about computer requirements.

If you have studied material as part of a previous qualification that is comparable in content, level and standard to our Supply Chain Management modules, you may be exempted from the equivalent course of our degree. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Exemption. You will not need to study or be assessed in the module(s) to complete your award.

If you are registering on the following qualifications, you may be awarded RPL up to:

• MSc: 120 UK credits
• PGDip: 60 UK credits
• PGCert: 30 UK credits

RPL for the Final Project will not be considered.

To be considered for RPL you should make a formal request within your application when applying for the programme. Or, you can submit an online enquiry, if you have already applied.

You will need to have met the entrance requirements for the programme to be considered for RPL.

You must have completed the qualification/examination(s), upon which the application for RPL is based, within the five years preceding the application.

We will not recognise or accredit prior learning for a module later than 14 days after the module start date. You will be deemed to have started a module once you have been given access to the learning materials on the VLE.

Please note that eligibility for a professional designation may require passing all modules of our MSc with no modules being exempt, compensated or condoned. Please check the eligibility criteria of the professional designation you aim to apply for.

Automatic

Some qualifications are automatically recognised as meeting the learning outcomes of our courses.

If you satisfy the conditions, make a formal request and supply the necessary evidence, we will accredit your prior learning as listed:

No fees are charged for this service.

With the exception of the qualifications noted in the automatic RPL section below, applications for RPL based on examinations from professional institutions or professional certificates will not normally be considered.

Discretionary

All other qualifications will need to be assessed by specialist academics on a case by case basis, before we can approve RPL. A formal application is required and an RPL application fee is payable. The RPL application fee is non-refundable, even if your prior learning is not recognised.

Your qualification must be at the appropriate level (usually equivalent to a UK Level 7/ Master’s degree qualification or above) to be considered.

For your discretionary RPL request to be processed, you will need to provide: a completed RPL request form, the supporting documentary evidence (normally a scanned copy of an official transcript and syllabus of your previous studies) and the discretionary RPL fee.

You should apply as soon as possible so that we can process your request. You will need to allow time for academics to consider your documentation, so you can register by the registration deadline.

All discretionary RPL requests must be submitted by the dates specified for the April or October intake, in the year that you apply. We must receive all required supporting evidence by the deadline stated.

If you submit your discretionary RPL application but are too late to be considered for RPL in the current session, we will still process your application to study the programme. If you receive an offer, you can still register. If you wish to be considered for RPL in a subsequent session, then you shouldn’t register on the modules you want to apply for RPL.

How to request RPL

Additional information about the process of applying for RPL. 

Further information regarding RPL is covered in the Recognition of Prior Learning section of the appropriate Programme Regulations and Section 3 of the General Regulations.

The fees below relate to new students registering for the October 2023 and April 2024 sessions only and are effective from 1 January 2023. On average, fees are subject to a five per cent year-on-year increase. 

Students who registered earlier can view their fees on the Course Fees page. 

 The fee depends on two factors:

• Whether you choose web-supported or Recognised Teaching Centre supported learning.
• Whether you live in a developing (Band A) or developed (Band B) nation.
• See the list of Band A and B countries [PDF]

Important: the table below does not include fees payable to a third party, such as tuition costs payable to a Recognised Teaching Centre or fees charged by your local examination centre, or local VAT, Goods or Services Tax (GST) or sales tax. Please see below for further information about additional costs you may be required to pay.

Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool.

*The indicative totals include all module and continuation fees payable to the University of London for the duration of your study, as well as online tutor support. This fee does not include applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, local exam centre fees and fees payable to University of London Recognised Teaching Centres.

*The online examination administration fee is charged for each examination paper held online, including resits. This does not apply to any coursework submissions.

How fees work

Your fees include study materials and entry into assessments.

The full programme fee includes all module and continuation fees for the duration of your study, as well as online tutor support. By paying in full at the beginning of your programme, you receive a discount on paying per module and avoid any annual fee increases.

With pay per module, you pay for each module as you register for it. The ‘web-supported learning’ fee includes support from a University of London online tutor. Alternatively, if you prefer face-to-face tuition, you can pay a smaller fee to us and a separate fee to a teaching centre which supports the programme.

The module continuation fee is the cost per module if you defer an examination or need to retake assessments. It includes all study materials, entry into assessments, and online tutor support.

Additional Costs

You will also need to budget for:

• Exams: our approved examination centres around the world charge a fee when you sit an exam. Contact your chosen examination centre for details about costs.
• Tuition: as described, teaching centres charge for face-to-face tuition if you choose to take modules with institution-supported learning.
• Recognition of prior learning applications: these are not included within the course fees.

How to pay your fees.

Some fees are non-refundable. Please see the refund and compensation policy for further details.

Sales Tax

Please note: all student fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.

Further information on Sales Tax.

Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees (if in doubt, please check with them before making a payment).

Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there may be additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.

More on funding your study.

Can I get sponsored?

If you're employed, your employer may be willing to cover part/all of the programme fees if you can make a compelling case as to how this programme will boost your contribution to the workplace.

More on employer sponsorship

We have a template available to help you present a case to your employer.

Employer sponsorship business case template

Federation member Alumni Bursary

New registrants who have previously studied and received a degree from City, University of London (including City's Business School) are eligible for the Federation member Alumni Bursary towards their programme fees.

You can pay your fees in a number of ways, including an online payment facility via the Student Portal and Western Union Quick Pay.

More on how to pay your fees

A University of London qualification in Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics provides you with the opportunity to hone the attributes and capabilities necessary to build an effective career in the supply and logistics field in the future. As a future manager in this sector, your Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics qualification can provide you with specific managerial insights into the complex world of global supply chains and how vital they are to the development of any business as it moves forward.

Beyond the technical details of logistics and supply chain which you will cover on your degree, you will also have the opportunity to collaborate and network with fellow peers from across the world who will also be enhancing their understanding of international trade and business. Your strategic thinking and analytical skills will also be enhanced by your studies, as you learn to apply the theoretical approaches to logistics within the realities of the fast-paced and dynamic landscape of global supply chains. Your improved understanding of the sector will also be enhanced by the programme, which is accredited by leading professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).

Many employers across multiple sectors, from government departments to retail firms, require skilled supply chain and logistics professionals and recruit directly into their businesses and organisations. Supply chain and logistics is also an inherently international sector so roles can be based across the world and often involve national and international travel.

Find out more about Graduate Destinations from this programme.

To find out more about the career support available to our students please visit our Careers Service page.

In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching centre.

CIPS accreditation

Students who successfully complete the MSc, may be eligible to apply for MCIPS, a globally recognised standard for procurement and supply management provided by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).

In addition, MSc programme students are also eligible for complementary student membership of CIPS with access to a range of industry relevant resources and opportunities to join specialist networks and attend events.

To apply for MCIPS you must meet the following conditions:

• the Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics Project must be completed on a procurement and supply chain topic
• Supply Chain Finance and Risk Management must be taken as one of the two electives
• all modules must be passed with no modules being compensated or condoned. This means that students who obtain the MSc with credits from exempted modules through recognition of prior learning are not eligible for MCIPS.

CILT accreditation

Students who successfully complete the MSc programme and have the relevant work experience will be eligible for full membership of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and can use the CMILT designation.

CILT Accreditation provides the MSc with a universally recognised stamp of approval, and therefore a competitive advantage within the industry.

You’ll have access to a wide range of careers and employability support through the University of London Careers Service, including live webinars and online drop-in sessions.

More on the University of London Careers Service