Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc
Subject and course type
- Business and Management
- Postgraduate
Kingston University’s CIPS-accredited MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management will give you the knowledge and skills you need to pursue a career in this high-powered industry.
You are reading:
Execute real-life consultancy projects
Navigate the needs of a fast-changing world
Studying this MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Kingston University will equip you to pursue a career in procurement, logistics and distribution or supply chain management.
During the course, you’ll have opportunities to take part in consultancy work with real clients and complete a research project on an issue that interests you.
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). When you graduate, you just need three years’ experience in purchasing and supply management to become a full member of the Institute – perfect for opening new doors to employment.
You’ll study the core concepts and principles of business logistics and operations management, gaining critical insights into contemporary issues. You’ll study the effects of technology, zero carbon logistics, digital transformation, sustainability, supply chain resilience and more.
We designed this programme with full accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). You’ll study a solid syllabus built on concepts from Kingston’s renowned Operations Research and Management Science Group, and graduate with an academic and professional qualification.
Kingston University will pay for a year’s membership with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport while you study.
Why choose this course
While you study, you’ll benefit from top quality teaching at Kingston University. Not only are we ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, Kingston Business School is also in the 6% of business schools in the world to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.
As part of Kingston Business School’s Department of Management, you’ll tap into a future-focused community of industry practitioners, alumni and students. Whether your ambition is to start your own company or become a senior leader in a global organisation, our accredited programmes are here to help you thrive.
Accreditation
This course has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). This means that once you have three or more years' experience in purchasing and supply management, you will become a full member of the Institute and be able to use the letters MCIPS after your name.
Being a member of the Institute will provide you with great opportunities and gives you access to a huge resource relating to supply chain and logistics issues.
Ready for business
At Kingston Business School, we believe that professional success is shaped by honing your personal capacity and skillset, supported by the academic framework of knowledge. Through vocationally rich, employer-engaged and research-informed courses, we work alongside our students to help them meet personal goals and career ambitions.
Kingston Business School Accreditation
Kingston Business School holds the prestigious international accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) in recognition of the excellence of its business education. This accreditation has been earned by just 6% of the world's business schools and recognises the high quality and standard of our business degree offerings.
Course content
You will gain the practical skills as well as in-depth knowledge of the theory and practice to make an immediate and effective contribution in a logistics-related role. In addition to developing a solid understanding of global business from a strategic and operational perspective; you will cultivate a critical understanding of the external influences (e.g. political, economic, environmental, technical) which influence the roles of, and interrelationships between, supply chain partners and other stakeholders.
This course is delivered on a full-time basis over one year. You will be expected to attend scheduled sessions throughout the day (although not necessarily all day) between Monday and Friday.
In the first semester, you will develop a broad understanding of management concepts, theories and ideas, such as how to manage organisations and supply chains. This provides you with a solid foundation from both strategic and operational perspectives.
In the second semester and dissertation, you will put this knowledge to use through practical application to real situations. One example is through company visits, which students often arrange for themselves. These opportunities to engage with real supply chain managers build your confidence and ability to question established practice.
You will be encouraged to conduct your research project and dissertation on a specific issue that matches your career interests and put theory into practice.
Year 1
Core modules
30 credits
This module focuses on local, national and international logistics. You will study:
- introduction to logistics management;
- procurement and logistics service providers;
- warehousing management and materials handling;
- inventory management;
- transport systems and management;
- contemporary issues in logistics;
- customer service;
- global business environment in relation to international logistics;
- international marketing;
- international logistics supply chain;
- location decisions;
- risk management in international logistics;
- global transport systems;
- international shipping;
- port management;
- carrier selection and intermediaries;
- terms of sales, payment, trade documentation and insurance; and
- outsourcing and global sourcing.
30 credits
This module focuses on strategic aspects of operations management and outsourcing issues on a global/international level. It covers:
- introduction to Strategic Operations and Outsourcing;
- understanding the different levels of strategy within an organisation;
- developing and implementing an operations and outsourcing strategy;
- developing a resource-based or market-led operations strategy;
- aligning operations to support and/or drive markets;
- examining the alternative drivers, strategies and methods of outsourcing; and
- understanding the practical aspects of outsourcing: legal, procurement, technology, managing suppliers and contemporary trends.
30 credits
The operations management element consists of:
- contextualising operations management;
- the delivery process and service design;
- managing capacity by effective design of processes, effective deployment of labour, materials and resources, and by managing demand;
- supply chain management: maintaining a competitive operations strategy by the managing materials and information effectively throughout the various elements of the supply chain;
- using technology in operations management;
- approaches to quality management and performance improvement; and
- operations strategy: the relationship between broader strategic decision making and detailed operational implementation.
The supply chain management element consists of:
- fundamentals of supply chain management, including issues relating to power, transparency and buyer:supplier relationships;
- supply chain management issues on a national, international and global level;
- effective supply chain management as a source of competitive advantage; and
- different approaches to managing supply chains.
You will undertake a company visit and conduct live research and consultancy with real companies. Each student explores one company's supply chain, even visiting the suppliers where products are produced. You analyse the whole process, identify problems and come up with solutions. Then you present your recommendations to the organisation and to your lecturer.
30 credits
This module will provide you with an understanding of the main areas of business: marketing, finance, human resource management, operations management, information and IT management. It introduces you to the fundamentals of business theory and practice in a diverse and evolving international context to enable you to:
- understand markets;
- develop and implement functional strategies;
- build and lead diverse teams;
- prepare and analyse financial statements (profit and loss, balance sheet);
- use the marketing mix and develop effective marketing plans;
- identify and use IT and IS systems to drive strategy; and
- use basic statistical tools and analyses
60 credits
During this module, you will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to complete a research project successfully. You will investigate a specific business problem via a substantial piece of independent work, and demonstrate your proficiency in:
- designing a research project;
- applying appropriate methods;
- collecting and analysing data; and
- presenting results.
Year 2 (optional)
The professional placement year is optional. It takes place after the full time year. It allows students to do a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The work placement is an assessed part of the course and is therefore covered by a Student Route visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Core module
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement that follows completion of the first 180 credits of taught modules and project or dissertation. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and to develop and enhance key employability skills and subject specific skills in their chosen subject.
It is the responsibility of individual students to locate and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this will normally involve one placement which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the module leader prior to commencement to ensure its suitability.
Career opportunities
The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) accredits this course. When you graduate, you need three years' experience in purchasing and supply management to become a full member of the Institute and start using ‘MCIPS’ after your name. Being an Institute member means big opportunities and access to a wide range of supply chain and logistics issues resources.
You’ll complete this course with the skills you need to tap in a broad range of job opportunities. You could provide third party logistics, aerospace and electrical products, work in a technology-based firm or become a supply chain manager. Previous graduate roles include:
- International Project Manager at International Brand Investment Corporation (IBIC)
- Supply Chain Analyst at Thames Tideway Tunnel
- Logistics Coordinator at World Food Programme (UN)
- Supply Demand Manager at BSH Northern Europe
- Procurement Consultant (IT) for University of Arts London
- Head of Operations at Candy Kittens
- Supply Chain Manager at GlaxoSmithKline
Experience the pathway to employment and get personalised development feedback through our Assessment Centre Experience. You’ll learn more about the job market, exploring current trends and opportunities, recruitment processes and how to identify relevant roles. The Assessment Centre Experience also gives you access to webinars on top tips, employer expectations and best practice.
Teaching and assessment
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- 13% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:
Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc
- Coursework: 78%
- Practical: 12%
- Exam: 10%
Professional Placement Year
Coursework: 100%
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
You will be part of an intimate cohort of students which provides dedicated academic guidance and advice and the opportunity to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes; therefore you will be taught alongside students who are on these courses within the Business School.
Fees and funding
| Fee Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | Full Time £12,400 |
| International | Full Time £18,700 |
| Fee Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | Full Time £11,900 |
| International | Full Time £17,900 |
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree on the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
Interested in studying Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc at Kingston? The following funding support is available:
Get a 40% reduction in fees for taught masters or postgraduate diploma courses with September start dates. Find out more.
Receive up to £5,000 towards tuition in your first year of study. Find out more.
Get a 15% reduction in tuition fees. Find out more.
Kingston University offers a 10% discount on full- and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees to our alumni. Visit our alumni discount page to find out more.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
You might have the opportunity to take optional day trips within London or to specific organisations. These will cost around £50.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Please note: If you’re from a country outside the EU or EEA that’s classified as overseas fee-paying, you won’t be eligible to apply for a part-time course because of visa regulations in the UK. For information about exceptions, please visit the UKCISA website or email our CAS and Visa Compliance team.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
