MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Online)

Bring your career to the next level in one of the fastest-growing professions. Learn to manage logistics and supply chains to increase competitiveness on a global scale.

Course details

MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Online)

Mode:	100% online (with optional events)
Length:	two years (part-time)
Total course fees:	£9,950 (instalments and funding options available)
Start dates:	January, May and September
Next welcome week:	20 January 2025
Next start date:	27 January 2025
Application deadline:	12 January 2025

Additional costs: due to the nature of the subject, and copyright restrictions placed on institutional libraries by some publishers, students will need to purchase some core texts.

Support with your application: Contact our adviser team today for application advice.

CILT-Accredited-Degree

This MSc has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). CILT Accredited programmes are the globally-recognised benchmarks for logistics and transport training.

CIPS logo

Accredited by CIPS, the world's largest professional body for procurement and supply. MSc students receive complimentary CIPS Affiliate membership. Graduates can apply for the prestigious MCIPS designation.

AMBA AACSB 617px

Part of the Hull University Business School, with accreditations from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Why this MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management?

Hull takes pride in its central position within the UK’s logistics and supply chain network, with a thriving food and manufacturing industry and major port connected to global trade routes.

World-class global organisations such as Apple, Amazon, and Nike understand the role effective logistics and supply chain management has on maintaining sustainable competitive success, innovation, and market leadership. Therefore, it is no surprise that such supply chains have a tremendous demand for world-class supply chain managers.

Hull University Business School has responded to this global demand by designing an online masters degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, which deals with the challenges of today’s competitive business arena.

Analysing real-world case studies, with the option of attending face-to-face events, you will have the opportunity to master the complexity of global supply chains and the interconnected relationships among different stakeholders.

It is our aim that on completion you will have gained the strategic insight and big-picture thinking of international trade, commerce, and shipping to lead your organisation to success.

"The businesses we create today will be extremely different to those we create in 2025 and 2030. At Hull Online we can teach you how to adapt."

Dr Xavier Pierron, Lecturer and Specialist in Business Strategy and Circular Economy

What you learn

For food, clothing, healthcare, transportation and virtually every facet of modern life, we depend upon a supply chain. This programme aims to empower students with an in-depth understanding of logistics and supply chain management by enhancing their knowledge of its importance and role as a source of competitive advantage.

become a reflective leader and professional logistics and supply chain management practitioner, equipped with the skills to address the challenges of a global business economy
develop deep insights into best practices in logistics and supply chain management methods, tools and techniques
equip yourself with advanced operational and strategic capabilities and competencies in contemporary logistics and supply chain management
network with like-minded professionals and experience the value of diversity, the challenge of alternate world-views, and the consequent importance of being a competent communicator
master, critically and reflectively, the complexity of modern global supply chains, managing the interconnected relationships among the different stakeholders and supply networks

What makes this course stand out?
Programme Director Richard Farr emphasizes the importance of logistics and supply chain management in our modern society, who the course is best suited to, and the practical skills students will learn.

Read video transcript

I'm Richard Farr, lecturer in Logistics at Hull University business school. I'm the programme director for the online MSC in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

The programme that we've put together reflects the modern reality of the supply network that we all depend upon. Just about everything that you do involves an unknown number of people who have to go to work and make things, move things such that they reach you in good condition and at an affordable price.

But that doesn't happen automatically. It happens because of planners, decision makers, and professionals across a number of specialisms, including logistics and supply chain management.

With this programme, we have in mind that you may well be a mid career professional.

So you've already done a degree, but it may be in an unrelated subject.

Many of our students will be undertaking this as a conversion, so they'll move into the field of logistics and supply chain management. Perhaps having encountered some challenges in the workplace, in manufacturing or transportation, or it's a career that you aspire to, or you hope to improve your career effects in the future.

One of the most important things on a programme like this is the activities that you'll perform. We've designed a number of these to underpin the theories that we'll introduce you to. So for example, we might ask students to determine the service level that they want for a particular organisation.

There's no right answer when it comes to service level. Are we looking for a hundred percent always in stock, all goods, always available no matter what demand pattern. If you choose that strategy and your product is freshly baked bread at the end of each looking day, you're going to be throwing away a lot of bread. Instead, you have to choose a service level that's appropriate to your industry, to your customers' expectations to what the competition are doing. So we could say to students, what is your chosen service level?

This course is going to impart a number of salable skills that you can make use of for the rest of your career. You'll find that your communication skills are enhanced.

Your decision making your critical thinking skills.

And naturally, there will be the industry specific things connected with analysis and decisions that you make.

You'll be studying using the most up to date techniques in terms of teaching and learning. You'll be able to access this program at a time that suits you. It's very much geared towards the working professional.

But you'll bring your experiences from work into the program, and you'll take what you learn on the program and you'll be able to apply it to your work situation as well.

"I wanted to broaden my understanding of logistics and galvanise that."

Benjamin Franklin, Business and Operations Manager and MSc student

Course modules

You study the following compulsory modules.

Logistic Systems and Supply Chain Principles (30 credits)

In this module, you will gain an understanding of the principles and practices of logistics and supply chain management and their interactive role within an organisation. Analysing real-life supply chains, the strategies and the complexities of management decisions involved, learn how to leverage your new knowledge to achieve competitive advantage.

Supply Chain Analysis and Decision-Making (30 credits)

Gain an understanding of the decision-making techniques involved in planning supply chain processes, forming a solid theoretical and practical basis for your analysis and modelling. In this module, you will develop innovative solutions to real-world problems as you examine the role and performance of information management and related technologies in supply chains.

Strategies for Sustainable Business Logistics (30 credits)

Sustainability can be a vital qualifier in winning business. This module will equip you with key insights on how to improve profitability through the elimination of waste. You will explore contemporary operations management as it applies to a variety of organisations and learn how to demonstrate how the main theories and techniques of logistics and operations management can be successfully integrated to achieve sustainable development.

Supply Network Design and Global Logistics (30 credits)

Logistics and supply chain management is an area that, by its nature, has a global outlook and reach, with most logistics practitioners dealing with an array of international issues. This module will expose you to the international and local dimensions of transport, procurement, distribution, logistics, and supply chain management enabling you to address issues specific to network design and global logistics.

Dissertation (60 credits)

For your dissertation, you will have the option to produce either an academic dissertation or an applied business project report. This is a valuable opportunity to build upon and integrate the knowledge gained from the previous modules with research and project management skills that will prepare you for the complexities of the global job market. You will also have the opportunity to present your research at a postgraduate student conference, timetable permitting.

How you're assessed

All assessments for the course are based on coursework and submitted online. Your performance on the course will be assessed through a range of methods including

ongoing tutor and peer feedback
challenge activities and group discussion forums
written work, including case studies, reports and essays

How can an MSc help you develop your critical thinking skills?

Programme Director Dr Richard Farr explains the benefits of the course

What are the entry requirements?

A minimum 2:2 Honours degree or international equivalent, and/or appropriate professional experience such as CIPS or CILT qualification at level 5 if accompanied by 3+ years of relevant work experience. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may still be considered but will need to complete an admissions test.
A personal statement of around 300-500 words. Click here for details of what should be included
An IELTS 6.0 score (with minimum 5.5 in each skill) if your first language isn't English (or other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull)
One professional or academic reference

If you're unsure whether you're eligible to apply, please get in touch with our friendly course adviser team for advice:

Why is supply chain management important?

Find out why it can be crucial for business success.

Career prospects

On this course, you can expect to gain the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to interpret data and make informed business decisions. You’ll learn to appreciate and navigate collaborative relationships, and work to enhance your teamworking skills.

Crucially, you'll also develop the ability to anticipate future industry needs and adapt accordingly, an asset in the fast-paced logistics and supply chain industry. Combined, these capabilities will make you an extremely attractive hire to employers across the world.

Graduates can progress into careers such as:

Supply Chain Manager

Supply chain managers oversee their organisation’s supply chain and logistics operations. They manage each stage of the production flow, from the sourcing of raw materials to the delivery of the end product. They’ll aim to ensure these processes are carried out in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible, to help their company remain competitive.

Global Operations Manager

Individuals who hold this position are responsible for their company's operations across multiple countries. Global operations managers strive to make certain that any planned and ongoing activities or projects align with the parent organisation’s overall strategic ambitions. As such, this role can cover a variety of different duties.

Strategic Services Manager

Strategic services managers guide their organisation’s efforts to satisfy customers while remaining efficient and profitable. Strategic service managers will typically do this by looking into key business processes such as sourcing and service partnerships, in order to identify areas that can be optimised or better managed.

Other roles could include: Supply Chain Planner/Risk Manager, New Product Introductions Manager, Retail Manager , International Logistics Manager , Demand/Production Planner, Key Account Manager, Business Analyst, and Global Brand Supply Manager 

Career support services

You can get assistance from our award-winning Careers and Employability team throughout your studies with us – and their support doesn’t end after graduation either.

In addition to connecting you to potential employers, you can still turn to our team for assistance tailoring your CV, utilising our vast collection of industry resources, navigating career decisions, and more.

If you’re based outside of the UK and planning to find work here, our team can also help look into any options for employment through our numerous industry connections - along with helping you prepare for interviews and any other opportunities you secure.

The University of Hull also offers an on-campus MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

"Students from different backgrounds share unique examples from their own work environments."

Keng Pang, Senior Supply Chain Consultant and MSc student

MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Online)

MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Online)

Course details