2024/25 entry
MSc Supply Chain, Logistics and Management
Why study Supply Chain, Logistics and Management at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Analyse the complex principles and practices of supply chain planning, marketing and operations and the processes which optimise, influence and maintain competitive advantage
- Critically engage with procurement strategies and operational processes taking into account performance, risk, and financial and legal aspects
- Interpret and apply a diverse range of analytical techniques including data, technology and innovation to solve complex business problems
- Reflect upon the role of sustainability and ethics within supply chain and logistics - considering economic, environmental and social factors on planning and decision making
- Understand and exploit the links between academic research typologies and their relevance in creating business intelligence
- Independently research current challenges within the supply chain and logistics sector and communicate recommendations for future solutions.
About this course
LJMU's Supply Chain, Logistics and Management programme is delivered by specialist academics with expert knowledge about the strategic and operational issues relating to supply chain and logistics management
Gain the knowledge and understanding of the key business concepts and models underpinning current organisational structures, management decision-making and the drivers of innovation in an international context.
You will investigate a business or management problem/issue that requires independent research and the synthesis of acquired knowledge and data to address the problem. Transferable skills will be generally incorporated within modules and related to relevant assessments as appropriate.
In today's interconnected world, the efficient movement of goods and services across borders is the lifeblood of global commerce. The MSc Supply Chain Logistics and Management equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex challenges of international trade, distribution, and supply chain optimisation.
The MSc Supply Chain Logistics and Management at Liverpool Business School is a comprehensive programme designed to equip students with strategic and operational skills essential for a successful career in the global supply chain and logistics sector. The course offers two routes: a one-year full-time MSc and a two-year full-time MSc with Advanced Practice.
This programme addresses a critical need in modern business. As companies increasingly rely on global networks to source materials, manufacture products, and reach customers, the demand for supply chain experts continues to grow. From e-commerce giants to multinational manufacturers, organisations in every sector seek professionals who can design resilient supply chains, leverage emerging technologies, and drive operational excellence.
Our MSc programme goes beyond traditional logistics, exploring how supply chain management intersects with sustainability, geopolitics, and digital transformation. Students gain a holistic understanding of how supply chains impact business strategy, customer satisfaction, and competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.
The programme is delivered through a blend of face-to-face sessions and online learning, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for a diverse student body.
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Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
By developing your key management skills and giving you valuable insights into contemporary international business topics, this master's will help you prepare for the workplace and a successful career in strategic management across a broad range of sectors and organisations around the world.
Our master's students are also invited to take part in our micro-internship scheme. The micro-internship experience is offered by Liverpool Business School and are one-day, in-person, team-based work experiences situated within local businesses or charities that are developed in collaboration with our own Liverpool Business Clinic.
The student experience
Discover life as a postgraduate student at LJMU.
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
Core modules
People, Strategy and Leadership
20 credits
The module is designed to equip students with the core concepts, frameworks, and techniques of strategic management, leadership and people which are necessary to navigate and improve the complex and dynamic landscape of the supply chain and logistics sector.
Building upon foundational business concepts to achieve sustainable competitive advantage, the module aims to delve into the reasons behind people and strategic planning, analysis, and formulation to empower learners to become ethical leaders - capable of driving sustainable organisational success.
It provides students with tools to understand and manage the strategic planning process including negotiating and managing relationships with stakeholders and leading people. It enlightens learners with the fundamentals of planning, leading, and, managing people and resources at a strategic level, granting them broader insights into strategy formulations and implementations.
Introduction to Operations and Optimisation
10 credits
The module will provide the students with an in-depth understanding of topics such as: the strategic importance of operations; planning and controlling the use of resources; modelling and optimization of supply networks. This module will delve deeper into the quantitative tools available to managers for getting the most from their operations system.
Principles of Supply Chain Management
20 credits
To provide students with a thorough understanding of modern supply chain management with a focus on gaining and maintaining competitive advantage through the supply chain. On completion of this module students will be able to differentiate between different supply chain approaches in a wide range of contexts, assess supply chain performance, plan improvements, and assess risks.
Procurement in a Global Context
10 credits
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of procurement management within the context of global supply chains. It will cover essential concepts, strategies, and best practices in procurement, enabling students to develop the skills necessary for effective procurement decision-making in a dynamic and interconnected global business environment.
Data Analytics for Decision Making
20 credits
The aim of the module is to equip the students with the knowledge and skills to proficiently apply data analytics techniques in order to support informed decision-making within the context of supply chain and logistics.
This module aims to empower students with the ability to differentiate, critically analyse, and proficiently apply a diverse range of data analytics techniques to solve complex business problems. Through hands-on experience and practical exercises, students will develop the skills necessary to assess the reliability and relevance of data sources, evaluate the effectiveness of various analytics models, and make informed choices during the decision-making process.
Sustainability and Ethics in the Global Supply Chain
10 credits
To understand how supply chain strategic objectives can be achieved through and impacted upon, economic, regulatory, environmental and social aspects in the decision-making process.
Students will consider strategic future challenges in supply chain, procurement and logistics in order to be agile and manage challenges within this field. Students will also critically reflect upon leadership and management of ethical and sustainable practices, standards and regulations that impact on the supply chain and logistics sector.
Lean Operations
10 credits
This module develops your understanding regarding the application of methodologies within business quality management. You will be introduced to the concepts of Six Sigma and Lean and their associated tools and techniques as means to improve process performance.
Global Logistics and Transportation
10 credits
This module focuses on advanced concepts and current challenges in the fields of Logistics and Transportation, which are significant for impacting global business. Key topics include current and future challenges highlighting the importance of skilled and strategic decision-making in the logistics and transportation sectors.
The module aims to develop, implement, and manage effective and sustainable business solutions in any situation.
Supply Chain Planning and Problem Solving
10 credits
The aim of this module is to explore the nature of decisions in the planning phase of supply chain management and equip students with analytical tools and techniques to analyse and solve problems associated with those decisions.
Optional Modules
Supply Chain and Logistics Research Project
60 credits
The project is the final stage of the Master's programme in supply chain and logistics. Building on analytical and reflective skills developed in the core modules, this module requires students to identify and undertake research work appropriate to master's level study in the field of supply chain and logistics. With academic supervision, the student works towards the compilation of a dissertation. Tutorial hours are allocated with their supervisor on a regular basis, through email, telephone and/or video-call.
Working in conjunction with the supervising tutor, the learner will identify the precise area to be researched. Learners will develop and apply critical researcher skills, both with regard to methodological justification and subject specific issues. This module will help them to prepare a research project that applies supply chain and/or logistics concepts and techniques to a significant organisational and/or sectoral issue or problem.
Learners will be expected to work independently to identify and manage their own project to completion, reflecting on their learner journey in this final capstone project. Learners in relevant employment will have the opportunity to use their own workplace as a source for the potential project focus.
Consultancy Business Project
60 credits
Undertaken primarily as an independent self-managed module of study, supported by an academic supervisor with additional guidance provided through the dedicated Canvas site.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Full-time students can expect contact hours for lectures, seminars and workshops of approximately 10-12 hours per week in each of the two taught semesters, usually scheduled over three days and between the hours of 9am and 6pm.
In the third or independent study semester you will be guided by a supervisor. The programme is completed in 12 months
Teaching methods:
Teaching is based on a combination of structured tuition and student-centred learning and will include lectures, tutorials, practicals, workshops, assignments, video, group work discussion, 'real world' business case studies and active business simulations.
Intellectual skills will be developed through case study or 'real world' project work, tutorial work, coursework assignments and directed reading, enabling linking of theory to practical examples.
The analytical nature of the programme, particularly at the capstone project stage, will require students to investigate organisational and sectoral issues and seek workable recommendations through a theoretical framework.
Learners will be provided with support during induction and throughout the programme in the development of key skills which will culminate in the production of a Personal Development Portfolio and the capstone project. The nature of sessions are devised to create an interactive experience, with group activities playing a large part in the delivery.
Students will be expected to undertake work in their own time and, given the applied approach to assessment this will demand a degree of self management.
Key skills will be developed throughout the programme commencing at the induction. Transferable skills will be important in providing students with the increased confidence and ability to address business problems. The final outcome of transferable skills will be the production of a Personal Development Portfolio and the capstone project including reflections on own learning.
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
A variety of assessment methods will be deployed throughout the programme, including problem-solving exercises, practice-based projects, case studies, research-based projects, literature reviews, group presentations, group and individual reports, reflective reviews, class tests. Formative feedback is provided in all modules.
The blending of group and individual assessment formats will help to develop collaborative awareness and team perspectives in addition to individual reflection. Learners will produce coursework that predominantly relates to case study scenarios, thereby linking theory to practice.
Where learners have employment within the supply chain and logistics sector, they will have the opportunity to use their workplace as a source of learning and case study.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
A minimum 2:2 Hons degree
or
A relevant professional or technical qualification or award equivalent to the above.
International requirements
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IELTS
IELTS 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component)
Further information
- Extra Requirements
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RPL
We recognise relevant prior learning (certificated and experiential) along with relevant professional experience for entry on to this programme. This is considered on an individual basis.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Please ensure that you take time over your application and provide us with a clearly written form; statement of purpose; copies of qualifications and marks; English language certificates (where required); and references.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.