Upskilling Scotland Scholarship

Explore how logistics and supply chain management (SCM) can be leveraged to gain competitive advantage. Understand how to design and optimise a sustainable supply chain strategy considering process selection and physical logistics network. Explore collaborative strategies and be able to recognise sources of risk in a supply chain.

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn how to formulate and assist with a logistics / supply chain strategy for a business.
• Develop a performance measurement system for a logistics operation 
• Assist with the development of collaborative strategies between supply chain partners
• Recognise sources of risk in a supply chain; Design a cost optimized logistics network 

What the course will cover:

• Logistics, SCM and competitive advantage  
• Designing a differentiated SC strategy  
• Collaborative strategies for a synchronous integrated supply chain  
• Time-based strategies and managing the lead-time gap  
• Logistical cost trade-offs and network design  
• Designing a resilient supply chain  
• Measuring supply chain cost and performance
• The connected digital supply chain of the future 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Understand the scope and importance of managing sustainable operations and appreciate the interaction and impact of best practice operations on the organisation, employees and customers. Examine the links between process and operations design, business strategy and be able to critically assess techniques in product, service design and improvement. Learn how to analyse an operational environment and assess against main quality management frameworks. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand the contribution of Operations Management to an organization in any sector 
• Explore key concepts and principles of operations management and operations strategy to be able to critically assess various techniques of product, service design and improvement 
• Understand and apply operations management techniques 
• Understand the scope of inter-organisational co-operation to distinguish between operations management performance objectives and the necessary trade-offs in performance  
• Become familiar with the main quality management frameworks 

What the course will cover:  
Key issues in operations management including: 

• Operations Strategy including strategic perspectives and conceptualising operations  
• Operational Activities including product and service design; process; supply chain;  
• Regulatory Activities - Resource planning; capacity management; quality management;  
• The trade-offs inherent in Managing Operations  
• Internationalisation/Global perspectives on operations  
• Future Perspectives: Mapping developments and exploring future directions 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Examine the activities, resources and processes used in sustainable freight transportation and warehousing including the foundations of multi-modal (road, rail, air-freight, sea-freight, pipeline); the handling requirements from warehouse (storage) to a distribution centre. Explore warehouse management systems (storage, handling, order-picking) equipment choices and freight and distribution centre interface and implications.  

Learning outcomes: 

• Know how to obtain relevant information and apply a range of techniques in the selection of multi-modal freight options and the resultant requirement for appropriate handling within distribution centres  
• Ability to explain the key steps in selecting the appropriate mode of transport in freight operations Ability to recognise the key issues within distribution centres relating to activities, resources and processes 
• Understand how regulation and industry impact of both freight operations and warehousing 

What the course will cover: 

• Introduction to freight types and transport mode selection  
• Foundations of multi-modal freight: Road, Rail, Air-freight, Sea-freight, Pipeline  
• Introduction: The change from warehouse (storage) to a distribution centre and value adding activities 
• Foundations of warehouse management: Storage systems; Handling systems; Order picking systems; Equipment choices and selection  
• Freight and distribution centre interface and implications 
• This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Be able to select the most suitable analytical methods, tools and techniques to evaluate a business process or problem. Demonstrate the application of a range of big data analysis techniques using real organisational data. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Be able to analyse and evaluate the most suitable analytical methods to address a business process or problem  
• Understand the practical limitations of various tools and techniques  
• Demonstrate the application of a range of analytical techniques using real company data 

What the course will cover: 

• Descriptive Analytics: Measure what is happening using Data Visualisation; Descriptive Statistics and Probability  
• Diagnostic Analytics: Understand why is it happening by applying root cause analysis; 5Whys; SPIN; Correlation; Regression analysis and Hypothesis tests  
• Predictive Analytics: Understand what is likely to happen in the future by applying time series analysis; Trend analysis; Projective forecasting; Simulation modelling  
• Prescriptive Analytics: What should we do/change in the future? Explore decision analysis methods and criteria, Optimisation methods, Simulation modelling  
• Introduction to Big Data 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Business Analytics and Consultancy.

Develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of relevant methods, tools and techniques used to solve big data problems in business context.  

Learning outcomes: 

• Be able to select the most suitable analytical method to evaluate big data problems in the business context 
• Understand the practical limitations of various tools and techniques 
• Demonstrate the application of data analytics for different industry sectors 
• Understand the implications of distributed intelligence on organizations 

What the course will cover: 

• Introduction to big data and internet of things 
• Big data trends and strategies  
• Frameworks for big data analytics 
• Data mining architecture and techniques  
• Neural and Bayesian networks  
• Optimization techniques 
• Innovation and trends in internet of things  
• Distributed intelligence 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Business Analytics and Consultancy.

Develop knowledge, skills and competencies when gathering and using people and business data to deliver value to businesses. Gain awareness of the value of people and business data by understanding analytics and its use in creating insight and measuring value. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand how organisations are responding to different sets of data that maximises organisational impact and stakeholder value  
• Apply relevant concepts, models, and tools when developing a people plan 

What the course will cover:  

• Connecting organisational values, people and data  
• Human capital management: models, theories and data  
• The People Analytics team  
• People analytics: process; data collection and techniques  
• Managing people analytics data  
• Challenges and opportunities when adopting people analytics 

Develop a set of accounting and financial tools to enable interpretation and critique of financial data from a variety of sources. Learn how to make data-driven financial decisions that directly impact organisational operations. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Engage effectively in management discussions on finance and accounting issues 
• Make informed, reasoned and sustainable decisions on capital investment programmes 
• Critically analyse and propose reasoned solutions to questions of capital allocation, retention and distribution 

What the course will cover: 

• The Financial Landscape  
• Financial Accounting  
• Working Capital Management 
• Management Accounting  
• Budgeting  
• Financial Tools  
• Capital Budgeting and Investment Appraisal  
• Financing, Payout Policy and Risk Management 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA.

Develop a systematic approach to data-driven decision making and the ability to recognise, use and interpret economic information from both within the organisation and the wider environment. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Be able to propose relevant pricing and market strategies for a variety of market structures and in the presence of market failures 
• Gain the knowledge to recommend appropriate courses of action to deal with economic uncertainty, through evaluation of changes in macroeconomic variables and policy-making  
• Learn about diverse forms of economic information available from both the environment and the organisation to evaluate and propose solutions to business problems 

What the course will cover: 

• The Role of Economics in Business 
• The Market Mechanism  
• Demand Supply  
• Market Structure  
• Factor Markets  
• The Role of Government  
• The Macroeconomic Environment  
• Macroeconomic Policy 
• International Trade and Globalisation  
• Research Activity 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA.

Develop a critical appreciation of the role of leadership theory, styles, context and practice in a range of ever-changing organisational, social and cultural contexts. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Demonstrate an integrated awareness of leadership theory and its link to business practice 
• Propose appropriate leadership styles and approaches through evaluation of dynamic leadership solutions and contexts 
• Develop a critical understanding of how different cultural and structural contexts can impact the agents of leadership 
• Understand the role of effective leadership in organisational strategy 
• Apply diverse skills and approaches associated with leadership in a variety of organisational, social and cultural situations and contexts 

What the course will cover: 

• Introduction to Leadership  
• Traditional and Contingency Leadership Approaches  
• New Leadership 
• Post-Heroic Leadership 
• Leadership Contexts  
• Critical Issues in Leadership: Gender, Culture and Ethics  
• Developing Leadership 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA.

Develop a detailed appreciation of factors influencing how people behave at work and how these link to performance. Impact positively on organisational performance by understanding individual differences, how these differences affect group dynamics and how organisational factors affect individual behaviour.  

Learning outcomes: 

• Apply appropriate, specialised skills and knowledge to propose creative solutions to people management issues, such as employee resourcing and global people management, in a range of dynamic professional contexts 
• Critically design, apply and evaluate adaptable and sustainable processes to a range of people management challenges (e.g. performance management and employee relations) in dynamic global environments 
• Demonstrate autonomy and accountability by presenting solutions to people-management challenges, based on analyses that are ethically informed and address the challenges of rapid organisational change 

What the course will cover: 

• Understanding Behaviour in Organisations 
• Individual Differences  
• Motivation and Engagement  
• Work Group Dynamics  
• Power, Politics and Conflict  
• Designing Effective Organisations  
• Organisational Culture and Change  
• Organisational Behaviour in Practice 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA.

Gain a comprehensive, critical overview of the theoretical and practical dimensions of managing organisational transformation. Improve skills and knowledge in relation to current role or prepare for a career progression. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Learn how to analyse organisations within a business context 
• Deliver credible and feasible conclusions and recommendations to colleagues 

What the course will cover: 

• Types of change in organisations  
• The role of the management consultant (change agent) 
• Cultural implications for behavioural and attitudinal change 
• Step-approach or phases in change programmes  
• Quality-led and business process reengineering approaches 
• The roles of the internal and external change agents/consultants in the organization  
• Legal and moral issues influencing change events/consultant 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 15 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Business Analytics and Consultancy

Equips managers and business professionals with the knowledge, understanding and skills to manage projects using integrative concepts, tools and techniques. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Comprehend, analyse and apply project management skills to address issues and conflicts, enable change and drive innovation 
• Proactively assess and manage business systems improvements 
• Implement and realise a single definable project solution, by balancing multiple, sometime conflicting, objectives in ways that are accountable and responsible 
• Manage multidisciplinary stakeholders and complex scenarios under conditions of risk, uncertainty and change 

What the course will cover: 

• Projects and Project Management  
• The role of Project Manager 
• From Strategy to Project  
• Human Resourcing - Structuring and Managing Project Teams  
• Risk Management  
• Time Management  
• Financial and Cost Management  
• Quality and Performance Management  
• Project Closure and Evaluation 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MBA. 

Develop the knowledge and skills to think and operate at a strategic level to inform and execute business transformation. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Gain critical awareness of contemporary theory in the strategic management field, and relate this to current organisational practice 

What the course will cover: 

• Introduction to Strategy and Strategists  
• Issue Diagnosis and Strategic Intent  
• Understanding the Environment  
• Understanding the Organisation  
• Generating, Selecting and Evaluating Strategic Options  
• Strategy Implementation and Practice  
• Integrating Strategy and Management 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MBA.

Gain the necessary knowledge, tools and frameworks to enable delivery of an effective marketing strategy that is aligned to dynamic internal and external business environments. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Develop the ability to undertake structured, critical analysis of marketing problems and opportunities and develop appropriate marketing strategies in a variety of contexts 
• Gain the skills to help you propose, plan and integrate creative marketing programmes 
• Learn how to use a range of verbal, numerical and graphical data to formulate, implement and measure the success of marketing strategies 

What the course will cover: 

• Marketing Management for a turbulent era  
• The Marketing Fit with Corporate and Business Strategies  
• Capturing Key Environmental Marketing Insights  
• Customer Insights and Customer Connections  
• Capturing Marketing Insights for Demand Measurement  
• Market Segmentation and Target Marketing 
• Branding and Positioning  
• The Integrated Marketing Mix  
• Winning Strategic Marketing for Market and Competitive Scenarios  
• Organising, Planning, Delivering and Measuring Market Performance 

This course is delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our MBA.