MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management
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Key information
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Mode of delivery
- On-campus
- Delivery type
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start date
- September
- Duration
- 1 year
- Qualification
- MSc
Contact
Contact our enquiries team
Contact usOverview
MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management is the fully-accredited flagship masters degree from Heriot-Watt's Logistics and Supply Chain Management department - a recognised centre for excellence in the subject across both research and teaching.
The masters degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh Business School calls upon established industry links and sector-leading research to equip students with cutting-edge expertise.
This MSc is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and has built a reputation for producing graduates of the highest calibre over the past 25 years. It will give you access to the knowledge of world-leading researchers and practitioners, and allow you to gain professional insights direct from industry.
Launch your new career
MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management is led by academics at the Edinburgh Business School. This programme is open to those with no prior knowledge of logistics/supply chain as it is a 1-year Masters programme which focuses almost entirely on the area of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
This 1-year Masters programme focuses almost entirely on the area of Logistics and Supply Chain Management. It blends cutting-edge academic thinking with best practice from industry to give graduates and professionals the opportunity to advance with a highly employable skillset.
The Edinburgh Business School approach
Our mix of research-led, industry-focussed learning offers the ideal preparation for those who aspire to build successful careers in the ever-advancing discipline of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
If you study this programme you will develop expertise across key areas of the subject, including:
- Big data business analytics
- Freight transport and warehousing
- Operations Management and Planning
- Procurement and supplier management
- Quality management
- Risk and resilience management
- Supply chain and logistics strategy
- Sustainability
Transferrable skills for industry
On top of expertise you will gain in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, this programme will equip you with the ability to think critically, identify problems, evaluate options and communicate solutions. These crucial, transferable skills will allow you to effectively implement your specialist knowledge and adapt to any logistical problem you may face in your career.
Being equipped with the mind-set, knowledge and expertise to manage any organisation's logistical processes should mark you out as an excellent candidate for the following roles in an increasing number of industries:
- Supply Chain Consultant
- Supply Chain Manager
- Logistics Manager
- Procurement Specialist
- Distribution Manager
Recent graduates from our MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management programmes have gone on to work for organisations such as DHL, Diageo, BP Chemicals, IKEA, Coca-Cola, Tesco, Argos, Amazon, Scotland Excel, Heineken, Proctor and Gamble, Unilever, Maersk, Gist, Sky, Rolls Royce and BAE Systems.
Driven by world-changing research
Our teaching in Logistics and Supply Chain Management is grounded in the research of the Centre for Logistics and Sustainability which has fed into the UK Government's carbon policy and the logistics operations of organisations such as:
- Tesco
- Coca-Cola
- John Lewis
- DHL
- Sainsbury's
Heriot-Watt University stands at the forefront of logistics research and specialises in the study of management, integration, reform, impact and modelling of logistics activity, particularly from an environmental and sustainability perspective.
Our work provides government, industry, commercial and other sectors with insight into logistical trends, transport benchmarking and road use throughout the UK and Europe. Much of our research output is transformed into practical management guides, tools and techniques.
Sustainable Road Freight: collaboration with Cambridge University
Heriot-Watt University has teamed up with engineers from the University of Cambridge to form the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight, a collaboration with a major 5-year funding grant whose purpose is to research engineering and organizational solutions to make road freight economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
The Centre for SRF will look to develop innovative technical and operational solutions to road freight transport challenges in order to meet Government emissions reduction targets for the road freight sector, mapping out ways to provide an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions due to road freight transport by 2050.
Industry-led learning
When you study on our MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management you will find yourself in the enviable position of gaining insights from industry leaders.
In recent years, our students have received guest lectures from representatives of Royal Bank of Scotland on quality management and operations improvement; from Thrive and Christian Aid on Corporate Social Responsibility; from Verisk Maplecroft on Supply Chain Risk; and Oracle on capacity and demand in operations.
We often welcome Professor Alan McKinnon back to Heriot-Watt University to provide our students with a masterclass. Professor McKinnon is one of the leading experts globally in Logistics. He launched our programme over 25 years ago and has gone on to work with Kuehne Logistics University and has advised UK Government, European Commission and the World Economic Forum.
Through our connection with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, if you apply for membership, you will have the opportunity to attend their Young Professionals Forum which is held in Edinburgh every year to provide opportunities for professional development and networking.
Programme duration
| Mode of Study | MSc | PG Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 12 months | 9 months |
| Part-time | 24 months | 21 months |
September 2024 entry
The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.
Future Proofing Freight
In this episode of our podcast series 'A Future Made' we hit the road to explore the (fuel) burning issue of decarbonising freight. Our academics unveil some mind-blowing innovations.
Video
Course content
Year 1
Semester 1
Mandatory
- Freight Transport and Warehouse Management
- Strategies for Managing Supply Chains
- Operations Management
Optional
- Business Analytics and Introduction to Big Data
- Measuring and Managing Performance
Semester 2
Mandatory
- Research Philosophy and Practice
- Global Purchasing and Supply
Optional
- Green and Sustainable Logistics
- Quality Management
- Project Management
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
Dissertation
A dissertation is then completed between May and August.
Strategies for Managing Supply Chains
This course explores how logistics and supply chain management can be leveraged to gain competitive advantage. When designing a supply chain strategy we consider taxonomies for supply chain process selection as well as approaches to design and optimise the physical logistics network. Finally, we explore how disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT), might affect the logistics sector and transform supply chains in the future.
Operations Management and Planning
This course will help students understand the scope and importance of Operations Management and the role of Operations Managers. Students will study the interaction of operations on the organisation, employees and customers. You will examine the links between process and operations design, business strategy and globalisation. You will learn about the different elements of operations and how to analyse an operational environment. You will also explore the challenges facing the operations manager in adopting innovative practices such as lean, new technologies and the growing social agendas such as CSR.
Freight Transport
This course examines the activities, resources and processes used in freight transport and warehousing including the foundations of multi-modal freight (road, rail, air-freight, sea-freight, pipeline); the change from warehouse (storage) to a distribution centre and value adding activates; foundations of warehouse management (storage systems, handling systems, order picking systems, equipment choices and selection); and freight and distribution centre interface and implications.
Global Purchasing and Supply
Purchasing processes and activities; theory and the make or buy decision; category management and supplier sourcing; supplier performance and relationship management; supplier development and the role that purchasing plays in New Product Development (NPD); procuring complex performance; partnership; ethics and social responsibility.
Research Philosophy and Practice
Provides an understanding of the social science research process, as well as theory and approaches to research. Develops practical skills (i.e. quantitative and qualitative techniques) in data analysis to transform the raw data into information that guides marketing management valuations.
Teaching team: Research and industry expertise
- Dr David Stenberg - Head of Subject
- Dr Claire Lindsay - Programme Director
- Dr Phil Greening - Director of Research Centre for Logistics and Sustainability
- Dr Chris Rutherford - Director of Learning and Teaching, Social Sciences
Go Global
Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for further information.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Status [footnote 1] | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | 10736 | 5368 |
| Overseas [footnote 2] | 26976 | 13488 |
Scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.
Entry requirements
Entry
A good Honours degree (first or second class), or its non-UK equivalent, in a relevant subject from a recognised British or overseas university.
Work or project experience in a logistics-related field will be of further advantage.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component lower than 6.0.
If you do not have IELTS 6.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies:
- 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
- 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
- 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
- 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)
"Being a part of the School´s unique multinational environment provided an arena for lots of interesting discussions and reflections. This enabled me and my peers to better understand our studied fields in the bigger global perspective."
Sara-Christine Bach Overbo
,
MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Why Heriot-Watt?
We are accredited by the following organisations
At Heriot-Watt University we develop degrees that are relevant for the world of work. We work with Professional bodies and Institutes to gain appropriate Accreditations and Professional Memberships for your industry. Find out below how this degree aligns to industry.
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
While you are studying, you can join as Student Member before becoming Affiliate Member and then Member (MCIPS).
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
Students are eligible for an exemption from the academic requirements for membership at either Chartered Member or Member level of the CILT. There may also be a reduction in the length of experience that they would require.