Overview
Globalisation requires an international approach to business, and with suppliers increasingly scattered across the globe, particularly to supply chain management. Brunel’s Global Supply Chain Management MSc is a course that attracts business men and women from all over the world who want to focus specifically on a career in supply chain management or logistics, so you can be sure to find yourself in good company.
A wide range of topics is studied including development of supplier relationships, operations improvement, procurement strategies, outsourcing, inventory control, and logistics operations, as well as addressing the issues that affect these areas. The breadth of study forms a solid foundation of understanding allowing you to explain and apply theories on logistics, operations and project management, and business modelling and simulation to your practice.
The relationship between logistics and supply chain management will also be approached through the lens of contemporary social issues such as the state of geopolitics, advances in technology, and the increasing importance of transparency and sustainability.
The course includes a series of guest lectures, supply chain and procurement conferences, company visits and employability workshops. Past company visits have included site tours of Mini and Jaguar car plants. We have also welcomed LEAN specialists to Brunel Business School from Rolls Royce and Wiles Greenworld.
We ensure that you have access to a wealth of networking opportunities that bring you closer to a growing supply chain community. There is also the opportunity to present research to industry specialists for expert feedback.
This is one of the few supply chain master's courses in the UK to have received accreditation from the top supply chain and logistics bodies. On completion of the course, you can apply to become a full member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) subject to having satisfied the relevant three-year work experience requirement.
As a graduate of this master’s course, you will also meet the educational requirements for Chartered Membership of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). This is subject to having four years of relevant career experience, including two years at senior level. Brunel holds an academic partnership with CILT and you will be able to access CILT’s Knowledge Centre which has a large collection of industry-specific resources for logistics and transport. Find out more on our accreditations and exemptions page.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
This specialist course will give you a strong foundation in the fundamentals of global supply chain management. Optional modules give you a chance to look more closely at areas such as CSR, international business strategy, and using social media for business development.
Compulsory
- MG5580 Business Modelling and Simulation in Supply ChainsStudying systems modelling in the decision-making process, particularly for complex and dynamic systems. To meet the challenges of current environments, students need to be equipped with modelling skills and analytical abilities.
- Global Outsourcing
Examining the implications, scope and influence of the outsourcing decision upon business strategy and operations. Analysing vendor assessment procedures, vendor management, project transition and governance. Evaluating effective procurement strategies for successful outsourcing. Understanding the associated legal aspects.
- MG5573 - Logistics and Supply Chain ManagementThis module aims to provide students with a solid grounding in logistics and supply chain management principles and develop a critical understanding of relevant theoretical frameworks in the context of contemporary business practice.
- MG5579 Operations & Project ManagementDeveloping an appreciation of the relation between operations, service, and project design choices, as well as performance imperatives including quality, time compression and flexibility.
- MG5581 Procurement Fundamentals Gaining a clear understanding of the importance of the procurement function, its strategies and techniques within both service and manufacturing environments. Assessing supplier selection, assessment criteria, contracts and contractual obligations.
- Understanding Business and Management ResearchQuantitative and qualitative methods in management research. Understanding research reports and utilising this information to improve quality of work and decision-making in complex management problems.
- Dissertation
Allows you to demonstrate and evidence their expertise through a piece of independent research, including identification of the research enquiry, data collection and analysis and presentation of results. Under the supervision of an academic member of staff, students develop as an independent learner and brings together their knowledge and skills gained during the programme for the analysis of a specific AI Strategy related problem.
Optional
- Business Intelligence
Exploring the most significant technologies associated with business intelligence, big data and data analytics, with a particular emphasis on applications in the corporate sector. Developing knowledge and professional competency in the analysis, interpretation and management of corporate knowledge resources, and gaining proficiency in relevant tools.
- International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
This module focuses on business ethics, sustainability and corporate governance in internationally operating organisations. These areas are addressed from the perspective of the dual ‘business’ models of the shareholder and the stakeholder approaches. The broader societal impacts of business activities are discussed by using concepts from moral philosophy, CSR, sustainability and corporate governance.
- International Business Strategy
This module communicates the forces that shape the operating environments of organisations, nationally and internationally. Upon completing this module, students will be able to systematically apply business management theories, concepts and techniques to central international business activities such as foreign entry.
- International Marketing
This module discusses the key aspects of international marketing in management science and practice such as the standardization/adaptation debate, the crucial role of culture and politics and how to develop successful product and branding strategies in global markets.
- MG5594 Knowledge Management, Social Networks and InnovationInvestigating the global knowledge-based economy and wider socio-economic factors affecting knowledge transfer. The use of social engagement in business development.
- Strategic Management
This module introduces students to the design and choice of strategies in organisations across industries and sectors. It enables students to appreciate the challenges that confront managers in complex, dynamic and increasingly uncertain conditions. Students develop skills in critical thinking, logical analysis, argument and judgement based on insights from case studies and cutting-edge research.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
A number of Associate memberships to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) are open to Brunel Global Supply Chain Management graduates, offering discounted full membership rates upon application. Members of the CMI may use the following letters after their name as appropriate: Associate ‘ACMI’, Members ‘MCMI’ and Fellows ‘FCMI’.
Our programmes are built with input from business professionals with the specific aim of helping you enter the workplace fully equipped and confident of your abilities. As a masters graduate you’ll be equipped to enter a number job roles, including:Industry analyst; Project manager; Global logistics manager; Transportation director; Supply chain consultant; Purchasing manager
Some of the well-known names who value Brunel Business School graduates include Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, British Airways, Capgemini, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oréal, McCann, Microsoft, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Xerox.
UK entry requirements
- A 2.2 (or above) UK Honours degree or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in or a related or non-related subject. Work experience is not required.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£13,750 full-time
International
£25,000 full-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
At Brunel Business School (BBS), you will experience a rich and engaging on-campus learning environment. Our modules are delivered through engaging lectures, and in most modules, through seminars that allow for interactions in smaller groups. Additionally, you will have access to a wide range of resources on Brightspace, our online learning platform, including PowerPoint slides, video recordings, and peer-reviewed academic publications that align with the module learning objectives. Moreover, BBS students benefit from a range of support and opportunities from our dedicated staff and faculty, such as:
- Extra-curricular activities designed to enhance your skills and expand your network, such as social events, guest speakers and industry visits/field trips (please note these may vary within programmes)
- A dedicated Student Experience Team to provide pastoral care
- A dedicated ASK Academic Skills support team to help you understand and address coursework requirements
- Personalised tutoring and wellbeing advice to support your academic and personal development
- Employability guidance and career planning from our in-house director.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Teaching includes lectures, informal small study groups, and individual or group presentations using a laptop and digital projector.
Brunel Business School regularly invites specialists to provide sessions on negotiation, sustainable supply chains, retail supply chains, and LEAN production.
This degree course is taught by Professor Afshin Mansouri, Professor David Gallear, Professor Habin Lee and Dr Behzad Hezarkhani, who are active researchers in the field of global supply and logistics management, and also within the School’s Operations and Information Systems Management Research Group (OISM). Their research findings are often integrated into lectures providing up-to-date and relevant material.
The OISM group explores information systems, operations research, management science, and general and strategic management knowledge, using various approaches across public and private industry sectors.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Modules are usually assessed by individual assessment or by examination in May.
Coursework and examinations give you a chance to demonstrate critical and constructive thinking and reasoning. Your dissertation is a 12,000 word document that will show your ability to conceive, design and execute a major project, which confidently substantiates your chosen line of enquiry.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.