Masters in Supply Chain Management why do you need one? By definition, Supply Chain Management focuses on how to economically and efficiently manage the supply-chain systems in place for the smooth movement of the product or service from the supplier to their client thus increasing a business’ competitive advantage.
It sounds simple enough! However, in today’s international market, the client is continually sourcing their suppliers globally to ensure that their product or service meets their customer’s demands at the lowest cost yet highest profit margin so as to stay competitive and relevant in their field. This makes the modern day supply-chain process a very complex set of systems involving supply-chain management, operations management as well as logistics.
Motivation
In my case my brother asked me how I can possibly think of applying for Masters studies when I was working in good international organization in good position. I have a simple answer, ‘ambition’. For me studies have never been a burden, in fact a challenge that I have taken head on. I consider Masters as the inevitable step forward if not now, then tomorrow. But why wait? Why destroy this tempo?
I believe the essence of a Masters or the aspect that distinguishes Masters study from other academic work, can be summarized in a single word: “excellence”. To extend knowledge, one must explore, investigate, and contemplate. For me the Masters is all about Creativity, Intense curiosity & Self-motivation. Masters someone could be extra commitment, for some people it is better to go and get work experience and then do Masters in subject of interest to gain further academic backing.
For me the basic objective of a Masters in Supply Chain Management degree is to strengthen my ‘theoretical know-how’. I believed that the Masters in Supply Chain Management would be invaluable in helping me achieve these objectives. It would enable me to channel my quantitative and conceptual skills in analyzing technology issues and would open up new avenues in further research and its application in real world!
Masters in Supply Chain Management
A Masters in Supply Chain Management is a multi-discipline degree course developing and equipping you with all the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to have a successful and potentially international career in the field Supply Chain Management, Operations Management and Logistics.
Here, we look at my top 6 Universities in the U.K. and what they offer in a snapshot:
1. Cranfield University, Bedford
Degree Title: MSc Logistics and Supply-Chain Management
Length: Full-Time 1 year Part-Time: N/A
Fees 2016/2017: Home & EU Students: 12,500GBP
International Students: 20,000GBP
Scholarships / Funding: Limited number – Maximum of 4,000GBP for UK and other EU applications
Entry Requirements: Bachelors 1st or 2nd Class Honours degree or equivalent or a professional qualification with logistics related work experience.
You may also need: GMAT – minimum score 600
GRE – 75th percentile in both verbal and quantitative reasoning
Where English is not the 1st Language you need the following:
TOEFL – minimum score 92 or
IELTS – band 6.5 with 6.5 in writing
ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) have either:
Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) grade A – C
Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Grade C or above
Pearson Test of English (Academic): overall score of 65
Accreditation: The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport AACSB Accredited Business School
Other Info: ‘Cranfield has been named as employers’ number one university outside the US for Supply Chain excellence’
2. Lancaster University
Degree Title: MSc Logistics and Supply-Chain Management
Length: Full-Time: 1 year Part-Time: N/A
Fees 2016/2017: Home & EU Students: 10,500GBP
International Students: 17,000GBP
Scholarships / Funding: Some available see
Entry Requirements: At least a Bachelors 2:1 honours degree or equivalent
Where English is not the 1st Language you need the following: IELTS 7.0.
Accreditation: The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
AACSB Accredited Business School
3. Warwick University
Degree Title: MSc Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Length: Full-Time: 1 year Part-Time: N/A
Fees 2016/2017: Home & EU Students: 12,500 GBP
International Students: 22,340GBP
Scholarships / Funding: Available for MSc students
Entry Requirements: Bachelors 2:2 honours degree or equivalent
Where English is not the 1st Language you need the following: IELTS 6.5 (or 6.0 + pre-sessional)
Accreditation: The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
AACSB Accredited Business School
4. Birmingham University
Degree Title: MBA Strategy and Procurement Management
Length: Full-Time: 12-15 months
Part-Time: 2.5-4.5 years modular
Fees 2016/2017: Home, EU and International Students: 22,590GBP
Scholarships / Funding: Scholarships may be available – International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government. See MBS Scholarships page here for more information:
Entry Requirements: Bachelors 2:1 honours degree or a GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale or an equivalent qualification (e.g. CIPS Graduate Diploma) and 3 years relevant experience in purchasing and supply management.
International Students:
Where English is not the 1st Language you need the following:
Full-Time Students: IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.5 in any band)
TOEFL IBT 95 (no less than 22 in any band)
Pearson Academic Test of English 67 (in all 4 skills)
Part- Time Students: IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any band)
TOEFL IBT 80 (21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
Pearson Academic Test of English 59 (in all 4 skills)
International Entry Requirements:
Accreditation: The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS Students who fulfill the relevant work experience requirements of CIPS can apply for full membership of the Institute (MIPS)
AACSB Accredited Business School
5. Aston University
Degree Title: MSc Supply-Chain Management
Length: Full-Time: 1 year Part-Time: N/A
Fees 2016/2017: Home & EU Students: 8,350 GBP
International Students: 17,350 GBP
Scholarships: Limited availability subject to academic and other eligibility criteria
Entry Requirements: A First or good Second Class Honours degree or equivalent from a UK Academic organisation or equivalent overseas degree recognized by Aston University
Plus Two professional references –at least one must be an academic referee & a completed application form
International Students: An official academic transcript, with English translation of grades and date
Where English is not the first language – provide evidence of English Language qualification
Accreditation: The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
AACSB Accredited Business School
6. Cardiff University
Degree Title: MSc Logistics and Operations Management
Length: Full-Time 1 year Part-Time: N/A
Fees 2016/2017: Home & EU Students: 6,750 GBP
International Students: 18,250 GBP
Scholarships / Funding: 3,000 GBP of tuition fee scholarships available to UK and other EU applications
Entry Requirements: At least a 2:1 honours Bachelors degree or equivalent in Business, logistics and/or Operations Management, or have significant professional experience in a relevant occupation.
Non-graduates with approved professional qualifications or work experience may be considered under certain circumstances:
Where English is not the 1st Language you need the following: IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each category.
Accreditation: Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation
AACSB Accredited Business School
Off course there are other Universities who offer Masters in Supply Chain Management in the UK but I have picked those because I have worked with graduate from these Universities and I found Alumni of these universities a very well rounded Supply Chain professional in terms of basic supply chain competencies and know how.
Hope you find this information useful and let me know if there are other Masters in Supply Chain Management, which should be included.