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Degree type

MSc

Course length

1 year full-time

Location

Durham City

Programme code

N2P909

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Course details

Our MSc Management (Supply Chain Management) takes a mixed theoretical and practical approach to provide you with the tools, techniques and knowledge for the study of supply chains and the way they work. As a result, you will learn and then apply the skills needed for the successful management of these vital commercial links that enable products and services to move from producer to consumer.

The course is completed on a full-time basis over one year and is designed to enable you to study the subject with no previous experience in business or management.

You will study core and optional modules as well as completing a dissertation. Core modules include global supply chain leadership, sustainable supply chain management, operations and supply chain management, strategy, business economics and accounting and organisational behaviour.

The course opens up significant opportunities for you to study and learn abroad through international study tours and summer schools organised with our overseas partners as well as the possibility of completing your dissertation abroad.

The Business School has an excellent reputation for its academic standards and teaching quality, and we are in an elite UK group that has been accredited by the three major business accreditation bodies, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Association of MBAs and the European Quality Improvement System.

You will also be able to participate in events and activities in the School that will add to the sum of your business-related knowledge. 

World class Business Education

  • 5th (UK) - Financial Times: Masters in Management 2023
  • 8th (UK) 38th (Europe) =51st (Global) - QS World University Rankings: Masters in Management 2024
  • 3rd (UK) 12th (Europe) 22nd (Global) - QS World University Rankings: Masters in Supply Chain Management 2024

Course structure

Core modules:

Global Supply Chain Leadership gives you an in-depth insight into how decisions are made in the modern global supply chain using examples of real-life case studies. The module introduces the theories and practices of leadership and outlines the challenges faced by supply chain managers. 

Sustainable Supply Chain Management explores how businesses and their extended supply chains are having an impact on sustainability, be it environmental, economic or social. The module considers the critical drivers, key barriers, and successes in implementing the principles of sustainability.

Operations and Supply Chain Management provides an understanding of the complexities of managing operations and supply chains in the manufacturing sector in particular but also in the service sector.

Strategy explores success or lack of success in business by considering strategy and its effectiveness in the existing external business environment and the internal relationship between strategy and business resources and capabilities.

Business Economics and Accounting develops your skills in the application of economic analysis in business decision-making and planning. The module provides you with an understanding of key economic aspects of the business environment and the impact of changes in that environment at national and international level. You will also learn accounting information and its forms, purpose and the needs of its users.

Organisational Behaviour covers key issues concerning the behaviour of individuals in organisations.

Research Methods and Dissertation (international study route and business project route available) enables you to carry out research and conduct an in-depth investigation into an issue of interest to you and which is applicable and relevant to your degree subject. Crucially, the module gives you a thorough understanding of key principles of research design and methodology in business and management and develops your skills in conducting and communicating research. You will have the opportunity to conduct your research abroad at a partner university or you may choose to undertake a business project in place of the traditional dissertation format.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

  • Strategy Simulation and System Thinking 
  • Competitive Strategies and Organisational Fitness
  • Decision Making and Business Options Modelling
  • Digital Resilient and Sustainable Procurement
  • East Asian Business and Management
  • Employee Reward Strategy
  • Ethical Leadership
  • Financial Management
  • Global Business
  • Global Marketing
  • Global Sport Business
  • Innovation and Technology Management
  • International Study Tour
  • Project Management
  • A language module such as those offered by the University’s Centre for Foreign Language Study

Careers and employment

The course develops a highly specific set of skills and abilities that are appropriate for a career in a wide range of businesses and industries around the world where supply chains are in existence.

Employers actively seek the skillsets developed on the course, including the ability to solve problems, make decisions and apply innovative and creative solutions, meaning you are well placed to secure a stimulating and rewarding career.

You will also find that many of the personal attributes that can apply in work situations are enhanced, such as being able to display leadership and show confidence, an ability to communicate effectively and an understanding of the sensitivities of a workplace environment.

As part of the wider University, and in its own right, the Business School has a global reputation for academic excellence and the quality of its teaching, and passion for the subject among staff is widely respected by prestigious employers. When you graduate you will be joining the worldwide network of alumni who contribute to Durham's success.

Learning

The course is taught through a mixture of lectures and seminars with lectures providing key information on a particular topic. We also invite special guest speakers to the University, to give you an insight into supply chain management based on their own professional experience.

Seminars take a small-group format, giving more opportunities to engage in debate and discussion as a follow-up to the lecture topics.

You will also be expected to carry out a substantial amount of independent study outside timetabled contact hours in order to contribute fully in seminars and to prepare for assessments. 

The course culminates in a dissertation or business project which both give you the opportunity to apply knowledge that you have learnt during the course.

Assessment

The assessment regime aims to test your knowledge and understanding of the course material. You will carry out written assignments of usually around 2,500 words and sit examinations. The dissertation or business project makes up one-third of your MSc.

Entry requirements

Application deadlines

Please note: The application process will open 1st October for entry the following academic year. Our application deadline dates for this programme are:

  • Applications from individuals resident in Mainland China must be received by 23:59hrs on 27 February 2024

There is a high demand for places on these programmes. To maximise your chances of being offered one of these places, we recommend that you submit your application to the University as early as possible.

We aim to have a diverse student body and recognise that we can only offer places to a finite number of applicants. To help achieve our aim, we look to ensure we offer places to applicants from all nationalities and close applications when we receive the allocated numbers.

The University is under no obligation to make any offer of a place on the programme to any applicant, nor is the University obligated to fill all spaces available on the programme.

Masters in Management programmes are intended for graduates in any subject or discipline; no previous study in business or management is necessary. For example, in the past we have had graduates from a diverse range of degrees such as Music, Anthropology, Medicine and Geography. Business and Management undergraduate students may find some content overlaps with their first degree.

What do I need first?

The equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree. Check the full list of equivalent qualifications.

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

NB Chinese Applicants: Applications will be accepted from students who have graduated from a prestigious university in China. Entry requirements may vary depending upon the reputation of the university you have graduated from and the academic programme you have applied for. As a guide, applicants are expected to have achieved an overall average of 85%.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete an online application form.

Please note you can only apply forone Masters Management programme.

To support your online application form, you will need to provide the following documents.

  • Official transcript of marks
  • Copy of degree certificate (if available)
  • Copy of English test results (if available).

You can either upload your supporting documents with your online application or email or fax them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office using the contact details below.

Note:

Only files of type .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf are permitted to be uploaded.The maximum file size is 5MB.

Application fee

Once we receive your online application form, you’ll get an automatic email within 48 hours asking you to pay the £60 application fee* which is required to progress your application.

You’ll need to follow the link in the email to the webpage where you can confirm your details and make the payment using a debit or credit card. This is a secure website operated by Secpay, which will send you an automatic receipt of payment.

Once we receive confirmation that your application fee has been paid, we’ll be able to progress your application. If you do not pay the application fee your application will be automatically withdrawn.

*Please note you will only be able to make a payment for one programme in each suite i.e. one MSc Finance programme, one MSc Management programme, one MSc Economics programme.

College membership

If you’re applying for a full-time programme you’ll need to become a member of one of our Colleges as well as being accepted by a department. Here’s more information about how the college system works. Once you accept your programme offer, the College Postgraduate Office will get in touch with you to arrange accommodation. Please note that demand for college accommodation usually exceeds availability, so please try to arrange it as soon as possible.

Admissions process

Here are the steps in the admissions process:

  1.  We will let you know when we’ve received your application.
  2. Once we’ve received all of your supporting documents, we will email you to let you know our decision.
  3. If the decision is to make you an offer of a place on the programme we will let you know by email. Please note we do not issue hard copy offer letters as these are not required to obtain a student visa.
  4. You should confirm acceptance of your offer as soon as possible. In order to secure your place, you are required to pay a deposit within six weeks of the date of your original offer (check your offer documents for details of payment methods).
  5. International students requiring a student visa will receive a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of Studies) via email once all offer conditions are met, acceptance and deposit have been received and you are within five months of the start date of your programme. 

Please note: You must let us know your own personal email address when applying. Please do not use a University-linked email which may stop working once you complete your Bachelor degree. 

English language requirements

Fees and funding

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities. 

Find Out More

Career opportunities

Business School

Our postgraduate programmes with a focus on employability fully equip you with the skills and industry insight to embark on a successful and rewarding business career.

The knowledge and understanding you develop reflect the Department’s values of sustainability, wellbeing and equality of opportunity across the globe.

You gain a combination of analytical and practical skills that employers value, such as independent thinking and problem-solving, and are able to enhance your people skills that are essential in business and much sought after by employers.

Management and Marketing

Our postgraduate programmes with a focus on employability fully equip you with the skills and industry insight to embark on a successful and rewarding business career.

The knowledge and understanding you develop reflect the Department’s values of sustainability, wellbeing and equality of opportunity across the globe.

You gain a combination of analytical and practical skills that employers value, such as independent thinking and problem-solving, and are able to enhance your people skills that are essential in business and much sought after by employers.

Department information

Business School

The School is one of the UK’s longest established business schools and one of an elite group of institutions in the UK to be accredited by all three major bodies – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

We consistently rank highly in independent league tables for both the quality and reputation of our Department, with teaching delivered by a world-class academic community that includes experienced business professionals and researchers who work across a wide variety of business disciplines.

We recruit students from around the world onto our postgraduate programmes. Our students take part in live business projects, internships and placements as part of their studies, enabling them to apply their knowledge to practical challenges in the most forward thinking companies. We have an active alumni network of more than 36,000 graduates in over 140 countries.

Research Excellence Framework

Read more about our results in the recent REF 2021. 

Management and Marketing

Our Business, Management and Marketing programmes are delivered by the Department of Management and Marketing, one of four departments at Durham University Business School (alongside the Department of Accounting, Department of Economics and Department of Finance).

The School is one of the UK’s longest established business schools and one of an elite group of institutions in the UK to be accredited by all three major bodies – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

We consistently rank highly in independent league tables for both the quality and reputation of our Department, with teaching delivered by a world-class academic community that includes experienced business professionals and researchers who work across a wide variety of business disciplines.

We recruit students from around the world onto our postgraduate programmes. Our students take part in live business projects, internships and placements as part of their studies, enabling them to apply their knowledge to practical challenges in the most forward thinking companies. We have an active alumni network of more than 36,000 graduates in over 140 countries.

Facilities

You’ll be taught across the university campus by world leading academics from the Business School. You’ll have access to the Business Schools modern, spacious meeting rooms and study areas.

The university campus is within walking distance of the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status. Resources include up-to-date financial information and online databases. In addition, you’ll have access to Durham University’s prestigious libraries and archives.

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Our Events

Join one of our virtual events, webinars, open events or recruitment fairs.

Durham Business School Postgraduate Events
  • Date: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024
  • Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Find out more
Self-Guided Tours
  • Date: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024
  • Time: 09:00 - 16:00
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