Course start dates:
There are six start dates every academic year, providing maximum flexibility for our students;
January | March | May | July | September | November
Length:
2 years part time, or up to 4 years with study breaks.
Fees
Course fee: £12,240
Cost per module £1,020
More information on fees, scholarships and funding can be found below.
Course overview
Navigate the challenges of our changing world
By taking a contemporary approach, our Global Supply Chain Management MSc (online) will equip you with the knowledge and specialist skills to address emerging challenges such as, analytics, automation and sustainability. You’ll explore current global issues that businesses are facing today to prepare you with the knowledge for managing and modernising highly complex supply chains.
Delivered 100% online, this course draws on expertise from Sussex’s double accredited (EQUIS and AMBA) Business School.
During the course, you will become a member of two professional accreditation bodies: Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). This, combined with the practical skills developed on the course will enhance your career prospects and extend your professional networks.
Download our course brochure here
A campus version of this course can be found here.
The world around us is rapidly changing, and the management of global supply chains must keep up. By choosing to study this course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and specialist skills. You will:
- develop supply chain knowledge and skills to address contemporary challenges such as sustainability, blockchain, AI, and ethical supply
- explore current global challenges that businesses are facing today to equip you with the knowledge to manage and modernise highly complex supply chains
- learn practical skills such as such as building supply chain resilience and transformational leadership, which can be translated to current and future job roles
- develop theoretical knowledge such as digitalization, supply chain analytics and supply chain governance and have the ability to apply these theories to practical case study examples
- become a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).
Read the transcript
Why did I choose the University of Sussex? I think because they offered a programme that was number one part-time, and number two online. And it was just easy to balance with my job and other commitments I have.
The faculty have been extremely accommodating given the way the course is structured on a very flexible basis. People are not necessarily flowing from one module automatically to the next.
What I’ve really felt on this online course is that the learning materials are such a high quality. They prepare kind of really consumable content for us on what we should be learning.
The course is flexible in the way it allows you to study. So, I have control of when I can do certain things. If, for example at work I have lots of deadlines coming up I could block out a module and then rejoin it in the next module.
A couple of the anxieties I had before I started the course was how does it all work? But it was all very simple. Within the first week you go on there it’s all very easy to use and navigate Any questions I have had I was able to ask the Student Success team and they get back to you very promptly.
The flexibility of having an app having a website having all the materials you need just makes life a lot easier.
Different methods of learning definitely helped I found that podcast for me were really helpful to get the information in.
I found it great if I’m watching videos and lectures to be able to fast forward them pause them rewind them.
The reading list has actually been something that I’ve really enjoyed because I was a bit kind of worried about not being not having access to the library but the reading list has been carefully like selected and it’s so easy to get onto the books and also for me it’s been great because you can download them as PDFs.
So, people connected really well. We did lots of sharing online and actually we feel really connected so there’s lots of people that I met on the course that I’ll now stay in touch with.
I think it’s really great that the cohort is international for the online course. So I’ve made amazing professional connections with people working in Canada, Asia, all over Europe, as well as all over the UK.
I’d like to end up working in the field. I’m going to take my time now I’ve finished the course and again make sure I end up somewhere I really want to. I think the most important thing for me would be somewhere I feel like I’m actually making a difference for the future
Each module lasts seven weeks and is delivered via Canvas, a state-of-the-art online learning platform, which can be accessed by a computer, tablet or smartphone alike so you can truly study whenever and wherever you like. You can take control of your schedule by fitting the recommended 20 hours study time per week around your existing commitments and lifestyle.
In order to graduate the course, all of the below modules must be successfully completed:
- Agile Operations Planning and Innovative Supply Chains
- Supply Chain Finance
- Digitised and Responsible Procurement
- Transformational Supply Chain and Leadership Skills
- Circular and Sustainable Logistics
- Supply Chain Governance for Sustainability
- Supply Chain Digitisation
- Supply Chain Analytics
- Humanitarian and Ethical Supply Chain Management
- Supply Chain Resilience and Quality Management
- Autonomous Operations and Future of Logistics
- Practice Infused Project
This course is part-time and can be completed in a minimum of two years. You have the opportunity to step on and off the course, pausing your studies if your work or life commitments require, providing you complete the course within four years from enrolment.
The course uses multiple assessments methods to assess students’ knowledge, competence development and engagement through individual and groupwork exercises, such as written reports, simulations, essays, project reports, MCQs, and portfolios. An indication for the likely assessment methods of this module is given, though this may be subject to change.
Equip yourself with the skills, knowledge and qualification for career progression
This course is designed with busy professionals in mind looking to launch or progress their career in supply chain management without compromising on existing professional or personal commitments. Delivered 100% online, you will also have the opportunity learn from research active academics and peers from around the world, enabling you to expand your global network.
Studying a Masters in Global Supply Chain Management will prepare you for careers in a range of different companies, sectors and positions. Roles available to graduates of this course include: supply chain consultant, business sustainability consultant, logistics officer, operations manager, procurement officer, supply chain analyst, procurement and investment manager, demand planner and supply chain operations manager.
Professor Nachiappan Subramanian
Professor of Operations and Logistics Management & Supply Chains – Academic lead on: Autonomous Operations and Future of Logistics; co-lead on Humanitarian and Ethical Supply Chain Management and Practice Infused Project
Nachiappan (Nachi) has 20+ years of experience in academia and consulting. He is an ambitious researcher with a focus on novel topics such as humanitarian operations management, sustainability, risk and innovation, co-creation, ambi-supply networks, and performance measurement. He has authored a book, several book chapters, and over 100 refereed research papers.
Senior Lecturer in Operations Management – Co-lead on: Supply Chain Governance for Sustainability; Humanitarian and Ethical Supply Chain Management and Practice Infused Project
For his academic work, Martin has received several awards, and in 2020, he won the Research Excellence Award for emerging scholars at the University of Sussex Business School.
His research investigates sustainability and ethical issues with an overall focus on responsibilities in global supply chains. More specifically, his projects involve (sustainable) supply chain risk management, supplier exploitation, conflict minerals management, modern slavery, sustainability reporting and global sourcing.
Senior Lecturer in International Trade & Commercial Law – Co-lead on Supply chain Governance for Sustainability
In addition to teaching, Kamala conducts research, policy analysis and technical assistance training for: academic, inter-governmental organisations (including the WTO), the World Bank, the European Union, COMESA, CARICOM, ASEAN, as well as public interest organisations.
She undertakes trade and Brexit related research, policy analysis and capacity building for the UK Government, the European institutions and has appeared in national media.
Senior Lecturer in Banking and FinTech – Academic lead on: Supply Chain Finance
Malgorzata (Gosia) has been recognised for her excellent teaching skills, winning several awards such Excellence in Teaching Award and Student-Led Teaching Award.
Her passion for teaching and discovering new areas of development guides her interests towards fintech, banking digitalisation, financial literary, financial inclusions and political uncertainty.
Senior Lecturer in Operations Management – Academic lead on: Supply Chain Analytics
After four years working as an electronic engineer in industry, Biao completed a PhD on manufacturing management (with a full scholarship) at Loughborough University.
He was subsequently employed as a Research Associate at Cardiff Business School, working on the Integrating Transport and e-commerce in Logistics Supply Chains (ITeLS) project sponsored by the EPSRC and the Department for Transport.
Delivered by the double accredited (EQUIS and AMBA) University of Sussex Business School
The University of Sussex is ranked Top 15 the UK for Business and Economics (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2023), and top 10 in the UK and Top 50 globally for Supply Chain Management (QS Masters in Supply Chain Management Ranking 2022).
This course is delivered by the University of Sussex Business School where our vision is to be a leading provider that collaborates across disciplines to shape global issues in business, management and society, making an impact on policy, practice and people. Our mission is to:
- carry out high-quality research that addresses real-world issues, pressing global policy agendas and business practices
- develop current and aspiring leaders who will champion critical and original thinking
- work internationally with businesses, governments, and others to deliver innovative approaches to management.
This draws on Sussex’s tradition of interdisciplinary research and exploring subject areas within a wider global, social and political context. We understand that no business or sector works in isolation; we give our students the skills and knowledge to look beyond their ‘local’ environment and understand how and why external factors affect and influence.
All our courses have a distinct socially responsible thread running through them, looking at the world and seeing where we can make a difference. We aim to equip you with the knowledge and awareness to become a leader for tomorrow, gaining the necessary skills to innovate and improve business practice throughout your career. At Sussex, we collaborate with and advise governments and organisations to improve policy and practice in this area. The Business School is a member of the United Nations Global Compact, a network of companies across the world who work towards the Global Compact’s vision of creating a sustainable and inclusive global economy that delivers lasting benefits to people, communities and markets.
A second-class (2:2) undergraduate honours degree or above from any UK university or international equivalent. You could also be considered for entry to this course with relevant professional experience and may be required to submit a portfolio of work as part of your application.
English Language requirements also apply, see below for further detail.
Applicants whose first language is not English (and whose first degree was not taught in English) need to supply evidence of IELTS (Academic) High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).
Course fee: £12,240
Cost per module: £1,020
Fees can be paid on a module-by-module basis, or as a single fee at the start of the course. You may also consider corporate sponsorship and employer funding. Our Admissions Team will be able to assist you with next steps for this method of payment.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information on funding for Masters students.
20% Alumni discount
If you have previously graduated from an undergraduate, postgraduate or PhD course with the University of Sussex you will be eligible* for a 20% discount on this online course.
Find out more about the alumni discount and eligibility criteria.
*T&Cs apply.
"I highly recommend online study for those who are working as a professional and considering postgraduate study at the same time. It can be flexible, the cost is relatively low and of course there is no quality difference compared to on-campus study. "
Ayako Yoshida Energy Policy Msc (online) student