Overview
Who is it for?
The master’s in Digital Supply Chain Management is perfect for you if you’re looking to kickstart your career in supply chain management at an international level. You need no previous experience in supply chain management (this course is NOT suitable for those already working in this field).
You have a general interest in various supply chain processes including procurement, logistics and supply chain analytics. Now you want to learn about the latest thinking and business practices in digital supply chain management generally.
You already have a basic understanding of statistics, or can meet the challenge of learning more about quantitative analysis, and hold an upper second class degree or equivalent in a subject that contains finance or quantitative methods, such as business, engineering or social sciences.
The Business School (formerly Cass) was one of the main universities in the UK that had a master’s specialising in supply chain management, and who would not love to study in London? I am now working as a Supply Chain Manager for Amazon Fresh.
As the Supply Chain Manager, you are the bridge between retail, the vendors and the FC’s. A career in supply chain means there is never a dull moment and you are left to work with different issues every day.- Bola Jabitta
Objectives
In our Digital Supply Chain Management MSc you’ll gain a solid understanding of the latest practices within supply chain management. You’ll build the knowledge to identify risks and opportunities and learn the strategic and analytical tools needed to advise organisations on managing them.
Your studies will be based on the most recent academic research and innovative current business practices, and cover the vital skills for this most global of sectors, including cultural sensitivity, effective business communication and time management. You’ll also be equipped with advanced analytical, financial and consulting knowledge.
With a location close to major industry players, electives taught by experienced practitioners and accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK (CILT), and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), this course gives you a 360o view of digital supply chains. It’s an essential first step to a successful career in supply chain management.
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Structure
How you will learn
On the Digital Supply Chain Management master’s course, you will:
- Learn from academics that are following best practice for teaching operations and supply chain management according to higher education literature, via simulation games
- Have the opportunity to undertake a wide variety of elective courses, that are mostly delivered by practitioners in the field with decades of experience working in the sector
- Take international electives where you take a course offered in another university worldwide
- Benefit from career fairs, alumni and other networking events and conferences that help you succeed in job hunting
- Learn from module instructors who hold teaching excellent awards and have real-world working experience with companies that is shared in class.
Induction weeks
All of our MSc courses start with two compulsory induction weeks which include relevant refresher courses, an introduction to the careers services and the annual careers fair.
Term one
Five core modules
Essentials of Accounting and Finance
- 10 credits
- 18 hours over ten weeks in lectures or workshops
- 8 hours per week self-directed study
The aim of this module is to equip you with an understanding of the most common accounting and finance techniques and practices, and will include the use of published company reports and accounts, and other internally generated information, that enables management to make decisions and control operations.
Digital Supply Chain
- 15 credits
- 30 hours over ten weeks in lectures
- 12 hours per week self-directed study
This module introduces you to the frontiers of digitalisation in supply chains. The key technologies behind modern supply chain designs are highlighted and their impact on how products and services are produced and delivered are analysed.
You will be familiarized with high-level strategies for digitalisation and concrete applications in areas such as manufacturing, supply chain management, and service delivery.
Analytics for Supply Chain Management
- 15 credits
- 30 hours over ten weeks in lectures
- 12 hours per week self-directed study
This module introduces you to some important methods relevant to supply chain management from the fields of analytics. Many problems in today’s business world are often too complex to rely simply on intuition and common sense.
The application of analytics is critical for firms to improve the quality of business decisions by grounding those decision in analyses of available data and quantitative methods.
This module investigates principal analytical methods for understanding data and guiding decision-making related to various aspects of managing a supply chain.
Business Process Management
- 15 credits
- 30 hours over ten weeks in lectures
- 12 hours per week self-directed study
This module therefore takes a detailed look at the responsibilities, issues and decisions required to manage these business processes within an organization effectively.
The objective is to develop an understanding of how managers can design, analyse, measure, and improve processes in order to improve an organisation’s performance and attain long-term competitive advantage.
Supply Chain Fundamentals
- 15 credits
- 30 hours over ten weeks in lectures
- 12 hours per week self-directed study
This module will ensure that you have a strong foundation to understand the more specialist supply chain management concepts and frameworks, This module will expose you to a range of basic and fundamental supply chain related concepts as well as the global and relevant supply chain management cases.
Some of the contemporary supply chain management (SCM) issues, such as digitalisation, sustainability, risk management, will be also covered briefly.
Term two
Five core modules
Professional Development Skills
- 15 credits
- 30 hours over ten weeks in lectures
- 12 hours per week self-directed study
The aim of this module is to strengthen the behavioural, analytical, and methodological skills that will assist you in applying the concepts you have learned through your studies into practice.
The module includes topics on leadership, consulting skills and research methods to help you become a well-rounded manager.
Sustainability in Digital Supply Chains
- 10 credits
- 18 hours over ten weeks in lectures
- 8 hours per week self-directed study
In this module, you will learn about supply chain sustainability and the complex ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities of business organisations towards a range of stakeholders.
You will also examine the challenges and requirements of building sustainable products and sustainable supply chains across a wide range of contexts with a focus on the practical application to real-world business situations.
Purchasing and Supply Management
- 15 credits
- 30 hours over ten weeks in lectures
- 12 hours per week self-directed study
In this module, you will learn about digital procurement.
Through the examination of core procurement principles, frameworks, and tools, you will gain an understanding of how to plan and execute a procurement strategy that supports corporate goals and broader business objectives. You will learn about the role of integration, data, and analytics in digital procurement.
You will also observe various digital technologies used in procurement that create opportunities for process automation, frictionless supply chain collaboration, and smarter procurement based on data science.
Supply Chain Finance and Risk Management
- 15 credits
- 30 hours over ten weeks in lectures
- 12 hours per week self-directed study
The module aims to provide you with a profound understanding of the role of finance and risk management in supply chains, including the specific technologies that are used by the industry and banks. More specifically, you will explore various supply chain finance related issues such as:
- working capital optimisation with a focus on the role of technology in managing receivables, payables and inventories
- trade credit and technology-based financing techniques such as reverse factoring and dynamic discounting
- risk management strategies including the identification, assessment and mitigation of operational as well as financial risks within the supply chain using digital solutions.
All these topics have in common that they are enabled by innovative technologies that are becoming increasing popular for managing digital supply chains.
Machine Learning for Logistics
- 15 credits
- 30 hours over ten weeks in lectures
- 12 hours per week self-directed study and group work
This module takes a detailed look at the decisions managers need to make about logistics and supply chains. The module provides conceptual, analytical and practical insights into the effective management of supply chain in all organisations, in both the private and the public sectors.
The module is concerned with large and small organisations from all over the world. This module introduces you to the analytical techniques from the discipline of management science required to be able to do this.
Term three
You will choose to do a Business Research Project and one elective, or choose to study four electives
Business Research Project
The optional Business Research Project will be of approximately 8,000 words. This offers an opportunity to specialise in a contemporary supply chain topic related to students' future careers. The Project should be based on independent research either in the context of a single organisation or using third-party sources.
You are encouraged from the start of the course to think about a topic for your Project. A member of academic staff supervises the project, and you may choose whom you would like to work with.
The Project must be submitted by the end of August. Company sponsored projects are encouraged and a number of such projects may be available.
Many students use this opportunity to complete a project in conjunction with an organisation they might want to work for.
This gets your foot in the door and can lead to permanent employment post programme, whilst earning course credit.
Electives offered in 2022
- Family Business
- Driving Supply Chain Innovation through Technology
- Managing Supply Chain Risk
- Country and Geopolitical Risk Management
- Retail Supply Chain Management
- Strategic Innovation in Hyper Competition
- Project Leadership
International electives
- Creating Value with Suppliers (taught in Bologna, Italy)
- Procurement (taught in Mannheim, Germany).
Please note that electives are subject to change and availability.
Assessment methods
Assessment
We review all our courses regularly to keep them up-to-date on issues of both theory and practice.
To satisfy the requirements of the degree course students must complete:
- ten core courses (10 - 15 credits each) and
- a Business Research Project (30 credits) and one elective (10 credits) or
- four electives (10 credits each)
Assessment of modules on the MSc in Digital Supply Chain Management, in most cases, is by means of coursework and unseen examination.
Coursework may consist of standard essays, individual and group presentations, group reports, classwork, unseen tests and problem sets. Please note that any group work may include an element of peer assessment.
The course consists of compulsory core modules, as well as a choice of electives, including some international elective options in term three.
The course commences in September with a Foundations of Management workshop which prepares students with some of the concepts necessary to complete the course, and includes careers and professional skills development workshops.
Term dates
Term dates 2023/24
- Induction: 11th September 2023 - 22nd September 2023
- Term one: 25th September 2023 - 8th December 2023
- Term one exams: 8th January 2024 - 19th January 2024
- Term two: 22nd January 2024 - 5th April 2024
- Term two exams: 22nd April 2024 - 3rd May 2024
- Term three - international electives: 6th May 2024 - 17th May 2024
- Term three: 20th May 2024 - 5th July 2024
- Term three exams: 8th July 2024 - 19th July 2024
- Resits: 12th August 2024 - 23rd August 2024
- Additional resit week - tests only: 26th August 2024 - 30th August 2024.
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available from July and can be accessed from our timetabling pages. These pages also provide timetables for the current academic year, though this information should be viewed as indicative and details may vary from year to year.
View academic timetables (add timetable and search for your programme)
Please note that all academic timetables are subject to change.
Teaching staff
The teaching staff on the MSc in Digital Supply Chain Management have many years of practical experience working in industry and are also active researchers in their fields. This knowledge and experience inform the highly interactive lectures that enhance the student learning experience.
Module Leaders include:

Application
How to apply
Apply for MSc Digital Supply Chain Management
Documents required for decision-making
- Transcript/interim transcript
- Grading system used by your university
- Current module list if still studying
- CV
- Personal statement - this should be around 500 words in length and answer the following:
- Why have you selected this course? What are your motivating factors?
- What are your areas of interest within the course?
- What contributions do you feel you can make to the course?
- How do you see the course affecting your career plans?
Documents which may follow at a later date
- English language test result if applicable
- Confirmation of professional qualification examinations/exemptions/passes, if applicable
- Two references, one of which must be an academic reference
- For a successful application to receive an unconditional status, all award documents must be verified, and should be provided to the relevant Admissions Officer via one of the methods stated in your offer.
We cannot comment on individual eligibility before you apply and we can only process your application once it is fully complete, with all requested information received.
Individual Appointments
If you would like to arrange an individual appointment to discuss the application process and be given a tour of the facilities, please complete this form.
Please note - these are subject to availability.
Terms and conditions
Students applying to study at Bayes Business School are subject to City, University of London's terms and conditions.
Entry requirements
- A UK upper second class degree or above, or the equivalent from an overseas institution.
- Some level of previous study in finance or quantitative methods is preferred.
- Work experience is not a requirement of this course.
English language requirements
If you have been studying in the UK for the last three years it is unlikely that you will have to take an English language test.
If you have studied in the UK at degree level for less than three years (e.g. 3+1, 2+1, 2+2, etc.) you will be required to provide the results of an approved English language test and possibly resit the test to meet our academic entry requirements.
Full list of approved English language tests/qualifications and minimum requirements.
Fees
Fees in each subsequent year of study for continuing students (where applicable) will be subject to an annual increase of 2%. We will confirm any change to the annual tuition fee for continuing students in writing prior to commencing each subsequent year of study (where applicable).
Deposit: £2,000 (usually paid within 1 month of receiving offer and non-refundable unless conditions of offer are not met)
First installment: Half fees less deposit (payable during on-line registration which should be completed at least 5 days before the start of the induction period)
Second installment: Half fees (paid in January following start of course)
Fees are the same for both UK and international students. Please note that fees do not include living expenses or books.
Career pathways
Career destinations for MSc Digitial Supply Chain Management
On your postgraduate course in Digital Supply Chain Management you’ll build an excellent strategic understanding of supply chains, the most up to date research and innovative business practices, and analytical and consulting skills that are in demand across many industries.
You’ll be well equipped for a successful career in supply chain management and for specialist finance positions in the banking and insurance sectors. You’ll also be ready for roles in operations, sales, procurement, consultin, and professional services firms.
Our careers team will guide you through your career planning with advice, workshops and opportunities to meet potential employers across the industry.
Recent graduate outcomes
Some examples of where our graduates started their post-graduate career:
- Risk Advisory - KPMG China
- Supply Chain Management - DHL
- Transactional Buyer - ARRIVAL
- Sustainability Consultant - ERM: Environmental Resources Management
- Associate, Deloitte
- Director, Savills
- Supply Chain Analyst, Sono Global
- International Sales Cooperator, Liebherr (China)
- Regional General Manager for Operations, Starline Logistics
- Analyst, Fortna
- Operations Leadership Programme, General Electric
Previous graduates have gone on to work in consulting, property/real estate, logistics and financial services across the UK, EU and Asia.
(Data provided from alumni who completed the annual destination data survey for 2020/21 and 2019/20).
Course information and statistics (2022/23 cohort)
Accreditation
This degree has been accredited by both the The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK (CILT), and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). This ensures the course is compliant with the standards set by the CILT and CIPS but more importantly gives you complimentary memberships of both CILT (funded by City, University of London) and CIPS for one year.
Membership with CILT(UK) is essential to keeping you moving:
- It provides you with professional resources to support and inform your workplace decisions.
- It provides you with valuable connections so that you can share best practice and stay connected.
- It supports your lifelong learning and provides a range of tools to boost your career development.
- It gives recognition of your status as a trusted professional within the sector
Membership with CIPS offers you:
- Access a wealth of expertise, knowledge, news, analysis, and resources, including guidelines, white papers, tools and templates.
- The way to consolidate your understanding and prove your commitment to ethical behaviour with CIPS online interactive tutorial.
- Network online and offline with CIPS global community of over 200,000 professionals to share ideas, news and best practice.
- Access tools to support your development, including CIPS CPD tracker and career pathway self-assessment tool.
- Access discounts on training, events and business books.