Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc

Overview

Operations, logistics and supply chain management sit at the heart of how organisations compete, innovate and respond to global disruption.

On this MSc programme, you will develop the expertise to enhance resilience, boost sustainability, improve visibility, and promote digitalisation across global operations, logistics and supply chain systems.

You will explore:

• operations strategy
• purchasing and supply chain management
• international logistics
• quality improvement
• risk and resilience
• digital supply chains
• data analytics
• sustainable supply chain management

As your ambitions develop, you can shape your learning around the areas that matter most to your future career. These range from procurement, logistics and operations to analytics, project management and supply chain strategy.

You will benefit from a powerful combination of academic insight, professional recognition and applied learning.

The programme is recognised by leading professional bodies across logistics, procurement and transport. This helps you to connect your studies with industry standards and professional development.

You will learn from research active academics and engage with current thinking through:

• the SCORCH research group
• the Critical Materials Circularity Network
• guest lectures
• industry visits
• applied learning opportunities

By the end of the course, you will be ready to:

• make data-driven strategic decisions
• diagnose real-world operations, logistics and supply chain challenges
• develop future-ready networks for a changing world

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation review and recognition of professional qualifications in Europe

Professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by professional bodies to ensure they meet the latest industry practices and regulatory standards. This keeps your degree rigorous, relevant, and highly valued by employers, providing a clear pathway into your chosen career.

If you are studying an accredited degree and considering a career in Europe after graduation, it is important to stay informed about international standards. The best resource for current information is the UK Government's guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states.

This official resource provides essential details on:

• whether your profession is regulated in another country.
• the specific steps you need to take to practice abroad.
• which organisations you should contact to begin the process.

What you'll learn

Our programme will develop your understanding of practical analytical methods. This includes quantitative and qualitative approaches to planning, control and continuous improvement in operations, logistics and supply chain systems

You will learn how data analytics, digital technologies and AI can:

• improve visibility
• support decision-making
• transform operations, logistics and supply chain management

You will understand how sustainability, resilience and risk shape responsible, adaptable and future-ready operations, logistics and supply chain networks

Modules

The module information on our course pages is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Operations, Logistics & Supply Chain Management Programme Community	0
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management	20
Operations Management	20
International Logistics	10
Quality Management, Tools and Techniques	20
Dissertation in Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management	60
Research Methods (OLSCM)	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Supply Chain Resilience and Risk Management	10
Company Financial Reporting	10
Project Management	10
Data Analytics for Managers	10
Supply Chain and Logistics Modelling and Control	10
Digital Logistics and Supply Chain Management	10
Strategic Service Management	10
Sustainable Supply Chain Management	10
Operations Analytics	10
Ecommerce Infrastructure	10
Artificial Intelligence in Business	10

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Our high-quality teaching comprises:

• research-led lectures
• real-world business case studies
• computer lab sessions
• interactive seminars
• industry involvement

Our programme is modular in structure, comprising 180 credits. You’ll take six compulsory modules and three optional modules across the three semesters.

You’ll have the opportunity (subject to application and performance) to work with business partners on a consultancy project or work with a member of SCORCH to conduct a research project.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Computer assessment
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral presentation
• PC examination
• Portfolio
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Research proposal
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Support

Industry experience and international opportunities

You will have opportunities to connect your learning with real business practice. Each year, we arrange industry visits with major local employers. You will gain insight into how operations, logistics and supply chain management work in practice.

Previous visits have included organisations such as:

• Amazon
• Thermo Fisher Scientific
• AkzoNobel

You can also access employability support tailored to this programme. This includes mock interviews and assessment centre practice.

These activities are often delivered with employers and regional partners. Recent contributors have included:

• Capgemini
• Morgan Sindall
• Nissan
• NEPO
• Sunderland Software City

China Internship Scheme

For students eligible to work in China, our China Internship Scheme offers the opportunity of a paid three-month internship with leading employers.

Find out more here: https://www.mshare.cn/

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• academic advisers and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your academic adviser throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Our staff

View profiles of the module leaders for this course:

• Dr Jiayao Hu (Degree Programme Director)
• Professor Christian Hicks
• Professor Jingxin Dong
• Professor Ying Yang
• Dr Haiyan Lu
• Donald Halliday
• Mr David McGeeney
• Mr Nick Howey
• Dr Yan Jiang
• Dr Xiaotian Xie
• Dr Davit Marikyan
• Dr Liucen Pan
• Dr Rohit Sharma
• Dr Xinyue Hao
• Dr Anas Iftikhar

Your development

Professional development

You will be able to:

• integrate evidence from a range of sources to improve the operational performance of organisations
• evaluate evidence critically, reach conclusions and present findings
• solve problems in the context of the business environment
• apply quantitative and qualitative methods to solve specific problems relating to operations, logistics and supply chain management
• contribute effectively to the planning, design and implementation of projects

Research development

You will build the research confidence to investigate real operations, logistics and supply chain management challenges.

Through the Research Methods module and your dissertation, you will learn how to:

• develop a focused and relevant research question
• choose appropriate qualitative, quantitative or mixed research methods
• analyse evidence and translate findings into meaningful insights
• complete an independent dissertation project with guidance from an academic supervisor

Practical skills

You will be able to put appropriate operations strategies in place. These will simultaneously:

• maximise the contribution of operations management, logistics and supply chain management
• optimise the interests of key stakeholders in various organisational environments

You'll learn to systematically collect, analyse and interpret data. You'll use bibliographic skills effectively to:

• review literature
• formulate research questions
• apply appropriate methodologies for problem-solving
• collect data
• synthesise results
• reach logical conclusions

You'll be able to advise how to apply operations, logistics, and supply chain management tools, models and techniques to improve organisational performance.

Pre-Master’s and English Language courses

Need an alternative route to study this course? Our International Study Centre offers Pre-Master’s degrees and English language courses to prepare you for study. 

Explore these courses

Your future

Graduate destinations

Graduates from this course have undertaken various roles, including:

• transportation specialist
• managing director
• head of operations
• enterprise risk manager
• resource delivery manager
• trading and operations manager
• materials control and operations analyst
• graduate procurement engineer
• project manager

Careers

This course prepares you for a wide range of careers with employers, such as:

• NHS
• Indonesia Port Corporation
• P&G
• RLC Group
• Steel Mont Trading Ltd
• PepsiCo
• China Communications Construction Company Ltd
• Petrofac Ltd
• KPMG
• LUKOIL Overseas
• Bosch
• Imperial Logistics
• Kuehne + Nagel
• Amazon
• Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC
• Syngenta
• Johnson & Johnson

Careers support

Career development and employability are woven throughout our teaching, learning and student experience.

The School has dedicated employability support and career spaces to support you on your career journey, both during your studies and for up to three years after graduation.

Find out more about our employability offer

Business School students get access to both the wider University careers service and exclusive Business School events and resources for students. This means you'll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:

• one-to-one career support
• industry-specific career events
• online career learning tools
• career planning and information sessions
• an annual careers week, where careers activity takes place during reading week, where there is a gap in teaching
• networking opportunities
• specialist careers and business start-up support from the University's Careers Service and the Business School's career consultants
• the chance to apply for various work experience opportunities while studying with us

We're also one of 140 business schools worldwide to be accredited by the EQUIS scheme for our managerial and entrepreneurial skills development.

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.

You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.

We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 4,000 students from over 85 countries. This valuable community extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 37,000 alumni in our network, spanning 152 countries
• leading professional and academics who are experts in their field
• businesses and partners in academia 

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix -  a landmark 24 acre hybrid city quarter. It brings together researchers, business and communities with the purpose of helping families, communities and cities around the world live healthier, longer, smarter, and easier lives.

We have two buildings – the Business School and the Frederick Douglass Centre. Both offer a range of purpose-build facilities, including.

• computer clusters housing over 120 PCs, plus open IT spaces for laptops
• seven large lecture theatres, plus a 750-seat auditorium – the largest in the University
• 25 seminar and teaching spaces, many with flexible furniture to accommodate learning
• a dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a mix of space for group work, individual study, or quiet study
• study pods, some with wall mounted screens, and bookable rooms for working in groups or individually
• a contemporary café, refurbished in 2025
• two dedicated hubs for employability support and events
• a Bloomberg lab with over 20 terminals, so you can experience a real trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
• a flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city and St. James’ Park, which doubles up as a large flexible teaching space

Accessibility

The Business School values individual differences and the diversity this brings. Our buildings are accessible and user friendly. We have a range of adjustments that can support you when moving around our buildings, such as lifts and accessible toilets. We also have gender-neutral toilets in the FDC.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2027 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

How to apply

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events