Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc

Overview

Operations, logistics, and supply chain management are now indispensable to the success of modern businesses. These fields are no longer merely opportunities to cut costs or enhance efficiency. They are now critical drivers of innovation and competitive edge. Our programme prepares you to help organisations and society achieve key objectives such as:

• enhancing resilience
• boosting sustainability
• improving visibility
• promoting digitalisation

Our programme is designed for students who wish to take up specialist positions in:

• procurement and sourcing
• supply chain analysis
• logistics and distribution management
• operations planning and management
• project and risk management

You’ll learn:

• operations strategy
• supply chain design and modelling
• digital supply chain and logistics
• multimodal transportation
• risk and resilience management
• sustainable supply chain
• quality and process improvement
• data-driven decision making
• AI and tech-enabled fulfilment
• project management
• research methods

You’ll develop the capability and skills to:

• make data-driven strategic decision in business
• diagnose and solve real-world supply chain and logistics challenges
• develop and optimise future-ready operations, logistics and supply chain networks

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

Our programme will shape your understanding of:

• quantitative and qualitative methods of planning, control and continuous improvement in operations, logistics, and supply chain management
• transforming operations, logistics and supply chain through digital innovation and AI
• sustainable development and its implications in operations, logistics, and supply chain management

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information 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.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

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

Student support

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

• academic staff
• personal tutors 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 personal tutor 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 Ajinkya Tanksale
• Dr Xiaotian Xie
• Dr Davit Marikyan
• Liucen Pan

Your development

Professional skills

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

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.

Postgraduate Study Abroad

Dual Award with Grenoble École de Management

Our new Dual Award programme allows you to spend an additional academic year at Grenoble École de Management in Grenoble, France.

After completing your postgraduate studies with us, you would join the last year of their Grande École programme, Masters in Management - M2 year.

On successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded:

• your Newcastle University degree
• an MSc in Management from Grenoble

As part of the Grenoble programme, you will need to either:

• complete an internship (minimum duration 13 weeks, full time), or
• provide evidence of equivalent work experience, either in France or in another country

Please note that students who complete this scheme will not be eligible for the UK graduate work visa.

Semester abroad

The Postgraduate Semester Abroad is an opportunity to study a complementary subject for one semester at a European partner university. You would study with the partner university on an exchange basis.

The experience takes place at the end of your studies, once you have submitted your dissertation/final project. You'll develop new skills to set you apart from other graduates.

Studies undertaken at a partner university will not count towards a double/dual degree award. However, you'll receive a transcript from your host university evidencing your achievements.

Please note that students who complete this scheme will not be eligible for the UK graduate work visa.

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

Industry visits

Each year we arrange an industry visit and invite guest speakers from industry to share their experiences and insights with you.

Guaranteed Internship Scheme

We offer internship opportunities in collaboration with mShare. This gives selected students the chance to gain a paid, three-month internship with leading employers. This is open to those eligible to work in China. It is a valuable opportunity to apply your learning in a real-world business environment and enhance your career prospects. You can find out more at https://www.mshare.cn/

Careers support

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

The School has dedicated employability support and career spaces in the School to support our students on their career journey both during their studies and for up to three years after they finish.

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 a gap in classes
• networking opportunities
• specialist careers and business start-up support from the University's Careers Service and the Business School's careers 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 Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

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 academe

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 and funding

Tuition fees for 2026 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 here.

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. 

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.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course.

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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