Do you have a sense of foresight and risk management? Are you interested in the processes of the supply chain? If so, this is the course for you.
This programme is also available with an Internationally Incorporated Masters (IIM) specifically designed for the needs of international students.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management is the process of managing a product from creation to transportation. It involves processing orders, storing, moving and delivering goods, but also predicting the future needs of your customers.
On this detail-driven CILT and CIPS-accredited MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management course, our in-house academic experts teach you the vital theory, modes and systems to succeed in this area. You’ll graduate with the ability to plan, predict and perform in an ever-important field. Also available with an optional Industrial Placement.
You’ll learn vital topics of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, such as planning, modelling and analytics, operations management and digital transformation alongside the imperative topics of sustainable procurement, warehouse and global transportation management. You will finish your master's with a detailed report with the support of a dedicated expert supervisor.
“The different modules gave me the tools to solve real logistics and supply chain problems.”
~ Maria de la Luz Lino, MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management
A minimum of a second-class UK degree, or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in a range of academic subjects will be accepted. Quantitative experience desirable.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and those without an honours degree may also be considered on the basis of work experience, professional qualifications and the relevance of the programme to their current professional role.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.
This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.
Examples:
IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
A degree from a UK university
A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
In Stage 1 you will take all 7 compulsory modules and choose 2 further modules from the list of optional modules to complete the stage and tailor your Master's course to your interests. If you wish to apply for MCIPS - the globally recognised standard for procurement and supply management professionals - you will need to take the 'Global Value Chains, Strategy and Development' module.
Have you ever wondered what's involved in manufacturing and delivering a product to your door? A supply chain is the network of individuals and companies involved in creating a product and delivering it to the consumer. Large volumes of data are produced by supply chains, and it’s in using supply chain analytics that we can identify trends and produce insights to make sense of all this data.
Supply chain modelling and analytics skills are in high demand and are a must-have for supply chain management career success. You'll learn to formulate key activities of the supply chain, including networks and routing transportation models, resource allocation and production scheduling models, inventory management models, quality control models and project management. Learn how using analytics techniques, such as forecasting, regression, descriptive analytics, probability and decision analysis and optimisation can improve supply chains’ efficiency and effectiveness by enabling data-driven decisions.
In a growing population, how do business meet the growing demand for consumer goods? How do businesses tackle increased demand while being mindful of costs and margins? You will master inventory techniques, warehousing practices and mathematical models behind solutions that help businesses source, store and deliver their products. You'll understand the tools and techniques behind successful storage and logistics operations in the modern business setting.
Procurement is often the most significant source of immediate and long-term value creation available to any organisation. This module explores the trends and challenges of procurement and discusses its strategic role in supply chain management in today's global and digital environment. The module will also discuss the importance of sustainable procurement in creating new sales opportunities, reducing supply chain risks and providing cost savings. The module will cover the following indicative aspects of procurement:
- Procurement strategy, tactics and operations: the dynamics of make-or-buy decisions, ways of building sourcing competences and capabilities, strategical selection of suppliers and the effective management of their relationship, the ways technology enables access to data on cost structures, supply availability, lead times, financial and operational risks, and service and quality metrics.
- Key procurement issues: pitfalls in outsourcing and protectionism and de-globalisation trends, pressures for time compression, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, Procurement 4.0 as an innovation catalyst and competitive advantage.
- Procurement applications: case studies in projects, services, manufacturing and retail operations from both private and public sectors.
Weekly seminars will utilise contemporary case studies and students will be encouraged to present and explore different procurement strategies in practice.
'Do your research' is a phrase we are all familiar with. But how can we trust the sources we draw on? In an information-rich environment, how can you ensure that the research you do stands out from other sources of knowledge and is seen as trustworthy and valuable?
You'll build understanding of who you are as a researcher and the type of research that is valued in both academic and professional settings. You'll gain the knowledge you need to build a research project from an idea into a mature investigation that can make a novel contribution to broader research debates. Study how to craft research questions, build a sample of respondents, work with databases, design data collection tools, perform quantitative and qualitative analyses of data and communicate your results to the wider world.
Learn how to use an array of research tools to create world-leading research and become known as an innovative and dynamic researcher driving growth and positive change.
New technology drives change, presenting businesses with exciting new opportunities. You'll understand the role digital transformation plays in changing the way services are provided and products are made. Gaining a range of employability skills that enable you to assess and improve operations in a digital world. You’ll be able to use a range of tools and techniques to confidently manage and assess digital transformation in service or manufacturing environments throughout your career.
Simulation Modelling allows you to experiment with digital models of real world processes to make evidence-based decisions. Using industry standard simulation software, you'll develop complex models for a variety of contexts such as healthcare and manufacturing.
You'll gain an understanding of the simulation modelling process so you can go on to develop simulation models and support real world interventions aiming for efficiency and effectiveness in whatever field you want to jump into.
Logistics and supply chain management is a critical component of the global economy. Given the significant planning and operational challenges, which innovative analytical tools are needed to increase the supply chain's efficiency and avoid disruptions?
You’ll be introduced to the realm of designing and managing the processes, assets, flows of material and information required to satisfy customers’ demands. You’ll also be given a set of appropriate analytical techniques that enhance efficiency while designing, planning, executing, controlling, and monitoring supply chain activities.
Learn how to create new opportunities for using supply chain planning as a competitive tool in this new era of globalisation and e-logistics.
Global Value Chains have transformed the nature of trade and foreign direct investment and continue to bring opportunities and challenges for business enterprises around the world. Learn about how you as a manager can develop optimal relationships with your value chain partners, adapt to changing business and industry supply chain circumstances, and make responsible decisions in the context of an uncertain global economy. Evaluate the governance, policy and power relationships that shape global value chains and learn how to manage risk and make your industry supply chains resilient to external shocks. Collaborate with other students on your course to analyse the value chains of real world multinational companies and report on them, developing communication skills that you will be able to boast about.
Imagine holding the power to predict future trends, understand customer behaviour and effectively communicate findings to stakeholders. You'll gain a deep theoretical grasp of big data analytics and visualisation, coupled with hands-on Python programming skills to unlock managerial insights. You'll gain essential tools to harness the power of big data, allowing you to extract valuable insights and create impactful and meaningful visualisations. Unleash the potential of data to drive innovation, fuel growth and make informed, strategic decisions in today's data-driven world.
We’re living in the era of big data. How can you prepare to gain an in-depth understanding of your business data? You’ll understand the fundamental skills by learning basic business statistics as a stepping stone to AI and Python as a programming tool. You’ll be able to write computer programmes in Python and perform inferential reasoning based on data.
Set yourself apart and get ahead in your career when you become an expert in prescriptive analytics and how it can be used for decision-making for businesses. You'll cultivate a deep understanding of quantitative models for decision-making and solution techniques, applying industry-standard software such as Excel/OPL-CPLEX to address real world issues and provide solutions. Gain skills aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, empowering you to deliver actionable recommendations that positively impact businesses, society and the environment. You'll finish this module with the ability to strategically apply diverse optimisation techniques in a real world context. Empowered by this knowledge, you'll be poised to make informed decisions, drive positive change, and advance your career with a unique blend of analytical skills and a commitment to ethical, sustainable and diverse decision-making.
In Stage 2 you will complete your Dissertation and Industry-based Project. This project is a fantastic example of your work, skills and knowledge to show employers after you graduate.
Supply chain and logistics management is an essential component of customer experience and a crucial business role for organisations. It is extremely important to develop transferable intellectual and employability skills to enter the logistics and supply chain management job market.
Working under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you'll work on an industry-based project to solve practical problems that require application-oriented thinking. The problems are varied and interesting, such as routing and distribution, supply chain systems design, strategic role of procurement within an organisation, warehouse layout optimisation, strategic and sustainable sourcing and marketing decisions, offshoring decisions and evaluation and sourcing from international suppliers, contract management, demand forecasting and bus route network design.
Learn how to collect and work on relevant primary data or how to conduct secondary research using documentary records, case notes, archives and other secondary data sources. Develop skills to analyse and present important research findings.
We use a variety of teaching methods, including:
Classroom-based learning is supported by the latest online technologies and learning platforms.
Your progress on this course is assessed through a variety of means, including:
Our lively and active postgraduate community is brought about in part by our strong research culture and by the close community between our staff and students. Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books and embed their research in their teaching.
Students have regular contact with their course and module conveners with staff on hand to answer any questions and to provide helpful and constructive feedback on submitted work. Also, all students on our postgraduate courses take part in our ‘Ambition in Motion’ programme – a set of supportive workshops which ensure that students are progressing through their learning journeys smoothly.
You can also get involved with extra-curricular academic and social activities with guest lectures, talks and workshops organised by our academic staff, research centres and the ASPIRE team.
Our Canterbury campus provides a welcoming environment and a close-knit student community. Kent Business School is based within the Sibson Building which opened in 2017 and its impressive design won the RIBA Regional and National Award. It houses well-equipped lecture and seminar spaces, as well as breakout spaces for group work, Bloomberg suite, computer labs, a dedicated MBA suite, and our ASPIRE Lab Space. There is also a cafe on site.
The School is conveniently located at the University of Kent’s campus, close to continental Europe and with easy access to London. World-famous Canterbury Cathedral is situated in the heart of the historic city centre, just a 25-minute walk or a short bus ride.
Kent Business School has close links with: Universität Innsbruck; Beijing Normal University - Bay Area International Business School; ESSEC Business School; Neoma Business School; Rennes Business School; EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht; Freie Universität Berlin; City University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Baptist University; University of Hong Kong; Institut Teknologi Bandung (The Bandung Institute of Technology); Università Carlo Cattaneo in Castellanza; Università degli Studi di Bologna; Università degli Studi di Firenze (University of Florence); IE Madrid; Stockholm University.
All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.
Our world-class academics influence management strategies and practices world-wide through our outstanding research projects and direct involvements with industry. We address some of the biggest challenges of our time such as sustainability and responsible leadership to drive progress and create better business globally.
At its core, our research strategy is about delivering a sustainable tomorrow - a theme that Kent Business School embodies in all areas. We want to answer the big questions - How can innovation that enables sustainable long-term economic growth be created and supported? How can sustainable business practices improve environmental and social conditions? These are the problems we are here to solve.
We are global leaders advancing knowledge through constant collaboration and promotion of innovative research. We collaborate with local, national and international business, but we don't stop there. We have forged partnerships with other academic institutions and organisations such as the NHS. This wider focus allows us to advance towards our goal of a sustainable tomorrow.
Research Departments
Department of Accounting and Finance – The Department enjoys a significant international presence and reputation in several fields, including critical accounting, accounting history, sustainability accounting, corporate finance, banking and options pricing and performance.
Department for Analytics, Operations and Systems – The Department offers world class education and conducts internationally leading research in operational research, data analytics, operations management, information systems and sustainability.
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and International Business – The Department brings together experts in the areas of three key management disciplines promoting interdisciplinary teaching and research as well as cross interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.
Department of Leadership and Management – The Department is a cross-disciplinary community dedicated to tackling complex business and societal challenges. Our teaching and innovative research encompasses the economic, psychological, social, political, and technological contexts in which organisations operate worldwide.
Research centres
The Centre for Logistics and Sustainability Analytics – The Centre helps companies to address a wide range of transport, logistics, and supply chain problems with sustainability considerations.
The Centre for Productivity and Workplace Performance – The Centre contributes to the evidence base for competitiveness, environmental growth, regional productivity, technology and innovation.
The Centre for Quantitative Finance – Providing quantitative analysis of issues in the financial markets for businesses and policymakers.
Dynamic Publishing
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Journal of Corporate Finance, British Journal of Management, Organizations and Society, European Journal of Operational Research, Journal of Environmental Management, Financial Accountability & Management, Journal of Banking and Finance, Management Science, Transportation Science, International Journal of Operations and Production Management, British Journal of Management, Journal of Business Venturing, Entrepreneurship, Theory and Practice, British Journal of Management, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of World Business, Research Policy, European Journal of Operational Research, European Journal of Marketing, International Journal of Research in Marketing, International Marketing Review.
From the moment you start with us, our efforts are focused on helping you gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive workplace. As part of the course, you may wish to undertake an Industrial Placement or opt for an In-Company Scheme to work on a real business case study as part of your capstone Research project. Go on our Business Start-up Journey and transform your idea into a business through ASPIRE. Our qualified careers practitioners provide support for up to three years after graduation.
Our careers and employability support at Kent Business School is designed to make sure you are ready to hit the ground running when you graduate, when you study with us you can expect:
Additionally, the Postgraduate Employability Edge programme, available to postgraduate students at Kent Business School takes place from Welcome Week until the end of your studies and is designed to enhance your career prospects further.
Our Logistics and Supply Chain Management graduates find work in public and private sectors, both overseas and in the UK, in a wide range of companies and organisations, including:
Many of our students also stay local and find job opportunities regionally in small and medium firms or even set up their own businesses as well-equipped entrepreneurs.
This programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
CIPS offers you complimentary student membership for the duration of the programme. Students who successfully complete this programme and meet the conditions specified may apply for MCIPS, the globally recognised standard for procurement and supply management professionals.
CILT is the UK‘s independent professional body for logistics, supply chains and transport. The CILT network connects members worldwide and is the greatest source of professional expertise for the industry. Accreditation and membership deliver significant benefit in terms of career prospects.
Students who graduate from MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management are exempt from the academic requirement for Chartered Membership, and while studying your student membership is paid for by Kent Business School.
The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Find out more about general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Next steps
Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.
You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.
Supporting your success
Kent ranked top 40 in The Times Good University Guide 2025.
Fees and funding
Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.
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