About this course
Gain the expertise to manage the movement of goods, people, data or money across a supply chain on this master’s degree course at the University of Southampton. You’ll develop advanced management and analytical skills, and have the chance to work on a real business project during a 3-month industry placement. You’ll be taught by academics from one of the country’s leading analytics research groups, and graduate with the skills and knowledge for a successful career in logistics.
On this MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Analytics degree, you'll learn advanced management skills and the ability to use data to make good business decisions. You'll gain a thorough grounding in:
- integrated and international logistics supply chain management
- software and programming skills
- quantitative, qualitative and technical skills
You'll graduate from the course knowing how to:
- formulate a hypothesis and use data to test it
- use analytical techniques to support decision making
- develop computer-based decision support systems to gain insight from data
We'll give you plenty of support before and during the project, including seminars and workshops, to help you get the most from your placement.
The course is taught in association with the University's cross-disciplinary Centre of Operational Research, Management Sciences and Information Systems (CORMSIS), one of the largest groups of its kind in the UK. This means you'll benefit from a wider choice of optional modules which you can use to pursue your own interests or career plans.
Course lead
Your course leader is Dr Edilson Arruda, Lecturer in Business Analytics. His research focuses on optimisation under uncertainty, with an emphasis on societal and industrial applications, such as healthcare modelling and optimisation, logistics and supply chains, inventory management and queueing models.
Accreditations
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in:
- business
- economics
- science
- engineering
- IT
- management
We might consider other subjects if you can show evidence of quantitative study.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 7.0
- reading
- 6.5
- writing
- 6.5
- speaking
- 6.5
- listening
- 6.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
This is full-time master’s course. Your studies will last a full 12 months.
For the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2) you'll focus on the taught part of your course.
Each semester is made up of a combination of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules that we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options.
For the remainder of the course, you’ll work independently on your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
The overreaching goal of this module is to develop your quantitative problem solving skills by improving your algorithmic thinking and computer implementation skills. The module aims to provide you with in-depth knowledge about the contemporary optimisati...
The international logistics module provides a sound foundation in international logistics management in terms of road, rail, air and sea freight transport. The focus is primarily from a user perspective in order to provide a logistics and supply chain man...
This module provides a broad overview of topics relevant to contemporary principles and sustainable Supply Chain Management. It acts as a foundation for your further investigation into areas pertinent to your career choice(s) as well as an integrative mod...
This module provides a practical introduction to the theories and techniques of simulation. The approach taken is very broad and covers different forms of simulation, including discrete event simulation, system dynamics and agent-based modelling. The mod...
Strategic Purchasing and Supply Management aims to provide students with an appreciation and understanding of the roles and position of strategic purchasing and supply within the organisation, the processes that support it, and the implications of electro...
You must also choose from the following modules:
This module aims to develop your capabilities of addressing behavioural issues in an operational context. It goes beyond the typical focus on single decisions taken by an individual to decision making—possibly involving some strategic considerations—in wh...
The module will start by defining the concept of data analytics and the CRISP-DM process as consisting of three steps: data pre-processing, data mining and post-processing. Next, we will zoom into the data mining step and distinguish three types of data ...
The dissertation stage of your Postgraduate programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a 15,000 word dissertation describing your work. You will attend 10 sessions where you will work ...
Logistics studies the optimal planning and control of materials, information, and cash-flows through the processes of transformation, transportation, and storage within a system. Integrated logistics studies the management of the logistics across multipl...
This module will provide you with a sound foundation in the application of the many tools and techniques of management science. You are expected to learn the tools and the applications of modelling, optimization, computing and programming in solving pract...
Project risk management has evolved significantly over many years, but there are conflicting views about what constitutes best practice. This course provides an overview of best practice as outlined in the course text with a critical comparison of alterna...
The module teaches the students the fundamentals of writing structured computer programs and good computer programming practice, also focussing on some special features of python which make it especially useful for Data and Decision Science. In its second...
The ability to make effective decisions in the face of risk and uncertainty is essential to success in today’s fast changing world. This module seeks to equip you with the knowledge of decision-making processes and models that will help you achieve this o...
The summer project dissertation stage of your Master's programme involves direct work with a company where you will need to develop a solution for a real problem they currently propose, as discussed in the project brief, and the preparation of a 15,000 wo...
Security management is an essential activity in most organisations, with poor security practices often playing a key role in organisational failure and crises. This has resulted in a need for individuals with specialist knowledge in organisational securit...
Learning and assessment
Learning
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Assessment
We’ll assess you through:
- coursework
- essays
- group assignments
- written exams
- a dissertation
Dissertation
You’ll carry out a research project resulting in a 15,000-word dissertation, on a subject of your choice (to be agreed with your supervisor).
The project is a chance for you to develop your research skills and show in-depth knowledge of your chosen subject.
You might have the chance to complete your project as a 3-month summer placement with an external organisation. We place more than 50 students in external projects every year.
Academic Support
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers
As a graduate of this course, your expertise will be in demand across the manufacturing, retail and transportation sectors.
You could choose to join one of the specialist consultancy firms or software development companies that offer support to large companies in areas such as:
- distribution network planning
- vehicle route planning
- public transport
- warehouse management
- location decision support
- healthcare logistics
- workforce planning
Typical roles include:
- supply chain analyst
- logistics planner
- logistics engineer
- supply chain manager
- supplier relationship manager
- inventory and warehouse manager
- vehicle fleet manager
The summer placement is a great opportunity to put your skills into practice and gain professional experience on a real industry project.
Our partner organisations include:
- British Airways
- Carnival
- Deloitte Analytics
- National Air Traffic Services
- NHS
- Royal Mail
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £13,000.
- EU and international students pay £25,000.
Deposit
When you accept your offer to study on this course you’ll be asked to pay a deposit. This is non-refundable. The deposit amount is:
- UK students: £250
- EU and international students: £1,000
Full terms and conditions and details of how to pay this deposit will be sent to you in your offer letter.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.
International students
We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.
We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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