Strategic Operations and Supply Chain Management (MSc)

Acceptable subjects:

A wide range of subjects accepted in Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, IT, Management, Marketing, and more.

We do not accept the following subjects:

Language Studies – degrees that focus on learning a language or how to translate, such as 'Business English', 'Applied English', or 'Translation', are not acceptable. However, this restriction does not apply to ‘English’ and ‘English literature’ degrees of the kind taught in the UK.

Art/Design/Vocational Studies – degrees that focus on learning a particular form of art, craft or vocation. These include degrees in art, graphic design, photography, television broadcasting, script writing, or performance/dance.

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:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

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

The programme is centered on how to make strategic decisions about the organisation of the movement, transformation, storage and flows of goods, people, data, and money - all to meet certain performance and sustainability criteria across a supply network.  

Each module focuses on specific areas of required knowledge or skills related to these. 

This programme is full-time with a duration of 12 months. It consists of two semesters with a range of compulsory and optional modules, giving you the opportunity to tailor your degree as you wish.

Semester 1 overview

You’ll study topics like:

• The Principles of Supply Chain Management 
• Accounting and Control 
• Strategic Operations Management 

You’ll also have the opportunity to choose optional modules like Simulation, Quantitative Methods, or Service Innovation Management.

Semester 2 overview

You’ll study topics like: 

• Strategic Purchasing and Supply Management 
• Sustainable Operations 
• Strategic Project Management 

Optional modules in semester two include topics like integrated logistics, corporate social responsibility and digital business. 

Your dissertation and related project takes place in semester two and will enable you to gain an in-depth understanding in a chosen area and hone your research and general transferable skills. 

Students who do not wish to undertake their project with an industrial partner may choose to base their dissertation on their own research topic under supervision of an academic supervisor. 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

The learning activities for this course include:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Assessment

Your understanding of the subject matter and your ability to utilise it will be tested through multiple methods of assessment including:

• coursework
• examinations
• a dissertation

Dissertation

Your dissertation offers you the opportunity for an industrial placement. You can arrange this yourself, in consultation with a suitable academic supervisor. Alternatively, you can bid for placements that are organised by the University.

The dissertation project will be undertaken during the summer months after completion of the taught components. The set of available projects is typically announced during the second semester, and students will provide a shortlist of their preferred projects.

Students who are unsuccessful in bidding for an industrial project offered by the University can alternatively base their dissertation on a project proposed by an academic supervisor or their own research project directed by an academic supervisor.

Academic Support

In addition to the scheduled compulsory and optional modules of the programme, you will benefit from access to industrial managers’ insight and support via the University’s Centre for Operational Research, Management Science, and Information Systems (CORMSIS) and the Centre for Applied Science in Project Management (CentasPM).

This includes attendance of practitioner talks organised at the University, and the opportunity to participate in the CORMSIS mentoring scheme in which a manager from a firm may help you towards future job application success.

CentasPM and CORMSIS also typically organise company visits or attendance to certain relevant job fairs. Details of these specific additional features of the programme vary from year on year.

Graduates of this MSc typically work in innovative companies that wish to future-proof themselves by ensuring that they take the right strategic decisions when it comes to procurement and operations.  

Our graduates will be aware of the Sustainable Development Goals and how they can be implemented in international operations and supply networks, responding to an increasing global need for Corporate Social Responsibility.  

The module MANG6390 Academic and Professional Skills for Business will further boost your employability by providing you with transferrable skills that are essential in the modern business world.   

You will also have access to resources available via the UoS Careers and Employability Service and the Careers, Employability, Placements and Alumni Relations (CEPAR). 

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team 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

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £13,000.
• EU and international students pay £25,000.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

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:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice

Southampton Business School Deans International Scholarship

A scholarship of £8,000 is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at Southampton Business School.

Find out more about the Southampton Business School Deans International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at the Southampton Business School.

Find out more about the Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Business School Excellence in English Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students from mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau who are studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at the Southampton Business School.

Find out more about the Southampton Business Excellence in English Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

Application deadlines

This course is now closed to new applications for 2023 entry.  

Each year we get many high-quality applications and places for many of our courses are very competitive.  

Search similar degrees for 2024 entry by browsing our course finder.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. 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, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. 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.

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 will aim to send you a decision 6-8 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

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