Overview
Supply chains collapsed and recovered in public view — expertise is in demand. This MSc covers procurement strategy, warehouse and transport optimisation, demand forecasting, and supply-chain risk. Case studies span automotive, e-commerce, pharmaceutical cold chains, and UN humanitarian logistics. You will use Excel, ERP concepts, and network design principles to deliver measurable cost and service improvements.
MSc Supply Chain & Logistics is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 18 months, and the credit total is 36. Students move from Supply Chain Strategy through Supply Chain Strategy; Procurement & Supplier Management; Inventory & Warehouse Management; Transport & Distribution; Demand Planning & Forecasting; Global Trade & Customs, and finish on Supply Chain Capstone Project.
Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students find where time or cost is lost and recommend one operational change. Reading is a process map, a capacity note, and a disruption case. The artefact a marker expects is a recommendation for one lane, site, or service with the cost and the risk.
The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Design distribution networks balancing cost and resilience Negotiate supplier contracts with TCO analysis Implement inventory policies using forecasting models
Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass.
The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Who This Programme Is For
- ✦Operations and logistics managers in manufacturing and retail
- ✦Procurement specialists seeking strategic credentials
- ✦Humanitarian logisticians formalising field experience
Faculty spotlight
Professor Daniel Osei, former UN logistics officer, teaches humanitarian supply chains; Dr. Priya Sharma leads demand-planning analytics.
Programme Structure & Delivery
Coursework
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Assessment
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Learning Outcomes
- ✦Design distribution networks balancing cost and resilience
- ✦Negotiate supplier contracts with TCO analysis
- ✦Implement inventory policies using forecasting models
- ✦Assess ESG and carbon impact across supply chains
- ✦Lead cross-border customs and compliance workflows
Career Pathways
- ✦Supply Chain Manager
- ✦Logistics Director
- ✦Procurement Lead
- ✦Demand Planner
- ✦Humanitarian Logistics Coordinator
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
Curriculum
Term 1
SC501Supply Chain Strategy- SC501-M1 · Order, nodes, delay, and a flow map — Supply Chain Strategy
- SC501-M2 · Demand, capacity, stock, and stock-out — Supply Chain Strategy
- SC501-M3 · A break in the chain and the response — Supply Chain Strategy
- SC501-M4 · Cost, time, and who pays for the buffer — Supply Chain Strategy
- SC501-M5 · One lane, site, or corridor — Supply Chain Strategy
- SC501-M6 · A change recommendation with cost and risk — Supply Chain Strategy
3 creditsSC502Procurement & Supplier Management- SC502-M1 · Order, nodes, delay, and a flow map — Procurement & Supplier Management
- SC502-M2 · Demand, capacity, stock, and stock-out — Procurement & Supplier Management
- SC502-M3 · A break in the chain and the response — Procurement & Supplier Management
- SC502-M4 · Cost, time, and who pays for the buffer — Procurement & Supplier Management
- SC502-M5 · One lane, site, or corridor — Procurement & Supplier Management
- SC502-M6 · A change recommendation with cost and risk — Procurement & Supplier Management
3 creditsSC503Inventory & Warehouse Management- SC503-M1 · Order, nodes, delay, and a flow map — Inventory & Warehouse Management
- SC503-M2 · Demand, capacity, stock, and stock-out — Inventory & Warehouse Management
- SC503-M3 · A break in the chain and the response — Inventory & Warehouse Management
- SC503-M4 · Cost, time, and who pays for the buffer — Inventory & Warehouse Management
- SC503-M5 · One lane, site, or corridor — Inventory & Warehouse Management
- SC503-M6 · A change recommendation with cost and risk — Inventory & Warehouse Management
3 creditsSC504Transport & Distribution- SC504-M1 · Order, nodes, delay, and a flow map — Transport & Distribution
- SC504-M2 · Demand, capacity, stock, and stock-out — Transport & Distribution
- SC504-M3 · A break in the chain and the response — Transport & Distribution
- SC504-M4 · Cost, time, and who pays for the buffer — Transport & Distribution
- SC504-M5 · One lane, site, or corridor — Transport & Distribution
- SC504-M6 · A change recommendation with cost and risk — Transport & Distribution
3 creditsTerm 2
SC505Demand Planning & Forecasting- SC505-M1 · Order, nodes, delay, and a flow map — Demand Planning & Forecasting
- SC505-M2 · Demand, capacity, stock, and stock-out — Demand Planning & Forecasting
- SC505-M3 · A break in the chain and the response — Demand Planning & Forecasting
- SC505-M4 · Cost, time, and who pays for the buffer — Demand Planning & Forecasting
- SC505-M5 · One lane, site, or corridor — Demand Planning & Forecasting
- SC505-M6 · A change recommendation with cost and risk — Demand Planning & Forecasting
3 creditsSC506Global Trade & Customs- SC506-M1 · Order, nodes, delay, and a flow map — Global Trade & Customs
- SC506-M2 · Demand, capacity, stock, and stock-out — Global Trade & Customs
- SC506-M3 · A break in the chain and the response — Global Trade & Customs
- SC506-M4 · Cost, time, and who pays for the buffer — Global Trade & Customs
- SC506-M5 · One lane, site, or corridor — Global Trade & Customs
- SC506-M6 · A change recommendation with cost and risk — Global Trade & Customs
3 creditsSC507Supply Chain Analytics- SC507-M1 · The question, the unit of analysis, and data quality — Supply Chain Analytics
- SC507-M2 · Features, baselines, and error — Supply Chain Analytics
- SC507-M3 · Validation, leakage, and what the model must not decide — Supply Chain Analytics
- SC507-M4 · Monitoring, drift, and human review — Supply Chain Analytics
- SC507-M5 · Interpretation for a non-technical decision maker — Supply Chain Analytics
- SC507-M6 · A supervised project with method, result, and limitation — Supply Chain Analytics
3 creditsSC508Sustainable & Resilient Supply Chains- SC508-M1 · System boundary, constraint, and actors — Sustainable & Resilient Supply Chains
- SC508-M2 · Indicators, sources of error, and a better measure — Sustainable & Resilient Supply Chains
- SC508-M3 · Two options on cost, time, and downside — Sustainable & Resilient Supply Chains
- SC508-M4 · Safety, environmental limit, and who bears the risk — Sustainable & Resilient Supply Chains
- SC508-M5 · A site, grid, or product decision — Sustainable & Resilient Supply Chains
- SC508-M6 · A recommendation with evidence and residual risk — Sustainable & Resilient Supply Chains
3 creditsTerm 3
SCM509Global Logistics Infrastructure & Ports- SCM509-M1 · System boundary, constraint, and actors — Global Logistics Infrastructure & Ports
- SCM509-M2 · Indicators, sources of error, and a better measure — Global Logistics Infrastructure & Ports
- SCM509-M3 · Two options on cost, time, and downside — Global Logistics Infrastructure & Ports
- SCM509-M4 · Safety, environmental limit, and who bears the risk — Global Logistics Infrastructure & Ports
- SCM509-M5 · A site, grid, or product decision — Global Logistics Infrastructure & Ports
- SCM509-M6 · A recommendation with evidence and residual risk — Global Logistics Infrastructure & Ports
3 creditsSCM510Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Governance- SCM510-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Governance
- SCM510-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Governance
- SCM510-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Governance
- SCM510-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Governance
- SCM510-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Governance
- SCM510-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Governance
3 creditsSCM511Supply Chain Capstone Project- SCM511-M1 · Order, nodes, delay, and a flow map — Supply Chain Capstone Project
- SCM511-M2 · Demand, capacity, stock, and stock-out — Supply Chain Capstone Project
- SCM511-M3 · A break in the chain and the response — Supply Chain Capstone Project
- SCM511-M4 · Cost, time, and who pays for the buffer — Supply Chain Capstone Project
- SCM511-M5 · One lane, site, or corridor — Supply Chain Capstone Project
- SCM511-M6 · A change recommendation with cost and risk — Supply Chain Capstone Project
6 creditsAdmission requirements
Academic entry
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (minimum 2:2 or GPA 2.5/4.0)
English language
- English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)
Documents
- Statement of Purpose (500 words minimum) outlining your goals and fit for the programme
- Two academic or professional references with contact details
- CV or résumé documenting relevant education and professional experience
Programme questions
How long is the MSc Supply Chain & Logistics?+
The published duration is 18 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
Can I study this from my country?+
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
What does it cost?+
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
What are the entry requirements?+
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
How is the programme assessed?+
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Will this award be recognised where I live?+
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
How do I apply?+
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.
