The importance of supply chain management 

Supply chains underpin global trade and are becoming increasingly complex, connected and data-driven. Organisations need professionals who can design resilient, sustainable and efficient supply chains while responding to disruption, technological change and evolving customer expectations. 

Our MSc Supply Chain Management is designed for graduates from a broad range of disciplines who want to build a career in supply chain management and logistics. It is also suitable for professionals looking to strengthen their analytical, operational and supply chain expertise.

From semester two, you'll choose one of two specialist pathways: 

  • Supply Chain Analytics – develop expertise in quantitative modelling, data science, AI applications and optimisation for evidence-based supply chain decision-making.
  • Supply Chain Management – focus on strategic and organisational challenges, including resilience, procurement and sustainability in global supply chains. 

Both pathways share a common core, ensuring all students build a strong analytical and operational foundation before specialising. 

Learn how to solve real-world supply chain challenges

Develop the analytical, technical and managerial skills needed to tackle complex supply chain problems. You'll gain practical experience in demand and supply management, inventory optimisation, logistics and transportation planning, network design and supplier development through real-world case studies and industry-focused learning. 

Core modules cover mathematical modelling, optimisation, statistics, data analysis and machine learning, before you specialise through your chosen pathway in semester two. Alongside technical expertise, you'll strengthen your leadership, communication and problem-solving skills through collaborative learning and an industry-focused Capstone project. 

Explore contemporary supply chain issues

Examine the challenges shaping modern supply chains, including digitalisation, systemic resilience, sustainability, procurement strategy and the transition to net zero. 

Through your chosen pathway, you will explore these issues from different perspectives: using quantitative modelling, data science and optimisation in Supply Chain Analytics, or examining strategic, organisational and case-based approaches in Supply Chain Management.

MSc Supply Chain Management

The aims of this module are:

  • To provide students with an in-depth understanding of the principles of data analysis in the context of analytics and management science problems.
  • To enable students to develop numerical reasoning, analytical skills and competency to apply a range of statistical models to datasets and interpret their results.
  • To provide students with practical experience of analysing real world datasets using analytics software tools such as SAS or equivalent.
  • To provide a firm basis for the Customer Analytics module in semester 2.

The aims of this module are:

  • To provide an understanding of the techniques and tools used to model and support management decisions.
  • To develop skills in analysing and modelling management situations and in applying the models, methods and computer software to address the decision problems faced.
  • To develop the ability of interpreting and analysing solution results and computer software outputs in the business and management context.

The aims of this module are:

  • To understand various processes involved in big data analytics.
  • To understand and experience python and other programming approaches to big data.
  • To develop a critical and practical appreciation of activities and factors involved in organising big data analytics initiatives and projects.
  • To understand the skills and capabilities required for leading big data analytics applications.
  • To build the project management skills required for successful leadership of big data analytics initiatives and projects.

The aims of this module are:

  • To introduce a range of fundamental analytical tools and techniques to design and plan integrated supply chain and logistics operations.
  • To develop skills in applying predictive and prescriptive techniques to solve decision making problems related to these operations.

The aims of this module are:

  • To develop an understanding of research design in the context of a supply chain management project.
  • To equip students with the skills required to define a supply chain management problem, review the relevant literature, and decide a methodological approach for data collection and analysis.

A central component of the programme is the MIT SCALE Connect residential, which takes place over three weeks at the MIT campus in Boston Massachusetts, and involves participants from across the Global SCALE Network.

During this period, students will engage in a series of career development workshops, seminars, and industry talks.

They will also receive advanced training in areas such as data visualisation, Python, machine learning, and Llamasoft, and participate in facility tours and team-based challenges.

The residential concludes with a Research Expo, where students present their work on industry-sponsored and other real-world research projects.

Post-MITx MicroMasters in Supply Chain Management

The aims of this module are:

  • To develop an understanding of research design in the context of a supply chain management project.
  • To equip students with the skills required to define a supply chain management problem, review the relevant literature, and decide a methodological approach for data collection and analysis.

A central component of the programme is the MIT SCALE Connect residential, which takes place over three weeks at the MIT campus in Boston Massachusetts, and involves participants from across the Global SCALE Network.

During this period, students will engage in a series of career development workshops, seminars, and industry talks.

They will also receive advanced training in areas such as data visualisation, Python, machine learning, and Llamasoft, and participate in facility tours and team-based challenges.

The residential concludes with a Research Expo, where students present their work on industry-sponsored and other real-world research projects.

MSc Supply Chain Management & Post-MITx MicroMasters in Supply Chain Management

Analytics pathway

The aims of this module are:

  • To develop an understanding of research design in the context of a supply chain management project.
  • To equip students with the skills required to define a supply chain management problem, review the relevant literature, and decide a methodological approach for data collection and analysis.

The aims of this module are:

  • To cover a wide range of approaches to machine learning for a better understanding of enterprises, business and market, and enhanced business decision-making.
  • To develop the ability to interpret analytical information with emphasis on the use of industry-leading software tools.
  • To develop skills in analysis and modelling of management situations and a sophisticated approach to evaluation of alternatives in complex scenarios.

The aims of this module are:

  • To introduce key decisions and challenges of supply chain planning and network design in the uncertain environment of contemporary supply chains with multiple business objectives.
  • To equip students with skills in applying fundamental quantitative methods to address real world motivated supply chain network design and planning problems.

The aims of this module are:

  • To introduce and discuss the predominant contemporary topics in supply chain management including digitalisation, circular economy and supply chain resilience.
  • To illustrate the complexity of global supply networks in a wide range of industries.

The aim of this module is to give students an understanding of how to manage projects and their risks for both the individual managing their own and for the team leader managing a larger-scale project. The emphasis is on getting a quality product or service delivered on time and within budget.

Management pathway

The aims of this module are:

  • To develop an understanding of research design in the context of a supply chain management project.
  • To equip students with the skills required to define a supply chain management problem, review the relevant literature, and decide a methodological approach for data collection and analysis.

The aims of this module are: 

  • to develop an understanding of supply chain resilience, including risk, vulnerability and disruption in complex global supply chains; 
  • to evaluate strategies and interventions that enhance resilience, including flexibility, collaboration and digital enablers; 
  • to develop the ability to analyse and respond to real-world disruption scenarios through effective response and recovery planning. 

The aims of this module are: 

  • to examine the role of procurement and supply management in delivering organisational value and supporting supply chain performance; 
  • to explore sourcing strategies, supplier relationship management and purchasing decisions across different organisational contexts; 
  • to develop the ability to evaluate procurement strategies in relation to cost efficiency, resilience and sustainability objectives. 

The aims of this module are: 

  • to develop an understanding of sustainability principles and their application to global supply chain management; 
  • to explore environmental, social and economic trade-offs in supply chain design and decision-making; 
  • to evaluate tools and strategies for improving sustainability performance, including circular economy approaches and net zero initiatives.  

The aim of this module is to give students an understanding of how to manage projects and their risks for both the individual managing their own and for the team leader managing a larger-scale project. The emphasis is on getting a quality product or service delivered on time and within budget.

MSc Supply Chain Management & Post-MITx MicroMasters in Supply Chain Management

The aims of this module are:

  • To develop knowledge of the fundamental steps required to complete and deliver a research project in a supply chain management context.
  • To provide students with the opportunity to apply appropriate analytical methods, techniques and tools to solve a business problem of supply chain operations planning.
  • To integrate theoretical subject-specific knowledge with a practical application in coordination with industry experts or researchers.
  • To develop an understanding of research design in the context of a supply chain management project.

The following information is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study. Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes - revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please also see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.