BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management

BSc (Hons)

Summary

Study level
Award
Part time
3 years+
Location
Online
Faculty of Business

What makes Arden University special?

Education
Education for everyone, everywhere
Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.
Where to study
You decide how and where to study
We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.
Support
Full support both online and on-site
We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.
Employability
Strong focus on employability
You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

The BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management course at Arden provides you with the real-world skills, knowledge, and competencies you need to start or progress your career in supply chain and logistics. This course has been created with in-depth consultation with leading employers in the sector to ensure that you graduate with the up-to-date, practical abilities that employers need right now.

Studying your degree in supply chain and logistics with us means you’ll be taught and supported by lecturers with extensive professional experience at companies. The team behind this course have also been instrumental in commercial and policy formation of supply chains with the European Commission and the UK Government. Because of our extensive industry links, including with member organisations of the UK’s NOVUS Trust network, we’re able to present you with real business problems during your degree. This will allow you to develop a thorough and in-depth understanding of the industry and the real-world challenges you’ll face in your future career. Importantly, you’ll find that the course takes a systematic view to logistics and supply chain, with each module building on the knowledge gained in the previous one, with interconnected content that helps you accumulate new skills in a logical sequence. 

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). This offers full exemption from the educational requirements for Chartered Membership of both CILT and CIPS, providing you with access to a wealth of industry resources, and speeding up your journey to Chartered Membership of CILT. 

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Professional Accreditation
The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). This offers full exemption from the educational requirements for Chartered Membership of CILT and CIPS, as well as speeding up your time to Chartered Member status of CILT.

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Course details and modules

For any business looking to make their logistics and supply chain operations more efficient, taking advantage of the latest developments in logistics and supply chain is crucial.  Our CILT and CIPS accredited BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management course will engage and inspire you through course modules that have been devised by our faculty of experienced supply chain practitioners to give your studies a ‘real world’ focus. The course takes a logical, sequential approach to supply chain, where each subject module builds on the knowledge of the previous one with interconnected content to help build on your understanding and knowledge. The course also focuses on hands-on, real-world skills so that you’ll graduate with practical experience you can apply in the workplace.

Clare Gillon

The staff and the support along the way has been amazing. Any questions or enquiries are answered. I cannot thank the admissions team enough for their part in advising and supporting me through this course. It is a big step to make and having the support through the whole process really helped.

Clare Gillon
MA Strategic Marketing - Online

Modules

You have 3-9 years to complete this course, which means you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete the course within 3 to 6 years.

  • Business Research Methods and Analysis
  • Business Consulting
  • Principles of Procurement and Contract Management
  • Governance in a Global Business Environment
  • Introduction to Project Management
  • Digital Skills & Professional Development
  • Technology and Innovation
  • Operations & Supply Chain Management
  • Agile and Hybrid Project Management
  • Sustainable & Circular Supply Chains
  • Applied Logistics Management
  • Operational Risk & Resilience
  • Digital & Social Media Marketing
  • AI and Big Data Analytics 
  • Digital Supply Chain 4.0
  • Quality Management
  • Strategic Supply Chain Management
  • Social Value Supply Chain
  • Final Project

How do we assess you?

Assessments

Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you won’t be sitting any exams on this course. Assessments on our bachelor’s in logistics and supply chain management have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-world scenarios. This means you’ll have the opportunity to align your studies to how you’ll help transform your future employer’s supply chain operations and functions once you have completed the course. 

Practice-driven

Your course assessments will be practice-driven, focusing on your experience as an industry practitioner while encouraging peer-to-peer sharing and ideation. This modern approach will encourage you to apply your knowledge to organisational challenges systematically and with an in-depth awareness of what is at stake. 

Business Project

The BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management concludes with an independent study assessment which forms your Business Project module. Here you’ll have the opportunity to work on a live topic provided by one of our industry network partners – presenting your findings and solutions to a real-world organisation. This will give you highly advantageous networking opportunities alongside assessment, as you’ll be able to demonstrate your skills and knowledge to potential employers even before you graduate. 

Other assessment methods

Throughout the course you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning through additional assessments including:

Reflective analyses
Logistics and supply chain plans
Stakeholder engagement plans
Logistics and supply chain models and engines
Software appraisals work
Logistics and supply chain transformation strategies

Study options

The course is available to students via online learning. This gives you the convenience of being able to study from anywhere in the UK or worldwide, providing you with the same high standards of teaching but with lower tuition fees.

Abdulrahaman Usman

As a mature student the key factors that I wanted when deciding which university was best for me was quality content, a flexible learning schedule, and programme accreditation. During my research I found that Arden really stood out, and I could study without having to give up my job.

Abdulrahaman Usman
Master of Business Administration

Part time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the Bsc (Hons) Supply Chain Management online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location. 

Our online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud.  ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have your Kindle handy. 

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning. 

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Learn more about online learning

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled on your Supply Chain Management degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.
 
Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

  • Office 365 subscription
  • Integrated zoom video conferencing
  • Careers support in-person and online available through Arden Futures, your careers platform, to help you throughout your career journey whether you are a Career Starter, Changer or Developer
  • Free online access to our Library Portal, which includes thousands of eBooks and journals, as well as industry databases which we’ve carefully hand-picked to support your studies – all yours for free while you study with us.
  • Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management course, you must normally have:

  • Two subjects at GCE A-Level or equivalent, plus passes at grade C or above in three subjects at GCSE level or equivalent. 
  • If you don’t currently hold the above qualifications, we also offer this course with an additional foundation year, which is designed for students who need extra support when starting their degree course.

English proficiency

  • IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
  • Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency. More information can be found here.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Course fees and funding

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Use the dropdown above to find course fees and funding information for your country. If you can’t find information for your country in the dropdown, visit our International support page.

Meet the faculty

Professor Dilshad Sheikh

Here at Arden University we strive to provide a fresh and unique approach to your business and management education. With ideas and experiences taken from employers and thought leaders across the world, we give you the opportunity to put proven business skills and techniques into practice during your studies. I look forward to welcoming you to the Arden University family.

Professor Dilshad Sheikh
Dean of the Faculty of Business

Career prospects

Graduates with skills in logistics and supply chain management are important to any business that offers a service or product, so the career opportunities are huge. This is one of the few areas that touches almost every industry, and has employment opportunities globally. Our logistics and supply chain lecturers are all highly experienced professionals from the sector. They have strong links to the industry and understand how to help you identify career opportunities both nationally and globally. Logistics and supply chain is also a great industry to work in if you like the idea of working for household name brands such as Apple, Amazon, Cargolux, Hilton Hotels, McDonalds, Phillips, and Tesco. Our lecturers have held senior positions in supply chain with these companies and so are perfectly placed to guide your future career success. On the course you’ll also have regular guest speaker events from prominent figures in the industry, giving you even more opportunity to network, ask questions, and develop your career.

What will the BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management do for me?

Your course will focus strongly on real-world practice, giving you the opportunity to apply what you learn to real business scenarios. Guest speakers and lecturers from industry will also inform you about the latest developments in the sector as you progress through your studies. Studying the BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management with us is your opportunity to:

  • Understand business research methods and analysis
  • Understand business Consulting and the global business environment 
  • Learn fundamental skills in project management
  • Develop skills in operations and supply chain management 
  • Learn about the principles of procurement 
  • Understand sustainable and circular supply chain management
  • Learn about applied logistics management
  • Develop skills in digital analytics and digital supply chain 4.0
  • Understand the importance of quality management
  • Gain multifunctional skills that will maximise your employability and career potential.
  • According to the 2022 CIPS Procurement Salary Guide, 56% of employers request MCIPS or studying towards it when recruiting.
  • Employees with CIPS credentials earn an average of 21% more than those without.

What can I do after Arden University?

The BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management will help you develop the skills you need to accelerate your career in the logistics and supply chain sector. The course has been extensively informed by leading names in industry including Amazon, Mail, Kuehne & Nagel, Coca Cola, and Nestlé, who have identified current skills gaps in supply chain across the global workforce. This means you’ll learn skills and competencies that are needed today by some of the world’s most prominent and influential employers. So whether you want to join or continue working for an already established business, start your own company, or become a consultant, the course will give you everything you need to explore multiple career paths. Some roles you may want to consider after graduation include: 

Logistics manager
Supply chain manager
Supply chain solution analyst
Strategic sourcing manager
Buyer
Procurement manager/specialist
Commodities manager
Quality manager
Production planner
Purchasing manager

Industry skills

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)

Established in 1919, CILT is the leading professional body for those involved in the movement of goods and people and their associated supply chains worldwide. Bringing together the five distinct communities of Logistics & Freight Movement, People Mobility, Planning in Transport, Operations and Supply Chain Management and Sustainability & the Global Community, they provide specialist activities and multi-sector engagement through their associated forums and policy groups. 

Having received accreditation from CILT, the programme now offers you full exemption from the educational requirements for Chartered Membership, helping speed along your Chartered Member status and aiding your career progression possibilities. You can also become a CILT member for a discounted fee of only £39 per year during your studies, giving you access to a range of valuable industry resources and professional development and networking opportunities.

Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)

As a CIPS-accredited degree, this programme offers full exemption from the educational requirements for Chartered Membership. You’ll also have free membership to the CIPS throughout your studies, giving you access to a wealth of valuable academic and professional resources. These include the CIPS intelligence hub and Supply Management magazine, self-assessment tools, career and continued professional development support, and global networking opportunities. And you’ll have the opportunity to sit the CIPS Ethical Procurement and Supply certificate free of charge, which is a prerequisite for Chartered Membership. 

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) membership.

Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.

This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.

Business Graduates Association (BGA)

The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.

As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

  • Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with our curriculum and your career goals.
  • Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
  • Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.