Postgraduate Course

MSc International Logistics and Supply Chain Management

How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: International Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Southend Campus

Based in: Essex Business School

In order to gain a competitive edge for management roles in the logistics and transport sectors international logistics and supply chain managers need to use data and analytics to improve business performance.

MSc International Logistics and Supply Chain Management trains you in analytical approaches and applying management techniques to solve business problems arising from supply chains, including areas such as transportation, warehousing and inventory and supplier relations. It has been designed with industry input in response to sector skills gaps and is located at our Southend campus, close to London's major port, providing potential opportunities for site visits and placements.

You explore topics including:

global supply chain management, planning and control
international operations management
business analytics, applied statistics and forecasting
environmentally-friendly logistics
logistics planning and control
business strategy and strategic management
innovation management

This course draws upon Essex Business School's strengths in big data and analytics to help you be a more effective logistics manager.

We develop your practical skills in data analysis so you can better understand markets, consumers and competitors to improve business performance. Computer-generated simulations expose you to a range of business scenarios, helping you to understand how managers and entrepreneurs use analytics to solve logistics problems.

Another unique feature of this course is a focus on green logistics, addressing employer needs for greater training in this area.

With organisations coming under increasing pressure to manage issues around waste, recycling, transportation and raw materials, many businesses lack qualified staff who can ensure compliance with environmental law. We can equip you with the knowledge and skills to design and operate efficient and sustainable supply chains and logistics networks to give you a distinct career advantage.

Professional accreditation

CILT accreditation offers the students an introduction to a professional body. Students studying on an accredited course will receive an exemption from the academic requirements for membership at either Chartered Member or membership level of the CILT. It may also reduce the length of experience that they would also require.

Why we're great.

Become an expert in a field that is of crucial importance to business today.
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT) meaning you can be confident you're developing relevant professional skills.
Take advantage of the benefits of studying close to London's major logistics hubs.

Our expert staff

Based in Southend-on-Sea, members of the Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship Group have well-established reputations for research in:

entrepreneurship and innovation, with a special focus on under-represented groups
global sustainable supply chains
international business, particularly with reference to emerging markets
research and development management
data analytics
corporate social responsibility activities

During your course, you'll have the opportunity to learn from Professor Niraj Kumar, Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at Essex Business School.

Professor Kumar has published extensively on various aspects of operations and supply chain management in reputed international journals and books. His research interests are primarily in sustainable operations and supply chain management; food supply chains; supply chain innovation and big data practices in supply chains.

Academic members of staff from our Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship Group are supported in their research activities by our flourishing Centre for Research on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Management and Internationalisation (REIMI).

The Centre is well known for international business research on emerging-market multinational enterprises (MNEs); technology management; novel research in migrant entrepreneurship and firm internationalisation.

Specialist facilities

MSc International Logistics and Supply Chain Management is taught at our Southend Campus, close to the principle port for London and Britain's Greenest Port.

A major logistics hub for the South of England, The Port of Tilbury is the largest deep-water port on the River Thames and provides potential opportunities for site visits and student projects. London Southend Airport is just five minutes from campus by train, and offers flights to over 50 destinations across Europe – providing excellent opportunities for work placements or case studies.

Choose our Southend Campus for your studies, and you'll have access to a superb learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities, including:

our award-winning The Forum building, with an extensive public and academic library and café
24-hour learning hub, with group-study spaces, PC access and places for quiet study
Essex Business School Student Services team to support your time at EBS
masters study suite for EBS postgraduate students
modern lecture theatres and seminar rooms
careers support, events and initiatives
studyskills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
our cosy SU Lounge, with pool tables and large-screen TV for socialising and relaxation

Southend-on-Sea combines the charms of a traditional seaside resort with the attractions of a vibrant, modern town and our campus sits right at the centre. With seven miles of coastline, a thriving arts and cultural scene and a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife all on your doorstep, it's the perfect place to live and study. Our town centre location has excellent transport links too, with London only 40 minutes away by train.

Your future

A Master's degree in International Logistics and Supply Chain Management will develop the industry-specific skills and management expertise you need to gain the competitive edge for management roles in the logistics and transport sectors. Typical roles include:

Project Manager
Logistics Planner
Warehouse Supervisor
Logistics Controller
Quality Manager
Logistics Network Developer
Procurement Manager

Your knowledge of business analytics to improve business performance may also make you a suitable candidate for general management positions in both large and small organisations in the private and public sectors. Many of our graduates also go on to pursue a career in academia.

Read our graduate profiles to find out the types of organisations our Masters students go on to work for.

Our Student Support team work closely with the University's Employability and Careers service to help you with careers information and advice and CV support. They will help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities and provide access to employer talks on campus. We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support our budding entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground.

“The lectures did not only teach from the book but also used real case-studies to help me understand more about the modules. Almost every module provided the last hour for students to discuss certain cases according to the themes of the module.”

“Since graduating, I have been working for a supply chain financing and technology company. So far, the supply chain management modules have been really helpful for me. I didn't expect that working in a supply chain position means literally take care of the whole supply chain, but I learned so much through this job.”

Lisa Nurfhatia Prizasaputri, MSc International Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:

Accounting
Computer Science
Economics
Engineering Science
Finance
Information Systems
International Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Statistics

We will also consider a 2:2 degree in any other subject, which includes at least one of the following modules:

Advanced Maths
Applied Maths
Biostatistics
Calculus
Economic Statistics
Engineering Maths
Management Science
Mathematical Methods
Operations Research
Probability
Pure Maths
Quantitative Analysis
Quantitative methods
Statistics

You may also be considered with a lower class degree or a degree in other subject area, where you have at least two year’s relevant work experience in a data science related field (please provide your CV).

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists. Please be aware that we are planning changes to our first year to make it more relevant to your chosen course.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Dissertation

(60 CREDITS)

Your dissertation is the culmination of your Masters programme, where you apply the knowledge gained on your course to produce a 12,000 word independent piece of work. You generate an original idea, analyse literature and current knowledge and produce a coherent argument that shows your ability to relate theory to practice. Your dissertation will help you develop vital skills for the workplace, as well as the ability to analyse real problems through an academic lens. You are assigned a supervisor for the duration of your project.

View Dissertation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Global Supply Chain and Operations Management

(15 CREDITS)

Matching the ability to supply a product or service with customer demand is vital for any organisation. Excess supply can lead to wastage and increased costs, but too little can irritate customers and result in lost revenue. Supply chain management is a complex and challenging task, but, done right, it can create significant competitive advantage. This module explores how organisations manage their product range and operations to best align supply with demand in a global environment, categorised by expanding product variety, increasing outsourcing, and continuous advances in business analytics. You explore areas such as industry competition, resource allocation, organisational learning and competitive dynamics.

View Global Supply Chain and Operations Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Business Analytics for Managers and Entrepreneurs

(15 CREDITS)

Data analytics presents a massive opportunity for business leaders, managers and entrepreneurs alike in modern globalised economies. You explore how crucial data analytics is in today's business world, and consider real-world examples where businesses have harnessed this power to solve critical problems. You learn a wide variety of data mining, visual and analytical techniques which can be applied to data generated from different markets and businesses.

View Business Analytics for Managers and Entrepreneurs on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Logistics and Supply Chain Planning and Control

(15 CREDITS)

This module explores the planning, management and control of logistics and supply chain operations. We look at the areas to consider when designing and managing logistic and supply chain networks. You learn the basics of production planning, including Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and Just-in-Time (JIT) systems, inventory management and quality management. You also explore mathematical and computational models that can support your decision making.

View Logistics and Supply Chain Planning and Control on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Data-Driven Decision Making

(15 CREDITS)

In this module, you develop the quantitative skills required to model and solve managerial challenges. You learn how to use mathematical programming methods and specialised software to represent and solve decision making problems. We equip you with a deep understanding of key optimisation methods so you can identify the most relevant approach to solve particular issues.

View Data-Driven Decision Making on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Research Methods

(15 CREDITS)

Gain the key skills and competencies to carry out management research or prepare a comprehensive business plan, suitable for the completion of a Masters level programme. You address the philosophical issues underlying management research, and discover how to select methods and judge the quality and value of research outcomes.

View Research Methods on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 07: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 08: OPTIONAL

(15 CREDITS)

Teaching

you learn via a combination of lectures, seminars and lab-based sessions

you study a selection of compulsory modules and can choose two elective modules to tailor the course to your career aspirations

you have the option to attend regular research seminars outside of your course to gain access to cutting-edge thinking from leading academics

Assessment

You are assessed via a combination of group work, presentations, reports, project works and exams.

Dissertation

You undertake an applied research project about a real-world organisation or issue in the field of logistics and supply chain management.

The dissertation demonstrates your grasp of the theoretical and practical skills you acquire throughout your course.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£15,000

International fee

£23,500

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Southend Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing southend@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

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