Overview
Operations, logistics, and supply chain management are now indispensable to the success of modern businesses. These fields are no longer merely opportunities to cut costs or enhance efficiency. They are now critical drivers of innovation and competitive edge. Our programme prepares you to help organisations and society achieve key objectives such as:
- enhancing resilience
- boosting sustainability
- improving visibility
- promoting digitalisation
Our programme is designed for students who wish to take up specialist positions in:
- operations management
- procurement
- inventory
- logistics, and supply chain across various sectors.
You’ll learn:
- operations strategy
- supply chain design and modelling
- digital supply chain and logistics
- multimodal transportation
- risk management
- sustainable development
- quality improvement
- data analysis
- project management
- research methods
You’ll develop the capability and skills to:
- identify supply chain risks and problems
- evaluate operational performance and logistics and supply chain processes
- develop strategic operations and supply chains
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Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
Our programme will shape your understanding of:
- quantitative and qualitative methods of planning, control and continuous improvement in operations, logistics, and supply chain management
- enhancing visibility in operations, logistics, and supply chains by digitalisation
- sustainable development and its implications in operations, logistics, and supply chain management
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
How you’ll learn
Our high-quality teaching is comprised of:
- research-led lectures
- real-world business case studies
- computer lab sessions
- interactive seminars
- industry talks
Our programme is modular in structure, comprising 180 credits. You’ll take six compulsory modules and three optional modules across the three semesters.
You’ll have the opportunity (subject to application and performance) to work with business partners on a consultancy project or work with a member of SCORCH to conduct a research project.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral presentation
- PC examination
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Research proposal
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
View profiles of the module leaders for this course:
Your development
Upon completing the programme, you should be able to develop:
Professional skills
- Integrate evidence from a variety of sources to effect improvement in the operational performance of organisations
- Evaluate evidence critically, reach conclusions and present findings
- Solve problems within the context of the business environment with particular emphasis on operations, logistics and supply chain management by applying quantitative and qualitative methods
- Contribute effectively to the planning, design and implementation of projects
Practical Skills
- Implement appropriate operations strategies that maximise the contribution of operations management, logistics and supply chain management whilst optimising the interests of key stakeholders in various organisational environments
- Systematically collect, analyse and interpret data
- Effectively use bibliographic skills to review the literature, formulate research questions, apply appropriate methodologies for problem-solving, collect data, synthesise results and reach logical conclusions
- Provide advice about how to apply operations, logistics, and supply chain management tools, models and techniques to improve organisational performance
Your future
Graduate destinations
Graduates from this course have undertaken various roles, including:
- transportation specialist
- managing director
- head of operations
- enterprise risk manager
- resource delivery manager
- trading and operations manager
- materials control and operations analyst
- graduate procurement engineer
- project manager
Careers
This course prepares you for a wide range of careers with employers, such as:
- NHS
- Indonesia Port Corporation
- P&G
- RLC Group
- Steel Mont Trading Ltd
- PepsiCo
- China Communications Construction Company Ltd
- Petrofac Ltd
- KPMG
- LUKOIL Overseas
- Bosch
- Imperial Logistics
- Kuehne + Nagel
Careers support
Each year we arrange an industry visit and invite guest speakers from industry to share their experiences and insights with you.
Careers support
Each year we arrange an industry visit and invite guest speakers from industry to share their experiences and insights with you.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 200 for Business and Management Studies – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 25 for Employability – QS Business Masters Rankings: Supply Chain Management 2025
- Top 35 for Alumni Outcomes – QS Business Masters Rankings: Supply Chain Management 2025
- Top 35 for Master’s in Supply Chain Management – QS Business Master’s Rankings: Supply Chain Management 2025
Professional accreditation and recognition
Newcastle University Business School accreditation
Newcastle University Business School is accredited by the:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
- Association of MBAs (AMBA)
Only 1% of business schools worldwide hold this triple crown. Our accreditations reflect the investments we make for our students through providing a high quality teaching environment, innovative programming and active engagement with industry.
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
As a student, you receive discounted student membership to the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) allowing full access to their globally renowned library and research services (membership is compulsory). The programme offers full exemption from the educational requirements for Chartered Membership to students who have achieved a pass mark of 50% or above.
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
As a student, you receive free membership to the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).
For students to be eligible to apply for MCIPS, the following conditions must be met in full:
- NBS8324, NBS8325 and NBS8342 must be selected as the optional modules.
- Any dissertation associated with this programme must be submitted to CIPS for review. General management topics will not be accepted.
- All modules must be passed with no compensations or exemptions
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
As a student, you receive free membership to the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:
- regional, national and international leaders
- over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
- leading professionals and practitioners from industry
The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix – an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.
Our facilities include:
- flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
- Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
- four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
- dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
- contemporary café
- employability hub to support your career aspirations
- Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
- Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
The Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix also offers further study and learning spaces. This includes a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree in any subject, or international equivalent.
Our Master’s programme is flexible, allowing you to choose specific optional modules. This enables you to personalise your learning pathway in: