Management (Global Supply Chain Management) MSc

Semester one

Managing Organisations and Organisational Behaviour - 10 credits

The purpose of the module is to introduce you to the foundations of management, developing an understanding of the role of management and leadership in the 21st century and considerations of different approaches to management and leadership in organisations. The module will offer an introduction to the core concepts of organisational behaviour, emphasising importance of equality, diversity and inclusion and working in teams in the contemporary workplace together with key conceptual frameworks such as the psychological contract, which helps explore worker motivation and commitment.

Operations Management Fundamentals - 10 credits

This module helps you to gain conceptual, analytical, and practical insights into the effective management of operations in both the manufacturing and the service industries. The module will provide a foundation for understanding the key principles and practices of operations management and how they apply to real-world business situations. There are case studies and real-world examples throughout the module to help with the application of theoretical concepts to practical situations.

Finance for Managers - 10 credits

This module is designed to support you in critically evaluating internal and external financial information and to use this to appraise corporate performance and strategy. Specifically, you will gain a general understanding of financial theories, concepts, tools and techniques that help and support financial decision making; and, demonstrate an understanding of, and the specialised skills to enable you to carry out, corporate analyses.

Marketing Fundamentals - 10 credits

This module offers an introduction to the fundamentals and key principles of marketing. The module focuses on reflecting critically on the nature of marketing and its role in understanding, responding to and creating customer needs; fostering a heightened critical awareness of both the extent of marketing’s scope and key contemporary marketing issues; to explore the complexity of the marketing environment and develop knowledge and understanding of the implications of external and internal factors on marketing decision making; and, to apply appropriate academic theories, frameworks, models and tools in order to develop suitable marketing responses to organisational problems.

Strategic Management - 10 credits

The challenge of strategic management is to be able to understand the complex issues facing organisations and then develop the capability for long-term organisational success. The module aims to develop an understanding of what strategy is, why it is needed, and the analysis organisations use to try to put strategy into practice; and to identify and analyse the factors that influence, and indeed may determine, an organisation’s strategic position and direction.

Data and Decision Making for Managers - 10 credits

The purpose of this module is to introduce the way that digitalisation impacts and is impacted by management in the 21st century. The module helps to develop an understanding of the scope and depth of the use of technology as part of the management function, whilst exploring its creative possibilities in supporting managers make better informed decisions and supporting leaders in identifying and realising organisational goals. It will include an introduction to the way that technology is used to support decisions making, new developments in technology and the ethical dimensions of information use in organisations.

Semester two

Supply Chain Management in Practice - 10 credits

In this module, you will explore the importance of data and how it is used to support strategic decision-making in operations and supply chain management.  Because operations and supply chain management is practical in nature and characterised by ‘pragmatic challenges of immediacy’, we will use simulation game-based activities which incorporate both collaborative problem-solving and enquiry-based learning approaches. The aims of the module are to develop your ability to apply data analysis techniques on contemporary operations and supply chain management related issues through practice, and to help you develop the skills to provide practical operations and supply chain management recommendations supported by data analysis and underpinned by relevant operations and supply chain management theories.

Strategic Global Supply Chains - 10 credits

This module introduces global supply chains and their strategic importance to the business with a focus on aligning supply chain strategy with business /organisational objectives and how environmental factors can change objectives in these dynamic and uncertain times. You will learn about the complex strategic decisions to be made regarding supply chain design, sourcing, location choice and the types of supplier/ buyer relationships that are optimal to add value for the organisation.

Strategic Operations - 10 credits

This module focuses on operations laws, principles and theory to embrace a strategic perspective. The emergence of more holistic approaches to managing operations across different environments from 'make to stock' to 'engineer to order' are then interpreted in the context of more traditional approaches. This understanding will then be used to explore how the operations function can be better aligned with the business/corporate strategy and under what circumstances operations capability may lead the business strategy. The module uses games and case exercises to deepen understanding and is specifically designed to develop a systems approach to practical analysis and design of business environments.

Risk, Resilience and Sustainability in Technology-Enabled Supply Chains  – 10 credits

This module encourages you to consider the influences of current and emerging risks and trends on organisations, and how supply chains can be designed and managed to mitigate these risks and successfully deliver competitive advantage through maximising the benefits of current and emerging techniques and technology. The modules aims to develop an enhanced awareness of the volatile and uncertain context that global organisations operate within; to develop an appreciation of the impact that global supply chain operations and strategic decisions have on sustainability and how good design and practice can contribute to improvement in social impact and a reduction in carbon emissions; to understand how successful global companies (such as Jaguar Land Rover and Amazon) are adapting their supply chains and embracing technology to meet the challenge of emerging trends and the demands of a changing marketplace.

Responsible and Sustainable Management - 10 credits

The purpose of this module is to develop the insights, capacities and skills to create and maintain responsible and sustainable business practices. The main aims of the module are to create sustainable mind-sets; develop an understanding of the interface between ethics, CSR corporate governance and integrated sustainability; foster a critical understanding of values, ethical decision making and responsible stakeholder management; and, cultivate a multidisciplinary insights into the requirements of socially responsible business operations across the value chain.

Understanding Business in the Global Context - 10 credits

You will gain international experience either in person by undertaking an overseas study tour or virtually using a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) approach with students from an international host institution. The module aims to develop a critical understanding of the complexity of operating as a contemporary manager in a global context. The international focus of this module will support an appreciation of the challenges different environments generate to business, individuals and societies.

Managing People in a Global Context - 10 credits

This module takes a multi-disciplinary approach to develop knowledge, insights, and skills relevant to the management and leadership of people in a global context. At the heart of the module sits ideas around cross-cultural working, facilitated by modern technology and virtual teamwork, and hence the module helps you to develop digital skills as well as soft skills required for managing people in the contemporary workplace. The module takes a practice based approach, thus facilitating learning in a real world context.

Semester three

In your final semester you will take on a experiential project, giving you a fantastic opportunity to use the theories and knowledge you've gained to produce a challenging, meaningful piece of work. Projects include:

Consultancy Experience Project (40 credits)

Working as part of a team, you will undertake focused research, developing your professional skills, managing a complex project and delivering results in a real business situation.  You will present your findings to the client and learn valuable project management tools and concepts.

Business Research Project (40 credits)

This project is a more traditional piece of independent research, creating an academic research paper, presentation and methodological reflection. Because we believe experiential learning is so important, this project is only available to students with significant prior work experience or a desire to progress to a PhD.

For more information about semester three options please visit our Experiential Projects page.

Ongoing learning

Throughout the year you will also study the following modules which will help you understand how to manage your own continuous personal and professional development (PPD).

Professional Practice (10 credits)

The purpose of the module is to increase your understanding of your own personal and professional development needs to enhance your business acumen and improve your employability. The module utilises a series of taught sessions to help you explore the human side of enterprise and deploys a series of diagnostics tests to help you evaluate yourself and develop an individual action plan. It will combine teaching with individual and group mentoring to help you execute your plan. The module also promotes engagement with internal and external workshops, lectures, experiential learning opportunities and extra-curricular events to help you expand your knowledge and skills, whilst challenging your attitudes and behaviours. You will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of continuous professional development from the perspective of relevant professional bodies.

Professional Development

Beyond your core curriculum and comprehensive career support, you'll have access to a vibrant CPD programme. This includes your Personal Development Week, Global Responsibility Week, and events and workshops including our Business Leaders’ Lecture Series. You'll also have the chance to participate in national and international business challenges, industry talks, field trips, and company visits. We encourage you to get involved in sports, clubs, societies, volunteering, and apply for roles like course rep or student ambassador. These opportunities are designed to enhance your experience, help you thrive in the job market, and support your personal growth.

Placement Diploma in Industrial Experience (2 year course only)

This module aims to develop your understanding of the business and commercial environment. You will apply relevant prior knowledge and skills in the business environment increasing your commercial awareness. On completion of the module, you will have developed a range of skills and have a practical insight into the world of work and possible career opportunities.

Please note that placements are only available for students beginning their studies in September and is not available for students starting in January.

If you start your Masters in September you can apply for the two-year option where you can add a year’s work placement onto your course. It’s a great way to put your learning into practice and gain valuable real-world experience to help boost your career prospects once graduating.

Your placement year will last up to 48 weeks (minimum 36 weeks). If you are unable to take a full year's placement, but have completed the minimum 36 weeks you can qualify for a Placement Diploma in Industrial Experience. If you undertake a placement, you must take up the Business Research Project in Semester Three.

Please note that placements are not guaranteed and you will need to work hard in securing one during your first semester. We have a dedicated Employability team who are here to help and support you during the placement process with CV writing, creating a LinkedIn page, interview tips, where to search for a placement etc. You can visit the Employability team’s page for further information.

Placements are only available for students beginning their studies in September.

Please contact us through Ask NTU if you have any questions about securing placements.