Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Overview
Supply chain management is varied and exciting and is a growing area of management increasingly recognised as key to competitive advantage. This course will teach you the skills, theory and knowledge you need to become a leader in the supply chain management profession as well as connect you to our vibrant and growing community of global supply chain professionals and companies.

Students from all disciplines targeting the supply chain management profession can apply to take this course.

The MSc in Sustainable Supply Chain Management at UCD Smurfit School is ranked 13th globally in the QS 2022 Masters in Supply Chain Management Ranking.

What will I learn?
The course offers both a solid academic grounding in the concepts and practices of Supply Chain Management and direct contact with the experience and expertise of professionals from the field.

1. A 360-degree view of the profession, from supplier development and management, through to innovation generation, customer relationship management and sustainability.

2. The skills and techniques required to succeed in the industry: strategy, management, leadership, critical thinking, negotiation and organisation.

3. Market-relevant experience and the benefit of professional know-how via a consulting project conducted with leading organisations at the forefront of Supply Chain Management practice.

How will I benefit?
The course has been structured to ensure that students simultaneously learn the theories and practices integral to the profession whilst also boosting their suitability for recruitment by the very companies that employ supply chain management techniques.

1. The combination of cutting-edge theory and knowledge dispensed by leading academics in the field and real experience of supply chain issues via corporate involvement in the course.

2. Opportunities for students to showcase their knowledge and employability are boosted by the dedicated supply chain careers fair held during the course.

3. Diverse, international job opportunities with multinational firms from a variety of countries and industries, including Accenture, Apple, Facebook and Zara.

Curriculum
Whether taking the course on a full-time basis or part-time via classes during the working day, students must complete a wide-ranging combination of core and option modules (6 + 1), as well as the Sustainable Supply Chain Project in the Summer Trimester. Conducted over the summer term in groups of students, and supervised by leading researchers and organisations, the Sustainable Supply Chain Project offers the ultimate bridge between classroom-based learning and the realities of sustainable supply chain management in practice.

Vision/Values Statement
The MSc in Sustainable Supply Chain Management is a comprehensive programme that helps students gain the knowledge, theory and skills behind the management of resources, relationships, suppliers and customers within business networks. Prospective students from all disciplines targeting the Supply Chain Management profession can apply to take this programme. The programme will provide students with a 360-degree view of the profession, from supplier development and management, through to innovation generation, customer relationship management and sustainability.

We value interactive and collaborative learning and a diverse and engaged classroom. We strive to graduate informed, agile, critical thinkers and doers. Our graduates will possess cutting-edge knowledge in the field of supply chain management and operations (education and subject/discipline/professional values).

We aim to provide a learning environment that encourages students to deeply engage with the material covered in each module and to actively draw on the collective experiences of their fellow students. Seminars, workshops and application-based activities are key elements in the programme design (the nature of the learning environment for students).

In addition to lectures and workshops, students work individually and in small groups on projects, case studies, simulations and class presentations. Students will gain market-relevant experience and the benefit of professional know-how via a consulting project conducted with a leading MNC. Assessment is through a blend of continuous assessment and end-of-semester examinations. Continuous assessment includes both individual and group work (key approaches to teaching, learning and assessment).

Autumn Trimester:
Supply Chain Operations
Sustainable Procurement
Business Logistics

Spring Trimester:
Negotiation for Supply Chain Managers
Supply Chain Sustainability
Supply Chain Analytics

Summer Trimester:
Sustainable Supply Chain Project

Plus 1 option module:
Creative Problem Solving
Technology & Innovation Strategy
Reputation and Disrepute
Cross-Cultural Management
Leadership and Team Management
Innovation: Disruption & Design

Please be advised that the above reflects the 2022/2023 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years and are also subject to change.

Please review the entry requirements below. The UCD Smurfit Admissions Office staff have expertise in reviewing international qualifications from around the world and will be able to assess your application's comparability to the Irish entry requirement.

A minimum second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.

or

A primary degree with a minimum of three years' work experience in Supply Chain Management.

Information & Requirements
English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language, an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our programmes. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.

Visa Requirements
Some students might have to get a student visa in order to come and study in Ireland. Please check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services website to see if you require a visa.

How To Apply?
Step 1: Collating Documentation
The first step is to collate the required documentation needed to assess your application. Please ensure that you have clearly scanned, titled and collated your documents in numerical order.

These can include but are not limited to:
TRANSCRIPTS AND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS
CV
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST
REFERENCES
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION

Step 2: The Application Process
Once you have collated the required documentation and reviewed the entry requirements for your programme of interest, you can now apply online.

Apply Online:
You must apply online using our dedicated student information portal. You will be required to enter contact details, upload your documents and answer two essay questions (each approximately 300 words). We would ask that you seriously consider both essays and answer these in the context of the programme you are applying to. Try to not replicate your CV and demonstrate what makes you different from other applicants. There are no right or wrong ways to complete these essays.

Application Deadlines:
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and courses will close once they are filled. We advise you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note certain scholarships may require you to apply before a certain date – please refer to our scholarship page here. If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie.

Application Fee
You will then be asked to submit your application and pay the €50 application fee. No application can be assessed until the fee has been paid. You can apply for multiple programmes with the one application fee, but please be sure to mark your preferred course.

Application Review
Once submitted, it usually takes 2-3 weeks before a decision is made on fully completed applications. This time period can sometimes be longer and can vary at different times in the year and in different regions. We may offer you a conditional place based on the completion of a number of criteria, such as degree, English test, or another qualification. This reserves you a place on the course and once you have fulfilled this criteria we will issue you a full offer.

Deposit
Acceptance is completed by paying a non-refundable deposit (varies from either €500 or €1000 depending on the programme. Most of our programmes require a €500 deposit). Your offer email will detail the exact deposit amount required. Once you have accepted you will then be supported by the Programme Office who will contact you with further course and start details.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Career opportunities
Graduates of the Programme have gone on to work in a variety of different industries, including consulting, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, retail, logistics, internet and technology-related companies. We run a dedicated supply chain careers fair and leverage job opportunities through our corporate partners.

88% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in November 2021)

Potential careers for our graduates include:
Purchasing Manager/Director
Supply Chain Manager/Director
Supply Chain Planner/Buyer
Project Manager
Logistics Coordinator
Supply Chain Analyst