Course Outline
The Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Supply Chain Management (Lean SCM Black Belt) is a part-time course. It is designed to teach you how to improve supply chain processes, while also providing cost reductions and added value for you and your organisation.
If you are a career-minded person who works in supply chain, manufacturing, quality, financial or related functions and you also have responsibility for continuous improvement within your organisation, this course is for you.
Successful supply chain management (SCM) requires strategic and operational alignment, and this is why the course includes:
a strong emphasis on strategy
information systems
responsiveness
leadership
integrated project management
Adopting a Lean philosophy, you will apply Lean tools and complete a Lean SCM Black Belt project that achieves organisational and supply chain improvements.
The Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Supply Chain Management (Lean SCM Black Belt) is a practitioner-oriented course. It provides a structured approach to the key elements of supply chain design and management in order to maximise your work experience. The course is informed by best international practice and it includes contributions from our applied partners the Leading Edge Group, as well as from national and international guest speakers.
The course is delivered over two stages:
Part 1:
The duration of Part 1 is 18 months and it leads to a postgraduate diploma qualification.
Part 2:
Part 2 is for a further period of six months. If you achieve a 2.1 grade in Part 1, you may progress/convert to a master's degree.
It consists of seven modules (as outlined below) and the outcome of each module is a workplace assignment contributing to the development and implementation of a substantial organisational and SCM improvement project. This course is examined wholly by continuous assessment and there are no written examinations.
Year 1 (Semester 1):
Strategic planning and implementation in supply chains (10 credits; 3 classroom days)
Advanced Lean Tools and practices in supply chain management (10 credits; 3 classroom days)
Year 1 (Semester 2):
Leadership, change and innovation management in supply chains (10 credits; 3 classroom days)
Managing Lean Projects in supply chains (10 credits; 3 classroom days)
Information systems and technologies in supply chain process design and improvement (one and a half days in classroom and e-learning)
Year 2 (Semester 1):
Globalisation issues and Capstone Module seminars and workshops (15 credits; 4.5 classroom days)
Year 2 (Semester 2) – Optional:
Master's (Dissertation)
Progression: If you achieve a 2.1 or higher in the Postgraduate Diploma in SCM, you will be eligible to enter Part 2 and this course leads to a Master of Supply Chain Management. A master's (MSc) will be awarded on the satisfactory completion of a dissertation.
Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar
Additional Teaching Mode Information
Postgraduate Diploma: 18 months Part-time. Students attend 3 full-day module workshops every two months.
MSc: 2 years Part-time [including the Postgraduate Diploma which is 18 months + 6 months add on for MSc]. Students submit a dissertation which will be supported by a seminar series.
Blended Learning (30-70% Online): Programme/module which combines online or/and web-based learning with, face-to-face delivery.
The classroom element is very important to the programmes, and although there is a strong online learning aspect, student have to attend the classroom sessions that make up 19 classroom days (9am to 5pm) for the Postgraduate Diploma in total.
Course Practicalities
Adopting a Blended Learning Approach, on-line resources will be provided prior to workshops, with further on-line resources provided after workshops. Each module will be supported by a 3-day workshop.
Who teaches this course
Our core teaching staff have extensive experience of teaching to a wide variety of students including undergraduates, postgraduates, mature students and post-experience/adult learners. This course is delivered in conjunction with practitioner partners, and hence it combines academic and practical expertise. The course also benefits from the involvement of best-in-class practitioners, both national and international, which enhances our overall interaction with industry.
Why Choose This Course
This Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in Supply Chain Management will allow you to progress your education while you also further your career. At the same time it will provide benefits and opportunities for the organisation where you work.