Overview

This specialist programme will appeal to graduates aiming for a managerial or consulting career within global operations, logistics or supply chain management in the private, public or third sector. You will learn how to manage and improve global supply chain operations and develop an appreciation of its role and function in the context of international organisations.

This programme examines the effects of global trade and business and the significance of grand challenges, such as increasing digitalisation and innovation in product and service development, international environmental sustainability regulation, and corporate social responsibility and ethics issues.

The programme reflects contemporary themes and developments within operations and supply chain management. You will explore how global supply chains are managed and will acquire the skills and confidence to challenge, innovate and solve problems.

We enjoy close links with industry, government and voluntary sectors, providing opportunities to engage with supply chain professionals. You will hear from sector experts in guest lectures, and there may be the option to participate in a live consulting project with a client organisation.

The knowledge and skills you gain will give you a competitive advantage in your future career. This programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). This means that on completion of the programme, students with the required work experience can apply to become full members of CIPS without taking further examinations.

88% of our Business and Management research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021), reflecting its impact on shaping policy and practice.

Programme structure

The programme consists of six compulsory taught units and a dissertation or applied extended project.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Global Operations and Supply Chain Management.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class undergraduate honours degree or international equivalent in the following subjects:

  • Logistics, Supply Chain Management or similar;
  • Management Science, Operational Research, Business Analytics, Project Management, Operations Management, Information System;
  • Economics, Applied Economics, Econometrics;
  • Finance, FinTech, Financial Engineering, Actuarial Science;
  • Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science.
  • Joint honours in Engineering with Business/Management or Science with Business/Management.

OR

An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in Business and Management or Applied Social Science. This must include a 2:1 in at least 1 quantitative unit from the maths qualification requirements list below or a 'Supply Chain and Logistics' unit.

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree. Specific module requirements may still apply.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following:

  • evidence of significant (minimum of 10 months in a paid role) relevant work experience in sectors such as operations management or supply chain management.
  • a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

If your degree subject is not listed in the main entry requirements, you must have evidence of an upper second class honours degree which includes at least one unit of mathematics with 60% or above (or international equivalent) in each unit. Examples of acceptable units include:

  • Advanced Maths (introductory maths does not count towards maths unit requirements)
  • Algebra
  • Auditing
  • Banking
  • Business Mathematics
  • Business Statistics
  • Calculus
  • Computer Science (incl programming/algorithms)
  • Corporate Finance
  • Cost Accounting/Management/Analysis
  • Data Mining/Data Science/ Data Analytics
  • Decision Analysis and Simulation
  • Derivatives
  • Econometrics
  • Economics
  • Financial Analysis
  • Financial Markets
  • Financial Maths
  • Financial Modelling
  • Financial Reporting
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Fundamentals of Finance/Accounting
  • Game Theory
  • Intermediate Accounting/Finance
  • Investment Analysis
  • Macroeconomics
  • Maths
  • Microeconomics
  • Portfolio Management
  • Principles of Accounting/Finance
  • Probability
  • Pure Maths
  • Qualitative Research Methods
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Quantitative Research Methods
  • Statistics/Statistical Methods/Statistical Analysis
  • Taxation

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£17,600 per year
Overseas: full-time
£32,300 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Bristol has an excellent reputation with employers worldwide, and our graduates are in demand. Bristol graduates are the fourth most targeted by top UK employers (High Fliers Report 2023), and we are one of the top 50 universities in the world for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022).

Graduates will suit a range of careers across sectors such as manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, international transportation and third-party logistics firms.

We also anticipate our graduates will join consultancy firms and software developers in areas such as distribution network planning, transportation and purchasing. Typical roles include supply chain analyst, operations strategist, junior management consultant, logistics planner, project manager, production planner, inventory manager and purchasing manager.

Our postgraduate students are given opportunities to engage with industry, increase their professional networks and develop their professional skills and experience while studying. Find out more about the options available for this programme on the Professional Liaison Network web pages.