Undergraduate Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management and Logistics

Course Description

From corporate giants to small businesses, the optimisation of supply chain techniques is a crucial factor in establishing a competitive advantage.
This course focuses on the business skills needed to manage the activities and flows of information between suppliers, manufacturers, logistics service providers, retailers and consumers within today’s business environment.

The different modules fall under four overarching categories: Strategic Decisions, Contributors to the Chain, Tools for a Successful SCM and Supporting Stakeholders.
This course aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge relating to all aspects and issues of logistics within a sustainable supply chain.

These include operations, purchasing and procurement of materials, inventory flow and control, storage and material handling in warehouses, economics of mode of transport and distribution, and shipment from the start of a product’s lifecycle up to its customer receipt.

The overall course objectives are:

Knowledge:

• Describe and examine the principles and practices, and attributes of a Supply Chain and Logistic professional required in the increasingly complex global business environment; (*category: contributors)
• Develop comprehensive knowledge and undertanding of the impact of logistics functions and their integration with other business functions; (*category: strategy and contributors)
• Discuss forecasting, project management, industrial engineering and information systems frameworks and techniques related to supply chain management and logistics; (*categories: tools and supporting stakeholders)
• Develop comprehensive understanding of the development and operation of integrated logistics, supply management, warehousing, inventory, transport and sustainable business relationships in an international business environment; (*category: contributors and supporting stakeholders)
• Explain the importance of having and applying teamwork and leadership competencies in supply chain and logistics context. (*categories: supporting stakeholders)
• Identify the factors and challenges of working in the group.

Skills:

•  Apply frameworks related to purchasing and Supply Chain Management (e.g. Kraljic’s Matrix)
• Recognise and assess the needs of supply chain customers and understand the importance of applying negotiation and leadership skills to deal with customers and other stakeholders.
• Interpret relevant specialist theory to recommend best practices related to strategic management, operations, procurement, and logistics management.
• Analyse change management and green supply chain issues related to in complex business situations and recommend solutions to solve these issues.
• Apply project management methodologies and tools as applicable to supply chain.
• Develop a plan of action for group-work.
• Evaluate own and group’s performance.

Competences:

• Apply problem- solving techniques where there are many factors, some of which interact and lead to unpredictable outcomes in the increasingly complex global business environment.
• Assess, monitor and maintain quality systems in logistic through the effective use of information technology, human resources and accounting processes.
• Develop a capacity for independent thought and be reflectively self-critical.
• Research, criticise and evaluate the implementation of cost-effective solutions to assist enterprises enhance their competitive advantage.
• Be able to identify management and leadership challenges in supply chains and logistics systems and to recommend relevant management and leadership models to resolve these.
• Develop group-work competencies.

Entry Requirements

Candidates who apply for this course must possess the following:

• a qualification at MQF Level 4 (one ‘A’ Level or equivalent in any subject),

AND

• a pass in English and Mathematics at MQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent) .

Preference is given to applicants having a year of work experience related to the field of study.

*Equivalent qualifications abroad will also be considered for admission.

Target Audience

• Individuals seeking academic and professional advancement in area of Supply Chain Management and Logistics
• Mid-career-break professionals looking for opportunities to return to or change their career.

Career Paths

The possible positions for which this programme aims to prepare you for include, but are not limited to:

• Supply Chain Supervisor/ Manager
• Logistics Supervisor/ Manager

Modules

You are required to complete all 20 compulsory modules (120 ECTS) to fulfil the requirements of the Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management and Logistics

How you’ll be assessed

This is a part-time or full-time programme with a total of 20 modules. The method of assessment is assignment-based.

The course comprises:

• 6 lectures per module;
• 3-hour lectures (evening);
• 12 hours of guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos;
• Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work

Assessment

Overall assessment weighting for each theory-based module consists of: Assessment of each module (except module 5, 8, 16, 20) consists of two assignments, each carrying a weighting as below:

a) Assignment One carries 20% of total module mark achieved. b) Assignment Two carries 80% of total module mark achieved.

For successful completion of a study module the student is required to achieve a minimum of 50% pass mark in both assignments. The overall grade achieved for each module (except module 5, 8, 16, 20) is calculated as the sum of:

• 20% of the mark achieved for assignment one; and
• 80% of the mark achieved for assignment two.