MSc Strategic Procurement Management
If you want a career in procurement management, the specialist MSc Strategic Procurement Management offers high-level strategic teaching in all areas of this growing field.
In an increasingly competitive environment, purchasing and supply chain managers need to develop and demonstrate a variety of key competencies.
Our graduates have the specialist knowledge to co-ordinate and adapt their purchasing and supply chain activities, and respond to the dynamic needs of a modern business.
The MSc Strategic Procurement Management is accredited by a number of professional bodies, which means you can be sure you’re working towards a qualification that is closely aligned to the needs of industry.
USW’s MSc Strategic Procurement Managements is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), the sector’s professional body. On successful completion, you will gain the MCIPS (with three years’ work experience).
If you have a relevant professional qualification and have three to five years' industry experience, you may be eligible for exemptions to fast track your studies.
What you will study
The MSc Strategic Procurement Management is delivered in three distinct stages which comprises of 180 academic credits. During your first stage you will be introduced to key management principles and theories, followed by a secondary stage that is designed to continue to build and develop your existing knowledge. The final stage of the course will focus research and application to live projects, alongside a critical understanding of concepts covered throughout.
Stage One
- Purchasing Principles and Management (20 credits)*
Compare and contrast the strategic links between procurement, purchasing and the notion of supply chain management, this module is aimed at developing your ability to effectively and ethically manage supply as a holistic process.
- Strategic Operations Management and Operational Research (20 credits)*
Develop your ability and skills in strategic operational management tools and techniques with an appreciation of operational processes, planning and control systems.
- Sustainable Supply Chain Management (20 credits)*
Explore the strategic need, role and value for logistics, purchasing and supply chain research within organisations in order to achieve sustainable supply chain networks in the future.
Stage Two
- Commercial Relationships (20 credits)*
Gain a critical understanding of the contribution of strategic accounting information to decision making in business. You’ll be introduced to major-themes underlying trading law with commercial and consumer contracts.
- Advanced Procurement (20 credits)
Examine the strategic internal and external relationships required to manage procurement and purchasing and supply, and the new and innovative cutting-edge procurement and purchasing principles and philosophies.
- Research Methods (20 credits)
Develop your understanding and research skills in a management and/or professional development context; critically reviewing a range of research methodologies and methods of providing management information for decision making.
Stage Three
- Dissertation in Purchasing, Logistics, Supply Chain (60 credits)
You’ll be required to produce an extended piece of written postgraduate research, involving a significant piece of student-directed learning, based on a detailed investigation into a key area.
Footnote: *Exemptions are available on the above modules to holders of MCIPS and the CIPS Graduate Diploma with the option of entry onto a 18 months Fast Track programme block delivered on weekends
Careers
Providing you with the transferable skills to develop in a strategic role in a growing field of business, this qualification will enable you to build a sustainable and rewarding career in private and/or public sector organisations.
Graduates from the MSc Strategic Procurement Management are able to demonstrate as managers, specialist knowledge to help them co-ordinate and adapt their purchasing and supply chain activities, responding to the dynamic needs of the 21st Century business environment.
Graduates also pioneer purchasing and supply chain management in this growing field, transferring their specialist knowledge in a sustainable and rewarding career. Many of our graduates have become senior managers in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
Graduates can also progress to a PhD or research degree.
Our Careers and Employability Service
As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.
This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.
Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship
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