MSc Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- January 2026
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Why you should choose us
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UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Our MSc in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management equips you to become an industrial problem-solver, with the expertise to deliver efficient, effective, timely, and cost-conscious products and services.
Designed for analytical thinkers, this course empowers you to harness the power of big data and artificial intelligence and apply it to the fast-moving world of purchasing and supply chain management.
You’ll benefit from our world-class, research-led teaching, delivered by the renowned Innovation, Technology, and Operations Management (ITOM) group. Working in collaboration with an extensive network of business partners, you’ll gain practical insights through guest lectures, real-world projects, and internship opportunities.
Alongside technical expertise, you’ll develop highly transferable skills such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, decision-making, and the effective use of digital technologies. You’ll also enhance your abilities in teamwork, leadership, and professional communication.
Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to step into leadership roles on the global stage—equipped with the knowledge and skills to drive efficient, sustainable, and innovative supply chains.
Study and Modules
Structure
This course combines rigorous theory with practical application, enriched by our cutting-edge research and strengthened through close industry engagement. You'll start building your theoretical and practical knowledge from day one, focusing on strategic and operational challenges that purchasing and supply chain management professionals are grappling with and exploring the portfolio of theoretical and analytical approaches to resolving problems and exploiting opportunities for improved purchasing and supply chain performance. You’ll study supply chain operations and logistics management, procurement, and marketing theory and practice. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the supply chain/logistics operations and procurement process.
You'll learn how supply chain networks are developed, using different analytical tools and simulation techniques. You'll analyse real-world scenarios and, in the process, develop critical transferrable skills, as purchasing and supply chain management are key ‘boundary-spanning’ functions in all organisations.
You'll have the opportunity to develop your research skills and study an aspect of purchasing and/or supply chain management in which you have a particular interest, by undertaking a dissertation or applied business project. This will help you stand out from your peers and enhance your prospects of building a successful career in your chosen field.
The applied business project will tackle a contemporary problem, in collaboration with a business sponsor from our extensive network of businesses.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You'll learn about the theory and practice of purchasing and supply chain management through lectures with leading academics and industry experts. You'll then take your understanding further with problem-solving seminars and workshops where you'll have the chance to engage in more interactive learning, discussing and challenging your own questions and ideas with your fellow students.
Throughout the course, you'll analyse real world case studies of increasing complexity to constantly challenge yourself and apply key principles, tools and techniques to the dynamic world of purchasing and supply chain management.
All your learning will be focused on developing your analytical and critical skills. That means you’ll graduate empowered to create your own solutions not only to the challenges studied on the course but also for new challenges that may arise as you progress through your career.
You'll also benefit from studying alongside other business students – improving your understanding of other business disciplines and helping you to work with these areas more effectively throughout your career.
This course will give you an excellent balance of independent thinking and study skills, helping you grow into a self-motivated learner, an expert researcher and an analytical thinker through evidence-based analysis. You’ll become well-versed in time management, becoming highly organised and confident in self-directed study. Throughout your degree, you’ll be given guidance on your work and constructive feedback to help you improve.
Assessment
We’ll assess your knowledge, skills and understanding through 100% coursework – there are no exams.
You'll encounter a broad range of assessment methods (e.g. case studies, written reports, group projects, and presentations). You'll be encouraged to submit formative assessments, for which you'll receive feedback that identifies areas for improvement and areas of strength, in preparation for the summative assessments, which will be used to evaluate your performance.
Employability
After the Course
You'll be ready to launch a career working in purchasing or supply chain company, or as a purchasing or supply chain management specialist within a business. You could also work as an operations manager, enterprise resource planning specialist or supply chain analyst.
Your skills will be highly sought after in both manufacturing and services organisations, and in the private, public and third sectors.
Alternatively, if you develop a passion for research, you could enter the world of consultancy or choose to undertake a PhD.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Purchasing manager
- Supply chain manager
- Operations manager
- Supply chain analyst
- Supply chain consultant
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in January each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area.
Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in January each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area.
Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in Writing and Speaking, and 5.5 in Reading and Listening)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
-
UK Students: £13,800
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International Students: £24,300
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.