International Business and Supply Chain Management

MSc

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Start dates: September 2024 / September 2025

Full time: 1 year full time or 2 years in sandwich mode which includes one year's full-time paid supervised work experience (a work placement).

Part time: 2 years part time

Location: Headington

Department(s): Oxford Brookes Business School

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Overview

Study MSc International Business and Supply Chain Management and take the first step of your international career. You'll develop the knowledge, skills and adaptability to work in a commercial or a not-for-profit organisation.

The course specialism enables you to focus on the area of supply chain management and logistics. You'll study how businesses align supply chains and their logistics with their corporate strategy, and gain understanding of key decisions driven from a supply chain perspective. You'll also explore different supply chain operations. Also you'll study the core principles of Business and management to help you to take on a managerial position in an organisation.

You'll learn to identify, analyse and assess business related issues. You'll then build the skills and develop key responses to these issues. You'll then be able to then select the appropriate course of action. All these skills are essential for success in the corporate world. 

You'll graduate ready to be:

  • a supply chain analyst
  • procurement manager 
  • logistics specialist
  • or a management consultant.
     

Attend an open day or webinar Ask a question Order a prospectus

Group of students studying together with laptops

Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Learn from experts

    Professionally experienced tutors, and guest entrepreneurs and business innovation experts

  • Support

    You’ll receive academic support and guidance throughout the course 

  • Employability skills

    Build your analytical and solution focussed skills through international case studies

  • Real world experience

    Through Business Challenge week you meet and work with corporate professionals

  • Accredited Course

    Association of MBAs and the Chartered Management Institute.

  • Accreditation(s)

    Association of MBAs; Chartered Management Institute

    • Association of MBAs
    • Chartered Management Institute

Course details

Course structure

Through your learning you'll develop relevant skills for your future employment. 
The course will help you develop the analytical skills to solve complex international business problems. You'll also have the opportunity for independent study to help you progress your research skills.

You'll  have the opportunity to be part of the business challenge week. This is where businesses present real business issues for student groups to work on and present a solution. 

Finally as part of your Final Research Project module you can carry out valuable independent work with an external business client or carry out your own research project.
 

 

Lecturer presenting to class

Learning and teaching

You'll learn through self study time as well as face-to-face taught sessions. Your modules have specified times for scheduled learning, self study and teaching activities. 

Your tutors are academic researchers and/or from an industry background. They have in-depth practical experience of business and management issues. Your studies will include:

  • interactive workshops
  • business simulations
  • lectures 
  • guest corporate speakers
  • experiential learning.

The theory you learn on the course, will give you the working knowledge to put it into practice. You’ll also study international case studies which will inform your learning, and build your analytical and practical skills.

The Association of MBAs and the Chartered Management Institute recognise the high quality of teaching and learning that you'll experience. You'll graduate equipped ready to enter the corporate world.
 

Assessment

Your assessment on the course will help you develop your skills and knowledge for your employability. You'll have the support to overcome academic challenges and progress your learning. Your assessment is through:

  • individual essays
  • business reports
  • group presentations
  • oral exams
  • online discussion forums
  • and a written exam. 

Most of your assessments will be through individual contribution, but there is also some assessed group work. 

Inclusivity and diversity is embedded in all assessments throughout the course, Which gives you the opportunity to select the focus of your assignments where appropriate
 

Field Trips

Your optional International Business in Practice Study Trip module will help you experience ideas and practices of global business. On the trip you'll interact with management executives and practices. You'll attend presentations from local management executives and experts. You'll also go on site visits to major corporations and agencies. The study trip is voluntary and you'll need to fund all associated costs for the trip. Recently there have been study trips to Boston and Budapest. 

Study modules

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

  • Research Methods

    This module helps to prepare you for completing high quality, systematic business and management research. You’ll also gain the skills and knowledge to be successful in your Final Research Project. 

    You’ll learn how to undertake effective research, and draw upon a range of secondary and primary data sources. You’ll be introduced to a range of research tools that will help you build a strong base for research including methodological issues, data collection techniques and study skills.
     

  • Procurement and Supply Chain Management

    In an increasingly globalised business environment, the ability of organisations to identify, and then to manage, supply networks and individual chains of supply has grown in its significance. 

    In this module you will learn about the key elements and activities within procurement and supply chain management, how this function supports the wider organisation and its objectives, and how these activities can be managed to ensure the optimal outcome.

    You will build your knowledge of upstream and downstream relationships with suppliers and customers are managed effectively to ensure value is added whilst controlling costs and ultimately satisfying the customer. 
     

  • Strategic and Sustainable Logistics

    Physical logistics is concerned with managing and controlling the activities and processes along a chain of supply, and delivering finished goods that satisfy customer orders. 

    This often involves customised products and services, quick response deliveries, and state-of-the-art information systems. With a new era of customer ‘pull’ as well as the globalised business environment, alongside with the emphasis on sustainability, has led to the concept of ‘Strategic and Sustainable Logistics’. 

    You will evaluate how effective logistics and distribution systems can become key business enablers, and you’ll look at the importance of managing international logistics systems.
     

  • Developing Skills for Leadership and Employability

    You’ll develop self-awareness of your own strengths and weaknesses as an effective leader and team player. This module will help you develop and improve a range of definable skills which are pivotal to successful management practice and effective leadership. 

    You’ll progress essential skills such as the confidence and the ability to articulate your skills and attributes that are required for professional development, lifelong learning and employment. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore different leadership perspectives on:

    • ethics
    • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
    • sustainability
    • technology 
    • and change.
       
  • The Practice of Business and Management

    This is a first semester module and will help you build and develop your knowledge in the area of international business and management. 

    You’ll learn about four of the business functions:

    • Operations
    • Finance
    • Marketing
    • Human Resources 
    • Managing information systems. 

    You’ll build a base of knowledge and understanding of how the business functions contribute to the success of an organisation and give a competitive advantage.
     

  • Strategic, Change and Innovation Management

    You will develop knowledge in the area of strategic management, change and innovation management. You’ll gain understanding of the organisation and the economic context of the business environment. 

    Through this module you build your insight into a series of relevant and current topics that represent key issues around innovation and change and the organisational context in modern general management; strategic management, including the critical evaluation of the business and economic environment.
     

Optional modules

International Business in Practice: Study Trip

This elective study trip will give you a hands-on, intensive experience with the ideas and practices of global business. You’ll meet with leaders of global firms, receive presentations from global academic experts, and tour company facilities. You’ll also have direct interaction with management executives and practices through site visits to major corporations and agencies. 

All costs associated with the trip will need to be funded by you. It is not linked to university assessments in any way. If you successfully complete this module you will have it recorded on your transcript. As the destination and therefore precise costs vary from year to year, the programme fee of the study trip will be communicated to students before the application deadline.
 

Academic English for Postgraduate Studies

N/A

Academic English for Postgraduate Research

N/A

Final Research Project

Compulsory modules

  • Final Research Project

    Your final research project module runs over two semesters. You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a substantial independent research project by applying and extending the streams of study, knowledge and practical skills you’ve gained in other modules. 

    You’ll be able to demonstrate a range of skills such as:

    • researching
    • critical thinking
    • project planning
    • problem-solving
    • writing/oral skills. 

    You’ll be able to choose from different research project options, providing you with the opportunity to explore in detail an area of particular interest or relevance to you. 

    The options currently are Dissertation, Client Project, Integrated Business Research Project, and Business/Concept Development.
     

Work placement

Optional modules

Work placement (compulsory for sandwich mode)

This supervised work experience module is part of the two-year sandwich mode for students who join the Programme in September. The module supports and assesses students who are engaging in paid supervised work experience (a placement) in a role relevant to their programme.  It provides students with the opportunity to understand first-hand how businesses work and to apply the learning gained from the taught element of their programme within a real working environment.

We will provide support to help you find a placement - our team has a database of opportunities and runs events where you can meet potential employers. A placement will provide you with valuable experience, although securing one takes a lot of effort and success is not guaranteed.  You would need to cover your own living and travel costs throughout the duration of your placement.

Fees will be charged for the placement year in Year 2 and are available on request from finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk in May of the year of study.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Research

Business School academics explore core issues facing contemporary societies, ranging from refugee entrepreneurship and internationalisation to sustainable tourism, security and the changing world of work and organisations including the impact of artificial intelligence. We address questions such as:

  • What characterises the interconnections of trade, transportation and technologies?
  • How do we organise for security?
  • How can social media address well-being and social isolation?
  • How can individuals be happier and navigate the increasingly complex world of work?

We also have an expertise in Coaching and Mentoring as well as in Diversity (such as examining pay gaps and gender and spin-outs) and we are always keen to include students into our projects where possible.

Please visit our research pages to learn more about the three research centres @ /business/research/. Being a masters student at OBBS offers plenty of opportunities to be a part of our research culture.

Researcher explaining to a group

Careers

The MSc International Business and Supply Chain Management will help you develop the knowledge and skills for roles that centre on managing supply chains, logistics, operations or other functional areas of an organisation. Typical roles might revolve around: 

  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Procurement Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Supply Chain Coordinator 
  • and general manager.  

This may be in commercial, non-profit or public organisations.

Many of our graduates find managerial positions at a wide range of organisations, including:

  • companies producing fast moving commercial goods
  • consultancy firms
  • financial institutions
  • retail giants
  • charities
  • SMEs

Recent examples of these employers include:

  • Amazon
  • IBM
  • Deutsche Telekom
  • Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, EY
  • Oxfam
  • BASF Group
  • Kautex Unipart
  • Raiffeisen Bank
  • Revolution Insurance
  • American Business Conferences
  • Consilio Global
  • Or return to their family business.
     

Our Staff

Dr Chengbo Wang

Chengbo is a senior lecturer who has undergone research into innovative strategic practices in business operations management, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Read more about Chengbo

Dr Gabor Lukacs

Gabor works as liaison manager with some of our esteemed international partners and professional and accrediting bodies, and teaches on several business and management modules.

Read more about Gabor

Entry requirements

International qualifications and equivalences

How to apply

Application process

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£11,400

Home (UK) part time
£5,700

Home (UK) sandwich (placement)
£2,000

International full time
£16,800

International sandwich (placement)
£2,000

Home (UK) full time
£11,950

Home (UK) part time
£5,975

Home (UK) sandwich (placement)
£2,100

International full time
£17,650

International sandwich (placement)
£2,100

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£11,400

Home (UK) part time
£5,700

Home (UK) sandwich (placement)
£2,000

International full time
£16,800

International sandwich (placement)
£2,000

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£11,950

Home (UK) part time
£5,975

Home (UK) sandwich (placement)
£2,100

International full time
£17,650

International sandwich (placement)
£2,100

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

The full-time fees quoted are for the taught Year 1. Fees will be charged for the placement year in Year 2 and are available on request from finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. 

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

 

 

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.