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. Please note that the fast track route does not attract government student finance as you will need to be sitting the whole course, not a lesser amount of credits due to previous study/experience.
2021/22 update: Blended learning approach for USW courses.
[Update excludes online-only courses].
The wellbeing and health and safety of our students and staff is paramount to us. We are committed to delivering all of our courses and services as safely as possible. Due to the pandemic, the methods and activities adopted for the coming year may differ from those previously published and may be subject to further change through the course of your study if such change is necessary due to public health concerns, health and safety guidance or in response to Government Guidelines. USW is committed to providing you with a fantastic student experience and a wealth of support, and you can hear how students have benefitted from this approach here: Learn more about blended learning.
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.
Teaching
The teaching approach involves a blend of styles with an emphasis on an interactive environment. You will learn through lectures, seminars, group work, case studies, and analyses of contemporary issues in strategic procurement management. Part-time delivery is designed around the needs of practising industry professionals and takes place at weekends, where you come to the University’s Treforest Campus for one weekend every six weeks.
Students who already hold the CIPS Graduate Diploma, or equivalent, will be eligible for exemptions and entry to an 18-month fast-track programme (weekends) which starts in September.
All full-time members of staff in the purchasing and supply team are fellows or senior fellows of the Higher Education Academy.
Assessment
The assessments are currently assignment based with no written exams. Assignment word count may vary but tends to be two 3,000 word assignments per 20 credit module.
Management Development Centre (MDC)
If you have significant managerial experience or qualifications from a professional institute (such as CMI or ILM) you may be eligible to study the fast-track MSc Strategic Procurement Management at our collaborative partner, Management Development Centre Ltd. The course runs twice a year in the Spring and the Autumn.
For more information and to apply, visit www.procurementmasters.co.uk
Course details
Accreditations
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.
Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
This Masters course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS). Graduates will be eligible for exemption from CIPS exams and with relevant experience can apply to CIPS for membership.
Institute of Operations Management (IoM)
This course is accredited by the Institute of Operations Management (IoM): Therefore graduates of the complete MSc are exemption from IoM exams and with relevant experience can apply to IoM for membership.
