Mode of Study
Full-timeDuration
1 year full-timeStart date
September 2024, January 2025Overview
Prepare for your procurement and buying career with this MSc Strategic Procurement course. With a focus on leadership, strategy and digital operations, you’ll graduate ready to make a direct impact on the industry. You’ll even have a professional exam exemption, so if you become an associate Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) member you’ll have one less exam to complete.
As a professional with a Master’s degree in procurement, you’ll contribute to the strategic decisions of the companies you work for as well as making purchasing decisions and managing supplier relationships.
Build an in depth understanding of the stages and functions of procurement in business as you explore digital procurement technologies, use SAP tools, and access our SAP Next Gen facilities on this degree.
You’ll learn how to enact the procurement process, produce industry documents, and manage key suppliers. You’ll explore procurement and sourcing strategies for different business, discover goal and performance metrics, and perform in active simulations and training events.
Whether you hold an undergraduate degree in a logistics or business related subject, or you’re a professional looking to upskill, this course will help you develop your buying and negotiation skills as well as your understanding of procurement processes. You don't need to have studied maths to enter this course.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Gain hands-on experience with SAP digital procurement tools
- Earn a CIPS exam exemption when you complete the course
- Discover strategies for different business needs
- Attend an in-house conference with procurement professionals
- Apply your knowledge in active simulations and training events
- Network with professionals including procurers, consultants and head-hunters
- Learn from lecturers with experience as senior procurement managers and CPOs from multiple industries
What you'll study
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits.
Full-time
All modules on this course are core.
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Data Analytics Knowledge and Skills for Procurement (15 credits)
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Digital Tools for Procurement (15 credits)
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Methods for Procurement (30 credits)
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Risk Management for Procurement (15 credits)
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Commercial Knowledge and Skills for Procurement (15 credits)
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Financial Knowledge and Skills for Procurement (15 credits)
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Negotiation Leadership and Teamwork Skills for Procurement (15 credits)
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Transforming Business Strategy and ESG Through Procurement (30 credits)
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Careers and opportunities
Procurement professionals excel in both the public and private sectors, with the UK government alone holding more than a thousand procurement vacancies in 2022.
You’ll graduate from this MSc Strategic Procurement degree in an excellent position to enter the evolving procurement sector or progress your current career in the industry.
The procurement profession is governed by the UK Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), with a structured career path from graduate buyer to Chief Procurement Officer. If you choose to join CIPS as a member after you the course, you’ll start your career journey with a module exemption.
The average UK salary for a graduate trainee/buyer in 2021 was £27.5k, with UK procurement professionals earning an average of £53k (CIPS 2023 Salary Guide).
Procurement has a role in all fields of commerce, including private and public sectors, large and small organisations, and manufacturing and service based enterprises — so you can work in any sector that interests you.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Business and Law Career-Ready Programme. This support will continue for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Support starting your own business
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
This course is taught full-time on campus over 12 months.
You should expect:
- to attend in person study blocks of 2-5 consecutive days at a time
- to cover one module per study block
- study block teaching days to run 9:00am-4:00pm
- breaks of roughly 5 weeks between study blocks
- to access online study materials, such as recorded lectures and exercises
Teaching
The teaching on this course includes:
- lectures
- seminars
- exercises
- computer labs
- group and individual activities
Teaching staff
The experts who teach on this course include:
Dr Philip Brabazon
Assessment
You'll work on and submit an assignment for each module during in the weeks after the relevant study block.
You may be assessed through:
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individual or group structured reports
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case-study analysis
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data processing
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research based essays
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recorded video presentations
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role play in simulated environment
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online tests
You'll receive feedback on all of your assignments and have the opportunity to work with lectures for feedback on your draft assignments before your deadlines.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, and run from January to the following January. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Facilities
SAP Next Generation Lab
Gain practical skills with cloud-based software such as SAP and S&P Capital IQ, in our dedicated lab.
Business Simulation Suite
Experience the boardroom in our replica business suite.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- Academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- Reflective writing skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2023 or January 2024 start)
- Full time: £12,700
Including the Transition Scholarship for EU students.
- Full time: £12,700
- Full time: £20,600
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
International students
Discover how you could join students from more than 150 counties in Portsmouth, and get all the information you need to apply for a degree course with us, wherever in the world you may be.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Discover how you can fund your Master's study at Portsmouth – including loans, scholarships and bursaries – and read our guidance on topics like how to budget, and how to get support if you're disabled or have dependents.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
September 2024 and January 2025 start
- A second-class honours degree or equivalent in a business/management subject, or a masters degree in an appropriate subject.
- Or, a second-class honours degree in any subject plus two or more years experience in a relevant business function(s). Relevant functions include: procurement, buying, supply chain, operations, logistics, sales, or production. Exceptionally, equivalent qualifications in combination with relevant business experience will be considered.
All applicants are subject to interview.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Standard applications
Start this course in September 2024
Apply now (Full-time) - 1 year
Start this course in January 2025
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2021, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.