Aerial Photography of Portsmouth Naval Base (July 2019)

Business and Supply Chain Management BSc (Hons)

Gain global logistics and supply chain skills that keep the world moving in one of the UK’s biggest supply chain hubs with great placement opportunities.

University of Portsmouth Connected Degree - 3 year course with 4th year placement

Key information

UCAS code:

J9N1

Typical offer:

112-120 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

Showing content for section Overview

Overview

Supply chain management contributes to every aspect of business, not to mention everyday life.

Recent events like Covid and Brexit have shown how important supply chains are. Ensuring the right products are in the right place at the right time — and at the right cost — is vital to life as we know it. So is ensuring those supply chains are sustainable safe for the environment.

On this degree you'll investigate risk and strategic management, logistics management, and learn how to procure goods and manage supply lines.

You'll use professional industry software, systems and tools to help you explore the ethics and sustainability of global supply chains. 

With a focus on global procurement and the sourcing and purchasing of goods, you’ll graduate with more than just an understanding of logistics and the movement of goods. You’ll build your specialist knowledge and understanding of business in general so that you graduate with a set of management and specific skills that are in demand in the workplace.

You can boost your employability and apply you degree knowledge with a paid industry placement year before or after your third year. As Portsmouth is a vital supply chain hub there are great local opportunities to do a placement year with companies like IBM and Boeing, as well as other roles across the UK. 

"Demand for supply chain talent is at an all-time high, as more and more companies have recognised how important supply chain management is to their success."

DHL

Course highlights

  • Stand out in the employment market with your knowledge of procurement and a valued skill set
  • Get hands on experience of using SAP software and reporting in our SAP suite.
  • Choose from specialist module options including business analytics and data modelling — skills that are in-demand in the industry
  • Gain core management skills such as risk management and leadership alongside your specialist supply chain skills
  • Benefit from the support of our dedicated Placement Team to help you secure a paid placement year 
  • Improve your global employability by spending a year abroad at a partner university in Europe, Asia, Australia or North America
  • Learn from academics who have supply chain industry experience and research expertise in data driven supply chains

I first chose BA (Hons) Business and Management, but I really enjoyed the Business Operations module, so I switched to Supply Chain Management from my second year. The modules are all really fun and interesting and the staff are all great and know their subjects really well.

Georgia Meredrew, BSc (Hons) Business and Supply Chain Management Graduate, Procurement Agent, Boeing

Accreditation

AACSB Logo

No. 3

influential business school in the world

Financial Times Teaching Power Rankings 2021

We have partnered with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) so that you can gain a value added professional qualification alongside your degree. Students on our BA (Hons) Business and Supply Chain Management can be awarded a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership upon successful completion of their degree programme. Upon joining their degree course, students become members of the CMI and are able to access a range of benefits, resources and events to support their professional development.

Business and management studies at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power

Research Excellence Framework (REF), 2021

Read more about our business and management research

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements

BSc (Hons) Business and Supply Chain Management degree entry requirements

Typical offers

  • A levels - BBB-BBC
  • UCAS points - 112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
  • International Baccalaureate - 29

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications.

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't 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.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

Ideal skills and qualities for this course

Supply chains are evolving constantly to adapt to business challenges. Communication and negotiation skills, adaptability, and creativity are becoming increasingly important. We're looking for enthusiastic people who can demonstrate good communication and presentation skills.

You don't need to be particularly good at maths for this degree, but we are looking for analytical and enquiring minds who enjoy solving problems.

Joining this course in the 2nd year

This course is open to both international and UK students. If you're an international student who doesn't quite meet our entry requirements you can join this degree course in the 2nd year after completing the undergraduate pathway to Business and Management at International College Portsmouth.

Facilities

SAP Next Generation Lab

Gain practical skills with cloud-based software such as SAP and S&P Capital IQ, in our dedicated lab.

BAL-0519-Business Talk
Explore the lab

Business Simulation Suite

Experience the boardroom in our replica business suite.

Business Simulation Suite
Discover our Business Simulation Suite

Careers and opportunities

Logistics and supply chain management today is emerging as a highly desirable sector for employment providing an exciting high-tech career. This is due to the deployment of cutting-edge technologies in many of the key areas.

Harald Hamley , Teaching fellow, University of Portsmouth

Supply chain management is needed everywhere and there's a great shortage of supply chain skills in the UK. You could work in retail, healthcare, manufacturing, shipping and freight, charities or the public sector - the choice is yours.

Pay is good; the average salary for all UK procurement and supply chain professionals is £49,743 (CIPS Salary Guide 2022) and there are many varied routes for career progression, including working overseas.

Roles you can go on to with this degree include:

  • supply chain management
  • purchasing and procurement
  • procurement management
  • logistics analysis
  • distribution management
  • supply coordination

Previous graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:

  • Marks and Spencer
  • Apple
  • Amazon
  • DHL
  • UPS
  • Automotive (RR)
  • Procter and Gamble (P&G)

Alternatively you could go on to specialist postgraduate study, or set up your own business with the help and support of the University.

"Roles in logistics and supply chain management can provide challenging and satisfying careers which typically combine the responsibility for 'day-to-day' operations with long term projects implementing major business changes."

Prospects October 2021

Work placement year

You can boost your employability by taking an optional paid placement after your second or third year.

Previous students have had placements in organisations such as:

  • Intel
  • Sony
  • Johnson and Johnson
  • Land Rover
  • Aldi
  • Nissan

Many of our students are offered a graduate job by their placement employer.

The average salary for a 12-month paid placement is £19,800 for students in the Faculty of Business and Law. It could be more or less than this amount depending on your placement. You'll only pay a very small percentage of your tuition fee for this year.

You could also set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement during this year.

Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)

Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)

We have over 20 experienced business entrepreneurs on our free EiR programme who can help you develop your business idea.

"I have a business idea, but I was not too sure about it. After this meeting, I felt so encouraged and positive about it! I felt so motivated to pursue my business venture. He gave me real life advice and helped me how to approach my ideas."

Rabab El Habchi Mahir meeting EiR Mark Smith

Prague cityscape

Study abroad year

Between your second and third year, you can choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, Australia or North America. All classes are delivered in English and you'll still be able to get both your tuition fee and maintenance loans. You may also qualify for a government travel grant.

 

"Students that go abroad are more likely to obtain first-class honours [and] more likely to be in graduate employment than their non-mobile peers."

 

Universities UK International: 'Gone International, Rising Aspirations', 2019

Modules

What you'll study

Core modules in this year are:

  • Business Accounting - 20 credits
  • Business Operations and Systems Management - 20 credits
  • Economics For Business - 20 credits
  • Introduction to Business Analytics - 20 credits
  • Managing People in Organisations - 20 credits
  • Marketing Principles and Practice - 20 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Core modules are:

  • Business Logistics Management - 20 credits
  • Leadership, Ethics, Governance and Sustainability - 20 credits
  • Legal Issues in Procurement and Supply - 20 credits
  • Procurement and Supply - 20 credits
  • Risk Management and Supply Chain Vulnerability - 20 credits

Optional modules for this year include:

  • Business Analytics and Decision Modelling - 20 credits
  • Developing Individual and Team Creativity - 20 credits
  • Electronic and Mobile Commerce - 20 credits
  • Financial Decision Making and Control - 20 credits
  • International Business - 20 credits
  • Learn a Foreign Language – 20 credits

Core modules are:

  • Business Improvement and Creativity – 20 credits
  • Dissertation - Operations and Systems Management – 40 credits
  • Operations Strategy and the Supply Chain – 20 credits

Optional modules for this year include:

  • Business Consultancy Project - 20 credits
  • Critical Leadership: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives - 20 credits
  • Critical Leadership: Theory and Practice - 20 credits
  • Cross Cultural Awareness For Business - 20 credits
  • Project Management For Enterprise - 20 credits
  • Responsible and Sustainable Business - 20 credits
  • Strategic and International Management - 20 credits
  • Strategic Management - 20 credits

After your second or third year, you can do a paid placement year to get valuable experience in the industry.

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.

Teaching

The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • business suite sessions
  • one-on-one tutorials

We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. In addition to our dedicated teaching team, you'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies.

Assessment

Assessment depends on the modules that you take, but assessment methods are likely to include:

  • essays
  • presentations
  • projects
  • exams
  • reflective work
  • computer-based assignments

Teaching staff profiles

These are some of the expert staff who’ll teach you on this degree course.

Banu Lokman Portrait

Dr Banu Lokman

Associate Head (Research and Innovation)

Reader in Operational Research

Banu.Lokman@port.ac.uk

Operations and Systems Management

Faculty of Business and Law

PhD Supervisor

Read more
User profile default icon

Mr Harald Hamley

Teaching Fellow

Harald.Hamley@port.ac.uk

Operations and Systems Management

Faculty of Business and Law

Read more

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.

Your total study time will depend on the modules that you take, but in your first year this is what your week may look like:

  • timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 15 hours a week
  • independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 20 hours a week

You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting you

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get 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 postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.

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.

The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.

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 a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

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

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)

You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the University of Portsmouth.

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional course costs

Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £2,875  a year (subject to annual increase)

Apply

How to apply

To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – J9N1
  • our institution code – P80

Apply now through UCAS

 

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

  • Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
  • Speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
  • Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Applying from outside the UK

As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things. 

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in 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.

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.