Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Overview

Supply chain management is the management of all activities in business networks. This means managing the flow of products, services, and information not just within your own company but also through suppliers and customers. Supply chain management extends beyond traditional purchasing and logistics to the design and management of the complex web of relationships that is required to deliver products and services to the final customers.



The MSc in Sustainable Supply Chain Management delivers a comprehensive engagement with all aspects of supply chain management with a focus on creating a more sustainable and just world. Students will gain insights across a range of vital knowledge areas and skills, from decision making that can shape international trade, through supply chains’ impact on the environment, to product safety and protection of workers’ conditions globally. All this learning is built on robust management fundamentals such as strategy, leadership, analytics, critical thinking, negotiation and organisation.



This programme will teach you the skills, theory and knowledge you need to become a leader in the supply chain management profession as well as connect you to our vibrant and growing community of global supply chain professionals and companies.



The MSc in Sustainable Supply Chain Management at UCD Smurfit School is ranked 12th globally in the QS 2023 Masters in Supply Chain Management Ranking.



The programme is suitable for students who are passionate about making a difference in the world and is suitable for students from all academic backgrounds including engineering, humanities, social sciences, agriculture and food sciences.



What will I learn?

The course offers both a solid academic grounding in the concepts and practices of Supply Chain Management and direct contact with the experience and expertise of professionals from the field.



1. A 360-degree view of the profession, from supplier development and management, through to innovation generation, customer relationship management and sustainability.



2. The skills and techniques required to succeed in the industry: strategy, management, leadership, critical thinking, negotiation and organisation.



3. Market-relevant experience and the benefit of professional know-how via a consulting project conducted with leading organisations at the forefront of Supply Chain Management practice.



How will I benefit?

1. The course has been structured to ensure that students simultaneously learn the theories and practices integral to the profession whilst also boosting their suitability for recruitment by the very companies that employ supply chain management techniques.



2. The combination of cutting-edge theory and knowledge dispensed by leading academics in the field and real experience of supply chain issues via corporate involvement in the course.



3. Opportunities for students to showcase their knowledge and employability are boosted by the dedicated supply chain careers fair held during the course.



4. Diverse, international job opportunities with multinational firms from a variety of countries and industries, including Deloitte, Eyeon, Accenture, Apple, Meta and Zara.



Curriculum

Whether taking the course on a full-time basis or part-time via classes during the working day, students must complete a wide-ranging combination of core and option modules (6 + 1), as well as the Sustainable Supply Chain Project in the Summer Trimester.



Conducted over the summer term in groups of students, and supervised by leading researchers and organisations, the Sustainable Supply Chain Project offers the ultimate bridge between classroom-based learning and the realities of sustainable supply chain management in practice.

Autumn Trimester:

Core modules

Supply Chain Operations

Sustainable Procurement

Negotiation for Supply Chain Managers



Spring Trimester:

Core Modules

Supply Chain Sustainability

Supply Chain Analytics

Business Logistics



Summer Trimester:

Core Module

Sustainable Supply Chain Project



Plus 1 option module

Creative Problem Solving

Technology & Innovation Strategy

Cross-Cultural Management

Leadership and Team Management

Innovation: Disruption & Design



Please be advised that the above reflects the 2023/2024 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years and are also subject to change.

Please review the entry requirements below. The UCD Smurfit Admissions Office staff have expertise in reviewing international qualifications from around the world and will be able to assess your application's comparability to the Irish entry requirement.



A minimum second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline or A primary degree with a minimum of three years’ work experience in Supply Chain Management.



Information & Requirements

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our programmes. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.



Visa Requirements

Some students might have to get a student visa in order to come and study in Ireland. Please check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services website to see if you require a visa.

How To Apply?

Step 1: Collating Documentation

The first step is to collate the required documentation needed to assess your application. Please ensure that you have clearly scanned, titled and collated your documents in numerical order.



These can include but are not limited to:

TRANSCRIPTS AND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS

CV

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST

REFERENCES

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION



Step 2: The Application Process

Once you have collated the required documentation and reviewed the entry requirements for your programme of interest, you can now apply online.



Apply Online:

You must apply online using our dedicated student information portal. You will be required to enter contact details, upload your documents and answer two essay questions (each approximately 300 words). We would ask that you seriously consider both essays and answer these in the context of the programme you are applying to. Try to not replicate your CV and demonstrate what makes you different from other applicants. There are no right or wrong ways to complete these essays.



Application Deadlines:

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and courses will close once they are filled. We advise you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note certain scholarships may require you to apply before a certain date – please refer to our scholarship page here. If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie.



Application Fee

You will then be asked to submit your application and pay the €60 application fee. No application can be assessed until the fee has been paid. You can apply for multiple programmes with the one application fee, but please be sure to mark your preferred course.



UCD Students and Alumni who have completed a full-time degree with UCD can apply to UCD Smurfit programmes with no application fee charge



Application Review

Once submitted, it usually takes 2-3 weeks before a decision is made on fully completed applications. This time period can sometimes be longer and can vary at different times in the year and in different regions. We may offer you a conditional place based on the completion of a number of criteria, such as degree, English test, or another qualification. This reserves you a place on the course and once you have fulfilled this criteria we will issue you a full offer.



Deposit

Acceptance is completed by paying a non-refundable deposit (varies from either €500 or €1000 depending on the programme. Most of our programmes require a €500 deposit). Your offer email will detail the exact deposit amount required. Once you have accepted you will then be supported by the Programme Office who will contact you with further course and start details.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

NEXT INTAKE: September 2024.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Programme have gone on to work in a variety of different industries, including consulting, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, retail, logistics, internet and technology-related companies. We run a dedicated supply chain careers fair and leverage job opportunities through our corporate partners.



100% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in December 2022.



Potential careers for our graduates include:

Purchasing Manager/Director

Supply Chain Manager/Director

Supply Chain Planner/Buyer

Project Manager

Logistics Coordinator

Supply Chain Analyst