Business and Supply Chain Management BSc

Supply chain management is at the heart of every retail, manufacturing and logistics business. Working with partners and suppliers across the world, supply chain managers work to streamline business operations and increase access to international markets.

Our course combines the essential business theory and practice from Aston Business School with supply chain expertise to prepare you for an exciting career.

The NOVUS Scheme

The Business & Supply Chain Management degree is linked to the NOVUS Trust, a not-for-profit organisation hosted by the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT). The NOVUS scheme supports students through professional mentoring, industry seminars, site visits, and access to placement opportunities with their sponsor companies. You will have the opportunity to apply to join the NOVUS scheme in the second semester of your first year. 

You can find out more about the NOVUS Trust here.

What you’ll learn

During your time at Aston, you’ll develop a thorough understanding of supply chain management and everything that happens to ensure that companies can satisfy their customers' needs and wants.

You’ll explore the roles of purchasing, manufacturing and logistics as well as the planning, organisation and resource management that is needed to manage a global supply chain.

In addition, you’ll also develop key employability skills such as good communication with others, data analysis and organisation skills.

Students on this course could graduate with an honours degree, a guaranteed job and a year of professional experience - you'll be several steps ahead of many other graduates!

Modules

Year 1

Modules

•    Study and Research Skills 
•    Building Professional Relationships 
•    Introduction to Supply Chain Management 
•    Introductory Accounting for Business
•    Introduction to Organisational Behaviour 
•    Law for Business
•    Introduction to Marketing Management 
•    An Introduction to Business Economics 
 

Year 2

Modules
Core:

•    Quantitative Tools for Supply Chain Planning 
•    Purchasing Principles for International Supply Chains 
•    Operations and Process Management 
•    Facilities and Systems 
•    Land Transport 
•    Employee Resourcing 

Choose one of the following:

•    Managing Engineering Projects 
•    Air and Maritime Transport 
•    Business Operations Excellence 
•    Enterprise Systems 

Year 3 - Placement year

Find out more about the Aston placement year.

•    EPS Study Placement Year 
•    EPS Industrial Placement Year 
•    EPS  Study/Work Placement 

Final Year 

Core:

•    Supply Chain and Procurement Strategy 
•    Strategic Financial Management and Finance 
•    Supply Chain Planning 
•    Final Year Project 
•    Theories and Practice of Leadership 
•    Contemporary Issues in Supply Chains

Choose one of the following:
•    International Trade Law 
•    Performance and Efficiency Analytics
•    Technology and Practice of eCommerce
•    International Marketing
•    Innovation and New Product and Service Development

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham, it’s also a great place to live. Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability and our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Choosing to start your Aston journey with one of our foundation programmes will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course. During your foundation year, you’ll have excellent support from academics and group projects will give you the chance to meet new people, make new friends and build a network of peers who will share your university journey.

We also have a Learning Development Centre that can provide additional support and offer pre-sessional English language programmes. 

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Typical offers:

A Levels

BBB
BBC if grade B achieved in EPQ or Core Maths
BCC Contextual offer*

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

IB

31 points and above, with 5, 5, 5 in higher level subjects.

BTEC, Access & other

BTEC

• Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma: DDM
   
• Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction
   
• National Diploma and Diploma: DM plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade B
   
• Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade Distinction plus an A-Level in any subject at grade C 
  OR achieve an overall grade Distinction in BTEC Sub Dip/ Extended National Cert grade in any subject at grade Merit
   
• Foundation or 90 credits Diploma: DM plus 2 A-levels at minimum grade B
   
• National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma: M plus 2 A-levels at minimum Grade B
   
• Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted

 

Access to Higher Education

Access with at least 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits at level 3.

 

Non-standard qualifications

Degree:

Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme.

Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have gained (or be expected to gain) 65% overall and 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university.

The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered, you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3.

 

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and the whole application is reviewed which includes previous and predicted qualifications, any experience, references and motivation.

T Levels

The following T levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

• Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction Grade D
• Digital Production, Design and Development Grade D
• Education and Childcare Grade D
• Building Services Engineering for Construction Grade D
• Onsite Construction Grade D
• Digital Business Services Grade D
• Digital Support Services Grade D
• Health Grade D
• Healthcare Science Grade D
• Science Grade D
• Design and Development for Engineering Manufacturing Grade D
• Engineering Manufacturing Processing and Control Grade D
• Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering Manufacturing Grade D

GCSEs

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:

2 GCSEs grade C/4 or above including Maths and English 

Our Admissions Policy

View our Admissions Policy

Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard (however, initial offers will not be lower than stated above).

Entry onto our Foundation Year may be offered as an alternative to the degree course if lower entry grades are achieved.

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

International students

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements. For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your country webpage.

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning styles on our degrees, and place particular emphasis on project-based learning and hands-on experience. Visiting lecturers from the logistics profession bring real-life experience to your learning. 

Assessment is through a combination of project work, case studies, practical reports and coursework (approximately 50%), and exams (approximately 50%). Your final degree classification is based on your final year studies, but also on your second, and if relevant, your placement year.

More information

Please note that the international tuition fees stated are for 2023 entry. 2024 tuition fees are presently unavailable and will be published on this website at the earliest opportunity.

* The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as Home students.
Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/student-support-in-england

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

People with knowledge and skills in the supply chain are in high demand as retail and manufacturing companies continue to develop and grow. At the end of your time at Aston, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to work in areas including supply chain management, purchasing and procurement, logistics analysis and distribution management.

Through this course you could be part of the NOVUS scheme, which could guarantee you employment on graduation with one of 27 companies including Wincanton, Arla, Sainsbury’s, DHL or Kingfisher. Students on other supply chain programmes have secured positions with companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oréal, Caterpillar, Unilever and GSK.

Why choose Business and Supply Chain Management? 

Combining input from both Aston Business School and the school of Engineering and Applied Science, you’ll get a rounded learning experience, getting you ready for a career where your skills will be in high demand.  

What will I be doing on the Business and Supply Chain Management course at Aston? 

You’ll explore the role of purchasing, manufacturing and logistics as well as the planning, organisation and resource management that is needed to manage a global supply chain. 

Why is a placement year compulsory on this course?  

Aston University's four year placement courses offer the opportunity to spend your third year in a paid industrial placement. The value a placement adds is immense – you will grow in knowledge, experience, confidence and maturity, and gain organisational and time management skills.

Why should international students choose Aston University? 

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live. 

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career.  

Choosing to start your Aston journey with our foundation programme will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course.