Logistics with Supply Chain Management BSc

Have you ever thought about how events like Glastonbury or the Olympic Games happen and all the people involved to make them a success?

Without people working in logistics, these events simply wouldn’t happen, as all the goods and products need to be produced and transported to the right place at the right time. Our course will show you how logistics and supply chains are crucial to our world and give you the skills to work with partners and suppliers, streamlining business operations and increasing access to international markets.

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 logistics, and everything that happens to ensure that companies can satisfy their customers' needs and wants.

You’ll develop the techniques used to make these processes work effectively, in order to meet strategic objectives such as minimum cost, maximum service level and shorter cycle times.

You’ll learn how to use the software tools and packages that are used in logistics businesses across the country, building your analytical and supply chain design skills. Our programme focuses on practical, real-life applications to develop a range of key employability skills including problem-solving, good communication with others, data analysis and organisation skills. All these skills are highly transferable, regardless of the career path you choose on graduation.

Students on this course could leave Aston 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

•    Study and Research Skills 
•    Building Professional Relationships 
•    Introduction to Supply Chain Management 
•    Transport and Engineering Economics 
•    Law for Engineers 
•    Introduction to Business Management 
•    Introductory Accounting for Business 
•    Facilities and Systems 

Year 2

•    Operations and Process Management 
•    Air and Maritime Transport 
•    Land Transport 
•    Quantitative Tools for Supply Chain Planning 
•    Managing Engineering Projects 
•    Service Marketing 
•    Purchasing Principles for International Supply Chains

Year 3 - Optional placement year

Find out more about the Aston placement year.

•    EAS (Engineering and Applied Science) Study Placement Year 
•    EAS Industrial Placement Year 
•    EAS Study/Work Placement Year 

Final Year 

•    Final Year Project 
•    Leadership and Human Resource Management  
•    International Trade Law 
•    Supply Chain and Procurement Strategy 
•    Strategic Management and Finance 
•    Contemporary Issues in Supply Chains 
•    Supply Chain Planning 

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

ANY SUBJECTS: BBC
Standard offer BCC: If the student is also presenting either Core Maths or Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) grade B
BCC: Contextual offer*. 

OR; INCLUDING A SCIENCE OR TECHNICAL SUBJECT: BCC: including a science or technical subject
Standard offer CCC: If the student is also presenting either Core Maths or Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) grade B
CCC: Contextual offer*. 

Science or technical subjects include: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Biology Further Maths, Design Technology, Engineering Science and Electronics, Geography and Geology.

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

IB

• A science or technical subject is preferred but not essential
   
• 28 overall points with 5, 4, 4 in higher level subjects including a science or technical subject
   
• 29 points and above with 5, 5, 4 in higher level subjects if no science or technical subject studied

BTEC, Access & other

BTEC

• Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma: DDM
   
• National Diploma and Diploma: DM plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade B
   
• Foundation or 90 credits Diploma: DM plus 2 A-levels at minimum grade B
   
• Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma: M plus 2 A-level minimum Grade B
   
• Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted
   

Access to Higher Education

Access (science or technical subject preferred but not essential) 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

GCSEs

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

GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 or above. 

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 and you will have the opportunity to undertake site and company visits.

Your work will be assessed through a combination of coursework and tests and end of year exams. Your final degree classification will be determined by your performance in your second and final years.

More information

*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 logistics and supply chain are in high demand as customers want more from retail and manufacturing companies.

At the end of your time at Aston, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to work in a variety of roles including Supply Chain Planner, Logistics Specialist, Operations Manager and Category Manager.

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

Why choose Logistics with Supply Chain Management at Aston University? 

Graduates with skills in these areas are in high demand in a growing industry.  

If you’re part of the NOVUS scheme and achieve a 2:1 you’ll be guaranteed a job on graduation.  

What will I be doing on the Logistics with 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 should I take a year in industry?  

You will have 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. 
 
For members of the NOVUS scheme, the BSc Logistics with Supply Chain Management course offers a guaranteed paid placement with one of the companies supporting NOVUS. 

What about accreditation?

This programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). With additional professional experience after graduation, you will be eligible for Chartered Fellow Membership (FCILT). 

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.