Supply Chain Leadership & Management Degree Apprenticeship

Course overview

Through study of a Postgraduate Diploma and work place application, apprentices will gain a broad knowledge of management and leadership topics, covering areas such as strategy, financial management, human resource management and leadership, all viewed from the perspective of strategic management of the supply chain and explored in the company of fellow supply chain professionals. With the option to progress from the Postgraduate Diploma to an MSc in Supply Chain Leadership & Management, learners will be able to further specialise their learning and add value to their organisations through in-depth exploration of a business issue or opportunity.

Why explore Supply Chain Leadership & Management at Aston University?

Hear from Claire who is studying our Supply Chain Leadership & Management Degree Apprenticeship.

Why choose Aston University?

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Triple Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Located at the beating heart of UK manufacturing and supply chain

Aston University has over 30 years of experience delivering specialist supply chain courses

Empowering leaders in logistics

Four decades of delivering logistics and supply chain management programmes, with alumni in key board level roles in many leading organisations

Course description

Responsibilities can include leading people, projects, operations and/or services to deliver long term results.

Supply Chain Leadership & Management Degree Apprenticeship BSc

We’ll teach you the theory and skills and you’ll put them straight into practice whilst you are employed as an apprentice.

What will we provide
We will provide you with mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals and lecturers, sharing theory and practical knowledge. On successful completion of the Supply Chain Leadership and Management Apprenticeship, you will gain:
•   Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Leadership & Management
•   Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship certificate
•   Chartered Manager status from the CMI
•   Level 7 ILM Certificate in Leadership & Management
•   This programme offers the opportunity to progress on to an MSc upon completion of the apprenticeship.

What will you provide
As an apprentice, you will be required to balance academic work, full-time employment, and on-the-job training. You will be expected to engage with teaching materials, online lectures, and in-person sessions. You will need to submit coursework and other assessments in a timely manner.

What skills will we teach
The skills that apprentices can gain from this programme include leadership, management, communication, teamwork, mentoring, and mathematical skills.

Career placement
The Supply Chain Leadership and Management Apprenticeship is for supply chain specialists or managers with a desire to further their knowledge and skill base, develop their careers and to progress to senior leadership positions.

How you will learn

The course is delivered through a blend of short learning blocks on campus (typically 18 days per year)and remote learning, led by experienced teachers with a professional background.Face-to-face study sessions give apprentices the opportunity to enrich their learning through discussion of current business issues and to network with fellow supply chain leaders.
Remote learning is delivered through our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, where candidates can engage with module content, participate in live seminars and communicate with their peers. There is also an extensive online library of content to support their studies.

What you will learn

Facilities

At Aston University, apprentices enjoy full access to all the facilities available to regular students. This inclusive approach ensures that apprentices can take advantage of the university's library, labs, study spaces, cafes and more. By providing equal access to these facilities, Aston University supports apprentices in their educational journey, enabling them to thrive in both academic and practical aspects of their chosen fields.

Course objectives

Enable emerging supply chain leaders to build on their previous specialist skills, experiences, and training to develop their leadership skills and ability to work both collaboratively and independently to meet organisational objectives.
Enable supply chain managers to develop their knowledge of the business environment, key business functions and processes and their ability to apply knowledge, together with their previous experience, to complex organisational issues.
Develop the ability to manage projects, to make financial, strategic and operational decisions under conditions of risk and to contribute to the organisation’s performance at board level.
Develop the intellectual and professional skills (including analytical, critical thinking, problem solving, research and communication skills) required to perform as a senior supply chain leader.
Develop students’ ability to reflect on their own performance and behaviours to enable proactive identification of professional development opportunities.

Modules and learning outcomes

Programme content is taught at postgraduate level and includes seven core modules covering essential business and management topics, explored within the context of the global supply chain:

Modules
Optional modules

Modules

Module title	Credits
The business landscape	15
Strategic financial management	15
Supply chain management	15
Human resources management	15
Mastering strategy	15
Developing leadership capability	20
Research methods	10

Learning outcomes

Analyse the external business environment of an organisation using a range of tools and techniques and reflect critically on the external drivers of change and the impact of disruptive technology.
Explain and apply the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility and Governance and evaluate the communications strategy of a case study organisation.
You will discuss contemporary SCM thinking and explain the strategic role of SCM thinking, with reference to the marketing, financial and environmental sustainability dimensions.
Apply systematic approaches to supply chain design and re-engineering; and build upon the knowledge gained to lead meaningful supply chain change and improvement processes in a variety of settings.
Apply tools of strategic analysis and evaluate how the value proposition affects supply chain strategies and service operations for the end customer and manage risk and resilience within the supply chain and develop and align supply chain strategies with the company’s corporate and financial strategies.
You will have an understanding of the way a Human Resource Function is designed and managed and its relationship to business performance and success at both operational and strategic levels.
Explain the concepts and principles underpinning strategic analysis, planning and management within an engineering / supply chain environment.
Be able to present evidence-based arguments for change, construct various business cases, lead change implementation, take people with them, manage conflict and satisfy various stakeholders through the change process.
Demonstrate high performance leadership behaviours to drive a high performance culture, influence internal and external stakeholders and effectively manage people and manage operations, reputation, brand and risk.
Select and Apply the skills, competencies and personal commitment needed to undertake research at Master's level, including the use and application of resources, the use of questionnaires and surveys and the application of ethics to this research and have high levels of discipline specific competencies and skills.
In particular students will be in a position to prepare a viable proposal and work plan for a research project at Masters level.

Apprentices also have the opportunity to select elective module to deepen their knowledge of a key business area and specialise their apprenticeship, including but not limited to:

Module title	Credits
Engineering programme management	15
Customer engagement and operational effectiveness	15

Entry requirements

Entry requirements are set by the hiring business and not Aston University so they vary between organisations. Apprentices are selected based on their applications, an interview and an assessment process which is tailored to your apprenticeship position.

Indicative entry requirements are given below, but please note that each employer may set their own criteria.

Qualifications
Eligibility

To be considered for this programme, Aston University expects that applications will have at least five years in a management position plus one of the following:

A UK honours degree, or an equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University, or a degree-level professional qualification. Candidates without one of the above but with extensive management experience and clear evidence of career progression will be considered on a case by case basis.

Apprentices must also meet the following criteria:

Be employed in a job in England with responsibilities aligned with the degree content.
Have a minimum of Grade C/4 in GCSE Mathematics and English (or Level 2 equivalent) by the end of the programme.
Be a UK/EU/EAA resident for at least three years prior to starting the course.
To progress onto an MSc, applications must complete all 120 credits of the apprenticeship programme.

Course fees

The cost of the apprenticeship is £14,000 covered by the apprenticeship levy. The progression to an MSc costs £4,000 and is not covered by the apprenticeship levy. This can be self-funded, funded by the employer, or co-funded.

Assessment

Learners will be assessed through applied assignments. While there are no traditional examinations, candidates will be assessed through work-based projects that give them the opportunity to implement their learning and make a positive impact in their organisation. In the final year, apprentices will complete a Strategic Business Proposal, requiring them to apply all the theory and skills gained throughout the apprenticeship.

The portfolio

Throughout the programme apprentices will curate a personal and professional development portfolio. The purpose of the portfolio is to showcase the skills, knowledge and behaviours develop through the programme and how the apprentice has applied them to their role in the organisation.

Every apprentice is allocated a skills coach who will support their learning and skills development and provide advice and guidance on the development of the portfolio.

The end point assessment

The final stage of the apprenticeship is the end point assessment. The apprentice will meet with an independent assessor from the CMI to discuss their Strategic Business Proposal and the impact it had on their organisation. They will also review their development journey and how their portfolio has documented it. Finally there will be a short interview allowing the candidate time to share how the programme has helped them to grow and develop. After the interview, based both on the apprentice’s performance and portfolio, the assessors will award the apprentice either a fail, pass, merit or distinction for the apprenticeship.

Progression to an MSc

This programme enables candidates who have completed the apprenticeship to progress to an MSc inSupply Chain Leadership & Management. Apprentices can apply to progress to this pathway during the apprenticeship and will automatically be accepted as long as they complete the apprenticeship stage. MSc students will be allocated a research supervisor to support their learning.

The MSc programme features an in-depth project, typically completed over a 12 month period, which focuses on a current business challenge or opportunity within the field of supply chain.

Career prospects

The Supply Chain Leadership and Management Apprenticeship is for supply chain specialists or managers with a desire to further their knowledge and skill base, develop their careers and to progress to senior leadership positions.