Supply Chain Management (Professional Practice) BSc Degree Apprenticeship

For students

This new degree apprenticeship for 2020 has been designed in partnership with leading industry experts and will be delivered in collaboration with leading supply chain employers to support a high-performance workforce.  
 
You’ll develop the essential skills and theoretical knowledge required to excel in the supply chain and logistics sector.  
 
There has never been a more significant time to progress a career in the supply chain and logistics sector. With rapidly evolving global affairs from Brexit through to the recent Coronavirus pandemic, the need for highly skilled staff has never been greater. 
 
The course embraces a strong culture of leadership and innovation from the very start of your career. With Aston, you’ll learn how to play a part in revolutionising, shaping and simplifying the exciting and rewarding supply chain world that propels the economy and enables all of society.  
 
We’re working in close partnership with employers such as world-leading logistics company DHL to support and develop their talent ready for successful careers as supply chain leaders.  
 
Aston University is based in the heart of the UK at the cross-section of the supply chain and manufacturing network. You’ll benefit from a close partnership with industry leaders as well as expert teaching staff who have held professional positions in the supply chain sector.  

For employees

This new degree apprenticeship for 2020 has been designed in partnership with leading industry experts and will be delivered in collaboration with leading supply chain employers to support a high-performance workforce. 

Apprentices will develop the essential skills and theoretical knowledge required to excel in the supply chain and logistics sector. The course embraces a strong culture of leadership and innovation from the very start of your career. With Aston, you’ll learn how to play a part in revolutionising, shaping and simplifying the exciting and rewarding supply chain world that propels the economy and enables all of society. 

We’re working in close partnership with employers such as world-leading logistics company DHL to support and develop their talent ready for successful careers as supply chain leaders. 

Aston University is based in the heart of the UK at the cross-section of the supply chain and manufacturing network. You’ll benefit from a close partnership with industry leaders as well as expert teaching staff who have held professional positions in the supply chain sector.

For employers

This new degree apprenticeship for 2020 has been designed in partnership with leading industry experts and will be delivered in collaboration with leading supply chain employers to support a high-performance workforce. 

Apprentices will develop the essential skills and theoretical knowledge required to excel in the supply chain and logistics sector. 

The course embraces a strong culture of leadership and innovation from the very start of the apprentice’s career. With Aston, apprentices will learn how to play a part in revolutionising, shaping and simplifying the exciting and rewarding supply chain world that propels the economy and enables all of society. 

We’re working in close partnership with employers such as world-leading logistics company DHL to support and develop their talent ready for successful careers as supply chain leaders. 

Aston University is based in the heart of the UK at the cross-section of the supply chain and manufacturing network. Apprentices benefit from a close partnership with industry leaders as well as expert teaching staff who have held professional positions in the supply chain sector.

Who is this apprenticeship for?

This Level 6 degree apprenticeship provides the practical and theoretical learning for aspiring supply chain professionals, including those early in their career and school leavers applying for degree apprenticeship roles in the sector.  

Apprentices gain new knowledge, the networks and know-how for success, and a formal degree qualification. They will study part-time with no fees to pay while gaining real-world experience in the heart of the supply chain sector.  

Course content 

The apprenticeship is taught at undergraduate level (Levels 4-6) over four years, covering a broad range of supply chain and logistics skills with a central focus on practical and profitable development.  

Stage one

Stage one of the apprenticeship is taught at Level 4 and typically takes 16 months to complete. This stage is designed to help learners become effective in the workplace by developing the core knowledge and skills to enhance productivity. 

•    Workplace Skills 
•    Warehousing and Transport Operations 
•    Logistics Management 
•    Financial Management. 

Stage two

Taught at Level 5, the second stage typically takes 16 months to complete. This stage is designed to extend subject knowledge, apprentices learn how to drive performance and develop their leadership and management capabilities. 

•    Supply Chain Analytics 
•    Purchasing Principles for Global Supply Chains 
•    Developing Management Capability 
•    Managing Projects and Performance 
•    Developing Leadership Capability. 

Stage three

The final stage of the degree apprenticeship is taught at Level 6 and takes 16 months to complete. Apprentices will explore the application of supply chain strategy, incorporating disruptive technologies and continuous innovation. 

•    Technology and Innovation 
•    Strategic Supply Chain Management. 

Stage three of the programme includes a major work-based project. This gives apprentices the opportunity to stretch themselves and showcase their learning by focusing on an in-depth supply chain challenge or issue in their organisation. The end result is a major project report delivering valuable insight for the organisation. 

Real-world learning  

You will spend most of your time doing a full-time job as well as studying for your degree part-time through a combination of online seminars outside of office hours and occasional sessions on campus. Everything is structured to fit around your job and is designed in partnership with employers.  

You will need to apply for a degree apprenticeship role or already be employed in a job in England with responsibilities aligned with the degree content. Please see the how to apply section below for more information.

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.

You will need:

• Three A Levels at CCC or above, or equivalent BTECs.*
• Have a minimum of Grade C/4 or above in Mathematics and English

*Please note:

• Employers may specify their own entry criteria that can exceed this.
• Candidates who do not have three A Levels at CCC may be considered on a case by case basis with aptitude and experience taken into consideration.

You will also need to meet the government's eligibility criteria:

• Have been a UK/EU/EAA resident for the past three years or more prior to starting the course.
• Have left full time education when the apprenticeship you are applying for is due to start.
• Be aged at least 16 years old to meet government funding criteria.

How to apply

If you are already employed in this industry, you should discuss with your manager if your organisation is working in partnership with Aston University. If they are, you will make an application through your employer.

If your employer is not yet an Aston partner, they can get in touch with our Apprenticeships Team to find out more information about working with us.

Apprenticeships are structured differently to a traditional degree. You'll spend the majority of your time in the workplace doing a real full-time job as well as studying for your degree part-time.

Study time is structured to fit around your job. Your apprenticeship is designed in partnership with your employer, so you don't need to worry about your work and study commitments clashing. They work hand in hand.

For each module, you will attend two on-campus sessions lasting two days, usually in week one and week seven of each term. This is an opportunity to meet face-to-face with peers and our teaching staff, who are expert practitioners with extensive industry experience, to further develop learning through lectures, workshops and group discussions.

The course is supported by distance learning using our virtual learning environment. This platform allows apprentices to access a comprehensive range of study materials, pre-recorded material, academic journals, databases and much more.

You will also be supported by an apprenticeship tutor who will work with you to identify your development needs and to evidence your achievements throughout the apprenticeship.

Assessment

By successfully completing this programme, you'll be awarded a BSc in Supply Chain Management (Professional Practice). You will also achieve an apprenticeship certificate that is graded at pass, merit or distinction.

Apprentices are assessed through coursework assignments that are applicable to your organisation.

You will also produce a portfolio to showcase your personal and professional development throughout the degree apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship concludes with the end point assessment. This gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your academic, personal and professional development achievements throughout the apprenticeship.

This consists of a review of your final project, followed by a professional discussion showing that you have met the requirements of the degree apprenticeship standard. After the interview, the assessors consider what grade should be awarded for the apprenticeship.
 

You will not have to pay tuition fees as a degree apprentice as the costs are met by the UK government and your employer*. In addition to your fees being paid, you will also earn a salary while you study, so there is no need to apply for Student Finance.

The funding band for this degree apprenticeship is £21,000. This is the full cost of your apprenticeship which will be paid for using your employer's apprenticeship levy.

*Employers may require students to pay the fees for resits.

Why study a Supply Chain Management (Professional Practice) – Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship at Aston? 

Aston’s great links with industry and experienced teaching staff will help you to develop the specialist professional skills alongside your practical work experience in order for you to excel your career.  

This is an exciting new degree apprenticeship that has been designed in close collaboration with leading industry experts. This means we ensure that the knowledge, skillset and behaviours developed on this course closely match the needs and expectations of the supply chain and logistics sector.  

In addition, the course embraces a strong culture of leadership and innovation from the start. You’ll learn how to play a part in revolutionising, shaping and simplifying the exciting and rewarding supply chain world that propels the economy and enables all of society.  
Graduate with experience, a formal degree qualification and no-debt, whilst propelling your future career. 

Why Aston University for an apprenticeship?

Aston University has been ranked 13th in a Top 50 list of the UK’s best apprenticeship training providers (RateMyApprenticeship Awards, 2022-2023). We also have a history of providing our students with skills that help them to excel in their chosen careers, as well as really value our network of employer links which inform and shape our courses and teaching.  

Why partner with Aston University for a degree apprenticeship?

At Aston we work really closely with our employer network, not only to ensure courses fit around the roles that apprentices have, but also to ensure the skills and knowledge they develop fit the needs of their organisation and add value to their business. 

Aston University has been ranked 13th in a top 50 list of the UK’s best apprenticeship training providers (RateMyApprenticeship Awards, 2022-2023). We also have a history of providing our students with skills that help them to excel in their chosen careers, as well as maintain good working relationships with employers.