Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
The Business and Supply Chain Management BA (Hons) degree has been designed to give you the ideal balance between a broad understanding of business and a more focused emphasis on operations and supply chain management.
You will undertake a balanced 50/50 split between business management content (where you explore business functions such as finance, marketing, and human resources) and operations and supply chain management topics such as International Operations Management, Applied Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Global Logistics and Inventory Management, Strategic and Sustainable Supply Chain Management, and Supply Chain Innovation. The degree will start with a heavy focus on broad business content, becoming gradually more supply chain management focused as you move towards final year.
Accredited Course: The University have Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and is also covered by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation for Newcastle Business School.
According to AACSB, “Approximately 6% of the world's schools offering business degree education have achieved AACSB accreditation, demonstrating a commitment to high-quality, rigorous standards, innovation, and continuous process improvement”. Read more about our 'double' AACSB Accreditation.
The Business and Supply Chain Management course has been designed to prepare you for graduate employment in operations and supply chain management or broader business and is a CILT (UK) Accredited Degree. This degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS - UK).
Before your final year of studies, you will be encouraged to undertake a work placement, study abroad or combine both. In the final year, you’ll have the option to carry out a group consultancy project in the Business Clinic, a management enquiry project or a dissertation depending on whether you completed a placement. The management enquiry project will allow for working individually to investigate a real business issue, and gaining critical practical experience.
If you're enthusiastic about supply chain management and seeking a challenging career path after your studies, consider exploring Northumbria University's Business and Supply Chain Management program. This program is bolstered by the NOVUS Programme, supported by CILT, and helps students achieve their career goals. NOVUS is a robust coalition of prominent companies spanning various industries. These reputable corporations recognise the urgent need to revolutionise how the supply chain field identifies, develops, and empowers its future trailblazers.
Student Rated: 100% of students studying Business and Supply Chain Management at Northumbria believed that their course enabled them to develop knowledge and skills needed for their future (NSS, 2024).
Research Powerhouse: Business and Management is ranked 9th in the UK for research power (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 51 places, the largest rise in the sector.
Industry Bodies: The course content has been developed in partnership with industry bodies the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
UCAS Code
N1NS
Level of Study
Undergraduate
Mode of Study
3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department
Newcastle Business School
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2025 or September 2026
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
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This course is eligible for a scholarship
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Our students learn from the best inspirational academic staff with a genuine passion for their subject. Our courses are at the forefront of current knowledge and practice and are shaped by world-leading and internationally excellent research.
Newcastle Business School delivers first class teaching in a world class environment.
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Find out what research our Newcastle Business School students and staff are taking part in.
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Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Business and Supply Chain Management. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
112 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or equivalents.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants shoud have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
UK Fee in Year 1: £9,535
* This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift, as decided by the UK Government, up to the maximum amount for fees permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year. To give students an indication of the likely scale of any future increase, the UK government has recently suggested that increases may be linked to RPIX ( Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments)
International Fee in Year 1:
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
AF4038 -
Financial Decision Making (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn how financial information can be used to assist managers and external user groups in their decision-making processes. You will initially look at the informational needs of outside user groups, the nature of the information they are provided with, and how this information can be analysed and interpreted in order to enhance the effectiveness of their decision making.
Topic areas will include:
• The reporting frameworks and ethical principles that underpin financial reporting
• The nature of international financial reporting standards
• Format and content of the statement of profit or loss and statement of financial position
• The statement of cash flows
• Analysis and interpretation of financial statements using ratio analysis
You will then examine how financial information can facilitate managers in making operational decisions in relation to planning and control.
Topic areas will include:
• Costing (full and variable costing)
• Cost, volume, profit analysis
• Relevant costs for decision making
• Budgeting and variance analysis
• Balance scorecards
• Working capital management
Finally, you will explore the motivations for entrepreneurial activity and techniques that can be used to appraise investment decisions.
Topic areas will include:
• Investment appraisal techniques (payback, accounting rate of return, net present value and internal rate of return)
• Practical aspects of investment appraisal (inflation and capital rationing)
• Risk and uncertainty
BM9403 -
Business Analysis for Decision Making (Core,20 Credits)
In this module, you will develop the knowledge and skills in applying a variety of quantitative data analysis techniques to support business decision making. You will be introduced to business modelling using appropriate analytical tools, and your learning will cover a range of techniques to help business forecasting and data presentation.
In this module you will be exposed to a range of data analysis tools and skills, including:
• Business Analysis and Modelling: management of complex and varied data sets; building spreadsheet models.
• Data Trends and Associations e.g. identifying relationships between business variables.
• Business Forecasting and Predictive Modelling – analysing factors and trends for business planning.
• Business and Dashboard reporting – consolidation, interpretation and presentation of data for professional output.
• Data distribution, data presentation and using summary statistics – handling a range of data for statistical analysis.
• Gaining an understanding of the overlap between business and research data and the selection of appropriate tools for management of both types of data.
Working with these analysis tools, you will learn to develop confidence in dealing with a wide range of data sets. You will become familiar with the role of modelling as an aid to problem solving and will build skills which enable you to interpret data and present your findings to a range of audiences. Very importantly, you will gain a good understanding of the crucial role that analysis of data and interpretation of results plays in the decision-making arena.
GA4001 -
Academic Language Skills for Newcastle Business School (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)
Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.
The topics you will cover on the module include:
• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
HR9409 -
Preparing for Professional Practice (Core,20 Credits)
Your programme aims to ensure that you are learners for business, not just of business, upon graduation. This module starts you on this journey by supporting your professional development. It aims to increase your awareness of and sensitivity to personal and employability/entrepreneurship/enterprise skills. It does this by focusing on programme-specific graduate career opportunities that require you to work on projects similar to those that graduates within your field will undertake once in employment. You are taking an experiential, team-focussed, project/problem-based approach. The module will support you in identifying and developing the essential skills, behaviours, and understanding required to sustainably and responsibly manage organisations and their people. These might include generic areas such as leadership, project management, management, resilience, empathy and professional judgment, and discipline-specific capabilities.
You will use this understanding to evaluate, practise, develop and re-evaluate your capabilities in these skills, behaviours and acumen areas, enabling you to build your own graduate identity. This approach underpins your successful future employability, entrepreneurship or enterprise activity. In addition, the activities provide you with authentic insights into the importance and challenges of team-working within organisations as you work to address real organisations’ issues.
Learner/team-led, tutor-guided sessions aim to support you in enhancing your employability and upon building your graduate identity. During the practical development of the key attributes and behaviours central to your future success within your chosen profession within a project-based environment, you will receive support from the programme team. In addition, by documenting and reflecting upon your progress towards achieving your own team defined KPIs, you will enhance your skills, behaviours, capabilities, and understanding.
In short, at the end of this module, you will:
• Have an understanding and increased awareness of, and sensitivity to, those personal skills and attributes which are central to your future employability in your chosen profession or future entrepreneurial or enterprise activity
• Be better prepared to understand the skills and qualities required by graduates in your field to secure future employment or engage in enterprise activity
Have practical experience of working on a real-life business project appropriate to your programme area, improving your project management, research, employability and collaboration skills
HR9412 -
Business, Economy and Society (Core,20 Credits)
Governments and society are increasingly expecting business organisations to step up and assist in building cohesive societies through the application of more sustainable forms of capitalism. This module introduces you to the global economic, societal, technological and environmental challenges of the 21st century, and identifies how, through greater alignment of business interest with that of society and the economy, business can be a “force for good” as well as best prepared to ‘Take on Tomorrow’. You will focus on how contemporary businesses, broadly defined to include public, voluntary, not-for-profit and social enterprise, interact the economy and society though examination of topical news stories and events. In doing so, you will develop a deep understanding of the relationships between business, the economy and society and the global challenges we all face. You will explore a range of cultural, governmental and ethical issues that arise from current and developing global and national contexts through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key issues include business ethics, the role of business in society, green issues, stakeholder theory, capitalist variants, the nature of globalisation at firm, economic and societal level and the interrelationship between business and government. By the end of the module you will be able to evidence critical thinking and analysis skills while bringing your own experiences as a citizen into your discussion and inquiry.
More informationMO9411 -
Supply Chain and Operations Study and Consultancy Skills (Core,20 Credits)
This module aims to prepare you to become students for business as well as of business. You will be expected to put your learning into practice by working on projects related to your programme area of Business and Supply Chain Management. It is an active experiential module helping you to develop the necessary skills, qualities and behaviours to succeed both at University and in your future career.
As part of your operations, logistics and supply chain management learning, it is vital you develop industry-relevant competencies such as sustainability awareness, responsible business, ethics, analytical and interpersonal skills, creative thinking, communication, time and project management. This module provides the groundwork for your wider undergraduate degree and the graduate marketplace by equipping you with a range of skills and proficiencies, essential for you to succeed in industry and beyond. Here, you will also learn of our industry-specific placement scheme, NOVUS, backed by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
This practical module will provide you with an introduction to experiential learning. Using a ‘hands-on’ approach, you will work with live business projects and collaborate in teams to develop sustainable solutions to business problems. A core part of this experiential learning method is the process of reflection. Reflection enables you to appreciate your own skills development, how your skills could potentially complement other team members’ skills, and helps you systematically identify areas for future development, unique to you.
You will apply these principles to business cases and also learn research and communication skills that will enhance your capabilities to study future modules on your degree.
MO9412 -
Introduction to the Marketing and Supply Chain Management Interface (Core,20 Credits)
The module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills of applying various marketing and supply chain management (SCM) knowledge at the interface of these two subject disciplines to support business decision making. The module is delivered to you using weekly webinar-based lectures and class-based seminars, principally concentrating on developing your subject knowledge and its related understanding. This module will cover twelve topics:
Marketing and SCM interface at the strategic level.
Process technology and improvement strategy.
Purchasing and supply strategy.
Understanding Supply Chain Management, relationships and dynamics.
Supply chain risk management and resilience.
E-commerce, e-procurement and omnichannel fulfilment.
Understanding marketing, the core marketing mix framework and the new marketplace.
Branding and logistics interface.
Creating customer value: new product development and pricing.
The global customer: understanding how customer behave and decision-making influences.
Integrated marketing communications (IMC): development of digital marketing and channels.
Creating customer satisfaction.
You will become aware of the role of the two business areas of marketing and supply chain management and how they interface and integrate with each other. Furthermore, you will gain an understanding and development of various business problem-solving models related to these areas.
On completing the module, you will be able to select and apply the appropriate knowledge to support business problem-solving in a variety of situations where marketing and supply chain interact. You will have developed relevant skills to support the theoretical material introduced throughout the module.
BM9501 -
Business Research and Analysis (Core,20 Credits)
In this module you will experience a comprehensive coverage of research methods and analysis that will prepare you both for work placement or study abroad opportunities alongside preparation for your final-year “capstone” research module of either Dissertation, Management Enquiry or Consultancy Project.
You will learn how to develop a research question, and linked to this, be able to choose an appropriate method of research, dovetailing both learning experiences to the development of a critical assessment of the academic literature. You will gain a basic understanding of research philosophy, whilst the coverage and importance given to research ethics will play an important part of your learning within the module and you will appreciate as part of your learning how this underpins research of quality and integrity. The role of Ethics in research will cover study design, participant selection, data collection, data handling and storage and presentation of research findings.
You will learn how to apply quantitative and qualitative methods. In the quantitative applications, you will learn about questionnaire design, sampling, presenting and summarising data, statistical inference and hypothesis testing. You will have the opportunity to use a range of appropriate software tools, such as SPSS (or an equivalent). You learn to as well appreciate the importance of survey and questionnaire piloting. In the qualitative part of the module, techniques covered will include interviewing, focus groups and visual methods to generate data, supported by appropriate analysis methods. You will learn how to execute a critical and effective analysis of your research data for both approaches,
HR9516 -
Human Resource Management Essentials (Core,20 Credits)
Designed specifically for non-Human Resources specialists the HRM Essentials module will take you on a journey through the modern organisation offering you the opportunity to understand how Human Resource Management contributes to the strategic direction of organisations in varying industries and sectors. Building on the level 4 module ‘People, Management and Organisations’, this module is relevant to all those whose careers will involve dealing with and managing people in organisations. Managers are often considered the key link in ensuring the successful implementation of HR processes, and likewise, the support of the HR function is required to ensure that managers operate fairly and consistently within best practice guidelines. Managers are likely to play a key part in several core HR processes in order to ensure that they have the right people in their teams who are able to perform effectively. Thereby an understanding of Human Resources underpins effective management practice. ‘HRM Essentials’ provides a practical overview of each of these core areas, providing a broad grounding in HR practice ranging from recruitment and selection to performance and reward, and learning and development to absence and wellbeing.
This module will not only provide you with the key theoretical arguments in Human Resource Management but will also encourage you to apply this learning to practice and reflect on your own personal skill development in implementing effective HR processes which will be invaluable to you in your future graduate management role.
MK9525 -
Digital Business: Models, Marketing and Operations (Core,20 Credits)
Throughout this module you will be introduced to the opportunities and challenges posed by doing business in an increasingly digital domain. This module is designed to give you an understanding of how using online channels impacts upon different parts of the organisation, and will focus upon 3 core areas of business:
• Digital Business Models: You will develop an understanding of the cost structures associated with using digital channels and different business models (including omnichannel business strategies)
• Digital Marketing: In this part of the module you will consider how consumer behaviour has changed in the digital era, and evaluate the ever-increasing range of digital tools available for marketers online. This will include understanding Google search rankings, social media and mobile marketing.
• Supply Chain Management and Information Systems: You will also develop an appreciation of the role of supply chains in serving global markets, addressing issues such as the application of various systems to facilitate digital transactions (e.g. ERP, CRM) and issues related to web performance.
You will be encouraged to think about digital business as a cross-disciplinary issue that requires the buy-in and contribution of various business functions to truly succeed.
MO9528 -
Applied Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn the key theories and principles of logistics and supply chain management and the knowledge and skills of applying these in real business practices. The module is delivered to you using weekly lectures and seminars, the seminars principally concentrate on the development of your discipline-specific problem solving skills and associated “soft skills”, e.g. communication and presentation competencies.
Within this module, you will cover the following main topics:
• Logistics in manufacturing and service
• SCOR model
• Order management
• Demand management
• Inventory management
• Distribution strategy
• Sourcing management
• Supply chain coordination
• Supply chain network design
• Transportation management
• Global supply chain management
• The future of supply chain management
The module will lead you to the development of supply chain management competencies and confidence in handling complex problems relating to logistics, supply chain and their inter-relationship. In doing so, it will expose you to a wide range of quantitative or qualitative models and techniques that support the analysis relating these problems. You will therefore become knowledgeable about the theory and practice of logistics and supply chain management and skilful in the use of various related tools and techniques.
On completing the module, you will be able to apply the theories and principles to analyse logistics and supply chain problems in a variety of business applications. You will be capable of identifying the root causes of various supply chain problems and be capable of proposing relevant solutions.
MO9529 -
International Operations Management (Core,20 Credits)
Your learning on this module captures global contemporary operations and supply chain challenges and issues, its contribution to organisational strategies and the development of competency in related tools. You will develop as an active learner and your learning on this module is three-fold:
1. This module provides you with an underpinning knowledge about international operations management, your learning underpinned by investigating the ongoing developments in both related theory and practice set in the global context. You will learn strategic theories and gain knowledge associated with common operations and supply chain management themes during interactive weekly lectures and seminars. The key themes include:
• Introduction to operations management
• Process, product and service design
• Global supply chain management
• Operations planning
• Global operations sustainability
• Quality management
• Resource and capacity planning
• Global procurement management
• Lean management
• Global location management
• Global logistics management
• Global supply chain risk management
2. This module will seek to develop your practical problem solving skills related to the global operations and supply chain context by analysing contemporary issues through interactive case study analysis that are central to weekly seminars. You will have opportunity to analyse cases relevant to each theoretical theme above and be able discuss these with your fellow learners with facilitation by your seminar tutor.
3. This research-informed module also aims at developing your research skills. You will have opportunity to learn more about critical reading and writing of the peer reviewed academic journal articles that enable you to develop the necessary and significant skills required to execute your research–intensive assessment tasks in this module and other modules as you progress through your programme.
MO9530 -
Global Logistics and Inventory Management (Core,20 Credits)
The module aims to provide you with an understanding of the key elements of logistics and inventory management on a global scale. You will learn about how different forms of transport modals combine and operate to move goods and people around the world and how goods can effectively and efficiently be ordered, stored, despatched and delivered. This module will offer you a border understanding and an appreciation of the institutional challenges, tensions and future opportunities for growth within supply and distribution systems.
Within in this module, you will cover ten main topics:
Introduction to inventory/warehouse design
Warehouse operations, material handling, and Japanese shop floor management
Facility location and layout
Hierarchical/ aggregate planning
Forecasting and inventory control
MRP and capacity management
Multimodal and intermodal transportation
Containers, inventory and transport
Revere logistics and CLSM
CSR and Responsible supply chain
On completing the module, you will have developed an appreciation of global logistics and inventory management challenges and their relation to the supply chain. You will also be able to apply this knowledge to business and management contexts and compare and contrast the warehouse functions and the intermodal choices.
NX9527 -
Newcastle Business School Study Abroad Semester (Optional,60 Credits)
The Study Abroad Semester module is a semester long 60 credit module which is available on degree courses which include the option to study abroad in Semester 2 of Year 2. You will undertake a semester abroad at a partner university equivalent to 60 UK credits.
The study abroad placement is an important element of your course structure and gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning.
When taken and passed the study abroad semester will be recognised in your transcript as a 60 credit Study Abroad Module. The learning and teaching on your study abroad placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded in the learning agreement signed by you, the host University, and the University.
NX9525 -
Newcastle Business School Work Placement Year (Optional,120 Credits)
The Work Placement Year module is a full year 120 credit module available on degree courses which include a work placement year which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6. The placement consists of 48 weeks of full time work experience in a host organisation which is relevant to your studies.
The placement is an important element of your course structure and it will provide you with the opportunity to:
• Experience the environment of a real workplace which will help you decide the type of career you would like to follow after graduation
• Develop your organisational and interpersonal skills required to enable you to work efficiently as a member of a team
• Acquire and develop relevant technical skills associated with the nature of your work
• Identify, analyse and discuss with experienced practitioners how theoretical concepts are adapted and applied to suit practical requirements
• Apply knowledge that will help you to plan and evaluate future study and career development.
This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to your degree classification. When taken and passed, however, the Placement Year is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Work Placement Module and on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Work Placement Year)”. The learning and teaching on your placement will be recorded in the training agreement signed by you, the placement provider, and the University.
NX9526 -
Newcastle Business School Study Abroad Year (Optional,120 Credits)
The Study Abroad Year module is a full year 120 credit module which is available on degree courses which include a study abroad year which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6. You will undertake a year abroad at a partner university equivalent to 120 UK credits.
The study abroad placement is an important element of your course structure and gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. At the end of the module you will have adapted to and appreciated a different cultural and learning environment and developed ability. You will have developed your interpersonal and intercultural communication skills as a result of your learning in an international environment.
This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to your degree classification. When taken and passed, however, the Study Abroad Year is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Study Abroad Module and on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Study Abroad Year)”. The learning and teaching on your study abroad placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded in the learning agreement signed by you, the host University, and the University.
NX9528 -
Newcastle Business School Blended Placement Year: Work Placement Semester (Optional,60 Credits)
The Work Placement Semester module is a semester long 60 credit module which is available on degree courses which include the option to take a blended placement year of Work and Study Abroad which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6.
On this module you will undertake a semester long work placement. The placement consists of a period of full time work experience in a host organisation equivalent to a full semester of study which is relevant to your studies.
The placement is an important element of your course structure and it will provide you with the opportunity to:
• Experience the environment of a real workplace which will help you decide the type of career you would like to follow after graduation
• Develop your organisational and interpersonal skills required to enable you to work efficiently as a member of a team
• Acquire and develop relevant technical skills associated with the nature of your work
• Identify, analyse and discuss with experienced practitioners how theoretical concepts are adapted and applied to suit practical requirements
• Apply knowledge that will help you to plan and evaluate future study and career development.
This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to your degree classification. When taken and passed, however, the Placement Year is recognised in your transcript as a 60 credit Work Placement Module. The learning and teaching on your placement will be recorded in the training agreement signed by you, the placement provider, and the University. Combining this with the study abroad semester as part of the third year out of the University, this will be recognised on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Study Abroad and Work Placement Year)”.
NX9529 -
Newcastle Business School Blended Placement Year: Study Abroad Semester (Optional,60 Credits)
The Study Abroad Semester module is a semester long 60 credit module which is available on degree courses which include the option to take a blended placement year of Work and Study Abroad which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6.
You will undertake a semester abroad at a partner university equivalent to 60 UK credits.
The study abroad placement is an important element of your course structure and gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. When taken and passed the study abroad semester will be recognised in your transcript as a 60 credit Study Abroad Module. The learning and teaching on your study abroad placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded in the learning agreement signed by you, the host University, and the University. Combining this with the work placement semester as part of the third year out of the University, this will be recognised on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Study Abroad and Work Placement Year)”.
BM9615 -
Project Management (Core,20 Credits)
In this module, you will learn about the role of a project and project manager in organisations and the concepts and techniques required to manage the core aspects of a project.
The main topics covered include the core knowledge areas outlined in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) published by Project Management Institute (PMI) as well as essential fundamental theories, knowledge, and techniques required to manage a project in contemporary business settings.
These topics include:
• Defining project characteristics, lifecycle, and activities.
• Understanding how projects drive change and achieve strategic goals in organisations.
• Realising the role of the project and project manager in various organisational structures and cultures.
• Managing core project aspects, such as stakeholder relationships, scope, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Distinguishing traditional, agile, and extreme project management approaches.
Drawing on contemporary project management research and business case studies, this module will develop your knowledge, skills, and confidence in managing projects and your learning with take place though lectures and practical IT workshops. Your learning will expose you to a wide range of project management examples (successful and unsuccessful) and project management approaches (classic and contemporary) to broaden your understanding of project management in a dynamic business setting. You will be given opportunities to work as a team and develop essential project management documents for a chosen project.
On completing this module, you will be able to utilise appropriate project management techniques and technical skills to effectively and efficiently manage different projects and you will be able to critically challenge the assumptions and existing practices in project management.
MO9634 -
Supply Chain Innovation (Core,20 Credits)
The module aims to help you with using knowledge of business and management to understand the management of innovations in supply chains. The module is delivered to you using weekly lectures and seminars.
Within this module, you will cover five main topics:
• Types of innovations (e.g., product innovation, process innovation, organisational innovation, supply chain innovation and eco innovation).
• Innovation processes.
• Knowledge management for innovation.
• Relating in business networks for managing innovations.
• Introduction to selected process and organisational innovations in supply chains.
The module will lead you to the development of a basic understanding of the different facets associated with supply chain innovation. In doing so, it will expose you to a wide range of supply chain innovation theories and frameworks. You will become aware of the role the management of supply chain innovations plays in the wider business context. Furthermore, you will gain an understanding of the role of knowledge management in relation to the management of innovations in supply chains, the drivers for these innovations, the ways in which such innovations can be managed and different aspects associated with the relational nature of managing supply chain innovations.
On completing the module you will have developed an understanding of different types of supply chain innovations, approaches to managing knowledge for supply chain innovation and the relational nature of such innovations. You will also be able to Identify contemporary professional practice in business and management and understand how it is informed by theory and research.
MO9635 -
Global Supply Network Management (Core,20 Credits)
In this module, you will experience an extensive coverage on logistics and supply networks. The module will enhance your strategic understanding about the complexities involved in supply network design and its architecture and you will learn to manage the supply networks strategically in a global and local context.
The module provides an understanding of the physical movements of goods through supply chain networks, the networks of organisations involved, and the modes of transport used. The module will explore logistical and network solutions for real business distribution problems across both inland and overseas operations and the challenges and future opportunities of logistics providers/freight operators in the balancing of sustainability priorities. The key themes include:
Network design and architecture
Warehouse trends, design, and management
Transportation systems and Intermodality
Forecasting and Inventory management
Logistics and Distribution networks
Supply network theory
Automation and warehouse management
Industry 4.0
The module also focuses on transport as a service to the public, both domestically and internationally, examining the allied industries it supports. It also provides an appreciation of the socio-political debate surrounding the sustainability of different transport modes, industry agendas and governance frameworks, whilst considering the realities of such debates when serving and operating in local and international environments.
At the end of the module, you will be able to critically assess the strategic management of particular specialist areas of business such as logistics and supply chain management and apply and critically appraise this knowledge to relevant business and management contexts. You will learn to conduct contemporary research into logistics and supply management. In doing so, you will learn to develop your interpersonal communication skills and ability to work in teams. You will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that contributes to your personal and professional development.
MO9638 -
Strategic and Sustainable Supply Chain Management (Core,20 Credits)
The module aims to provide you with the knowledge and critical appreciation in applying a variety of sustainable supply chain management at the subject interface to support business strategic decision making in this area of subject. The module is delivered to you using weekly webinar lectures and class-based seminars, principally concentrating on the development of critical appraisal and interpretation of the subject area.
Within this module, you will cover twelve main topics:
Logistics Planning Systems and Global Supply Chain Management (SCM).
Relationship Management.
Benchmarking the Supply Chain.
Strategies for JIT and Quick Response Logistics.
Strategies for agile and lean Supply Chain.
e-supply chain, social big data and omni channels.
Strategic Procurement.
Supply chain resilience and mitigation strategies.
Sustainable and reverse logistics.
Business policies for global sustainable supply chain.
Business strategies and socially responsible Supply Chains.
Lean and Six Sigma.
You will undertake various seminar and case study exercises to build the critical understanding of these strategies for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) to support your group and individual assignment work. In doing so, it will expose you to a wide range of subject techniques and academic theories in the emerging sustainable supply chain topic areas. You will become aware of the role of the subject in the broader business context. Furthermore, you will gain an understanding of the role of the Supply Chain Manager and the development of various related business problem solving competencies.
On completing the module you will be able to understand sustainable supply chain policies, select, apply and critically appraise the appropriate strategies to support business problem solving in a variety of situations. You will have developed relevant competencies to support the theoretical material introduced throughout the module. You will create and design appropriate case study solutions as well as the use of a supporting theoretical underpin to SSCM problem solving.
NX9624 -
Management Enquiry (Optional,40 Credits)
The Management Enquiry module is a student-led individual project that enables you to undertake a significant piece of assessed work commensurate with a capstone module. The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate an authentic engagement with managers and/or professionals in your discipline, and to integrate the knowledge you have developed during your programme to explore the theory in practice. The learning on this module is experiential and problem based, where the focus is upon you discovering, probing and questioning key practice-based issues. Through the module you will be offered the opportunity to develop and enhance key transferable employability skills including; time management, project management, communication (written, aural and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, problem-solving and analysis.
The module has five thematic areas; explore, review, engage, reflect and connect. These form the key elements of the assessed submission.
Part A (35%, 3,500 Words)
• Explore: Interviewing a manager and/or professional in your discipline. In this interview you will either explore a key issue which you feel the discipline is facing or, alternatively, explore with the manager or professional the key issues that they feel they are facing in practice. It is expected that you will apply appropriate interview methods and provide evidence of the interview within the submitted enquiry report (e.g. within the appendices).
• Review: Critically examining the appropriate literature to support the exploration, displaying an ability to critically assess and appraise the knowledge of your discipline related to a specific key issue arising from your exploration.
Part B (65%, 6,500 Words)
• Engage: Displaying an authentic engagement with the discipline problem/issue identified in Part A, by collecting/generating and analysing further live data (beyond the initial interview) regarding the discipline problem/issue. This live data may be primary data (e.g. further interviews with, or questionnaire to, managers and/or professionals in practice) or secondary data (e.g. industry data). Application of appropriate, ethically-considered, research methods and appropriate qualitative or quantitative data analysis.
• Reflect and Connect: Demonstrating an ability to critically evaluate and reflect on the issues arising from the Management Enquiry. Demonstrating how you have connected and fed-back to the participants of the Enquiry (usually the manager and/or participants) your key findings to provide clear prioritised, well-justified, practical and actionable recommendations for change/enhancement/improvement to existing practice to show how the recommendations would potentially affect workplace professional decision making.
NX9625 -
Dissertation (Optional,40 Credits)
The dissertation module aims to equip you with the necessary intellectual and practical skills for undertaking an individual student-led, ethical investigation into an applied business (or the named degree) problem or issue. In addition, the dissertation aims to equip you with key transferable, employability skills, including: time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, creativity and innovation in problem-solving, analysis.
The module is student-led but you are supported by, initially, weekly lectures and seminar-workshops which provide an introduction to undertaking Business-Management research followed by one-to-one or small-group supervision meetings.
The lectures and seminar-workshops will cover the following topics:
1. Developing a research aim/question (focusing and scoping the research)
2. Developing a literature review
3. Writing a research proposal
4. Researching ethically
5. Quantitative research techniques
6. Qualitative research techniques
7. Quantitative analysis techniques
8. Qualitative analysis techniques
Upon completion of the module you will be able to:
1. Conduct independent and ethical academic research involving the application and critical evaluation of appropriate theories and models,
2. Engage critically with relevant literature to establish a framework in which to analyse and synthesise the results of your primary or secondary research
3. Generate / collect relevant primary or secondary data using an appropriate and justified method
4. Analyse your data using an appropriate and justified method of analysis
5. Recognise the ethical implications of your work
6. Critically evaluate the source of your data and the method you adopted
NX9626 -
Undergraduate Consultancy Project (Optional,40 Credits)
The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to integrate the knowledge acquired during the programme and apply this to a consultancy project for a real organisation. This consultancy project provides a vehicle for participants to develop and demonstrate key employability skills, to relate theory to practice, and to undertake a significant piece of assessed work commensurate with a capstone module.
You will work on behalf of an external organisation, which has identified a business problem or question, requiring a solution, working in small group of typically 4 individuals (you will select their own team members), participating in group and individual activities. The host organisation will provide a project briefing, and review; students will be supported by appropriate academic input and guidance from Newcastle Business School in the form of a mentor and via the Business Clinic.
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
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