BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management with Foundation Year

Course Overview

Are you interested in pursuing a rewarding career in the supply chain sector, but aren’t sure if you’re ready for university study? Then our supply chain management degree with an integrated foundation year might be just the solution you’ve been looking for.

This course has been designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in higher education, even if you don’t have the academic confidence or qualifications to join a standard undergraduate course. The foundation year is the perfect choice if you need a little extra support as you start your journey, offering study-skills and guidance at every stage.

Studying your degree in supply chain management with us means you’ll be taught and supported by lecturers with extensive professional experience at companies such as Apple, Amazon, Cargolux, Hilton hotels, Jaguar, McDonalds, Musgrave, Phillips, and Tesco. The team behind this course have also been instrumental in commercial and policy formation of supply chains with the European Commission and the UK Government. Because of our extensive industry links, including with member organisations of the UK’s NOVUS Trust network, we’re able to present you with real business problems during your degree. This will allow you to develop a thorough and in-depth understanding of the industry and the real-world challenges you’ll face in your future career. Importantly, you’ll find that the course takes a systematic approach, with each module building on the knowledge gained in the previous one, and interconnected content that helps you accumulate new skills in a logical sequence.

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and offers full exemption from the educational requirements for Chartered Membership, speeding up your time to Chartered Member status as well as providing you with access to a wealth of industry resources. It is also in the process of being accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – we are more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management with Foundation Year course, you must normally have:
At least 3 x GCSEs OR 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent – if your qualifications are older than 3 years we would also ask to see a professional CV.
If you don’t meet these requirements, your application may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and reference.
We also offer this course as a standard bachelor’s degree without foundation year.

Course fee

International Fee	Fee
fee per level:	£4000

UK Fee	Fee
fee per level:	£6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (no less than 5.5 in any element).
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Apply for the Course

Enquire Now

Course details and modules

For any business looking to make their supply chain and logistics operations more efficient, taking advantage of the latest developments in supply chain and logistics is crucial. Our dual accredited BSc (Hons) Supply Chain and Logistics course will engage and inspire you through course modules that have been devised by our faculty of experienced supply chain practitioners (Apple, Amazon, Cargolux, Hilton Hotels, Jaguar, McDonalds, Tesco) to give your studies a ‘real world’ focus. The course takes a logical, sequential approach to supply chain, where each subject module builds on the knowledge of the previous one with interconnected content to help build on your understanding and knowledge. The course also focuses on hands-on, real-world skills so that you’ll graduate with practical experience you can apply in the workplace.

How do we assess you?

Authentic assessments, no exams

Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you won’t be sitting any exams on this course. Instead, our assessments have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-world scenarios. This means you’ll have the opportunity to align your studies to how you’ll help transform supply chain operations and functions in your future career.

Practice-driven

Your course assessments will be practice-driven, focusing on your experience as an industry practitioner while encouraging peer-to-peer sharing and ideation. This modern approach will encourage you to apply your knowledge to organisational challenges systematically and with an in-depth awareness of what is at stake.

Business Project

The course concludes with an independent study assessment which forms your Research Project module. Here you’ll have the opportunity to work on a live topic provided by one of our industry network partners – presenting your findings and solutions to a real-world organisation. This will give you highly advantageous networking opportunities alongside assessment, as you’ll be able to demonstrate your skills and knowledge to potential employers even before you graduate.

Other assessment methods

Throughout the course you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning through additional assessments including:

Reflective analysis
Supply chain and logistics plans
Stakeholder engagement plans
Supply chain and logistics models and engines
Software appraisals work
Supply chain and logistics transformation strategies

Modules

You have 4-12 years to complete this course, meaning you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete the course within 4-8 years.

Foundation year

Preparing for University Success
Exploring the Business Environment
Advancing your Academic Skills
Becoming an Effective Leader
Planning for Your Future Success
Investigation & Innovation Project

Level 4

Business Research Methods and Analysis (20 credits)
Business Consulting (20 credits)
Principles of Procurement and Contract Management (20 credits)
Governance in a Global Business Environment (20 credits)
Introduction to Project Management (20 credits)
Digital Skills and Professional Development (20 credits)
Technology and Innovation (20 credits)

Level 5

Operations and Supply Chain Management (20 credits)
Agile Project Management (20 credits)
Sustainable and Circular Supply Chain Management (20 credits)
Applied Logistics Management (20 credits)
Operational Risk and Resilience (20 credits)
Data Analytics and Management (20 credits)

Level 6

Digital Supply Chain 4.0 (20 credits)
Strategic Supply Chain Management (20 credits)
Quality Management (20 credits)
Social Value Networks (20 credits)
Logistics & Supply Chain Research Project (40 credits)

Career prospects

Graduates with skills in supply chain management are important to any business that offers a service or product, so the career opportunities are huge. This is one of the few areas that touches almost every industry, and has employment opportunities globally. Our supply chain and logistics lecturers are all highly experienced professionals from the sector. They have strong links to the industry and understand how to help you identify career opportunities both nationally and globally. Supply chain and logistics is also a great industry to work in if you like the idea of working for household name brands such as Apple, Amazon, Cargolux, Hilton Hotels, McDonalds, Phillips, and Tesco. Our lecturers have held senior positions in supply chain with these companies and so are perfectly placed to guide your future career success. On the course you’ll also have regular guest speaker events from prominent figures in the industry, giving you even more opportunity to network, ask questions, and develop your career.

What can I do after Arden University?

The BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management with Foundation Year will help you develop the skills you need to accelerate your career in the supply chain sector. The course has been extensively informed by leading names in industry including Amazon, Mail, Kuehne & Nagel, Coca Cola, and Nestlé, who have identified current skills gaps in supply chain across the global workforce. This means you’ll learn skills and competencies that are needed today by some of the world’s most prominent and influential employers. So whether you want to join or continue working for an already established business, start your own company, or become a consultant, the course will give you everything you need to explore multiple career paths. Some roles you may want to consider after graduation include:

Logistics manager
Supply chain manager
Supply chain solution analyst
Strategic sourcing manager
Buyer
Procurement manager/specialist
Commodities manager
Quality manager
Production planner
Purchasing manager

What will the BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management with Foundation Year do for me?

Your course will focus strongly on real-world practice, giving you the opportunity to apply what you learn to real business scenarios. Guest speakers and lecturers from industry will also inform you about the latest developments in the sector as you progress through your studies. Studying this course with us is your opportunity to:

Understand business research methods and analysis
Understand business Consulting and the global business environment
Learn fundamental skills in project management
Develop skills in operations and supply chain management
Learn about the principles of procurement
Understand sustainable and circular supply chain management
Learn about applied logistics management
Develop skills in digital analytics and digital supply chain 4.0
Understand the importance of quality management
Gain multifunctional skills that will maximise your employability and career potential.
According to the CIPS Procurement Salary Guide 2022 56% of employers request MCIPS or studying towards in when recruiting.
Employees with CIPS credentials earned an average of 21% more than those without.

Full time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our full-time blended learning study mode, you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden study centre of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face-to-face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK study centres.

If you’re a student from England who is enrolling on a full-time blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK study centres) then you’re also entitled to a Living Cost Loan to help pay for your living expenses. Our distance learning students resident in the UK can only apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

This course is also available to study full-time at our campus in Berlin, Germany, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience life as an international student in the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic and historic cities.

Please note: study centre classes are temporarily being conducted online in our virtual classroom due to Covid-19 restrictions. Face-to-face classes will resume once the current restrictions are lifted.

Part time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BSc (Hons) Supply Chain Management with Foundation Year online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Our online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have your Kindle handy.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled on your Supply Chain Management degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.

Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

Office 365 subscription
Integrated zoom video conferencing
Careers support in-person and online available through Arden Futures, your careers platform, to help you throughout your career journey whether you are a Career Starter, Changer or Developer
Perlego online library access giving you access to over half a million books, journals and articles
Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support