Top Universities for Master’s in Supply Chain Management Degrees

Location: Manchester, UK

Ranked seventh for its MSc Operations, Projects & Supply Chain Management degree, the University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School was one of the UK’s first business schools, established in 1956. 

The MSc degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and after three years’ work experience, students can apply to become full members of CIPS. Alliance Manchester receives high scores for thought leadership and diversity, with students graduating with analytical skills and knowledge ideal for a large variety of careers. 

Location: Los Angeles, US

Next in our list of top universities for a master’s in supply chain management, is sixth-placed USC Marshall School of Business. The programme has earned a near-perfect score for the alumni outcomes indicator, for which it’s ranked second globally. 

Its Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management programme is a joint programme offered by the USC Marshall School of Business and the Viterbi School of Engineering. The course is flexibly designed around the student’s academic and professional goals with the options to be completed either online or on campus. 

Location: Lyon, France 

emlyon Business School, a newcomer to this year's rankings, is ranked fifth in the world for their MSc in Supply Chain & Purchasing Management. The university has scored well across all indicators achieving their highest score for alumni outcomes, for which it’s ranked eighth in the world. 

The MSc in Supply Chain & Purchasing Management at emlyon Business School is an 18-month long programme including a four-to-six-month internship. This programme empowers students, whether they are from foreign or French backgrounds, to gain a specialised and high-level education on the primary functions of supply chain and purchasing. 

Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands

In fourth place again this year for its Master of Science in Supply Chain Management is Rotterdam School of Management’s Erasmus University (RSM). 

The course scores particularly well for both thought leadership and employability, with 99 percent of its students employed within three months of graduation and most graduates working in roles such as operations manager, procurement manager and production planner.  

The course also organises its own industry-specific career fair every November and RSM offers a range of other career events and services throughout the year.

Location: Vienna, Austria 

WU Vienna University of Economics and Business comes third this year in the list of the top universities to study a master’s in supply chain management. The school’s MSc in Supply Chain Management aims to help students gain a deeper understanding of supply chain related decision problems from a performance perspective. 

The course scores particularly well for alumni outcomes with the second-highest score for employability as over 80 percent of its graduates are in work six months after graduation. It also draws a substantial number of international students, comprising of over 79 percent of the class of 2023. 

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States 

For another consecutive year, the Master in Supply Chain Management programme at Michigan Ross secures second position globally. The programme excels across all indicators, with its highest score attributed to alumni outcomes, closely followed by a strong performance in the value-for-money indicator. 

It is a 10-month STEM-certified programme for graduates with up to 10 years of work experience. It offers real-world supply chain insight, using the school’s extensive industry connections. The programme’s graduates can expect to earn an average starting salary of US$60,000-$130,000. 

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States 

The top school in the QS Master’s in Supply Chain Management rankings this year is MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics. In the school’s Master’s in Global Supply Management programme, students will get to work directly with researchers and industry experts on a range of complex problems across all aspects of supply chain management. 

Earning a perfect score for alumni outcomes, the programme also secures the second-highest position for value for money, and also performs well for employability.  

The curriculum equips students with skills essential for the international, highly competitive marketplace, emphasising practical, analytical problem-solving; leadership; and communication. Additionally, students get the chance to collaborate with MIT's partner companies to address real-world business challenges. 

What is supply chain management? 

Supply chain management involves overseeing the entire process of product creation, from the initial production stage to delivering the final product to consumers. It encompasses various aspects, including procurement, production, transportation, warehousing, and distribution.  

Effective supply chain management seeks to streamline these processes, reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and ensure the timely delivery of products or services to meet customer demands. It plays a critical role in the overall success and competitiveness of businesses across diverse industries. 

What does a supply chain manager do? 

A supply chain manager plays a crucial role in overseeing and optimising the end-to-end processes of logistics and supply chain management. This involves coordinating various elements, including procurement, production, transportation, and distribution, to ensure a seamless flow of goods and services. Their responsibilities include strategic planning, supplier relationship management, cost optimisation, and implementing efficient processes to meet organisational goals.  

Supply chain managers are key players in enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and maintaining a competitive edge in the market. Supply chain management jobs require professionals with expertise in logistics, inventory management, and strategic planning.