Postgraduate Courses in Logistics
The last twenty years have seen Logistics gain increased importance, and it is now recognised as a means of gaining competitive advantage. Logistics is a primary value adding activity that is able to attain and sustain competitive advantage. Logistics spans not just the organisation itself but also the vastly intricate national and global supply chains, and it is a major focus of corporate strategy. Studying a postgraduate course in Logistcis will offer you the opportunity to fast-track your career and enhance your employment prospects. If you are interested in applying for a postgraduate course in Logistics then read on to discover more about the subject and what a career in Logistics would entail.
The rise of new economies and the lifting of many trading restrictions mean that more organisations can now source and sell at a global level. ‘Globalisation’ can thus offer many organisations the opportunity to broaden their product or service markets and the opportunity to improve their bottom line performance. Globalisation also offers organisations an opportunity to source parts from improved competitive sources internationally, thus careful sourcing can improve competitive advantage for an organisation. But selling and sourcing products thousands of miles away brings about the need for tighter and more careful co-ordination of the movement of goods and ultimately satisfying the customer. Globalisation and free trade also mean that an organisation’s products or services are competing against many more competitors, both in terms of price and quality. Therefore, to attain and improve competitive advantage, organisations need to be able to improve price, quality, delivery and service. All the activities mentioned in this paragraph are part of Logistics.
The emergence and spiralling use of ICT and newly emerging technologies, such as Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, has resulted in Logistics becoming a much higher profile domain. New technologies also mean that Logistics, previously viewed as grey and dull, is now perceived as challenging and exciting. The use of the Internet for home shopping is on the increase, customers can order in a few minutes, giving the perception that delivery of their newly purchased product or service will take very little time. As a result there are increased pressure on organisations to improve delivery and service levels. Modern customers are now even more demanding than those of ten years ago and, as a response, logistics delivery and service criteria are enablers of competitive advantage.
For example, at Coventry University, the department of Knowledge and Information Management has proactively seen the need for a specialised logistics course portfolio. There are two new courses, BA and BSc in Logistics, due to run from October 2006 and a comprehensive provision at Masters Level with both an MSc and MBA in Logistics available. The two Masters programmes are very popular, having many UK, other EC, and international students. The Masters programmes have core modules such as Logistics Strategy, Logistics Management, Knowledge Management, and Human Resource Management. There are also many optional modules that students can choose to study, such as Business Simulation, E-Commerce Applications, and Managing the Business Environment. Both the Logistics Masters courses can be studied full-time or part-time, thus providing wider market appeal.
The university offers students a range of support throughout their study. There are many societies and groups for students to ensure they enjoy their time at Coventry. Accommodation can be provided by the university and external housing companies specialise in student rentals at reasonable rates. Coventry is a thriving city with many local points of interest such as our famous Cathedral, Motor Museum and of course Lady Godiva. The city is also near to many other places of interest such as Stratford upon Avon, Birmingham and Leamington Spa.
Due to the importance of Logistics within the majority of organisations, studying a postgraduate course in Logistics can offer some of the following career opportunities:
- Supply Chain Managers
- Logistics Analysts
- Purchasing Executives
- Warehouse Managers
- Distribution Managers
- Order Expeditors
- Transport Managers
- Transport and Distribution Planners
- Supply Chain Improvement Leaders
The last decade has also seen a sharp rise in the number of specialist 3 rd and 4 th Party logistics providers due to the many organisations that are realising the importance of focusing on their core competencies and therefore sub-contracting most of their logistics operations; this trend has opened up even more career opportunities for logistics specialists. The other important factor for studying a postgraduate course in Logistics is that there are career opportunities available in both the manufacturing and service sectors. Don't delay, apply now for your postgraduate course in Logistics to get ahead in your future career.
Contributed by:
Zulf Khan
Postgraduate Programme Leader
Department of Knowledge and Information Management
Coventry University
http://www.coventry.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/full-time-courses-by-subject/logistics
