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MSc in Supply Chain and Purchasing Management

MANAGING GLOBAL SUPPLY NETWORKS: SUSTAINABLE, DIGITAL, STRATEGIC

Supply chain and purchasing professionals with the right skills and expertise are in high demand. You need to source both locally and globally, apply the latest digital technologies, deal with increasing supply chain risks and ensure a sustainable supply chain. Supply chain and purchasing managers need to be multi-skilled international movers. The MSc in Supply Chain and Purchasing Management (MSCPM) at Audencia Business School is your ideal starting point for launching a successful career in a thriving field with unlimited career prospects.

  • Build your reputation at a top-ranked institution and one of the select few business schools accredited by EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA
  • Live in the heart of beautiful Nantes, France, one of Europe’s most liveable cities and a hub of business and innovation – the ideal place to develop your skills
  • Learn in a truly international environment with a global faculty
  • Attract top employers, enjoy personalised career services and complete an internship anywhere in the world

The MSCPM programme is accredited by the French accrediting body "Conférence des grandes écoles".

Apply now

Discover the academic calendar

Applications are still open for the September 2019 intake.

For non-EU candidates, applications close on July 1 (23:59 CEST).

For EU candidates, applications will remain open until further notice. We strongly recommend applying as soon as possible.

Key information

Degree earned: MSc (Master of Science) in Supply Chain and Purchasing Management

Credits awarded for the MSc programme: 90 ECTS credits

Language: English

Duration: 18-24 months, full-time

Location: Nantes, France

Programme start:

Core Track- September and January intakes

Extended Track- September intake only

Tuition: €17,000 for Core Track; €21,000 for Extended Track

Eligibility:

  • Proficiency in English
  • Four-year bachelor’s degree in business or engineering (Core Track MSc programme)
  • If you have a 3-year bachelor’s degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree in a field other than business or engineering, you will have to validate the 30 ECTS semester of the Extended track before entry into the Core Track MSc programme.

Programme

Influential industry leaders from across the globe design and partner with Audencia’s MSc in Supply Chain and Purchasing Management (MSCPM) to give you the expertise and skills you need to thrive. Audencia is triple-accredited, highly ranked and internationally oriented. We are known for global responsibility research and teaching – and great career results.

Our main campus is in Nantes, France – widely recognised for quality of life and affordability, and an ideal location for continuous language practice and growing your international professional network. Located at the mouth of the Loire river, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and just two hours from Paris, Nantes is the perfect place to study supply chain and purchasing management. Learn more about life in Nantes.

The Core Track is for candidates with a four-year degree in business or engineering. This rigorous programme lets you run at full throttle to complete the MSCPM in as little as one academic year, plus a four- to six-month internship.

Upon validation of all components, students will graduate with an MSc in Supply Chain and Purchasing Management accredited by the French accrediting body "Conférence des grandes écoles". 

The 1st semester equips you with the key components of supply chain and purchasing management

Examples of subjects:

  • Introduction to Supply Chain and Purchasing Management
  • Operations Management
  • Purchasing Management
  • International Business Management
  • Financial Management for Supply Chain and Purchasing
  • Logistics Management
  • Sectoral Approaches to SCM

In the 2nd semester, you will deepen your understanding of current themes such as sustainability and digital purchasing and supply chain tools and applications. This will involve live company projects. 

Examples of subjects:

  • Supply Chain Consulting Project
  • Enterprise Systems & Tools
  • Digital Supply Chains and Big Data 
  • Sustainable Purchasing & Supply Management
  • Sustainable Logistics & Circular Supply Chains
  • Research Methodology

(Minimum 4 months, maximum 6 months)

This mandatory internship is an opportunity for you to further develop your expertise in either supply chain management, logistics or procurement. Our career services consultants, our strong corporate network, as well as our successful Alumni network will support you in making your professional objectives a reality.

Examples of companies MSCPM students have interned with include:

  • Airbus
  • Chanel
  • Coca-Cola
  • Energizer
  • IKEA
  • L’Oréal
  • Samsung
  • Valeo

The final part of your studies requires the completion of a dissertation (or ‘thesis’). This academic project allows you to explore a current topic within supply chain and purchasing management in depth. As you develop expertise in your chosen subject, the dissertation prepares you for specialising in your future professional career.

While your programme is 100% English-taught, you have the option of adding French to your steadily increasing list of qualifications – for work or for fun! 

Intensive week for all levels: total duration of 30 hours; total cost of €140 (starts about one week before your programme)

Weekly classes for all levels: total duration of 22.5 hours; total cost of €105 (September-December)

Prepare French Language Certificates: Audencia’s French language classes do not prepare you for French language tests such as the DELF or DALF. However, our main campus is situated just across the road from the University of Nantes’ language department. You may choose to attend French as a Foreign Language (FLE) evening classes there. There are a wide range of levels available. Contact the University of Nantes directly to register. Register early to secure your place.

The Extended Track is for candidates with a three-year degree in any field, or a four-year degree in a field other than management or engineering. This option offers an additional gateway semester that allows you to acquire the knowledge to follow advanced courses in supply chain and purchasing management during the MSc programme. Validation of the 30 ECTS semester is required to enter the Core Track MSc programme. The Extended programme has a September intake only.

You’ll gain a solid understanding of the foundational principles of management. Topics include:

  • Team Building and Leadership Development
  • Conflict Management
  • Data Mining and Knowledge Management
  • Corporate Strategy Analysis
  • EU Commercial Relation and Incentive
  • Cross-cultural and Comparative Management: EU vs US vs Asia
  • French as a Foreign Language (for international students)
  • Multilingual project and public speaking for French speakers 

The 1st semester equips you with the key components of supply chain and purchasing management.

Examples of subjects:

  • Introduction to Supply Chain and Purchasing Management
  • Operations Management
  • Purchasing Management
  • International Business Management
  • Financial Management for Supply Chain and Purchasing
  • Logistics Management
  • Sectoral Approaches to SCM

 

In the 2nd semester, you will deepen your understanding of current themes such as sustainability and digital purchasing and supply chain tools and applications. This will involve live company projects.

Examples of subjects:

  • Supply Chain Consulting Project
  • Enterprise Systems & Tools
  • Digital Supply Chains and Big Data
  • Sustainable Purchasing & Supply Management
  • Sustainable Logistics & Circular Supply Chains
  • Research Methodology

 

(Minimum 4 months, maximum 6 months)

This mandatory internship is an opportunity for you to further develop your expertise in either supply chain management, logistics or procurement. Our career services consultants, our strong corporate network, as well as our successful Alumni network will support you in making your professional objectives a reality.

Examples of companies MSCPM students have interned with include:

  • Airbus
  • Chanel
  • Coca-Cola
  • Energizer
  • IKEA
  • L’Oréal
  • Samsung
  • Valeo

 

The final part of your studies requires the completion of a dissertation (or ‘thesis’). This academic project allows you to explore a current topic within supply chain and purchasing management in depth. As you develop expertise in your chosen subject, the dissertation prepares you for specialising in your future professional career. 

While your programme is 100% English-taught, you have the option of adding French to your steadily increasing list of qualifications – for work or for fun! 

Intensive week for all levels: total duration of 30 hours; total cost of €140 (starts about one week before your programme)

Weekly classes for all levels: total duration of 22.5 hours; total cost of €105 (September-December)

Prepare French Language Certificates: Audencia’s French language classes do not prepare you for French language tests such as the DELF or DALF. However, our main campus is situated just across the road from the University of Nantes’ language department. You may choose to attend French as a Foreign Language (FLE) evening classes there. There are a wide range of levels available. Contact the University of Nantes directly to register. Register early to secure your place.

Teaching methods

 Our teaching methods emphasise the international aspect of each class and give you the technical, analytical and communication skills required – with 26% of the programme delivered by industry professionals. Learn more about our faculty.

Career & alumni

Proven career outcomes for international success

Audencia works hand in hand with the corporate world and is a leader in responsible management practices. As a result, 82% of MSc in Supply Chain and Purchasing Management graduates are employed before graduation.

Note: Statistics are based on the number of replies to the question. They relate to all classes to date unless otherwise stipulated. 

  • Aeronautics
  • Agribusiness
  • Automotive
  • Building
  • Chemical
  • Civil engineering
  • Consulting
  • Electronics
  • Energy distribution
  • Engineering
  • Fashion
  • Government
  • Information systems
  • Insurance
  • Mechanical
  • Metals
  • Non-profit
  • Professional services
  • Retail
  • Textile
  • Transportation

Here are a few of the positions graduates are qualified to hold:

  • Head of logistics
  • Buyer
  • Head of customer services
  • Demand planner
  • Purchasing manager
  • Logistics project manager
  • Commodity procurement manager
  • Supply chain manager
  • Logistics performance manager
  • Operations manager – logistics and warehousing

Here are just a few examples of companies employing MSCPM graduates:

  • Accenture
  • Airbus
  • Aker Solutions
  • Amazon
  • Bombardier
  • Carrefour
  • Caterpillar
  • Deloitte
  • DHL
  • IBM
  • KPMG
  • Louis Vuitton
  • Nokia
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • UPS
  • Whirlpool  
  • Danone
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Philips
  • L’Oréal
  • Microsoft
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Ford France
  • Merck
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Novartis

Audencia provides you with personalised career services that address your specific experiences, strengths and weaknesses, and goals. We also cultivate close ties with the business world, which benefit you in the classroom and in your future career.

  • Individual career coaching and advising
  • 15,000+ employment opportunities posted each year on our dedicated intranet
  • Employment fairs with 120+ companies
  • CV workshops
  • Interview preparation and mock interviews
  • Panel discussions with professionals and alumni
  • Assessment centre preparation
  • Personal development programme on topics including leadership skills, communication skills, ethics, intercultural management and networking
  • Auditing sector fair
  • Information resources and online tools
  • Access to 100+ career events on various topics

Audencia also has a business incubator that supports select graduates in their entrepreneurial work.

Join more than 24,000 Audencia Business School alumni working across the globe. Audencia Alumni includes 200+ communities in cities such as London, New York and Shanghai. Furthermore, over 2,000 of our alumni have become CEOs.

The alumni association will help you connect with other professionals and provide additional development and networking opportunities to support your career.

69%
of graduates work internationally
87%
found a job before graduation


Admissions & finance

Apply now

Join us in Nantes to internationalise your future career! Here is a breakdown of everything you’ll need to make it smoothly through the application process. Or simply apply now.

Master of Science in Supply Chain and Purchasing Management (MSCPM)
To apply to the MSCPM, you must have:

  • Proficiency in English
  • Core Track: four-year bachelor’s degree in business or engineering
  • Extended Track: three-year bachelor’s degree in any field, or four-year bachelor’s degree in a field other than business or engineering


Note that you can apply during the last year of your bachelor’s studies.

Admissions are based on a point system tied to a set of objective criteria.

GPA (55%)

  • Converted to US system of 0-4.0

English proficiency (40%)

  • Test (up to 40% possible, depending on score)
    TOEFL: 60-120
    TOEIC: 600-990
    IELTS: 5.0-9.0
  • English-taught programme for bachelor’s degree (up to 20% possible)
  • Native speaker (40% automatically awarded)

Professional experience (5%)

  • 1-12 months (1%)
  • 13-36 months (3%)
  • 37+ months (5%)

We award bonus points for ranked and accredited schools, diversity and high GMAT or GRE scores.

Recognised school (5%)

  • Ranked (ARWU/QS/THE)
  • Accredited (AACSB/EQUIS/AMBA/ABET)

Diversity (5%)

  • Countries not represented in the class in the past two years (contact us to check your eligibility)

French (5%)

  • For B2 language levels

GMAT or GRE (5%)

  • GMAT: 500+
  • GRE: 300+

You may begin your online application at any time; you can save it and make changes before submitting. Admissions are open until the programme is full; however, we strongly recommend applying by the early-application deadline of 31 January for the September intake.

In addition to the online application, you will be required to submit the following documents:

  • CV and cover letter in English
  • Copies of diplomas and academic transcripts
  • English test score (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS)*
  • Copy of identity document (e.g. passport)
  • Photo (jpeg, 346 x 366 pixels)

*English test scores are not required for native speakers or applicants who have completed their undergraduate degrees in English. Contact us if you have a different English test score or are planning to take a test later in the year.

1. Submitting your application

Complete the online application (recommended by 31 January for the September intake). Upon completion, you’ll pay the €100 application fee using any major credit card. If you cannot use a credit card, you may contact the Office of International Relations for alternatives.

Your application will be evaluated within seven days. If you qualify, step two will also occur within seven days of your application.

2. Admission interview

At a prearranged time, you will have a 15 - 20-minute exchange with an admissions counsellor to assess your level of English and make sure that you are a good fit for the programme.

3. Admission decision
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. You should have a decision immediately following your interview. If your application is borderline and requires further review by the programme director, you will have an admission decision within 8 days of your interview. Please do expect some delay during holidays.

4. Acceptance
Congratulations! If admitted, you’re invited to officially join the programme. You’ll sign a contract and pay the first instalment of the tuition fees- €1,500- which is non-refundable.

Please contact our admissions office with further questions.

You may begin your online application at any time; you can save it and make changes before submitting. Admissions are open until the programme is full; however, we strongly recommend applying by the early-application deadline of 31 January for the September intake.

MSCPM
(18-month programme)		€17,000
MSCPM
(2-year extended programme)		€21,000

Other costs linked to school fees

  • Application fee: €100.
  • Registration with the student social security system is compulsory for students under 28 years of age. As an example, the total for 2016-2017 was €215. The fee must be paid at the latest on the first day of the first school year, and before 30 September for subsequent years.
  • Costs such as visa fees, transportation, accommodation and meals are to be paid directly by the student. Visit Student Life to learn more.

There are a range of scholarships you may be eligible for. Please contact us with questions.

ScholarshipAmountDetails
Early application€1,000For candidates who submit their application before 31 January
Diversity€4,000Nationality-based scholarship for underrepresented countries or regions. 

Note: Audencia scholarships for the MSCPM programme only apply to the September intake. The awarding of scholarships is subject to availability of funds and final decision from the Office of International Relations. The scholarships are awarded in the form of partial tuition fee waivers to students who are admitted but who have not yet started the programme. Scholarships, waivers and awards are not cumulative. If two are awarded to the same student, only the one with the highest amount will be kept unless otherwise stated.

In addition to an Audencia scholarship, you may be eligible for funding by other public or private bodies. You will find some examples here.

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