About Master’s in Supply Chain Management abroad
Ever wondered how your favorite online store manages to deliver a product to your doorstep within 48 hours of placing an order? That’s the magic of a well-oiled supply chain.
A Master’s in Supply Chain Management (MSCM) is a specialized graduate program designed to equip you with the expertise to orchestrate these complex networks. This program’s curriculum entails advanced subjects like logistics, procurement, operations, management, and system analysis.
Some of the popular destinations for MSCM programs include the United States, the UK, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand. These destinations offer unique academic and cultural experiences that foster the growth of skilled supply chain professionals.
In the USA alone, the number of supply chain management professionals is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2020 to 2027, while the demand for logisticians is expected to surge by 28% between 2021 and 2031. So, the demand for various professionals within the supply chain industry is rising.
Hence, a Master’s degree in this field can open doors to a wide range of lucrative career opportunities.
In this guide, we will understand more aspects of this professional degree and its prospects.
Top countries to study an MS in Supply Chain Management
Here’s a list of countries that may be great for pursuing SCM programs:
USA
The USA is a popular destination for studying abroad, with the University of Michigan and MIT being popular for SCM programs. USA’s economy relies on supply chain jobs, which comprise almost a third of the economy, and research suggests the industry will grow at a compound annual rate of 9.4% between 2022 and 2027.
UK
The UK has the highest number of top SCM programs in Europe, with 16 universities ranked in the global top 80. Professional bodies like the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply accredit the programs’ curricula. The average salary of early SCM graduates in the UK ranges from £25,000 to £40,000 per annum.
Germany
Germany, known for its well-developed SCM sector, offers high-quality, affordable SCM programs. The programs offered in universities like Kühne Logistics University and the Technical University of Munich are industry-aligned.
According to LinkedIn and Glassdoor, there are currently 85,408 jobs for supply chain professionals, hinting at an evergreen and rich job market. The average salary of a Supply Chain course graduate ranges between €50,000 and €90,000. So, graduates with a Master’s in SCM have excellent prospects in terms of work and monetary benefits in Germany.
France
France has advanced manufacturing, logistics, and retail sectors, which are great platforms for job opportunities for MS in SCM graduates. Graduates will get high-paying roles like supply chain manager, logistics consultant, procurement specialist, and operations analyst. The tuition fees in French universities are affordable. Moreover, international students in France get multiple scholarships and financial aid options compared to other countries.
Japan
Japan has fewer MS in SCM programs than other countries. However, compared to other options, it has solid foundations in the supply chain field. The best part is that Japan has an advanced manufacturing and logistics sector that offers excellent job opportunities to MS in SCM graduates. Universities like Kyoto University, Osaka University, and Tokyo Institute of Technology enjoy a strong reputation for the quality of their MS in SCM programs.
Canada
Canada has a strong job market. It is estimated that over 356,700 supply chain roles will be created in the next five years. Post-graduation students can work as supply chain managers, logistics analysts, procurement specialists, and operations managers. The average starting salary for SCM graduates can be between 50,000 and 80,000 CAD per year.
Australia
Australia offers high-quality and advanced SCM management programs, and international students can receive scholarships covering up to 25% of tuition. Australia’s logistics and transport sector has many job openings for students with various backgrounds. Students with operational and freight-related experience can earn between AUD 80,000 and AUD 120,000 annually.
Top universities in the world for an MS in Supply Chain Management
The list below offers an excellent selection of world-class universities ranked as per the QS Master’s in Supply Chain Management Rankings 2024.
| University Name | Location | Global Rank |
| MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics | United States | 1 |
| Michigan Ross | United States | 2 |
| WU Vienna University of Economics and Business | Austria | 3 |
| Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University | Netherlands | 4 |
| EMLyon Business School | France | 5 |
| USC Marshall School of Business | United States | 6 |
| Alliance Manchester Business School | United Kingdom | 7 |
| Trinity Business School | Ireland | 8 |
| Politecnico di Milano | Italy | 9 |
| University of Washington Foster School of Business | United States | 10 |
Course curriculum for an MS in Supply Chain Management and specializations
The course curriculum for the Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain is almost identical across universities, regardless of location. Here is an overview of the several core courses and specialization tracks that universities offer.
Core courses
- Foundations of Supply Chain Management
- Global Logistics and Trade
- Supply Chain Operations and Control
- Strategic Sourcing
- Total Quality Management and Lean Supply Processes
- Performance Measurement & Supply Chain Transformation
- Supply Design and Integration
- Information Technology and Supply Chain Management
- Data Analytics and Fundamentals in Supply Chain Management
Specialization tracks
- Logistics and Transportation
- Procurement and Sourcing
- Operations and Manufacturing
- Sustainability and Social Responsibility
- Analytics and Technology
- Humanitarian and Disaster Relief
The curriculum also includes a capstone project or thesis where students apply their knowledge to real-world supply chain challenges.
Eligibility for studying an MS in Supply Chain Management
The eligibility criteria for studying a Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management vary from university to university. Hence, it’s important to check the program requirements before applying.
We have analyzed the top universities from different locations and found these eligibility factors as common criteria for getting into the program. Here’s a list of requirements for pursuing MS in SCM:
- A bachelor’s degree in relevant fields like business, engineering, or logistics with a minimum GPA of 3 to 4.
- English test proficiency scores of IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo.
- A standardized test score of GRE/GMAT. Some universities may present this as an optional criterion.
Other requirements to fulfill the eligibility for studying an MS in Supply Chain Management are:
- Statement of purpose
- Letter of recommendations
- Work experience (if any)
GMAT/GRE requirements for studying MS in Supply Chain Management
The GRE/GMAT requirements for studying for an MS in SCM vary from university to university based on different locations. However, most of the top MS in SCM programs look for scores of 600-700 for the GMAT and 300-320 for the GRE.
Many universities in the USA have started waiving the requirement of standardized test scores. They have started considering candidates with strong academic records and work experience in the relevant field. However, many universities in Canada, Australia, and the UK still maintain the traditional criteria of requiring the GRE/GMAT score for admission.
Scholarships to study an MS in Supply Chain Management
Studying abroad can be stressful, especially if you don’t have the financial means to pursue an advanced program like supply chain management. You must deal with tuition fees and living expenses, including housing, food, transportation, and health insurance. That’s where funding sources like scholarships assist students in managing these financial challenges. Here’s a list of scholarships students can get to study supply chain management abroad.
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University-specific scholarships
| University Name | Location | Scholarship |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA | Offer merit-based scholarships to international students. It also offers financial aid to students. |
| University of Michigan | USA | Short private loan FASTChoice International Private Education Loans is provided. |
| USC Marshall School of Business | USA | Offers merit-based scholarships and departmental-based scholarships. |
| Cranfield University | UK | Cranfield need-based management scholarship covers 15% of the tuition fee. |
| Kühne Logistics University | Germany | Provides merit-based scholarships and tuition waivers based on merit |
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Government Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Location | Scholarship |
| Fulbright Program | USA | Offers scholarships to Indian students studying in the USA. |
| Chevening Scholarships | UK | Funded by the UK Government, these scholarships enable outstanding global students to study in the UK. |
| DAAD Scholarships | Germany | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides scholarships for international students to study in Germany. |
| Australia Awards Scholarships | Australia | Offers need-based assistance to international students studying in Australia. |
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Private and corporate scholarships (specifically for students in supply chain management)
| Scholarship name | Location | Scholarship |
| CSCMP Scholarship | USA | Offered to students studying SCM courses in accredited universities. |
| Toptal Scholarships | All over the world | Scholarships offered to women pursuing technical fields like SCM |
Graduate students can also apply for different research grants and fellowship programs abroad to support their practical learning at the university.
Note: However, competition for scholarships, research grants, and fellowships is very high. For most students, it becomes more crucial to secure an education loan that isn’t too expensive.
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Career scope of an MS in Supply Chain Management
The career scope for those pursuing an MS in Supply Chain Management abroad is excellent. The field is experiencing rapid growth. Several industries, including manufacturing, retail, technology, and healthcare, seek skilled supply chain professionals to manage their complex global operations.
For example, the Bureau Of Labor Statistics of the USA reports that the growth in the number of jobs for logisticians is much faster than the average growth of all jobs. So, the demand is ever-growing and will continue to evolve in the coming days.
A student pursuing a Master’s in Supply Chain Management (SCM) can apply to various roles abroad. Some of the popular job roles include:
| Job roles | Description |
| Supply Chain Analyst | Analyze data to improve supply chain performance and reduce costs |
| Logistics Manager | Specialize in a part of an organization’s supply chain network |
| Operations Manager | Focus on improving human resources to increase efficiency and productivity |
| Production Planner | Plan production schedules to ensure they are completed on time and budget |
Other high-paying supply chain roles include:
- Supplier Quality Engineering Manager
- Supply Chain Systems Manager
- Vendor Manager
- Vendor Relationship Manager
- Supply Chain Engineer
The salary ranges in supply chain management are surprisingly higher and often commensurate with experience. For example, in the USA, those with five or fewer years of experience in the top roles earn around $66,000, while those with two decades or more can earn $87.87 per hour or $182,780 per year.
Here’s a list of the top 10 highest-paid non-executive supply chain roles in the USA and their median salaries, according to a 2023 survey by ASCM.
| Job Roles | Salary |
| Supply chain director | $145,000 |
| Materials manager | $110,342 |
| Procurement manager | $104,000 |
| Logistics manager | $100,000 |
| Inventory manager | $93,000 |
| Purchasing manager | $90,000 |
| Master scheduler | $81,500 |
| Supply chain analyst | $78,400 |
| Demand planner | $78,375 |
Top recruiters for MS in Supply Chain Management graduates
MS in SCM graduates are highly sought after by top companies across multiple industries like consulting, manufacturing, logistics, retail, and technology. Here’s a list of companies across various industries that are seeking these valuable SCM candidates:
- Consulting Firms
- McKinsey & Company
- Bain & Company
- Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
- Deloitte Consulting
- PwC
- Manufacturing and Industrial Companies
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Procter & Gamble
- Johnson & Johnson
- Honeywell
- Caterpillar
- Siemens
- Schneider Electric
- Logistics and Transportation Companies
- FedEx
- UPS
- DHL
- XPO Logistics
- CEVA Logistics
- Maersk
- Retail and Consumer Goods Companies
- Unilever
- Nestlé
- PepsiCo
- Coca-Cola
- Target
- Lowe’s
- Home Depot
- Technology and E-commerce Companies
- Apple
- Microsoft
- Intel
- IBM
- Cisco
- eBay
Job prospects and salaries offered after studying an MS in Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management (SCM) professionals are in demand across almost all industries. The job outlook is favorable, with graduates expecting excellent career prospects and salaries. SCM graduates can pursue roles as Supply Chain Managers, Logistics Analysts, Procurement Specialists, Operations Managers, Demand Planners, and more.
In the USA, entry-level salaries can range from $52,000 to $117,000 per year, while in the UK, the average salary is €26,000 to €56,000 per annum.
Many MS in SCM programs have strong industry connections and career placement support, with over 90% of graduates typically receiving job offers by graduation.
Top recruiters that look for SCM graduates are consulting firms (McKinsey, Bain, Deloitte), manufacturing and industrial companies (Amazon, Walmart, Procter & Gamble), logistics providers (FedEx, UPS, DHL), and tech/e-commerce firms (Apple, Microsoft, Google).
Here’s a list of salaries offered for MS in Supply Chain Management Graduates across different places abroad:
- $50,000 – $80,000 per year in the USA and Canada
- £30,000 – £50,000 per year in the UK
- €45,000 – €65,000 per year in Germany
- AUD 80,000 – AUD 120,000 per year in Australia
FAQs
What top universities globally offer an MS in Supply Chain Management?
Some top universities for pursuing an MS in SCM are Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Michigan, USC Marshall in the USA, Rotterdam School of Management in the Netherlands, and WU Vienna University of Economics and Business in Austria.
Is a Master’s in Supply Chain Management worth it?
Yes, the career prospects for SCM graduates are excellent, and there is high earning potential. The average starting salaries in the USA range from $50,000 to $120,000 annually. You will get to work in exciting roles such as supply chain manager, logistics analyst, procurement specialist, or operations manager after completing your MS in SCM. So it is worth it.
What are the key admission requirements for MS in SCM programs abroad?
Some key admission requirements for pursuing an MS in SCM include a bachelor’s degree, GMAT/GRE scores, English proficiency tests (TOEFL/IELTS), a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant work experience.
How do MS in SCM programs differ across countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, Japan, and France?
The MS in SCM program differs across locations regarding curriculum focus, industry connections, career placement support, and costs. For example, the USA and UK are known for their technologically advanced programs integrating AI, robotics, and IoT. The supply chain programs in the UK, France, and Canada are mostly strategy-related and cover international relations and compliance fundamentals. At the same time, Japan and France offer more specialized, locally relevant curricula focusing on traditional practices and trading laws. So, the program’s core remains the same but differs in electives, concentrations, and specialization across various countries, making this program a diverse option.
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