Download or Print

1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Postgraduate Diploma
5. Supply Chain Management (Lean SCM Black Belt)

Course Fact File

Code	PDSCM
Duration	18 months Part-time for PG Dip; 24 months Part-time for MSc (subject to meeting entry requirements)
Teaching Mode	Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
Qualifications	PG Dip
NFQ Level	Level 9
Start Date	Not on offer 2025-2026

Course Outline

The Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Supply Chain Management (Lean SCM Black Belt) is a part-time course. It is designed to teach you how to improve supply chain processes, while also providing cost reductions and added value for you and your organisation.

If you are a career-minded person who works in supply chain, manufacturing, quality, financial or related functions and you also have responsibility for continuous improvement within your organisation, this course is for you.

Successful supply chain management (SCM) requires strategic and operational alignment, and this is why the course includes:

• a strong emphasis on strategy
• information systems
• responsiveness
• leadership
• integrated project management

Adopting a Lean philosophy, you will apply Lean tools and complete a Lean SCM Black Belt project that achieves organisational and supply chain improvements. 

The Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Supply Chain Management (Lean SCM Black Belt) is a practitioner-oriented course. It provides a structured approach to the key elements of supply chain design and management in order to maximise your work experience. The course is informed by best international practice and it includes contributions from our applied partners the Leading Edge Group, as well as from national and international guest speakers.

The course is delivered over two stages:

• Part 1 The duration of Part 1 is 18 months and it leads to a postgraduate diploma qualification.
• Part 2 Part 2 is for a further period of six months. If you achieve a 2.1 grade in Part 1, you may progress/convert to a master’s degree.

It consists of seven modules (as outlined below) and the outcome of each module is a workplace assignment contributing to the development and implementation of a substantial organisational and SCM improvement project. This course is examined wholly by continuous assessment and there are no written examinations.

Year 1 (Semester 1)

• MG6202 Strategic Planning and Implementation in Supply Chains (10 credits; 3 classroom days)
• MG6200 Advanced Lean Tools and Practices in Supply Chain Management (10 credits; 3 classroom days)

Year 1 (Semester 2)

• MG6203 Leadership and Change Management in Supply Chains (10 credits; 3 classroom days)
• MG6201 Driving Operational and Supply Chain Excellence through Lean Leadership (10 credits; 3 classroom days)
• IS6401 Information systems and technologies in supply chain process design and improvement (one and a half days in classroom and e-learning)

Year 2 (Semester 1)

• FE6201 Supply Chain Management: Globalisation Issues
• MG6204 Capstone Module Seminars, Workshops and Lean Black Belt Project (15 credits; 4.5 classroom days)

Year 2 (Semester 2) – Optional

• Master’s (Dissertation)
  

Progression: If you achieve a 2.1 or higher in the Postgraduate Diploma in SCM, you will be eligible to enter Part 2 and this course leads to a Master of Supply Chain Management. A master’s (MSc) will be awarded on the satisfactory completion of a dissertation.

Please see attached Brochure for further information CKJ03 PG Diploma in SCM Brochure.

Additional Teaching Mode Information

• Postgraduate Diploma: 18 months Part-time. Students attend 3 full-day module workshops every two months. 
• MSc: 2 years Part-time [including the Postgraduate Diploma which is 18 months + 6 months add on for MSc]. Students submit a dissertation which will be supported by a seminar series.

Blended Learning (30-70% Online): Programme/module which combines online or/and web-based learning with, face-to-face delivery.

The classroom element is very important to the programmes, and although there is a strong online learning aspect, student have to attend the classroom sessions that make up 19 classroom days (9am to 5pm) for the Postgraduate Diploma in total.

Course Practicalities

Adopting a Blended Learning Approach, on-line resources will be provided prior to workshops, with further on-line resources provided after workshops. Each module will be supported by a 3-day workshop. 

Assessment

• You will be examined wholly by continuous assessment on this course. There are no written examinations.
• In each module, you will have to complete an applied written project.
• A 10-credit module will consist of approx 4,500 words.
• A 5-credit module will consist of approx 3,000 words.
• A Lean SCM Black Belt project has to be implemented at the end of the Postgraduate Diploma.
• The Capstone Module will allow you to present your findings through oral presentations, a poster session, and a written report.
• If you progress to the master’s stage of the course, you will be required to complete a dissertation (13,000-15,000 words).

Who teaches this course

Our core teaching staff have extensive experience of teaching to a wide variety of students including undergraduates, postgraduates, mature students, and post-experience/adult learners. This course is delivered in conjunction with practitioner partners, and hence it combines academic and practical expertise. The course also benefits from the involvement of best-in-class practitioners, both national and international, which enhances our overall interaction with industry.

Why Choose This Course

This Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in Supply Chain Management will allow you to progress your education while you also further your career. At the same time it will provide benefits and opportunities for the organisation where you work.

Skills and Careers Information

Leadership and analytical skills to drive organisational change. Focuses on hard/technical skills associated with Lean implementation. Develops soft skills to support and use organisational systems/processes across a range of industries with transferable skills, including:

• communication skills
• research skills
• conceptual skills
• organisational/management skills.

Our career-minded students come from many business environments, including:

• healthcare
• medical devices
• food and drink
• financial services
• life sciences.

Requirements

You should have:

Minimums  Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a relevant area and at least 4 years relevant industrial experience (including cross-functional team lead and Lean experience)

or

A portfolio of professional experience, deemed appropriate by the Academic Programme Director under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), containing the following: (i) at least 6 years of relevant management experience, including responsibility for teams and cross-functional/supply chain teams, (ii) recognized professional qualification in a relevant area and/or applied Lean SCM experience (equivalent to a Green Belt level) (iii) application of learning or competence such as involvement in cross-functional projects, reports, reflective papers or journals.

and

Testimonials of learning or competence through sign-off by an appropriate signatory within the candidate's organization. Applicants must be in a position to affect organizational change.

Note: A foundation module (FE5201) to the value of 5 credits may be provided to candidates who do not have a pre-requisite background in Lean.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.

• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

• What is your current occupation/speciality?

• Please describe your portfolio of work or achievements. Enter N/A if this is not applicable to you.

Deferrals: Deferrals are not permitted on this course.

 

Apply Now