In the current global business landscape, understanding main functional areas of an organisation and the relationship among these functional areas will play a crucial role in efficiently managing an organisation. Effective co-ordination of internal processes and external partners (like suppliers) ensures a smooth flow of goods and services to the right consumer at the right time. A dysfunctional supply chain could significantly impact performance and could lead to increased product cost, delayed deliveries, and unsatisfied consumers.

Recent examples of supply chain crises (e.g. disruption in goods delivery, food shortages in several countries etc.), have reinforced the need to understand supply chain challenges and their impact on different functional units of an organisation.

BSc Business Administration and Supply Chain Management is designed to develop your knowledge and skillset and to teach you to critically understand an organisation's different functions and the supply chain's role in successfully managing an organisation.

The course will provide comprehensive knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects of business and supply chain management, and prepare students to apply this learning in the context of real-world problems.

Study areas include:

business strategy

operations and supply chain management

business analytics

quantitative analysis

logistics management

project management

business research methods

Group work tasks develop your teamwork skills and our business simulation project puts you in charge of your virtual venture. In competition with other students, you develop your problem-solving, analysis, and creativity skills as you make decisions to optimise your business' performance.

In your final year, you'll put your knowledge into practice by producing a business plan, industry report or dissertation in an area of your choice. As well as developing the research and analytical skills needed for the workplace, you can benefit from the opportunity to make valuable business connections by gathering case studies and interviews.

The University of Essex is one of just three UK universities to have received Q-Step Affiliate status, including for our BSc Business Administration and Supply Chain Management, to support the way we develop the quantitative skills of our graduates.

This course is taught at Essex Business School. We're an international school that places a strong emphasis on responsible management, ethics, and sustainable business practices. We encourage our students to think strategically, act responsibly, and have the confidence to innovate to make positive changes in turbulent economic environments.

Study abroad

The four-year version of this course enables you to study abroad during your third year. In all other areas, this version of the course remains identical to the standard three-year variant.

You can study abroad with one of our exchange partners in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, the Middle East, Hong Kong and Japan. In doing so, you experience other cultures and languages, meet new people, and gain intercultural skills that are sought-after by employers.

Placement year

Alternatively, you may prefer to take on a placement during your third year to gain relevant work experience within an external organisation. A placement can provide you with valuable experience to add to your CV.

The Placements Team can offer bespoke support throughout the process of researching, applying and interviewing for placements. However, it is your responsibility to apply, prepare for and secure your own role. In recent years, our students have gained placements with organisations such as BMW, Samsung and Cummins.