Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management – PGDipSCM

Learn how to manage supply chain relationships and optimise global logistics with Massey’s Diploma in Supply Chain Management. These skills are crucial to business success.

Type of qualification

Postgraduate diploma

Level of study

Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.

More about study levels

NZQF level 8

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

1 year full-time (120 credits)
Up to 4 years part-time
Part-time available

Where you can study

Auckland campus

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management – PGDipSCM

Firms are constantly searching for innovative ways to enhance their value offerings. Many have come to realise the importance of capable supply chain professionals.

The Postgraduate Diploma provides up-to-date specialised knowledge directly relevant to the workplace. The courses are taught by experienced supply chain executives and internationally renowned experts.

Every organisation has several supply chain management roles that are responsible for:

  • procurement
  • distribution
  • logistics
  • purchasing
  • sales and operations planning.

You could be employed in a huge range of industries and professions, including manufacturing, services, health care, local government, construction and the defence force. Many graduates of the PGDip quickly move into senior positions in the same or different organisations.

Earn more

A 2017 Ministry of Education publication the post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that in New Zealand earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed.

Further study

Depending on your achievement in this qualification, you may have the opportunity of proceeding to a master's qualification on completion of the Postgraduate Diploma. For instance the Master of Supply Chain Management or the Master of Quality Systems.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management you will:

  • have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree with a major in Supply Chain Management, or an equivalent qualification, having achieved a B- grade average or higher over the qualifying 300-level courses, and have completed at least two years of relevant professional experience, or
  • have been awarded or qualified for a Graduate Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, or an equivalent qualification; having achieved a B- grade average or higher over the qualification, and have completed at least two years of relevant professional experience, or
  • have demonstrated at least five years of relevant professional experience, including completion of appropriate professional qualifications or equivalent, via a portfolio, and an interview at the discretion of the University.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

Documents you will need to supply to support your application

  • copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
  • a copy of your current curriculum vitae (including education and employment for at least the last five years).

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit. 

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications.  If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management

You study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

120 credits

  • Compulsory courses – 105 credits
  • Elective from the Schedule – 15 credits

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Compulsory courses (Choose 105 credits from)

Choose 105 credits from
Course code: 240753 Supply Chain Analytics 15 credits

Determining information required for management of the supply chain. Includes a systems dynamics view of production management, process improvement methodologies, supply chain measurements and analysis.

View full course details
Course code: 240755 Executive Supply Chain Management 30 credits

The operational disciplines of the successful organisation are responsible for developing and managing its response to market opportunities and supply chain management is the key to a successful response. This course looks at the role supply chain management has in supporting organisations to create value within supply nets, webs and chains through the relationships created downstream with customers and upstream with suppliers.

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Course code: 240756 Value Chain Management 15 credits

Value chains are explored through a supply chain operations management lens. Value chain networks are examined in the context of supply chain collaboration and coordination. The purpose is to provide students with the core principles of value creation and management, and to introduce them to supply chain analytical approaches to facilitate business decision making.

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Course code: 240758 Research Methods and Skills 30 credits

The scientific method will be explored through discussion of alternative research methodologies and the capabilities required to conduct academic research. The course has two interrelated goals; to develop postgraduate study skills and to prepare to undertake a quality or supply chain management research project. Students will develop the skills to synthesise literature, design research processes and structure a research report. During the course students will decide to focus on either a practical application or a more theoretical research project.

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Course code: 240759 Integrated Logistics 15 credits

Logistics is a foundation block within any successful business. Unless an organisation can manage and coordinate in an integrated manner the movement of materials, information and cash through its business, and those of partner organisations, it is unlikely to outperform its competitors.

Restrictions: 240752

View full course details

Elective courses (Choose 15 credits from)

Choose 15 credits from
Course code: 112747 International Food and Agribusiness Strategies 15 credits

Contemporary New Zealand and international agribusiness issues and strategies. Emphasis is placed on the dynamics of agribusiness strategies, structures and institutions in the context of agricultural trade and environmental issues, food and fibre markets and supply chains. Case studies are used extensively throughout the course.

Restrictions: 112748

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Course code: 125702 Financial Management 15 credits

An introduction into the theory and practice of financial management decision making. Students develop and apply financial management techniques to solve business problems.

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Course code: 238700 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Footprinting Principles 15 credits

The concept of life cycle thinking and its application to support decision-making for product systems. The course will provide an overview of the principles and methodology for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) according to the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, and introduce related environmental footprinting approaches (carbon and water footprinting).

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Course code: 287735 Quality Improvement 15 credits

Concepts of and the major approaches to quality improvement. The full range of quality improvement methodologies, tools and techniques as well as team-based problem-solving methods.

Restrictions: 143785

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Course code: 287741 Quality System Development and Management 15 credits

All organisations are required to effectively manage the quality of their goods and services, and that of the processes and systems that produce or deliver them. This course introduces the key principles of quality systems and their control and management. This includes core definitions, key theories, relevant standards, documentation requirements, and associated tools, methods and principles for managing and controlling quality.

Restrictions: 287730

View full course details

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

Every organisation has several supply chain management roles that are responsible for:

  • Procurement
  • Distribution
  • Logistics
  • Purchasing
  • Sales and operations planning

You could be employed in a huge range of industries and professions, including manufacturing, services, health care, local government, construction and the defence force. Many graduates of the PGDip quickly move into senior positions in the same or different organisations.

Earn more

A 2017 Ministry of Education publication. The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that in New Zealand earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed.

Related study options