Course overview
BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Supply Chain Leadership
This work-based programme is designed to provide the essential knowledge, understanding and skills required to operate effectively and successfully in a supply chain role.
The apprentice will need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a relevant role and have the support of their employer.
About this course
This apprenticeship is suitable for school/college leavers and career changers who wish to pursue a career in supply chain, or those already in supply chain roles.
It will allow apprentices to combine current workplace learning opportunities with theoretical knowledge gained through a number of formal classes which are relevant to the organisation in which they work.
The Supply Chain Leadership Professional Integrated Degree Apprenticeship has been specially designed and is delivered in partnership with CP Training - a business-led education provider dedicated to delivering supply chain excellence.
- Apprenticeships are designed by industry professionals and are aimed at employed individuals.
- They can be suitable as a way to upskill existing members of staff or as a pathway for new employees.
- Small groups and specially designed learning sessions will ensure that apprentices get the most out of their time in workshops and lectures.
- Required to include a minimum of six hours a week off-the-job learning.
- There are no direct fees paid by the apprentice as the programme is supported through the Apprenticeship Levy.
- Successful apprentices will gain a BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Supply Chain Leadership.
Core areas focus on supply chain operations, supply, demand and forecasting, network design, legislation, organisational strategy, and finance.
About Supply Chain Academy incorporating CP training
The Supply Chain Academy (link opens in a new window/tab), incorporating CP training, is based in the UK and was established to enhance global supply chain capability and to enable the sharing of best practice within the sector. Their services include open and bespoke short courses and organisational development, delivered through a network of subject matter experts with real global-wide coverage.
Programme duration and delivery
It will typically take three-and-a-half years to complete the Degree Apprenticeship, however, there may also be opportunities to join part-way through the programme if candidates have considerable experience in a particular area.
Apprentices will benefit from lectures and seminars, delivered at locations in Leeds, London or in-company.
This apprenticeship is delivered through a blended learning approach. Apprentices benefit from face-to-face and online lectures and seminars, delivered by Leeds Trinity University. In addition to this, apprentices will also complete independent research activities which can be undertaken in the workplace.
Note: This course will only run if minimum student numbers are met.
Course modules
You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Year 1
During your first year, you will study four core modules.
Introduction to your Professional Degree Apprenticeship - Core
This module equips apprentices with essential study skills for navigating higher education and fosters reflective practice by introducing key models and theories. Learners will engage with academic conventions such as writing, note-taking, literature searching, presentation skills, and referencing.
The module emphasizes building a Portfolio of Evidence, guiding apprentices to map their workplace activities to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) outlined in their apprenticeship standard.
Additionally, apprentices will develop a Negotiated Learning Plan that aligns with both personal and professional development needs, benefiting their employer while meeting academic standards.
Negotiated Learning: Introduction to Supply Chain and Network Design - Core
This module provides apprentices with an in-depth understanding of supply chains and the complex networks that support them.
Key topics include logistics, procurement, and the interrelationships between suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors, with a focus on optimizing efficiency and sustainability.
The apprenticeship format allows students to apply these concepts directly in real-world supply chain operations, preparing them for leadership roles in the industry.
Negotiated Learning: Principles of Capacity Planning, Forecasting and Procurement - Core
Apprentices will learn to source and plan optimal transport solutions for goods, actively utilise data in real time, and practice sustainability and ethicality during sourcing and buying.
This module will cover the principles of inventory, supply and demand planning, and the value of targeted research on supply chain dynamics. Apprentices will learn more about the methods of forecasting including effects of fluctuations and seasonality and use of scheduling techniques.
Negotiated Learning: Projects in the Workplace - Core
Sharpen your awareness of small-scale work-based project stages and processes in this module.
You'll cover work-based project types, ethical data use, project design, stakeholder communication, and more.
You and your tutor will customise your aims and objectives in the Learning Agreement to align with your unique projects and professional context.
Year 2
During your second year, you will study four core modules.
Apprenticeship Portfolio Review - Core
This module supports apprentices in reflecting on their professional experiences, identifying valuable insights from both formal education and workplace learning.
Apprentices will explore methods to analyse and evaluate their work-based knowledge, developing skills in presenting their learning achievements clearly and coherently. The module emphasises the connection between personal learning outcomes and professional growth, encouraging apprentices to map their experiences to their apprenticeship standards.
Apprentices will also take ownership of planning a coherent learning programme that aligns with their academic goals and job responsibilities, ensuring continuous development throughout their apprenticeship.
Negotiated Learning: Inventory and Warehouse Management - Core
Apprentices in this module will focus on inventory control and warehouse management strategies that optimize cost and efficiency.
The course covers value chain trends, cross-border sourcing, and Lean principles for minimizing inventory costs. Apprentices will explore tools and techniques for inventory control, along with strategies for rationalization and optimization across extended supply chains.
Emphasis is placed on flexibility and cross-functional collaboration to enhance supply chain performance in dynamic business environments.
Negotiated Learning: Logistics and Transport Management - Core
This module explores the critical role of logistics and transportation in modern supply chains. Apprentices will study key practices, including tracking, recycling, and innovative delivery methods that align with sustainability goals.
The module also examines asset recovery, the seven R’s of sustainability, and the management of distribution networks. Practical exercises will focus on optimizing logistics processes while managing risks, preparing apprentices to lead in the evolving world of e-commerce and global supply chain dynamics.
Negotiated Learning: Supply Chain Technology and E-Business - Core
In this module, apprentices will explore the transformative power of technology within the supply chain, from virtual networks to disruptive innovations.
The course highlights how modeling and simulation can solve supply chain problems and improve competitiveness.
Apprentices will also engage with next-generation software, IT innovations, and global sourcing strategies, learning to integrate technological advancements with business needs to maintain supply chain efficiency in an ever-changing digital landscape.
Negotiated Learning: External and Regulatory Environments
Apprentices will gain insights into the global policy frameworks and regulations that affect logistics, including health, safety, and trading protocols.
Focusing on the external factors that influence supply chain management, this module covers the ethical, legal, and environmental impacts of supply chains.
By evaluating alternative solutions for cost and time efficiency, apprentices will learn to guide businesses through complex regulatory landscapes while proactively managing risks and championing sustainable growth opportunities.
Level 5 Work-based Project
This module enables apprentices to choose the most appropriate assessment method for their project, with guidance from the module tutor. Learners can select from multiple options, tailoring their submission to the nature of their project.
One option involves submitting a full report detailing the project's planning, implementation, and outcomes. Alternatively, apprentices who produce a report (such as a strategic plan or new process) can submit this alongside a shorter report analyzing key stages. Another option combines a written report with a professional discussion, which are assessed together for a final grade.
In addition, apprentices will present a project evaluation, reflecting on its success and how it demonstrated their competence in key knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs).
Year 3
During your third year, you will study three core modules.
Advancing Your Portfolio Towards End Point Assessment - Core
This module guides apprentices in consolidating learning and workplace experiences, introducing them to Gateway and End Point Assessment requirements.
Through reflection and gap analysis, apprentices build a project proposal, aligning outcomes with occupational standards, and ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Emphasising learning articulation, progression reflection, and project proposal creation, this module prepares apprentices for the Work-Based Project module.
Negotiated Learning: Effective Human Resource Management and Leadership in Supply Chain - Core
The module covers supply chain visibility and brand appeal, exploring the role of leadership in managing network imperatives while adapting to legislative and policy changes in both national and international contexts.
This module focuses on the leadership and human resource management skills necessary for coordinating supply chain networks.
Apprentices will examine how to foster collaboration across departments, such as finance and IT, to drive value-adding processes.
Negotiated Learning: Supply Chain Strategy and Finance - Core
In this module, apprentices will delve into the financial and strategic aspects of supply chain management.
Key topics include budgeting, profit and loss, and cash flow forecasting in complex supply chains. Apprentices will learn how procurement processes and sourcing strategies impact cost efficiencies and risk mitigation.
The module emphasizes sustainable and ethical decision-making, equipping apprentices with the skills to manage information and material flow while delivering on financial targets and optimizing distribution networks.
Gateway Preparation Module
This module is designed to guide apprentices through the final stages of their apprenticeship, preparing them for the End-Point Assessment (EPA). Apprentices will review and consolidate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) acquired throughout the programme, aligning them with the requirements of their apprenticeship standard.
Work-Based Project for Apprentices
This module enables apprentices to choose the most appropriate assessment method for their project, with guidance from the module tutor. Learners can select from multiple options, tailoring their submission to the nature of their project.
One option involves submitting a full report detailing the project's planning, implementation, and outcomes. Alternatively, apprentices who produce a report (such as a strategic plan or new process) can submit this alongside a shorter report analyzing key stages. Another option combines a written report with a professional discussion, which are assessed together for a final grade.
In addition, apprentices will present a project evaluation, reflecting on its success and how it demonstrated their competence in key knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs).
Learning and Teaching
At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.
Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:
- high quality teaching
- an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
- a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.
We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.
We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:
- Student Involvement and Engagement
- Inclusion
- Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
- Digital Literacy and Skills
- Employability and Enterprise
To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.
We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:
- Personalised support
- Expert lecturers
- Strong connections with employers
- An international outlook
- Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development
Assessment
Throughout the programme, apprentices are assessed via various methods including:
- Reports
- Presentations
- Professional discussions
- Assignments
- Work-based projects
Apprentices will also create a portfolio of evidence throughout the programme to allow them to demonstrate how they have achieved the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the Apprenticeship Standard.
Evidence may include reports, reflective logs and formative assessments.
Upon completion of the degree, each apprentice will undertake the End Point Assessment. The End Point Assessment will consist of a work-based project report and presentation, a portfolio of evidence mapped to the Apprenticeship Standard KSBs and a competency-based interview. This has been designed to enable the apprenticeship to be completed in accordance with the Degree Apprenticeship Standard. An independent assessor will assess this.
The End Point Assessment will consist of a work-based project, a presentation and a viva (verbal assessment).
About Negotiated Learning:
All apprentices will work with their employer to agree on the central theme of their work-based learning for Negotiated Learning modules. These themes will be based on the Degree Apprenticeship Standard. Apprentices, Employers, and Mentors will come together and agree upon the preferred Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) that the apprentice will focus on during each module.
Entry Requirements
Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits.
The following information is designed to give you a general overview of the qualifications we accept. If you are taking qualifications that are not included below, please contact our Apprenticeship Student Admin team who will be happy to advise you.
Applicants must:
- Must hold a level 2 qualification in English Language and Maths Grade 4/C or above
- Provide evidence of the highest achieved qualifications
- Be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a relevant role and have the support of their employer
- Live and have the right to work in England (ID will be requested)
Once a completed evidence pack is received applicants will undertake an initial assessment interview with the programme lead to establish their suitability for the apprenticeship.
Support
We offer extensive support to all of our apprentices - whatever your background or academic experience.
This includes access to our Peer Support Champions and the Learning Hub, which offers tailored support for academic skills.
Fees and finance
Costs of programme
The cost of the full degree apprenticeship programme is £21,000.
Funding
Degree Apprenticeships are fully funded by your employer if their wage bill is over £3 million each year.
The government will fund up to 95% of the apprenticeship’s course fees, up to the relevant funding band, if the organisation has spent all its levy or has an annual wage bill below £3 million each year. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy contribute 5% towards the total cost of the apprenticeship, the ESFA will contribute the other 95% directly to the University. Employers must have an account with the Apprenticeship Service Account to be able to reserve Government funding for an apprenticeship. This reservation ensures that funds will be available to pay for the training from the point the apprenticeship starts.
Read more about how levy payments work at the UK Government website.
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About Leeds Trinity University
Our professional Apprenticeships combine part-time study at Leeds Trinity University with workplace training. We've been providing outstanding provision in higher education for over 50 years and have significant experience of delivering work-based learning programmes. We're proud to offer a personal and inclusive university experience that gives everyone the support they need to realise their potential. Our teaching staff have extensive and relevant professional experience.