Focus: Logistics and Supply Chain Systems
There is a need for logistics and supply chain skills development in the African economy. These aspects are required as an enabler to establish sustained economic development and job creation
via national trade growth, in our export markets.
The logistics and supply chain systems programme focuses on enabling students to develop forward-thinking strategies to enhance the global competitiveness of supply chains, making significant
contributions to logistical frameworks and ensuring these systems are resilient and future ready.
What is the application process and application deadlines for 2025?
- Applications closing date is 30 November 2024
Please contact Prof Goedhals-Gerber leila@sun.ac.za or Dr Frei mfrei@sun.ac.za for information on the application process.
You will need to apply on the SU portal and submit your application number App/xxxxxxx to us.
What are the admission requirements?
The degree will be offered to students with a prior NQF level 8 qualification or international equivalent. Typical previous programmes that would be admitted are:
- A four-year B Eng degree (any discipline), OR
- A four-year BSc degree (any discipline), OR
- Any four-year degree (or three-year and honours degree) with either computer science, mathematics, applied mathematics or similar analytical modules as a major.
How is the programme structured?
The 180-credit programme consists of 8 X 15-credit core and elective modules, a 1-credit professional communication module and a 60-credit research assignment module.
Are there options for full-time and part-time studies?
The programme is offered as a full-time and a part-time option.
Part-time studies provide a student with a longer period to complete the programme, i.e. three years for MEng instead of two years. The part-time students choose fewer modules per year.
However, part-time and full-time students still attend the same modules/lecture times/deadlines.
Students who work whilst completing their studies are generally advised to choose the part-time option. If you are unsure, please contact leila@sun.ac.za.
Changing from full-time to part-time or vice versa is only possible within the registration period of your first-year registration.
How are the modules presented? Is there an online option?
While the pre-reading and post-blocks do not require contact time, the lecture days must be attended during the full working day. Students have the option to attend in person, on campus in our lecture hall BIRGA or online via MSTeams.
How is the programme assessed?
The modules are assessed continuously during the pre-reading, the lecture block and the post-block assignments. There is no additional exam period.
How are the modules presented?
The modules offered by the Industrial Engineering department have the following structure:
- 2 weeks pre-reading
- 5 days of lectures (synchronous, week or shorter 1-2 day blocks)
- 6 weeks post block assignments
Pre-reading and post-blocks take place asynchronously at your own time.
The lecture days of the different modules can be presented in one week or shorter blocks of one or two days. The lecture days must be attended for the full day for both in person and online students. The modules can entail significant group work and assessments, which require your availability during the full working days.
Note: Some modules are presented by other departments/faculties, and their structure can deviate.
| Core Modules | Year | Pre-requisites |
| (modules are compulsory) | ||
| Adv Topics in Engineering Management 873 | Year 1 | – |
| Project Management 873 | Year 1 | – |
| Introduction to Logistics Management * | Year 1 | – |
| (*dependent on previous qualifications and/or experience) | ||
| Sustainable Logistics Systems 874 | Year 1 | Introduction to Logistics Management, other undergraduate logistics and supply chain module or relevant industry experience |
| Supply Chain Risk and Resilience 874 | Year 1 | Introduction to Logistics Management, other undergraduate logistics and supply chain module or relevant industry experience |
| Data Sciences (Eng) 874 | Year 2 | Programming experience 1st year level |
| Elective Modules | Year | Pre-requisites |
| (choose 2 or 3 depending on modules selected above) | ||
| Logistics Resource Engineering 874 | Year 1 | Introduction to Logistics Management, other undergraduate logistics and supply chain module or relevant industry experience |
| Strategic Supply Chain Engineering 874 | Year 2 | Introduction to Logistics Management, other undergraduate logistics and supply chain module or relevant industry experience |
| Supply Management (Inbound) | tbc | Introduction to Logistics Management, other undergraduate logistics and supply chain module or relevant industry experience |
| Supply Management (Outbound) | tbc | Introduction to Logistics Management, other undergraduate logistics and supply chain module or relevant industry experience |
| Additional Module | Year | Pre-requisites |
| Professional Communication 871 | Year 1 |
| Research assignment module | Year | Pre-requisites |
| Research assignment in industry relevant topics 876 | Year 2 for full-time students / year 3 for part-time students |
| Advanced Topics in Engineering Management 873 (15 Credits) |
| The purpose of the module is to present principles of general management within the context of technical disciplines. The course themes include the business environment and strategic management on a firm level, touching on the role of innovation and technology for competitiveness on a systems level from international and national perspectives. |
| Introduction to Logistics Management (15 Credits) |
| The student should be able to describe the basic functioning of a logistics channel. It is important to identify, illustrate and appreciate the contribution of all the major activities involved in logistics. The student should be able to articulate the major differences between the inbound and outbound logistics systems. |
| Project Management 873 (15 Credits) |
| This course is designed to enhance your existing project management expertise by reemphasising best practices and accentuating the role of project management, along with the project manager’s position, within the context of project-based organisations. In addition, the course will delve into the role of the project leader within such settings, with the aim of not only facilitating successful projects, but also promoting the overall success of organisations through the proper application of project management principles and the successful delivery of projects. |
| Sustainable Logistics Systems 874 (15 Credits) |
| This module explores the concept of sustainable logistics systems. It takes an interdisciplinary perspective on the subject, incorporating elements of logistics, economics, engineering, systems thinking, and climate science. The module delves into how businesses are subject to increasingly stringent environmental, economic, and societal pressures, their ongoing response to this, and the role of innovation to tackle these concerns. The module aims to make students aware of the seriousness of the often-conflicting sustainability challenges faced by companies, governments, and society. It will particularly focus on informing students of logistics’ contribution to environmental problems and reveal what companies and governments can do to reduce logistics’ environmental impact while remaining profitable. Students will also gain insight into how businesses are interacting with the Triple Bottom Line approach and working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. |
| Supply Chain Risk and Resilience 874 (15 Credits) |
| This module aims to provide students with an in depth understanding of the fundamental principles of supply chain risk and resilience within a business context exposed to a disruptive environment. This module will guide students towards understanding how key stakeholders operate, regulate, decide and function in a disruptive real world. Students will be able to identify, conceptualise, prioritise, and reflect on a supply chain system together with risk and risk-resilience concepts in the context of business continuity. The module explores the ways in which good practice underpinned with theoretical relevance can contribute to build in risk resilience along supply chains, including reducing the negative impact, reducing the time to react and time to recovery to above pre-shock operational levels. It also examines how contemporary organisations mitigate/adapt to risk and can play a role in improving conditions along the supply chain. |
| Logistic Resource Engineering 874 (15 Credits) |
| Globally networked supply chains and their underlying logistics systems rely on efficient management of relationships, infrastructure, technology, information and finances. This module explores the concept of logistics resource engineering by discussing the elements separately and how they collate together towards more efficient, reliable and resilient systems. It takes an inter-disciplinary perspective on the subject incorporating topics on the management of relationships, infrastructure, technology, information and related finances as it can enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, mitigate risks, and ensure a competitive advantage in the global market. |
| Data Science (Eng) 874 (15 Credits) |
| Data science is the application of computational, statistical, and machine-learning techniques to gain insight into real-world problems. The focus of this module is on the data science project life cycle, specifically to gain a clear understanding of the five steps in the data science process, namely obtain, scrub/wrangling, explore, model, and interpret.
Pre-requisites: Knowledge of an appropriate coding language (e.g. Python). |
| Strategic Supply Chain Engineering 874 (15 Credits) |
| This module explores the concept of strategic thinking and development of strategic decision-making skills in the engineering environment. It explains the link with strategic supply chain engineering and provides a comprehensive understanding and critical appreciation of concepts and issues linked to supply chains, strategies and processes in a global context. This address both strategy at product, company and macro infrastructure level. The module addresses the supply chain within a global logistics system which includes critical processes to be managed such as materials, services and information. In so doing, the module develops a student’s understanding of interrelationships and integration of different stakeholders and owners in a supply chain. In this module, students will learn the iterative process that is followed in the design and development of supply chain strategies that is aligned to business strategies and fit with the requirements of various competitive environments. It also investigates barriers to integrating supply chains, including behavioural issues (e.g., misaligned incentives and change management) and operational execution problems. The module focuses on the tools students will need to participate effectively in strategic and tactical business decisions about supply chain operational choice and execution within a global economy. |
| Supply Management Inbound (15 Credits) |
| Students will learn the language of the subject matter and be equipped with the relevant procurement, supply and inventory management practices typically found in inbound segments of a manufacturing organization’s supply chain (Source and Make). This module is designed to explore the procurement cycle within the context of supply chain management from acquisition to disposal of goods (and services). The major phases of supply management will be covered, i.e., generation of requirements, sourcing, pricing, agreement development, and post award activities including evaluation processes. Students will also be sensitized to the procurement decision interfaces with the other major business functions, including marketing, finance-accounting, operations, logistics, and research and development. The major operational/execution processes of the inbound supply chain will also be covered. It is based on several existing supply chain conceptual models that highlight these as core/functional skill areas.
Source – The processes associated with ordering, delivery, receipt and transfer of raw material items, subassemblies, products and/or services. Make – The process of adding value to products through, e.g., mixing, separating, forming, machining, and chemical processes. |
| Supply Management Outbound (15 Credits) |
| Students will learn the language of the subject matter and be equipped with the relevant practices typically found in outbound segments of an organization’s supply chain (Deliver and Return). The Deliver section of the module will map out the major types of outbound supply chain configuration. It will consider process integration requirements and map out ideal process flows; conduct business process analysis and streamlining, and cover process control and quality management. The Deliver section covers essential elements needed to manage warehousing, packaging and materials handling activities (facilities management) as well as coordinate product deliveries (transport service providers). An overview of the use of relevant documentation to manage deliveries effectively is provided. Core aspects of maritime logistics are also covered. In the Return section of the module, practices to minimise the logistics environmental impact and waste are considered and product returns management and reverse logistics practices are explained. |
| Research Assignment 876 (60 Credits) |
| The Research Assignment provides the student with the opportunity to undertake a research project which addresses a specific issue or problem in logistics or supply chain systems under the supervision of lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering, elsewhere in the University (or the industry). This includes the formal structuring of the problem to be addressed and learning how to conduct a research project using scientific methodology which leads to practical conclusions and recommendations. Students are encouraged to select a topic that will allow them to publish their findings in a recognised journal and present these at a conference. A student will typically select a topic and conduct the bulk of the structuring of the problem to be addressed in the semester preceding the research itself. During this time, the student will also be designated a supervisor who has an interest in the topic. |
Information on postgraduate fees is available on the University’s postgraduate website and in the Yearbook Section ‘Student fees’ SU Calendar (sun.ac.za) (Section
Student Fees at the bottom). Fees are adjusted annually.
Use the information in the fees calendar in combination with the form for provisional quotations of fees on the student fees website to understand the full implication of the costs involved.
It is advised that you make a plan on how you want to structure the modules (keep the co-requisites in mind) and then to generate quotes for each year you plan to study.
Note as this is a brand new programme some of the modules still need to be added to the system.
Fees can differ for South African and International students as well as part-time and full-time students.
It is recommended that you acquaint yourself with the fee structure, especially the annual registration fees as well as the module fees.
For South African students enquiries can be directed to student accounts.
For International students enquiries can be directed to suifinance@sun.ac.za.
For information on the programme:
- Prof Goedhals-Gerber: leila@sun.ac.za
For information on the application process:
- Dr Frei: mfrei@sun.ac.za
Finance enquiries for South African students student accounts.
Finance enquiries for International students suifinance@sun.ac.za.
Stellenbosch University reserves the right to change the degree structure, modules and their content, lecturers, fees, admission requirements, delivery mode,
semesters in which modules are offered and related issues. Admission is subject to selection and the number of students per cohort is limited.
