OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
An advanced 120-credit qualification designed to broaden learners' understanding of logistics and supply chain management, preparing them for professional roles or Master's-level progression with advanced standing.
The OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management is an Ofqual-regulated qualification designed to provide comprehensive learning through mandatory units and flexible delivery.
Qualification Number: 603/5865/8 — regulated by Ofqual (RN5284)
6 mandatory units totalling 120 credits
1200 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 600 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
Designed for delivery over one academic year (full-time); flexible for part-time and distance learning
Internally assessed by the centre and externally verified by OTHM
Equivalent on the RQF to master's degree level (Level 7)
About This Course
This qualification broadens learners' understanding of logistics and supply chain management, preparing them for professional roles or career advancement.
Ofqual-regulated qualification on the RQF at Level 7
Covers strategic, operational, and analytical dimensions of logistics and supply chain management
Develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership competencies
Recognised by multiple UK and international universities for Master's top-up progression
Flexible delivery modes: face-to-face, distance learning, and online
No written examinations; assessment via coursework and portfolio submissions
What You'll Learn
Learners will develop specialist knowledge and practical skills across core logistics and supply chain disciplines upon completing all six mandatory units.
Analyse key logistics concepts, transport modes, regulatory frameworks, and warehouse management strategies to enhance organisational efficiency
Apply supply chain planning models, forecasting techniques, inventory control approaches, and ERP systems in contemporary business operations
Critically assess supply chain and operations strategies, performance measurement frameworks, and competitive drivers including lean, agile, and leagile approaches
Appraise sustainability concepts, environmental and social dimensions, green supply chain practices, and corporate reporting mechanisms
Design and develop a business research proposal using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies and literature review techniques
Who Should Attend
This qualification is ideal for individuals seeking to build or advance a career in logistics and supply chain management.
Aspiring logistics and supply chain professionals seeking a first professional role in the field
Current logistics, operations, or supply chain professionals wishing to enhance their expertise and move into senior roles
Managers with relevant work experience who wish to formalise and extend their industry knowledge
Recent graduates holding a Level 6 qualification in a related subject who wish to specialise further
Professionals from adjacent sectors transitioning into logistics and supply chain management roles
Learners who intend to progress to a Master's degree programme with advanced standing at a UK or overseas university
Entry Requirements
Entry is open to learners meeting academic and age criteria, with English language evidence required for non-native speakers.
An honours degree in a related subject, a UK Level 6 diploma, or an equivalent overseas qualification
Mature learners with relevant management experience (eligibility must be confirmed with the delivery centre prior to registration)
Learners must be 21 years of age or older at the commencement of the course
Learners from non-majority English-speaking countries must provide evidence of English language competency
Curriculum
Current issues in logistics: supply chain disruptions, transportation costs, capacity constraints, e-commerce growth, sustainability concerns, technological disruption, labour shortages, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity risks
Logistics importance and definition: logistics trends, strategies (cost and service), product characteristics, integration with other business functions, key stakeholders (shippers, carriers, freight forwarders, government), logistics networks, risk management, performance measures, and information technology in logistics
Modes of transport: road, air, sea, and intermodal freight — applicability, advantages, disadvantages, operating characteristics, key stakeholders, cost and pricing factors, shipper and carrier perspectives, infrastructure (ports, rail interchanges, airports), outsourcing (3PL and 4PL), and Transportation Management Systems
Transport selection factors: nature of goods, distance, time sensitivity, cost, reliability, infrastructure accessibility, environmental impact, regulatory compliance, and supply chain integration
International regulatory aspects: Incoterms and contractual obligations, customs tariffs, import/export bonding procedures, freight forwarding contracts, documentation and certification, international trade facilitation, treaties, finance and settlement, and strategies to mitigate tariff costs
Warehouse management — strategic aspects: warehouse types, centre-of-gravity and qualitative location considerations, capacity planning, economy of scale, seasonality, outsourcing, warehouse design (L, I, and U shape), storage rack selection, and material handling equipment (manual and automated)
Warehouse management — operational aspects: receiving, storage, order picking and despatch processes, static and dynamic item location, voice picking and pick-to-light solutions, Warehouse Management Systems, robotisation, and performance measures
Packaging: primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging and their relevance to logistics; packaging optimisation for storage, transportation, and material handling; sustainable packaging options (pallets and containers)
Supply chain planning overview: importance of planning, key planning areas, qualitative and quantitative planning approaches
Supply network design: centralised and decentralised networks, cost-service trade-offs, Bullwhip effect and its control
Location planning models: factor rating models and centre-of-gravity models
Inventory control and management: types of inventory, inventory performance measures, perpetual inventory (reorder point, safety stock, EOQ), periodic inventory control (review period, target inventory), customer service levels (fill rate, cycle service levels), newsvendor problem, ABC and VED analysis, inventory counting, centralised and decentralised inventory (square root law)
Aggregate and hierarchical planning: aggregate planning, Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), chase, level, and hybrid planning strategies, Master Production Schedule (MPS), Material Requirements Planning (MRP) including lot sizing, Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRP II), Distribution Resources Planning (DRP), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and yield/revenue management
Capacity management strategies: Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory, Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), MRP, and related capacity management approaches
ERP systems: integration of business processes, data centralisation, streamlining operations, decision-making support, scalability, implementation challenges, ROI, and success metrics
Simulation and big data analytics: role and types of simulation (discrete event simulation, system dynamics), use of data analytical tools in SCM, clustering, classification, and association pattern recognition techniques
Procurement context and value: importance of procurement to organisations, changing role of procurement, procurement integration with business strategy, centralised versus decentralised purchasing, key sourcing process elements, and purchasing organisation structures
Organisational policies and procedures: establishing policy frameworks, developing and implementing procedures, enforcing compliance, vendor selection and relationship management, risk mitigation, cost control, and continuous improvement
Procurement function structures: centralised, decentralised, hybrid, category management, centre-led, strategic procurement partnership, shared services, and outsourced models
Costing and pricing tools: spend analysis, supply industry analysis, market and cost-based pricing models, value analysis, and Kraljic Portfolio Matrix
Sourcing tools and processes: Request for Information (RFI), Request for Quotation (RFQ), total cost of ownership, multi-criteria supplier selection models, reverse auctions, and e-procurement
Supplier selection and award criteria: evaluating supplier capabilities, quality standards, price competitiveness, innovation, delivery performance, financial stability, and ethical and social responsibility
Technology in procurement: automation, digital platforms, supplier management systems, data analytics, e-procurement tools, cloud solutions, blockchain transparency, and AI applications
Contractual agreements: legal aspects of purchasing, nature of contracts, offers and counteroffers, contract law, terms and management of contracts, contract disputes
Commercial negotiation: competitive, collaborative, distributive, integrative, and principled negotiation approaches; BATNA; persuasion and coercive approaches; game theory; pre- and post-negotiation phases
Supplier relationship management: arm's length, partnership, strategic alliance, joint venture, and vertical integration relationships; supply base rationalisation; supplier tiering; single and multiple sourcing; supplier associations; performance measurement and supplier development
Conflict resolution in commercial contracts: negotiation, mediation, arbitration, adjudication, litigation, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and collaborative problem-solving
Key operations and supply chain concepts: key decisions in operations and SCM, performance objectives, Operations Strategy Matrix, order winners and order qualifiers, trade-offs and efficient frontier, the 4V's framework (volume, variety, variation in demand, visibility), Sandcone model of improvement, Hayes and Wheelwright's four stages of operations contribution
Process and quality strategy: process design, process technology strategies, quality strategy and elements including Six Sigma
Supply chain integration and strategy: key drivers of SCM, role of information and IT in SCM, incentive alignment (buyback, revenue sharing, quantity flexibility contracting), supply chain risk management and resilience, outsourcing decisions
SCM strategic approaches: lean, agile, and leagile strategies; push versus pull systems and decoupling point; Quick Response; Efficient Consumer Response (ECR); Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI); Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR); Bullwhip effect
Performance measurement in operations and SCM: operations performance measures (cost, quality, speed, reliability, and flexibility), supply chain performance measures, financial and non-financial measures, single and multi-factor performance measures
Performance measurement frameworks: Balanced Scorecard, SCOR framework, and supply chain benchmarking (intra- and inter-organisational)
Key Performance Indicators: on-time delivery, order fulfilment cycle time, inventory turnover ratio, perfect order rate, fill rate, supplier lead time variability, transportation cost per unit, warehouse utilisation, return merchandise authorisation rate, and overall equipment effectiveness
Sustainability concepts and relevance: definition of sustainability, environmental, economic, and social dimensions, application in different business contexts
Drivers and barriers to sustainability: key drivers encouraging sustainability practices and barriers or challenges businesses face in implementing them
Environmental sustainability practices: eco-design of products, responsible purchasing, green technologies, green manufacturing, green transportation, green warehousing and packaging, reverse logistics, recycling, waste management, remanufacturing, and closed-loop supply chains
Social and ethical sustainability: humanitarian logistics, ethical aspects of supply chain management, social sustainability measures, and collaboration for sustainability
Lean and green supply chains: integration of lean operations principles with environmental sustainability objectives
Sustainability performance measurement: environmental performance measures (greenhouse gas emissions, waste reduction, resource and energy conservation, water conservation), social sustainability measures, and corporate sustainability reporting (GRI, Carbon Disclosure Project)
Sustainability certifications and standards: Fairtrade Foundation, UN Global Compact, and other key environmental and social sustainability certifications
Life cycle analysis: application in assessing the sustainability impact of products and processes
Environmental Management Systems: design and operational aspects of EMS, ISO 14001 standard
Making the business more sustainable: evaluating existing sustainability position, assessing appropriateness of sustainability practices, and evaluating sustainability and business implications of implementing new practices
Research problem identification: understanding the research context, topic identification, conceptualisation of a research problem, developing insights, and assessing feasibility
Research objectives: formulating and justifying appropriate research objectives
Literature review: definition, features, and methods of conducting a literature review; identifying and selecting appropriate sources; justification of literature selection; identifying relevant theories; conceptualising the research phenomenon; developing a theoretical framework
Research methodologies: quantitative and qualitative research approaches; research question and hypothesis testing; reliability and validity; ethical considerations in research design
Quantitative research methods: questionnaire design and distribution, survey methods, conducting interviews
Qualitative research methods: interviews, observation, and case studies
Research proposal development: writing for professional audiences, structuring the research rationale, critical analysis, discussion of evidence and findings, formatting and editing
Techniques for data analysis: quantitative data analysis techniques, qualitative data analysis techniques, use of statistical software (SPSS), and drawing conclusions from analysed data
Assessments
Assessment is internally conducted by approved centres and externally verified by OTHM, based on achievement of learning outcomes without written exams.
Written reports (typically 4,500 words per applicable unit)
Portfolio of tasks (applied problem-solving and analytical exercises)
Essays (extended analytical and evaluative written submissions)
Research proposal (covering problem identification, literature review, methodology, and data analysis techniques)
Progression
Successful completion enables progression into employment or further academic study with recognition by UK and international universities.
Progress to a Master's top-up programme (dissertation stage, 60 credits) at UK or overseas universities with advanced standing
Pursue an MBA or specialist postgraduate degree in logistics, supply chain, or operations management
Advance into senior logistics and supply chain management roles within industry
Pursue professional membership and continuing development with sector bodies such as CIPS or CILT
Application Form
Apply Now For This Course
An adviser will review your eligibility for OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and reply within 1–2 working days.
LevelLevel 7
Awarding BodyOTHM
Lessons54
