Study Plan for Master of Science in Logistics (2024–2026)

Study information

Logistics entails organizing the flow of products, services and information from raw materials to the end-user. For a large number of industrial and business companies, achieving high quality logistics operations will be the key competitive factor for future success. Hence, it is a considerable focus on logistics in the business world. The knowledge can be used in all sorts of industries /organizations, which means that the job market for students with a master’s degree in logistics is generally quite good.

The program aims to give a thorough analysis and understanding of problems, challenges and solutions associated with all parts of the value chains: purchasing and supply, production planning, inventory management and distribution planning, including the management of transport services. Understanding the relations between different value chains, (Supply Chain Management) is also a major focus in the program.

The approaches to problem-solving in logistics require a broad understanding of the subject matter in order to find satisfactory solutions on the basis of an analysis of alternatives. Hence, logistics as a scientific discipline rests on a broad spectrum of other disciplines, such as economics, information/communication technology, business administration, organization and management, as well as quantitative methods based on mathematics, operations research and statistics. The involvement of all these topics within the field of logistics makes it exciting and challenging to study logistics at this level.

Students in the program will choose one of the three main specializations, called Supply Chain Management (SCM), Sustainable Freight Transport (SFT) and Logistics Analytics (LA). Students choosing the SCM-variant must – before the second semester starts – choose between the two different sub- variants of Advanced SCM or Information systems. Students choosing the LA-variant must- before the second semester starts-choose between the sub-variants of Logistics Analytics or Operations Research.

The specialization in Supply Chain Management is suited for students with an interest in organization, business and to some extent social science. Although mathematics and statistics are used, the focus is more on the qualitative aspects involved in the management of the value chain. Suitable backgrounds include supply chain management, economics, business administration, among others.

The specialization in Sustainable Freight Transport focuses on analysis and understanding of strategic and operative aspects related to in- and outbound freight flows in a supply chain. The analysis of freight transport's key role in climate actions is also central in this track.

The specialization in Logistics Analytics is suited for students interested in quantitative methods for analyzing, planning and management of activities involved in production, inventory, transportation and distribution within and across companies. Modern topics as big data, visual analytics and robotization will be covered.

The program is taught entirely in English and currently includes students from more than 10 different countries, both within and outside Europe. This means that those participating in the program will have the benefit of belonging to a truly international group of students and to enhance their language skills, making them ready for logistics careers in an ever more globalized economy

What do you learn?

Degree/title obtained

Master of Science in Logistics

Learning outcomes

After completing the program, the successful candidate is expected to:

Knowledge

• have advanced knowledge about supply chains and logistics in general

• have specialized knowledge about selected topics when dealing with different types of supply chains

• have extensive knowledge of scientific theories and methods relevant to managing supply chains and operations within such chains

• have advanced knowledge of the relations between supply chains and relevant theories within economics and business administration

• have advanced knowledge about logistics, operations research and operations management in general

Skills

• be able to use advanced theory and methods to identify inefficiencies in supply chains

• be able to propose improving organizational/structural changes and suggest ways of implementing such changes in a supply chain.

• be capable of performing a limited supervised research project within a supply chain in line with ruling academic standards of the field

• be able to identify operational challenges/problems in supply chains and logistics systems and to assert the relevance of models and methods to resolve these

• be able to select relevant models and methods for approaching a given logistical problem.

• be able to choose and use relevant software and technology in implementing computer-assisted solution methods

General Competence

• be able to present and communicate professional issues relevant to SCM and logistics, on an expert- as well as a common level

• be able to apply acquired knowledge and skills within new areas of research and applications

• be able to read scientific papers and other academic work with a critical view

Admission

Admission takes place during the spring semester every year, and the program starts in the middle of August. The MSc program in Logistics is open to both Norwegian and international applicants who fulfil all the admission requirements, and where applicants outside EU/EEA and Switzerland must document funding of minimum NOK 137 907 per academic year together with their application to cover their own living expenses for their planned MSc studies in Molde. Admitted international students outside EU/ EEA and Switzerland will be requested to transfer a minimum of NOK 137 907 to our Deposit Account for International Students within a deadline first stated in the letter of admission. In addition, admitted students from these countries need to pay full tuition fee of NOK 197 000 for the first year of their MSc studies (2024/2025). See under Application Procedures for further information.

All admitted students have to pay a minor semester fee of NOK 745 per semester.

For Supply Chain Management (SCM) / Stustainable Freight Transport (SFT)
Applicants should have completed a relevant BA, BSc, BEng, BTech degree (equivalent to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits) in Logistics, Economics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering/ Organization, Mathematics or Information Technology/ Computer Science. Although it is important that all applicants have sufficient background in Mathematics and Statistics, the main focus is more on the qualitative aspects involved in the management of the value chain.

For Logistics Analytics (LA):

Applicants choosing this study option must have completed a recognized BA, BSc, BEng or BTech degree (equivalent to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits) with a stronger quantitative background within Mathematics, Mathematical Modelling, Statistics, Economics, Information Technology / Computer Science, or relevant Engineering disciplines. 

Admission to the MSc program in Logistics at HiMolde is highly competitive when it comes to grades. Applicants should preferably have an average grade of First Class/ First Division or Second Class Upper Division or equivalent average grades from their recognized bachelor's degree to be considered for admission. Applicants who have completed only a HND (Higher National Diploma) or similar Diploma/ Advanced Diploma Educations do not qualify to apply for admission.  

Some groups of applicants will also be required to fulfil the formal English language requirements to apply for admission, by taking an IELTS test with a minimum score of 6.0, or a TOEFL test with a minimum score of 550 on paper based test/ 213 on computer based test/ or 79 on internet based test. A Pearson Academic English test(PTE) with minimum score 53 will also be accepted. Other groups of applicants can be exempted from the formal English language requirements.  

Application deadlines: 

• 15 January 2024: International applicants who are citizens of a country outside EU/EEA and Switzerland, including applicants applying directly from abroad and applicants who have a temporary residence permit in Norway.

• 15 April 2024: Applicants who are citizens of Norway or a country within Norden (Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Iceland). Applicants who are citizens of a country within EU/EEA and Switzerland, and applicants who have a permanent residence permit in Norway.

 
Administrative Contact Person International applicants:

Ragnhild Brakstad, Senior Adviser/International Coordinator MSc studies
email: ragnhild.brakstad@himolde.no

Phone: +47 71 21 41 08

Structure and content

Programme content

Logistics entails organizing the flow of products, services and information from raw materials to the end-user. For a large number of industrial and business companies, achieving high quality logistics operations will be the key competitive factor for future success. Hence, it is a considerable focus on logistics in the business world. The knowledge can be used in all sorts of industries /organizations, which means that the job market for students with a master’s degree in logistics is generally quite good.

The program aims to give a thorough analysis and understanding of problems, challenges and solutions associated with all parts of the value chains: purchasing and supply, production planning, inventory management and distribution planning, including the management of transport services. Understanding the relations between different value chains, (Supply Chain Management) is also a major focus in the program.

The approaches to problem-solving in logistics require a broad understanding of the subject matter in order to find satisfactory solutions on the basis of an analysis of alternatives. Hence, logistics as a scientific discipline rests on a broad spectrum of other disciplines, such as economics, information/communication technology, business administration, organization and management, as well as quantitative methods based on mathematics, operations research and statistics. The involvement of all these topics within the field of logistics makes it exciting and challenging to study logistics at this level.

Students in the program will choose one of the three main specializations, called Supply Chain Management (SCM), Sustainable Freight Transport (SFT) and Logistics Analytics (LA). Students choosing the SCM-variant must – before the second semester starts – choose between the two different sub- variants of Advanced SCM or Information systems. Students choosing the LA-variant must- before the second semester starts-choose between the sub-variants of Logistics Analytics or Operations Research.

The specialization in Supply Chain Management is suited for students with an interest in organization, business and to some extent social science. Although mathematics and statistics are used, the focus is more on the qualitative aspects involved in the management of the value chain. Suitable backgrounds include supply chain management, economics, business administration, among others.

The specialization in Sustainable Freight Transport focuses on analysis and understanding of strategic and operative aspects related to in- and outbound freight flows in a supply chain. The analysis of freight transport's key role in climate actions is also central in this track.

The specialization in Logistics Analytics is suited for students interested in quantitative methods for analyzing, planning and management of activities involved in production, inventory, transportation and distribution within and across companies. Modern topics as big data, visual analytics and robotization will be covered.

The program is taught entirely in English and currently includes students from more than 10 different countries, both within and outside Europe. This means that those participating in the program will have the benefit of belonging to a truly international group of students and to enhance their language skills, making them ready for logistics careers in an ever more globalized economy

Content and structure of the programme

In the first semester there will in general be mandatory subjects related to the study specialization.  In the second semester the students have to choose between different sub-variants. There will be a mix of mandatory subjects and electives. The latter can be chosen from all subjects in all MSc programs in Logistics. The third and fourth semesters are structurally the same for all specializations. The series of one-week seminars in the third semester requires that each student follows at least ten seminars (10 weeks), please see LOG904 for further details. In addition all students have to write a proposal which is the project plan for the master thesis which is written in the fourth semester.The proposal should be presented orally and approved by the supervisor and an independent grader at the end of the third semester. The master thesis should be written in the fourth semester and the delivery date is at the end of May while an examination/defense of the thesis will take place in June.

Organisation and learning

The program courses use a wide range of teaching and study methods. Standard courses run over one semester with classes once or twice per week, but in some cases a course can include more intensive teaching within a limited time period. Students have homework in terms of exercises, computer lab work, case studies and essays, both individually and in groups. The one-week seminars in the third semester are intensive courses with a mix of lectures, homework, discussions and student presentations. Participation in the seminars normally requires that students have passed the mandatory courses in the two first semesters. Students finalize the degree by carrying out a supervised research project and write their thesis on basis of this. Students enrolled in the program are expected to do at least 40 hours of study work per week. The program is not suited for distance learning.

Some additional information about the MSc program can be found on https://www.himolde.no/english/studies/programmes/master-programmes-in-logistics/index.html 

Required study progression

An achievement of at least 75% of nominal study progression during an academic year is required in order to maintain the place in the study programme.

Assessment

Student assessment is made on basis of monitored exams, essays, written case study reports and oral presentations.

Future studies

The Master`s degree will qualify the candidate for admission to the PhD program in logistics at Molde University College, as well as other PhD programs in Norway or abroad. Admission to the PhD programs via the MSc program is dependent on excellent academic performance.