Course Details
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Brief Description
Boost your career in supply chain and inventory management with a two-year, part-time, work-based Executive Apprenticeship Diploma in Supply Chain.
Developed in collaboration with the Supply Chain Management Institute () and our industry consortia partners, this is a work-based education programme which supports the development of the Supply Chain knowledge base amongst practitioners in organisations.
It provides participants with a solid understanding of core supply chain activities by combining learning in the workplace with part time blended learning through ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ.
Grounded in the SCOR-DS model, this apprenticeship will enable learners to identify opportunities for integration and improvement, respond to rapid shifts in demand and capacity, and optimise supply chain operations in real time. This programme will prepare you to effectively evaluate performance of supply chain activities in your organisation and identify opportunities for improvement and integration
Ideal for early-career professionals seeking to advance their skills, earn a recognised level 7 third-level qualification, and achieve recognition as a Supply Chain Associate.
During this programme, you will:
- Gain an understanding of the key principles underpinning inventory management, operational planning, manufacturing management, managing operations, distribution and logistics.
- Develop a range of skills for the performance of supply chain management related roles in organisations.
- Research, analyse, implement and document a company-based project which you will deliver in presentation and written form.
- Collaborate on the improvement of your professional practice and investigate emerging trends to identify current and future challenges in your field.
Key information:
- Complete part-time over two years
- Blended delivery – weekly online lectures, virtual classrooms and work based assignments and projects
- Modules taught during autumn, spring and summer semesters
- Dedicated in-company apprenticeship mentor
- Participate in a ‘Community of Practice’, Summer School and monthly Masterclasses with industry experts
- Interact and engage in peer-to-peer learning activities around the academic content
You will learn through a blend of:
- Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities
- Reflective practice and guided research
- Regular feedback from faculty and peers
Part-time considerations:
- Designed for working professionals
- Evening or recorded lectures
- Additional prep and group work time
- Timetable provided after registration
- Emphasis on direct work-based project and assignments
Year 1
Autumn Semester
- focuses on models that analyse, measure and improve supply chain processes within organisations.
- provides an understanding of the key principles underlying inventory management in the EU and globally.
- develops understanding of the key principles underlying operations planning in the EU and globally.
- ) provides an understanding of the key principles underlying manufacturing management in the EU and globally.
Spring Semester
- develops understanding of the key principles underlying managing operations in the EU and globally.
- provides an understanding of the key principles underlying distribution and logistics management.
- applies knowledge and techniques gained across modules in solving key management problem(s) identified in the case study.
- ) focuses on the student’s understanding of the key areas of teamwork, change and cultural diversity.
Summer Semester
- empowers and challenges students to engage in self-evaluation and reflection by prioritising their learning and development needs.
- provides students with the opportunity to generate ideas and solve problems within their own organisations.
- engages students in a community of practice, in-company mentoring, sector and industry masterclasses, summer school and the creation of a portfolio to investigate emerging trends and identify current and future challenges.
Year 2
Autumn Semester
- introduces students to a wide range of frameworks to inform systematic thinking on the alignment, design, implementation and operation of supply chains.
- fosters an understanding of the importance of forecasting and scheduling in the operation of the supply chain.
- explores the principles of demand management, sales and operations planning, master scheduling, and distribution planning.
- provides the opportunity for students to analyse a case study and communicate their learnings and work in a presentation and in written form.
Spring Semester
- develops understanding of the key principles underlying procurement and professional purchasing and the role it plays in an organisation.
- focuses on continuous improvement techniques for improving products and processes.
- explores strategic management tools and techniques that assist in assessment of the internal business and external business environments.
- develops understanding of the role of transport and logistics in the wider supply chain.
Summer Semester
- promotes the understanding and development of a range of skills for the performance of supply chain management related roles in contemporary organisations.
- enables students to research, analyse, implement and document a company-based project which they will communicate in a presentation and in written form.
- engages students in a community of practice, in-company mentoring, sector and industry masterclasses, summer school and the creation of a portfolio to investigate emerging trends and identify current and future challenges.
Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.
For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s
- Entry is open to any applicant under 23 years of age with at least one year of work experience in any manufacturing or service organisation.
- Applicants over 23 years of age should possess a pass leaving certificate or equivalent plus work experience of one year in any manufacturing or service organisation.
- Applicants who have completed an Level 6 apprenticeship, in a relevant field are also eligible to apply e.g. Logistics Associate.
- You must have an Irish contract of employment that meets or exceeds the duration of the apprenticeship.
- Applicants must have employer support and approval to apply.
- Applicants may be required to attend an interview
Sponsoring Company:
- Company must complete an approval process with UL and SOLAS and commit to supporting the apprentice throughout the programme.
- Must appoint an industry mentor within the company throughout the apprenticeship.
Other Entry Considerations:
We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme.
At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.
Checklist of Documents:
- *Academic transcripts and certificates
- UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
- Copy of your birth certificate or passport
- English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
- Copy of your CV
English Language:
- English Language Competency certificate
- For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements
Guidelines on Completing your Application
- Request an application form from apprenticeships@ul.ie
- To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
- Submit and upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
- Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
- *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying.
Company Registration Process: No Charge
Online Student Application Fee: €50
Annual Student Fee: €900
*Fees are subject to change depending on programme of study and external funder’s requirements.
Please note that international study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. Only the full-time version of this programme qualifies for a study visa.
Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.
Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).
Funding
Candidates and Companies who satisfy the eligibility criteria under Generation Apprenticeship can qualify for up to 90% funding of fees, subject to eligibility and availability.  
Companies can also apply for the  of €2000 per annum if you meet the eligibility requirements. 
For further information, please email ²¹±è±è°ù±ð²Ô³Ù¾±³¦±ð²õ³ó¾±±è²õ°ª³Ü±ô.¾±±ð 
Find further information on funding and scholarships
This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:
- Medical devices
- Pharmaceutical
- Warehousing, including transport and logistics
- Electronics industry
- Public Sector
Piotr Gasior, Stores and Materials Manager, Silent Aire
The knowledge and experience I gained throughout the apprenticeship have been the most valuable part for me, as they will stay with me for life and continue to motivate me to keep advancing. My promotion after completing the Diploma was a huge advantage and felt like a real reward for the effort I had put in over the past few years.
Still Curious?
The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.
Graduate and Professional Studies
+353 (0)61 234377
¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ, Limerick, Ireland