Program description

Dramatic changes have taken place in the world of business during the last ten years. These changes include the rapid expansion of the global marketplace and increased demand from customers for higher quality products coupled with quicker and more efficient delivery services. Moreover, the advent of modern information technology and electronic commerce has brought about unprecedented rethinking of the way businesses operate. In order to effectively respond to these changes many firms have abandoned traditional channels of distribution and are rebuilding around a supply chain management (SCM) model. Supply chain management is a process-oriented integrated approach to materials procurement, production, and efficient delivery of products and services to customers. The benefits of an SCM model are numerous and include: significant cost reductions, increased production effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and enhanced growth and profitability.

A supply chain is a network of facilities and distribution options that perform the functions of materials procurement and the transformation of these materials into intermediate and finished products, and the distribution of the finished products to customers. Supply chains exist in both service and manufacturing organizations. Supply chain management is a strategy through which integration of these functions can be achieved. It represents the hallmark of modern business and due to the serious scarcity of qualified people, a Master's degree in this field will put you in great demand in the marketplace throughout the world.

Curriculum

The curriculum is based on the successful completion of 7 compulsory Foundation Courses in Business Management and 6 compulsory Advanced Courses in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. In order to graduate, participants must also complete 2 Elective Courses and submit a dissertation based on either a company consultancy project or research. The program structure is as follows:

• Stage 1: Foundation Courses in Business Management
• Introduction to Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
• Strategic Management
• Marketing
• Managerial Economics
• International Finance
• Managerial Accounting
• Operations Management
• Stage 2: Advanced Courses in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
• Strategic Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
• Supply Chain Management (Tactics and Operations)
• The Legal Aspects of Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
• Global Logistics and Operations Management
• Supply Chain Management Information Systems
• Global Procurement and Supply Chain Management
• Elective Courses (two of the following must be completed)
• Business-to-Business Marketing Relationships
• e-purchasing and Supply Chain Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Distribution
• Simulation in Supply Chain Management
• Stage 3: Project
• This can be completed either as a company consultancy assignment or original research. Participants can freely choose whether to complete this in France or abroad. Each project must, however, be first approved by the MSc Director before work could begin. A dissertation of approximately 20 000 words must be submitted and defended in front of a panel comprising academics and people from industry at the completion of this work.

Figure 1: Overview of program structure

Accreditation

Founded in 1900, Audencia Nantes School of Management is fully accredited by the French Government (Ministry of Education) and is also a member of the «Chapitre des Ecoles de Management de la Conference des Grandes Ecoles» - a network of highly selective university-level educational institutions in France to meet the business community's needs for top executives, managers, engineers and scientists. Further accreditation is granted by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Audencia Nantes School of Management is one of the 47 business schools in Europe, America, Asia and Africa to be granted the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation by the EFMD.

Duration of program

12 months of full-time study or 2 years part-time study

Number of places available: 25

Starting date: mid - October

Language skills

As English is the working language of the program participants are required to demonstrate fluency in the English language. Applicants who are not native English speakers are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent unless they hold a university level degree taught in the language.

The Faculty

Faculty of Audencia Nantes School of Management as well as guest lecturers from industry and top-ranking universities internationally.

Instructions and Application for Admission

• Materials: Every applicant must hold:
• A good Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification, or
• A Postgraduate Diploma, or
• An appropriate professional qualification.
• Applicants must submit the following items:
• 1. A signed, completed application form.
• 2. A 120 Euros non-refundable application fee in the form of a cheque or money order payable to Audencia Nantes Ecole de Management (cheques must be drawn on a French Bank).
• 3. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (duly translated in English or French for transcripts in languages other than these) must be mailed to Audencia Nantes School of Management. Certified photocopies of documents may be sent but originals must be presented before registration could be completed.
• 4. Two letters of recommendation mailed directly from the writers (or submitted with application material in a separate sealed envelope). Letters should be from people familiar with the applicant's abilities and expertise.
• 5. An official copy of your score on the TOEFL examination (or its equivalent)

Tuition Fees : 13 000 Euros

Finances :

Participants have a number of options in financing their studies. These include: personal bank finances, bank loans at preferential student rates, home government scholarships, company sponsorships, and so on. European students may enquire about possible scholarships available through EU institutions. Under certain conditions arrangements may be made for fees to be paid in installments.

Application deadline :

All application materials must be received by :

Audencia Nantes School of Management
8 route de la Joneliere - BP 31222
44312 NANTES Cedex 03
FRANCE

By 30 August 2003. There are 25 places available and competition for these is very keen. You are therefore advised to apply as early as possible. You will be notified of the result of your application within four weeks of receiving all the necessary documents.

For further information and/or an application form, please contact:

Office of Admissions,
MSc International Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Attention: Prof. Sam Dzever/Hme du Mesnil
Audencia Nantes School of Management
8, route de la Joneliere - BP 31222
44312 NANTES Cedex 03
FRANCE
Tel.: + (33) 2 40 37 34 34
Fax: + (33) 2 40 37 34 07
E-mail: sdzever@audencia.com - bdumesnil@audencia.com
(also : sdzever@aol.com)

Audencia Nantes School of Management: A Leading European Business School

Founded in 1900, Audencia Nantes School of Management (www.audencia.com) is one France's most prestigious business schools. It is also a leading European teaching and research institution whose mission is to meet the business community's needs for top executives and managers. The School is governed by a Board of Directors, composed of representatives of the Nantes Chamber of Commerce, Nantes City Council, and the Loire Atlantique General Assembly. Each of these bodies has a one-third representation on the Board and finances part of the budget of the School. Other sources of revenue are direct contributions from industry and commerce, revenues from the executive and research programs and tuition and fees from various graduate and international programs.

Since 1998, Audencia Nantes School of Management is one of the European business schools accredited by EQUIS, European Quality Improvement System, awarded by the European Foundation for Management Development. It has graduate and postgraduate programs at the Masters and Doctoral levels, as well as a number of executive development programs. Education and research at the School have common objectives: international experience, collaboration with industry, and quality. The School has collaborative agreements with over 60 top-class universities around the world.

Accommodation

Although the School does not provide on-campus housing, it offers sources for finding accommodation throughout Nantes. University halls of residence, private rooms and apartments can be found through the student housing board and other organizations in Nantes.

Health Insurance

At the time of registration, all participants will be required to show proof of medical insurance policy that is applicable for the entire academic year. Participants who do not wish to continue with their current policy plan will need to seek affiliation to the French Social Security or subscribe to a complementary health insurance with third party liability.