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    Logistics management: All information at a glance

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    Logistics Management: Course Content, Requirements, and Careers

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    Keep everything running smoothly - Become a Logistics Management Expert

    In a logistics management degree programme, you will learn all the technical knowledge you need for a future management job. But first of all, what is logistics anyway? A basic logistics definition is the ability to plan, control, and optimize transport and production processes. The logistics management industry is currently a very lucrative sector that is constantly changing and innovating. Every business process and procedure must be adapted and made future-proof. Logistics professionals make this happen.

    The logistics industry is booming. All companies rely on a perfectly functioning logistics system to succeed. This includes industries as diverse as transport, trade, and production. Currently, around 3 million people work in the transport industry with a continued upward trend. This is a sure sign that the industry is still growing, and that a logistics management degree will lead to a secure career.

    What is a logistics degree?

    For every product, you can ask yourself how it ended up on the shop floor. When you look behind the scenes, you always find a very long planning and production process, and a complex global supply chain. Raw materials come from one country but may be processed in another. They often require transportation between the two before products can reach the market. All these organizational and transport areas harness the skills of logistics management specialists. Logistics managers keep the global supply chain moving. They must ensure that all goods and raw materials are readily available in sufficient quantities at the right place and time so that production can continue. And they always take into account cost reduction and quality control

    Supply chain management organizes and controls value-added and delivery chains. Logistics is the third largest sector in Germany, and there is a high demand for well-trained specialists and managers. Globalization has led to the expansion of the logistics industry and global supply chain management. The range of tasks for specialists and managers in the logistics industry has grown constantly. This has resulted in opportunities for specialization in postgraduate programmes. The field of work is wide-ranging and international, and graduates with a logistics degree usually have a wide range of job opportunities. Logistics management graduates often move up to middle or higher management roles. After studying a logistics management course, graduates can work in retail and industry. They can find roles with carriers, in ports, or in the event sector. Due to the diversity of fields, it’s a good idea for students to think as early as possible about which area they would like to work in. That way, they can make the right decisions about how to specialize during their studies.

    Why study logistics and supply chain management?

    If you have a general interest in organization and transport, you should become familiar with the study of logistics. This will give you a very clear and objective impression of the content and perspectives that may lie ahead for you. Logistics management combines measures relating to transport, storage, and handling of goods and people. Efficiency is always the top priority, reducing costs and maximizing profits. The quality of the service must match the minimum cost.

    Logistics delivers exciting challenges every day. Qualified staff constantly solve critical business problems. Graduates of a logistics degree have the skills to manage these daily challenges. The solid competencies learned throughout study enable graduates to create smooth logistics processes and choose the right solutions. With the right training, managers will always find solutions that meet the requirements of each specific operation. The tasks that await you in logistics are complex but rewarding. Many exciting and diverse situations await you in sectors ranging from engineering sciences to business administration. At the same time, due to the boom in the logistics industry, you can expect excellent career prospects with a flourishing future.

    What can you expect in a logistics degree programme and is it right for you?

    A logistics degree programme provides the skills and professional training required to take on leadership roles in the logistics industry after graduation. For example, your task may be to analyze and optimize existing production processes. To do this, you will need to be able to develop new concepts and plans to manage a global supply chain. You will learn the technical knowledge needed to achieve this in the logistics degree programme. Due to the booming logistics industry and the high demand for specialists, there is a wide range of logistics degree programmes available.

    The logistics degree program is divided into a bachelor's degree and a possible further master's degree for the deepening and specialization of knowledge in transport or production logistics. During logistics courses you will acquire:

    • Economic knowledge

    • Scientific knowledge

    • Technical knowledge

    • Legal expertise

    To succeed in a logistic degree you need to be disciplined and motivated. The logistics sector also demands a high level of logic and organization. In general, you should be able to think efficiently, assert yourself, and have a high sense of responsibility. Specifically, logistics courses are right for you if you have the following qualities:

    • Economic thinking

    • Analytical thinking

    • Organizational talent

    • Communication skills

    • A good understanding of numbers

    • Leadership skills

    • Technical understanding

    • Scientific understanding

    Logistics Management Study Programmes at CBS

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    What is the content of a logistics degree? What do you learn in a logistics degree programme?

    A logistics degree covers various topics, depending on whether you choose to study for a bachelor's or a master's degree. The course content for the bachelor's and master's degree programmes at CBS is outlined below.

    Bachelor

    In the bachelor's degree programme, you will first learn general business-related topics, such as:

    • Introduction to economics

    • Personnel management & corporate management

    • Mathematics

    • Statistics

    • Business law

    • Business informatics

    • Bookkeeping

    • Accounting

    In addition, the course includes interdisciplinary skills:

    • English

    • 2nd foreign language/culture & management

    • Self & time management

    Depending on the degree programme, internships and semesters abroad may also be included. A bachelor’s level supply chain degree can be studied full-time or dual at the CBS. Internship is only integrated in full-time studies; a semester abroad is optional.

    Master

    In the master's programme, you first study in-depth general economic content:

    • Business Economics

    • Empirical Research Methods

    • Strategic Analysis & Management

    • Innovation Management & Digital Transformation

    In addition, programme-specific teaching content is included:

    • Global Supply Networks

    • Strategic Planning in Supply Chains

    • Purchasing & Distribution in the Supply Chain

    • Operations Management in Supply Chains

    Interdisciplinary skills include:

    • International Project Management

    • Language & Communication Skills

    Depending on the degree programme, internships and semesters abroad may also be included. This is dependent on the choice of study type, because the Logistics Master’s can be studied full-time or part-time at the CBS. During the full-time Master's programme, an internship is included.

    Logistik-studium-themenwelt-model

    Duration and structure 

    The duration and structure of your logistics degree depend on whether you are pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree. The characteristics for each are presented separately below:

    Bachelor

    The duration of the bachelor's degree is 6 semesters and culminates with the bachelor's thesis. The degree is called a Bachelor of Arts. Depending on the degree programme, internships and semesters abroad may also be included. A bachelor’s level supply chain degree can be studied full-time or in dual format at the CBS. Internships are only included in full-time studies; a semester abroad is optional. To optimally prepare you for the job market and allow you to get to know various industries during your full-time supply chain degree, several internships can be included in the bachelor's degree programme depending on the programme and study model. This will allow you to work on complex issues in a joint Business Project with practical partners. It’s a great way to apply your knowledge in real-world situations.

    Master

    The duration of the master's supply chain management degree is 4 or 5 semesters and culminates with the master's thesis. The degree is called a Master of Science. The Logistics Master’s can be studied in German or English at the CBS. Depending on the degree programme, internships and semesters abroad may also be included. This is again dependent on the choice of study type. The Logistics Master’s can be studied full-time or part-time at the CBS. During the logistics master's programme, you can apply the specialized knowledge you have gained during your studies directly in a Business Project, depending on the degree programme and study model. In this project, you will work on real case studies and present the results to representatives of the relevant company.

    What are the requirements?

    The requirements you need to bring for the logistics degree depend on whether you want to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree. For this reason, the requirements are also presented separately.

    Bachelor:

    As a personal requirement, you should have general university entrance qualification or full vocational university entrance qualification. Diplomas from foreign schools are also recognized, such as Matura, A-levels, General Certificate of Education, or IB Diploma. A certificate of certification is required for the proof of English language skills, which must not be older than two years. Alternatively, you can participate in the free online English test at the CBS.

    Master:

    The admission requirement for enrolling in a master's degree at the CBS is a first academic degree (bachelor's, diploma, master's) from a recognized German or international university, university of applied sciences, or vocational academy with a final grade of at least "good". If this grade point average was not achieved in the first degree programme, a separate admission process must be completed. The first degree programme should have been completed in an area of economics and have a total volume of at least 180 ECTS points.

    NC

    The logistics management degree can be studied completely NC-free. A numerus clausus is not required.

    You can find all information about the application process and the requirements at the CBS here.

    Study formats: alternatives to full-time attendance 

    Usually students complete a supply chain degree in logistics as a full-time on-campus programme. This allows you to fully concentrate on the subject matter and the requirements of the degree. However, other alternatives are also available to obtain a degree in logistics.

    In addition to full-time studies, you can also study logistics management part-time at the CBS. This is a good way to gain further qualifications and advance your career. Or you might change logistics jobs entirely after successfully completing the degree. To allow you enough time during the week for your job, the lecture times for the part-time degree at the CBS are on weekends. The CBS programme is fully tailored to the needs of a part-time degree in terms of time.

    You can also choose to study logistics as a dual degree program at the CBS. In this form, you will learn the theory of logistics at the university, while also working in your dream job and gaining practical experience. Dual degree programs are usually financed by the employer. In addition, you will receive a salary each month, which you can use to support yourself.
    A dual degree program at the CBS is very popular and is gaining recognition and importance. This is because at the CBS, you will acquire the knowledge of a renowned business school while also gaining work experience in logistics jobs. Companies support the form of a dual degree program because they are interested in professionals with specialist skills and leadership qualities. CBS graduated can also start working without any induction period immediately after completing the degree. For you, the dual degree program has the advantage that you will be prepared for logistics jobs immediately after the degree.

    A full-time logistics management degree at the CBS requires a time commitment similar to a full-time job. During your weekly semester hours, you will participate in lectures, courses, or seminars. You will also need to prepare and review the course material. Lectures for logistics courses are usually from Monday to Friday. In addition, block events are also held on weekends. You will also need to study at home. Preparing presentations, writing papers, or studying for exams will be part of your daily routine.

    Logistics careers: What can you do with a logistics degree? 

    The logistics industry has been booming for years and there is no end in sight. You have excellent job prospects if you choose to study logistics at the CBS. For example, you could soon occupy middle or upper management positions in the following occupations:

    • Logistics Manager

    • Logistics / Supply Chain Consultant

    • Lean Manager

    • Transport Manager for Logistics / Forwarding

    • Key Account Manager

    • Dangerous Goods Officer

    • Purchaser for Logistics (Materials Management)

    • Logistics Controller

    • Operations Manager for Logistics

    • Product Manager for Material

    • Logistics Planner

    • Supply Chain Manager

    • Dispatcher

    • Supply Chain Engineer

    • Specialist for Supply Chain / Logistics

    • SCM Consultant

    • In-house Consulting Project Manager for Supply Chain Management / Procurement

    • Graduate / Trainee Program for SCM / Logistics

    • Operations Manager / Project Manager for Operations

    From the occupations shown, you can also probably draw conclusions about potential employers. The jobs above can be found in various industries. Below are some potential sectors to think about when building your logistics career:

    • Trade

    • Freight forwarders

    • Ports

    • Logistics service providers

    • Airports

    • Waste management companies

    • Consulting firms

    • Software companies

    • Production companies

    • Industrial businesses

    What exactly does a logistician do and what tasks does he or she take on? You can find out about this and more in our blog post.

    Logistics and Supply Chain Management Salary

    A logistics manager salary depends on various factors. In addition to your degree qualification and further study, the initial position you occupy in your chosen company is important. Another important factor in terms of logistics salary is job experience. In addition, salary scales vary across different industries. For example, when you master logistics the highest salaries will generally be found in the trade and industry sectors.
    As a beginner with a logistics degree, you can expect a starting logistics manager salary of about $3,300 gross per month if you work in trade or industry. Sectors such as transport will usually pay slightly lower entry-level salaries.


    You can find more information in our blog post.

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    The 10 CBS campuses

    Studying in Cologne, the colourful metropolis with around 100,000 students? Studying in the economically strong city of Mainz, where students make up a fifth of the population? Or studying in Berlin, the film and science stronghold on the outskirts of Berlin? For dual studies in Aachen, Neuss, Solingen, Hamburg, Rostock, Rheine or Hannover? Take a look at the possibilities offered by the seven CBS campuses.

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