Level 4 Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Two of the six units are specific to the field: Logistics and the Business Environment and Operations and Logistics Management, each 20 credits, which between them cover how goods move, how the flow is planned and where it goes wrong. The other four, Academic Writing and Research Skills, Finance and Accounting, Communication in Business and Leading and Managing Teams, are shared with OTHM's business diplomas, and that is a deliberate design: a supply chain manager needs to read a budget and lead a shift as much as plan a route.

The people who take it are almost all working in the sector, in warehousing, distribution, procurement, freight or manufacturing planning, and the assignments send them back into their own operation with questions. You will map a flow you know, cost it, identify a bottleneck and propose a fix that your finance team would accept. The diploma is 120 credits at Level 4 and carries no professional body membership; it is compatible with, but separate from, the professional logistics and procurement institutes' own qualifications.

OTHM sets the entry requirements for this qualification and LSPM, as the approved centre, applies them when it assesses your application. As published by the awarding body:

• Relevant Level 3 Diploma qualification or equivalent qualification
• GCE Advanced level in 2 subjects or equivalent qualification
• Mature learners (over 21) with relevant management experience (learners must check with the delivery centre regarding this experience prior to registering for the programme)
• English requirements: If a learner is not from a majority English-speaking country must provide evidence of English language competency. For more information visit English Language Expectations page.

Source: the OTHM specification. If you are not sure whether your qualification counts as equivalent, send us the details and we will put the question to LSPM's admissions team, who make the decision.

Formal entry is with a Level 3 diploma or two A levels, but OTHM's mature-entry clause is the one most applicants use. Supervising a shift, a fleet or a purchasing ledger is exactly the experience it means.

Written reports for each unit, most anchored in the learner's own operation. There are no exams; confirm LSPM's draft-feedback arrangements.

Assignments are set and marked by LSPM's tutors, moderated within LSPM and sampled by OTHM before LSPM claims certificates. Draft feedback and resubmission arrangements are LSPM's own practice; confirm them at enrolment. How assessment works in full.

Level 5 Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from OTHM, the second-year equivalent.

Application for year-two entry to a logistics, supply chain or operations degree, at the university's discretion.

Shift manager, transport planner, procurement officer or operations coordinator roles.