OTHM Level 3 Diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations Management Assignment Briefs 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

QUALIFICATION OBJECTIVES

QUALITY, STANDARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

REGULATORY INFORMATION

EQUIVALENCES

QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE

DEFINITIONS

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

PROGRESSION

DELIVERY OF OTHM QUALIFICATIONS

ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

LEVEL 3 UNIT SPECIFICATIONS

BUSINESS OPERATIONS ALONG THE SUPPLY CHAIN

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL INTERCONNECTIVITY

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

TRANSPORT PLANNING AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FREIGHT MANAGEMENT

IMPORTANT NOTE

QUALIFICATION OBJECTIVES

The objective of the OTHM Level 3 Diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations Management is to provide learners with a broad and applied understanding of how goods, information and resources are planned, moved and controlled across modern supply chains. 

The qualification has been designed to respond to current sector needs, including operational resilience, intermodal transport, digital visibility, customer service, international freight, automation, sustainability and safe working practice. It draws on established market provision while extending the depth and breadth of content in order to provide a coherent and forward-looking Level 3 pathway. 

Learners will develop knowledge and skills in business operations, cross-functional coordination, operations management, logistics processes, transport planning, and international trade and freight management. Successful completion will support progression to higher study, including relevant Level 4 qualifications, and entry into a range of operational and supervisory roles across logistics, warehousing, transport and supply chain environments.

QUALITY, STANDARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

OTHM Qualifications are approved and regulated by Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation). Visit the Register of Regulated Qualifications. 
OTHM has progression arrangements with several UK universities that acknowledge the ability of learners after studying Level 3 to Level 7 qualifications to be considered for relevant advanced entry into corresponding degree year/top-up and Master’s/top-up programmes.

QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE  

The OTHM Level 3 Diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations Management qualification consists of 6 mandatory units, 120 credits, 1200 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and the recommended Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for this qualification is a minimum of 600 hours.  
 

DELIVERY OF OTHM QUALIFICATIONS

OTHM do not specify the mode of delivery for its qualifications, therefore OTHM centres are free to deliver this qualification using any mode of delivery that meets the needs of their learners. However, OTHM centres should consider the learners’ complete learning experience when designing the delivery of programmes. 
 

It is important that centres develop an effective delivery method to teaching and learning that supports the progression and stretch of learners.  

OTHM Centres must ensure that the chosen mode of delivery does not unlawfully or unfairly discriminate, whether directly or indirectly, and that equality of opportunity is promoted. Where it is reasonable and practicable to do so, it will take steps to address identified inequalities or barriers that may arise.  

Guided Learning Hours (GLH) which are listed in each unit gives centres the number of hours of teacher-supervised or direct study time likely to be required to teach that unit.

ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION

All units within this qualification are assessed  and internally quality assured by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. The qualifications are criterion-referenced, based on the achievement of all the specified learning outcomes.  
 
To achieve a ‘pass’ for a unit, learners must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria. Judgement that the learners have successfully fulfilled the assessment criteria is made by the assessor. 

Specific assessment guidance and relevant marking criteria for each unit are made available in the Assignment Brief document. These are made available to centres immediately after registration of one or more learners. 

The assessor should provide an audit trail showing how the judgement of the learners’ overall achievement has been arrived at. 

Assessment Tracking and Recording Learner Progress 

It is necessary to track and record learner achievement throughout the delivery period of the Diploma and this should not be left until the end of the course. 
 

This will include regular review of learner work through formative and summative assessment and internal quality assurance at planned intervals during th

programme: 

• before decisions have been made on any unit  
• sampling evidence once one or two of the units or assignments are completed Tracking learner progress, recording the achievement of each learner per criteria on a unit-by-unit basis ensures:  
• the assessment evidence is clearly measured against national standards  
• learner progress is accurately tracked  
• the assessment process can be reliably verified  
• evidence is valid, authentic and reliable for the safety of certification 
• identification of which assessments are outstanding  
• internal verification  is timely  
• samples for standards verification and other external audits can be made available as required  
• up to date, securely stored assessment records help to minimise the risk of assessment malpractice and potential issues; maintaining the integrity of the qualification.  

Tutors/Assessors should provide learners with formative and summative feedback to aid development during their studies.  

Formative Assessment 

Formative assessment is an integral part of the assessment process, involving both the Tutor/Assessor and the learner about their progress during the course of study. 

Formative assessment takes place prior to summative assessment and focuses on helping the learner to reflect on their learning and improve their performance and does not confirm achievement of grades at this stage.  

The main function of formative assessment is to provide feedback to enable the learner to make improvements to their work. This feedback should be prompt so it has meaning and context for the learner and time must be given following the feedback for actions to be complete. Feedback on formative assessment must be constructive and provide clear guidance and actions for improvement.  

All records should be available for auditing purposes, as we may choose to check records of formative assessment as part of our ongoing quality assurance.  

Summative Assessment  

Summative assessment is used to evaluate learner competence and progression at the end of a unit or component. Summative assessment should take place when the assessor deems that the learner is at a stage where competence can be demonstrated.  

Learners should be made aware that summative assessment outcomes are subject to confirmation by the Internal Verifier and External Quality Assurer (EQA) and thus is provisional and can be overridden. Assessors should annotate on the learner work where the evidence supports their decisions against the assessment criteria. Learners will need to be familiar with the assessment and grading criteria so that they can understand the quality of what is required. 

Evidence of both formative and summative assessment MUST be made available at the time of external quality assurance – EQA.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY 

OTHM provides equality and diversity training to staff and consultants. This makes clear that staff and consultants must comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010, and all other related equality and diversity legislation, in relation to our qualifications.  
 
We develop and revise our qualifications to avoid, where possible, any feature that might disadvantage learners because of their age, disability, gender, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. 
 
If a specific qualification requires a feature that might disadvantage a particular group (e.g. a legal requirement regarding health and safety in the workplace), we will clarify this explicitly in the qualification specification 
 
OTHM LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN LOGISTICS, SUPPLY CHAIN AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT | SPECIFICATION

UNIT SPECIFICATIONS 

BUSINESS OPERATIONS ALONG THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Unit Aims

This unit introduces learners to the end-to-end supply chain and the business operations that enable goods and services to move from source to customer. Learners explore how organisations create value through coordinated operational activity, effective use of resources, customer service, and responsible practice.

Learning Outcomes, Assessment Criteria and Indicative Content

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL INTERCONNECTIVITY 
 

Unit Aims  

This unit develops learners’ understanding of how functions within and beyond the organisation work together to deliver effective supply chain outcomes. Learners examine inventory and information flows, operational data, supply chain resilience, and the role of digital systems in enabling visibility and coordination. 

Learning Outcomes, Assessment Criteria and Indicative Content

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Unit Aims  

This unit introduces core operations management principles used to organise, control and improve business processes. Learners examine planning, capacity, quality, productivity, risk, health and safety, and the role of people and technology in effective operations. 

Learning Outcomes, Assessment Criteria and Indicative Content 

LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT 

Unit Aims  

 This unit focuses on the physical logistics activities that connect supply chains, including warehousing, handling, storage, order fulfilment and reverse logistics. Learners examine how logistics operations can be designed and controlled to deliver customer service, efficiency, safety and sustainability.

Learning Outcomes, Assessment Criteria and Indicative Content

TRANSPORT PLANNING AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Unit Aims

This unit develops learners’ understanding of transport operations across domestic and regional supply chains. Learners examine modes, intermodality, route and schedule planning, documentation, compliance, safety, environmental considerations and contingency planning.  

Learning Outcomes, Assessment Criteria and Indicative Content