As the Higher Education market in the UK becomes more competitive the recruitment of international students studying specialist Masters programmes is expanding, introducing greater variability into the educational supply chain. This study has investigated the factors affecting academic success, and reviewed recruitment from a supply chain perspective. The study has then focused on the importance of having the required underpinning knowledge to study on specialist Masters programmes in achieving academic success. The criteria for entry to specialist Masters programmes was identified as having varying levels of both English and academic qualifications. The level of underpinning knowledge known by graduating Northumbria undergraduate and enrolling international postgraduate students was found to be similar and can be linked to academic success. This study has contributed to knowledge by confirming that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between underpinning knowledge and academic success.