CIPS - MCG Centre Number - 005031578

UK students who are new to the profession should consider the Level 3 Certificate in Purchasing and Supply as an ideal entry point to CIPS qualification.	Download the CIPS official guide to qualification for UK students. [PDF;1.7 MB;New Window]
The International Certificate and Advanced Certificate in Purchasing and Supply is an appropriate starting point for non UK based students.	Download the CIPS official guide to qualification for non UK students.[PDF;1.2 MB;New Window]

Each unit content guide details the characteristics and learning outcomes for each of the study units.  The Level 3 Certificate, Level 4 Foundation diploma, Level 5 Advanced diploma and Level 6 Graduate diploma qualifications each have five units.

For Levels 3 and 6, one of the unit is an integrative one. An integrative unit is designed to draw together the knowledge and understanding achieved in the core units within the qualification and to demonstrate how these units should combine and integrate in a working environment.

Which qualification?

The illustration below shows the structure of CIPS ladder of qualifications. You can use the diagram to see the six qualifications from Levels 2 to 7 and the units you will need to study in order to achieve each qualification.  Learners are able to enter the ladder of qualifications at an appropriate point according to their previous qualifications or experience.

Level 7 Executive diploma in purchasing and supply

A self-managed learning programme.

Level 6 Graduate diploma in purchasing and supply

L6-01 Leading and influencing in purchasing
L6-02 Strategic supply chain management
L6-03 Supply chain management in practice - integrative unit

Plus any two units from the following options:

L6-10 Legal aspects in purchasing and supply
L6-11 Advanced project management
L6-12 Finance for purchasers
L6-13 Strategic public sector programme management
L6-14 Public sector stakeholders and governance.

Level 5 Advanced diploma in purchasing and supply

L5-01 Management in the purchasing function
L5-02 Risk management & supply chain vulnerability
L5-03 Improving supply chain performance

Plus any two units from the following options:

L5-10 Marketing for purchasers
L5-11 Storage and distribution
L5-12 Operations management in the supply chain
L5-13 The machinery of government
L5-14 Contracting in the public sector
L5-15 Sustainable procurement - from September 2009, with first assessment opportunity in November 2009.

Level 4 Foundation diploma in purchasing and supply

L4-01 Effective negotiation in purchasing and supply
L4-02 Developing contracts in purchasing and supply
L4-03 Measuring purchasing performance
L4-04 Managing purchasing and supply relationships
L4-05 Purchasing contexts.

Level 3 Certificate in purchasing and supply

L3-01 Understanding the purchasing environment
L3-02 Purchasing operations
L3-03 Client and supplier relationships
L3-04 Securing supply
L3-05 Purchasing in action - integrative unit

Level 2 Introductory certificate in purchasing and supply

This qualification is available at UK study centres approved by CIPS to offer e-assessment.

Element 1 The role and scope of purchasing
Element 2 Systems and procedures in purchasing
Element 3 Working with suppliers
Element 4 The importance of purchasing contracts.

International qualification in purchasing and supply

This qualification is only available to learners outside of the UK and sits alongside the Level 3 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma within CIPS ladder of qualifications.