Overview - CIPS Qualifications

International Certificate

For Non-UK Students

International Advanced Certificate

For Non-UK Students

Level 3 Certificate

For UK Students only

Level 4 Foundation Diploma

Level 5 Advanced Diploma

Level 6 Graduate Diploma

Entry Requirements

FAQs

CIPS - Transition

Glossary of Terms

Sample Study Schedule

Entry requirements for CIPS awards from September 2006

Level 2 : Introductory Certificate

Open Access – No qualifications or experience required. No unit by unit exemptions

Level 3 : Certificate in Purchasing and Supply

Minimum entry 18 years of age. No qualifications or experience required. Exemptions allowed from 4 units, with the exception of the integrative unit, (Purchasing in Action) unit by unit on content and by prior qualification only. No experiential exemptions. Qualifications which have a relevant content at Level 3 and above will be accepted.

Level 4 : Foundation Diploma in Purchasing and Supply

Minimum entry 18 years age, with at least 3 A levels or the equivalent as determined by CIPS. Also acceptable are any CIPS Level 3 Certificates and any other Level 3 qualifications which CIPS considers to be equivalent.

Applicants without any prior qualifications must be at least 21 years of age with at least two years’ experience in a business environment.

Exemptions allowed from 4 units, with the exception of the integrative unit, (Purchasing Contexts) unit by unit on content and by prior qualification or experience. Qualifications which have a relevant content at Level 4, or higher, including degrees from bona fide universities will be accepted.

Level 5 : Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply

Must have achieved Level 4 award or been exempted or hold the CIPS (International) Advanced Certificate in Purchasing and Supply

Exemptions allowed from 4 units, with the exception of the integrative unit (Improving Supply Chain Performance), unit by unit on content by prior qualification or experience. Qualifications which have a relevant content must be a Level 5 or above or their equivalent as determined by CIPS, such as a degree from a bona fide University. Only units/modules studied after year 1 of an undergraduate programme will be acceptable for consideration.

Level 6 : Graduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply

Must have achieved Level 5 award or been exempted.

Exemptions allowed from optional units only, unit by unit on content, by prior qualification or experience. Qualifications which have a relevant content must be at Level 6 or above, or their equivalent as determined by CIPS, or the modules/units must have been covered in the final year of an undergraduate programme at a bona fide University or be at post-graduate level.

No exemptions.

• Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in a work or study environment in English.
• Where exemptions have been granted on a unit for unit basis and the candidate has taken the integrative unit for that level, a CIPS Award will be given on the basis that they have met the full requirements of that award. Exemption fees will apply.
• If a candidate is eligible for direct entry to a particular level (for example holders of the OGC/GPS Certificate of Competence or the CIPS Corporate Award) then a CIPS Award will not be given at the lower levels as candidates will be considered to have achieved an acceptable level of learning enabling them to move to the higher level of study. Exemption fees will not apply.

CIPS - MCG Centre Number - 005031578