CIPS qualifications and levels of entry. (Old
Scheme - discontinued)
Membership
of CIPS is an indication of quality, acceptable professional skills
and competence in the field of purchasing and supply. The
level of study which you start at depends on the qualifications
and experience which you already
have. Almost anyone can start to study a CIPS course as there is
a qualification to suit most people:
-
if
you have already started a purchasing or supply job, or want to move
into one, and don't have any formal qualifications, then you might
start at the
Certificate
level.
-
If you are working in a position which requires
you to have knowledge of what the
purchasing and supply chain manager does in his job, you may decide
to study either the
Certificate or
Advanced Certificate level.
- if
you have been working in purchasing or supply for a while, or
if you have good qualifications, then you might start at the
Graduate Diploma
Foundation Stage.
-
if
you have been working in purchasing or supply at a senior management
level for some time, or have very good and relevant qualifications,
then you might start at the
Professional Stage
(or at least part of the way to the
Foundation Stage).
The different parts
of the CIPS scheme fit together as follows:

You will see that
it is possible to go straight from the Advanced Certificate to the
Professional Stage if your course grades are very good but you will
be required to complete considerable background study to fill in any
gaps.
Once you have completed the Professional Stage you can become
a
full Corporate
member of CIPS. For information on the different
levels or grades of membership
---click
here ---
The CIPS course entry requirements are quite clear but it is
recommended that candidates confirm the most appropriate starting
point before commencing a course of study.
You must
check your starting point with CIPS before starting your course
as we can only guide you to the right level, it's CIPS that make
the decisions. Attach and send your detailed CV / Resume ---here---
if you are not sure as to your entry level and need advice. Remember
to include your job description when you are contacting us
- it will help us advice you better.
The Study Options Are :
International Certificate or International Advanced Certificate
in Purchasing and Supply
The Certificate
and Advanced Certificate are qualifications in their own right but
also lead to the Graduate Diploma.
The programmes
are designed for people with few qualifications or limited experience
who are working in the areas of purchasing, procurement, stores
control, contracts, logistics, and distribution.
The Certificate
and Advanced Certificate programmes both provide knowledge and
understanding of the basic principles of purchasing and supply,
together with a broad appreciation of the wider business environment
in areas such as: business ethics, environmental concerns, cultural
issues, health and safety and good practice.
The Graduate Diploma
The
Graduate Diploma is a degree-level academic programme designed for
those who are already working in purchasing and supply management. It
therefore assumes a measure of knowledge and experience. The Graduate
Diploma is divided into two Stages - the Foundation Stage and the
Professional Stage.
CIPS
recognises that practitioners require competence, not just knowledge
and theory. The format of the examination caters for this by requiring
students to analyse case studies and solve problems.
Programme Entry
Requirements and Contents.
To
join any of the qualification programmes offered by CIPS you must
first register as a member. A registration fee is payable together
with an annual subscription to maintain your registration and to
give you access to the examinations.
You
can join online by completing the secure application form or download
an application form
--here-- in pdf format.
CIPS International Certificate in Purchasing
and Supply
Entry to the Certificate in Purchasing and Supply is open as
there are no specific academic requirements.
Candidates should however have a reasonable ability in English to cope
with the study material and examinations.
The Certificate
programme is of particular benefit for recent recruits to purchasing,
procurement, stores control, contracts, logistics and distribution.
Alternatively, if you have been working in any of these areas for some
time but have never had the opportunity to take a course of study to
gain a recognized qualification to enhance your professional
development, this programme is a useful starting point.
The Certificate
programme is intended to introduce candidates to the main skills and
topics involved in purchasing and supply chain operations.
There are
five modules in the Certificate. Candidates must
successfully complete all five
modules and it is recommended that they are studied in the order in
which they are listed and coded:
C1
- Understanding Purchasing Principles
C2 -
Selecting the Right Supplier
C3 -
Effective Negotiation in Purchasing and Supply
C4 -
Managing Inventory
C5 -
The
Business Environment for Purchasing and Supply
Each module is
assessed by a three hour examination. Examinations are scheduled in
May and November of each year. For more information on exams click
here.
For
detailed syllabus
of the CIPS Certificate in
Purchasing and Supply click
here
CIPS International
Advanced Certificate in Purchasing and Supply
Candidates
wishing to study the Advanced Certificate programme should first
pass
the
Certificate programme. This is an integrated
study scheme and issues which have been introduced at Certificate
level are developed further at the Advanced Certificate level.
There are
five modules in the Advanced Certificate programme.
Candidates must successfully complete all
five modules and it is recommended that they are studied in the
order in which they are listed and coded:
A6 -
Analysing the Supply Market
A7 -
An
Introduction to Purchasing Strategy
A8 -
Preparing and Managing Contracts
A9
- International Logistics
A10 -
Measuring Performance in Purchasing and Supply Management
Each module is
assessed by a three hour written examination. Examinations are
scheduled in May and November of each year. For more information on
exams click
here.
For
detailed syllabus
of the CIPS Advanced
Certificate in Purchasing and Supply click
here
The Graduate Diploma
The Graduate Diploma is a degree-level
academic programme in two Stages designed for those who are already
working in purchasing and supply management. Candidates are therefore
expected to have a measure of knowledge and experience. CIPS recognises
that practitioners require competence, not just knowledge and theory.
The format of the examination caters for this by requiring students
to analyse case studies and solve problems.
Registration Requirements for the Graduate Diploma - Foundation Stage
Candidates should be 21 years or over at the time of registration and
have relevant employment experience. Applicants with no formal
educational qualifications will be considered however they will be
asked to provide a reference from their employer.
Applicants who are under 21 years of age must have obtained one of the
following minimum requirements:
-
Two
subjects at GCE Advanced Level plus three additional GCSE subject
passes at Grade C or above, or five passes in the Scottish
Certificate of Education, of which three must be at Higher Grade.
-
An
NVQ/SVQ at level 3, or GNVQ at Advanced Level.
-
A
National Certificate/Diploma or five subject passes in the SCOTVEC
National Certificate.
-
Certificate and Advanced Certificate in Purchasing and Supply.
-
Any
qualifications deemed by the Institute to be equivalent to, or in
advance of, the above.
Copies
of any certificates and transcripts for qualifications gained must be
provided with the
application form.
Foundation
Stage exemptions
Candidates may
be entitled to exemptions from all or part of the Foundation Stage if
they have experience or a qualification covering the same subjects in
the same depth. For more information on Graduate Diploma Foundation
Stage exemptions click
here
The Foundation Stage of the CIPS Graduate Diploma
There are
six modules to study at Foundation Stage. Candidates
must successfully complete or be exempted from
all six in order to proceed on to the Professional
Stage:
F1 -
The
Purchasing Environment
F2
- Business Organisation and Processes in Purchasing and Supply
F3 -
Managing Human Resources in Purchasing and Supply
F4 -
Business Analysis in Purchasing and Supply
F5 -
Legal
and Procurement Processes
F6 -
Introduction to Supply and Materials Management
F2 - Business
Organisation and Processes can be taken
last
as it builds on the studies of the other modules. Candidates can study
the other
modules in any order.
Each module is
assessed by a three hour written examination. Examinations are
scheduled in May and November of each year. For more information on
exams click
here.
For
detailed Foundation
Stage syllabus
of CIPS Graduate Diploma
in Purchasing and Supply click
here
The Professional Stage of the CIPS Graduate
Diploma
The Professional
Stage builds on the understanding which candidates already have,
enabling them to solve complex supply chain problems, run supply chain
operations, and formulate supply chain policy.
Candidates must
have completed or been exempted from the entire Foundation Stage
before
starting the Professional Stage of study. All modules and exams at
Professional Stage will assume that the Foundation Stage is thoroughly
understood. For more information on exemptions click
here
The Professional Stage
Candidates must
pass or be exempted from
eight
(seven if double module) modules in all. To complete the Professional
Stage programme students must take all four compulsory Core subjects
and any other four, at least one of which must be from the Supply
Chain Management list, It is recommended that the P4 Case Study module
is completed last as it incorporates topics which are studied in other
modules.
Each module is
assessed by a three written hour exam. For the P4 Case Study
examination students are issued with a situation brief a few weeks
before the examination date which needs to be analysed in depth as
part of the preparation. Examinations are scheduled in May and
November of each year. For more information on exams click
here.
As the
Professional Stage is a degree level qualification, CIPS will expect
candidates to do a lot of background research to keep up with
developments in purchasing, supply and business in general. This can
be achieved through newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and the Internet.
To achieve exceptional grades, students will need to continue their
study through the reading of technical journals and books written by
the top thinkers. At this level it is important to be able to
demonstrate an awareness of relevant current supply chain issues.
Core Subjects
The Core
Subjects give a broad platform of purchasing and supply chain
competences and the ability to apply them over a variety of time
frames. All four modules are to be
completed, if possible leaving the Case Study until
last:
-
P1 - Strategy and Strategic Procurement
-
P2 - Tactics and Operations
-
P3 - Legal Aspects for Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
-
P4 - Case Study in Purchasing and Supply
Supply Chain Management Options
Options build on
the Core Subjects for an in-depth study of the supply chain, so you
should complete your study of the Core
before
you start them.
At least one Supply Chain Management option must be taken.
-
P5 - Storage and Distribution in Supply Chains
-
P6 - Commercial Relationships
-
The Research Project in Purchasing and Supply Chain (Double Module)
The Project is a
work-related research study. It is a
double
module requiring in depth analysis and reporting, awarding two passes
when completed successfully. Students are required to submit a title
and outline to CIPS for approval before being permitted to take this
Option.
Elective Subjects
Electives
broaden understanding of the commercial issues affecting the supply
chain:
-
P7 - Operations Management
-
P8 - Marketing
-
P9 - Project Management and Contract Management for Purchasing and
Supply
-
P10 - Retail Merchandise Management
-
P11 - International Supply Chain Management
For
detailed
Professional Stage syllabus
of CIPS Graduate Diploma
in Purchasing and Supply click
here
CIPS
- MCG Centre Number - 005031578
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