your guide to cips qualifications 4 5 qualsguide_uk.pdf · 6 your guide to cips qualifications cips...

YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONSShaping your future

UK

Welcome. You have already taken the importantfirst steps towards professionalism by enrollingto study the qualifications of the CharteredInstitute of Purchasing & Supply. Here at CIPS wewill do all that we can to help you through thenext stages which we hope will contribute to asuccessful career.

As a profession, purchasing and supply isincreasingly being seen as a strategic businessdiscipline, involving a growing number of highlyspecialised roles. The supply chain is becomingever more complex, presenting those in theprofession with many new challenges, fromchanging market structures ushered in byglobalisation and the growing economic strengthof developing countries, to technology, globalevents and trends towards ethical and fair trading.

CIPS qualifications are widely regarded as aninternational benchmark of excellence, enhancingstandards of professionalism and performancethroughout purchasing and supply. We areconfident that our education awards will continueto help professionals and organisations meet thenew challenges and realise their potential.

CIPS is accredited and regulated as an AwardingBody by the Office of Qualifications andExaminations Regulator (Ofqual). Ours arevocationally related qualifications within theNational Database of Accredited Qualifications.

CIPS wishes you every possible success and looksforward to acknowledging each level ofachievement.

Amanda O’BrienDirector of Professional Development

3www.cips.org � YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS

ContentsMembership 4 CIPS awards and membership grades 6Entry requirements 6 Our standards 7How and where to study 7 Overview of CIPS qualifications 8 Exemptions 9Assessment and examinations 9

CIPS support for students 12Progression opportunities 13Equal opportunities 13Reasonable adjustments 13Complaints 13CIPS contacts 14

ForewordShaping

yourfuture

IntroductionThe purpose of this guide is to provide you with a reference point for all thequeries you may have whilst you are studying for a CIPS qualification. It maynot always give you the detailed answer you need, but it will signpost you toother sources where the appropriate information may be found. CIPS makesextensive use of its website www.cips.org to support students. However, ifyou do not have access to the website then we can arrange to supply thedocuments referred to in hard copy, so please do ask. The customer servicesteam is available to answer your letters, telephone calls and emails, and tospeed up the response to your enquiry, the contact details for the mostcommon enquiries are given at the back of this guide.

It is essential that you always quote your membership reference number andensure that you let us know of any changes to your contact details at homeand at work.

MembershipIn order to study and take examinations/assessments for a CIPS qualificationyou need to register as a studying member which means you will be able toaccess a range of membership benefits and study support. As a professionalbody, CIPS encourages those working in purchasing and supply to achieve anappropriate level of qualification to enable them to do their job better and tostrive to improve their career prospects. Ambitions and needs vary and,therefore, all CIPS qualifications are linked to a progressive ladder of awardsand membership grades in recognition of achievement at all levels.

If you achieve the Graduate diploma in purchasing and supply you will beeligible for full membership which entitles you to use the designatory letters,MCIPS, providing you can evidence at least three years’ experience in aposition of responsibility in purchasing and supply. This experience can begained prior to or during the study period, and will require simple verification.

4 YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS � www.cips.org

Shapingyourfuture


Shapingyourfuture

Ambitions and needs vary and, therefore,all CIPS qualifications are linked to aprogressive ladder of awards andmembership in recognition ofachievement at all levels.


CIPS awards and membership grades The following table lists the names of the CIPS awards and the CIPS membership grade gained onachievement of each award. The parity with UK national qualifications and the level in the NationalDatabase of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ) is also shown.

CIPS award NDAQ ref CIPS membership gradeon completion

UK national qualificationsparity

Level 2Introductory certificate inpurchasing and supply

500/168/7 Certificate Member • GCSEs grades A*-C• NVQ Level 2

Level 3Certificate in purchasingand supply

100/6111/3 Certificate Member • A levels• NVQ Level 3

Level 4Foundation diploma inpurchasing and supply

100/6112/5 Diploma Member • Year 1 of degreeprogramme

Level 5Advanced diploma inpurchasing and supply

100/6113/7 Associate Member • Foundation degrees• Higher National Diplomas

Level 6Graduate diploma inpurchasing and supply

100/6114/9 Full Member (MCIPS)providing 3 years’experience in a position ofresponsibility in purchasingand supply can beevidenced

• Bachelors (Honours)degrees

• NVQ Level 4

Level 7 Executive diploma inpurchasing and supply

MCIPS • Masters degrees• Post-Graduate degrees• NVQ Level 5

Shapingyourfuture

Entry requirementsBefore you start your studies you should consider what level on the ladder is appropriate for you, based onyour education and experience. There are no entry requirements for the qualifications at Levels 2 and 3.

To start the Level 4 Foundation diploma, you should have at least two A-levels (or international equivalent)or a Level 3 qualification. Students without any prior qualifications must have at least two years’ experiencein a business environment. For individual advice, you should contact our customer services team.

Our standardsThe standards of all CIPS qualifications areextremely important, not only to maintain theintegrity of the Institute itself, but to raise thestandards of those working in the profession so thatthey are able to make a valuable contribution totheir organisations and so achieve greaterrecognition. Qualifications which you obtain fromCIPS must therefore be fit for purpose and havegood quality assurance systems in place. Theregulatory authorities for qualifications in the UKprovide a service to the public which is designed togive confidence to you and your employer in thoseawarding bodies and qualifications which gainrecognition through their systems and procedures.

CIPS is accredited and regulated as an AwardingBody by the Office of Qualifications andExaminations Regulator (Ofqual). Ours arevocationally related qualifications within theNational Database of Accredited Qualifications(NDAQ).

More information can be found on the CIPSwebsite and on www.ofqual.gov.uk.For full details on the NDAQ visithttp://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk

CIPS qualifications are in the Business,Administration and Law sector of the NQF,Sector 15.3

How and where to studyOnce you have established and agreed where yourstarting point is, and which units you need tocomplete in that qualification, you will need to lookat the options for studying. You may already havebeen to a local college or CIPS approved studycentre and enrolled on the most suitableprogramme for you. Do check that this correspondswith the CIPS assessment of your starting point.However, if you have not yet enrolled at a college,you will need to assess the various study optionsand how they might suit you, your personality, yourworking practices, your personal life and generalaccessibility.

CIPS believes that choice is important. Because ofthis, as well as local provision in approved studycentres, distance learning, intensive modularprogrammes, flexible study and self-studyopportunities exist. CIPS approved study centresare listed on our website.

Contact the centre directly for programmes offered,start dates and timetables, together with generalinformation on fees and facilities.

Progressing through the levelsIt is advisable to progress through the levels insequence so that you gain the under-pinningknowledge as you move up the qualificationsladder. You must complete all the units for a levelbefore you will achieve that award and itscertificate.


Shapingyourfuture

Wewant you to have the bestpossible chance to achieve theaward that you set out to study

Overview of CIPS qualificationsUnit content guides for each level are available on the website www.cips.org and printed copies are alsoavailable. The guides detail the statements of practice, learning objectives and the guided learning hoursfor each unit. At Levels 3 to 6 you need to complete five units for each level. Level 3 and 6 have anintegrative unit, designed to draw together the knowledge and understanding achieved in the other unitsand to demonstrate how these units combine and integrate in a working environment. It is stronglyrecommended that integrative units (highlighted with a * below) should always be taken after the coreunits have been completed.

Shapingyourfuture


CIPS Award Units to be studied

Level 2Introductory Certificate in Purchasingand Supply

One unit, Introduction to purchasing and supplyin four elements

Level 3 Certificate in Purchasing and Supply

• Understanding the purchasing environment• Purchasing operations• Client and supplier relationships• Securing supply• Purchasing in action*

Level 4Foundation Diploma in Purchasing andSupply

• Effective negotiation in purchasingand supply

• Developing contracts in purchasingand supply

• Measuring purchasing performance• Managing purchasing and supplyrelationships

• Purchasing contexts

Level 5Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply

• Management in the purchasing function• Risk management and supply chain vulnerability• Improving supply chain performance Optional units, choose two:

• Marketing for purchasers• Storage and distribution• Operations management in the supply chain• The machinery of government• Contracting in the public sector• Sustainable procurement

Level 6 Graduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply

• Leading and influencing in purchasing• Strategic supply chain management• Supply chain management in practice*Optional units, choose two:

• Legal aspects in purchasing and supply• Advanced project management• Finance for purchasers• Strategic public sector programme management• Public sector stakeholders and governance

Level 7Executive Diploma in Purchasing and Supply

A self managed learning programme availablethrough approved universities

Shapingyourfuture


Exemptions Before you commence your studies, you need toconsider if you could gain exemption from any ofthe CIPS units. We recognise that you may havehad previous experiences and qualifications whichhave contributed to your learning anddevelopment, and that recognition should begiven if you can evidence these to be relevant tospecific units within the CIPS qualifications. We donot wish you to repeat studies unnecessarily, butwant to ensure that you have the right level anddepth of knowledge and understanding of eachunit. Such recognition is often referred to asexemption, and this is on a unit by unit basis.

You can apply for unit exemptions from any levelat the start of your studies, if preferred, or as youcommence each level.

If you believe that you have achieved the standardand content of a particular unit or level, please askour Customer Services Team for details of theexemption application process or seewww.cips.org. A fee will be payable for each unitexemption.

Assessment and examinationsSome units can be assessed by an examination orby work-based assessment. CIPS examinations arepaper-based with the exception of the one houronline test for the Level 2 Introductory certificate inpurchasing and supply.

The examination questions (or work-basedassessment tasks) test the learning objectives ofthe unit content for each unit. Unit content guidesfor each level are available to download fromwww.cips.org

Refer to the study resources section of the websitewhich gives you valuable information on studyingand examination or assessment preparation. Don’tforget to take appropriate 'tools' to theexamination with you, for example a non-programmable calculator as some units testfinancial aspects of purchasing and supply andthere may be the requirement to undertakecalculations. Please refer to the enrolmentguidelines for CIPS rules for examinations.

Format of examination papers for units withinLevels 3, 4, 5 and 6Most units will be assessed by a three-hour closedbook examination, the format of the examinationpapers is:

• Section A - A case study with two questionsbased on the information in the case study. Eachquestion is worth 25 marks.

• Section B - Two questions must be answeredfrom a choice of four which test knowledge andunderstanding. Each question is worth 25 marks.

The exceptions are L3-05 Purchasing in action andat L6-03 Supply chain management in practice.

L3-05 Purchasing in actionThis unit is assessed by a three-hour closed-bookexamination. The format of the examination is acase study scenario with four questions based onthe information in the case study. Each question isworth 25 marks. These questions can be a mixtureof role play and/or theory, knowledge andunderstanding.

L6-03 Supply chain management in practiceA case study based on a realistic organisation issent out to candidates and published on thewebsite at least four weeks in advance of theexamination date to allow candidates to analysethe information and prepare for the examination.The case study is approximately 20 pages inlength. The assessment will be a three hour open-book examination comprising four questionsbased on the case study. Each question is worth 25marks.

Work-based assessmentThere is an opportunity to sit some units by work-based assessment instead of by examination.Currently only students who are registered with anUK study centre approved to offer work-basedassessment are able to choose the work-basedassessment option. Full details on work-basedassessment will be available from your studycentre.

Format of work-based assessments for unitswithin Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6

Level 3 Certificate - Purchasing in action• Section A – compulsory task worth 50% of theavailable marks (1,200 words)

• Section B – two tasks from a choice of three,each worth 25% of the available marks (750words each)

• Section C – compulsory reflective learningstatement (300 words).

Level 4 Foundation diploma – All units• Section A – compulsory task, worth 50% of theavailable marks (1,700 words)


• Section C – compulsory reflective learningstatement (300 words).

Level 5 Advanced diploma – Improving supplychain performance• Section A – compulsory task, worth 45% of theavailable marks (2,200 words)


• Section C – compulsory reflective learningstatement, worth 5% of the available marks (300words).

Level 6 Graduate diploma – Supply chainmanagement in practiceBased of the other two Level 6 core units L6-01Leading and influencing in purchasing and L6-02Strategic supply chain management; the projectreport will have a maximum of 6,000 words andshould be professionally presented. The projecttasks are as follows:

• Task 1 – An introduction including thebackground, rationale and objective (600words) – worth 10% of the available marks

• Task 2 – Review of the theory and thedevelopment of a set of predictions (1,300words) – worth 25% of the available marks

• Task 3 – Case analysis, including application andsynthesis (3,000 words) – worth 50% of theavailable marks

• Task 4 – Conclusions and recommendations (600words) – worth 10% of the available marks

• Task 5 – Reflective learning statement (500words) – worth 5% of the available marks.

Note - CIPS has produced guidance documents toassist candidates undertaking work-basedassessment. Candidates should ask their tutor forthese guidance documents.


Shapingyourfuture

Examination and work-based assessmentpass marksThe following pass marks and grade bands willapply to all units at Levels 3-6.

• Distinction 75 - 100%• Credit 60 - 74%• Pass 50 - 59%• Fail 0 - 49%

It should be noted that the exit award at each Levelis not graded.

Past examination papersPast examination question papers andexamination reports for each unit are available onthe website.

UK Examination timetableWe hold five examination sessions each year, to aset timetable, which cannot be varied under anycircumstances. Full examination timetables andunit titles are published on the website.

As long as you are registered as an active student,we will send you SMS and email alerts to adviseyou when exam entry is open. It’s important toensure that we have your up to date contact details.Available examination centres and fees are clearlyshown at www.cips.org

The examination entry dates are as follows:

You may enter for as many units as you wish inone sitting, but obviously you cannot enter for twounits which may be scheduled to take place at thesame time.

Examinations are held across the world but if thereis no examination centre listed in your region,please contact the CIPS examinations team.

UK work-based assessment timetableThere are three WBA sessions each year; February,May and October. Contact your study centre forentry dates and entry details.


The website www.cips.org is a valuable source of information whilst you arestudying. Visit it regularly to find information.

2011 & 2012schedule

Entry closuredate

Exam period Resultspublished date

July 3 June 11 18-20 July 11 5 October 11

November 23 September 11 14-18 November 11 1 February 12

January 9 December 11 23-25 January 12 11 April 12

March 20 January 12 5-7 March 12 23 May 12

May 23 March 12 14-18 May 12 1 August 12

Results and CertificatesExamination results for external examinations willbe mailed to you. They will also be made availableon the CIPS website simultaneously and you willbe able to access these by using your membershipnumber and password.

Certificates for each level of qualification will beissued approximately one month after the resultshave been made available. When you havecompleted the award of Level 6 Graduate diplomayou will also be asked to have your experienceverified so that you can be upgraded to fullmembership (MCIPS) if appropriate.

Assessment appealsIf you disagree with the grade awarded for a unit,you may wish to appeal against it. You may applyusing an application form from the website andyour assessment will be marked again by adifferent assessor. For more information anddetails of the fee, go to qualifications/policies andprocedures section on www.cips.org If the gradeoriginally awarded is changed as a result of theappeal, the fee will be refunded.

Please go to www.cips.org to download thecurrent Assessment Appeals Procedure, which canbe found in the qualifications/policies andprocedures section of the website.

CIPS support for studentsWhichever study method you decide is best foryou, CIPS offers course books and essentialreading material to support you. Whicheverqualifications you are aiming to achieve, it isalways good practice to read and investigate thetopic as widely as possible.

Study packs are available from the CIPS onlinebookshop for all qualifications. You can alsopurchase all essential and desirable reading booksfrom www.cips.org/bookshop

CIPS websiteThe website www.cips.org is a valuable source ofinformation whilst you are studying. Visit itregularly to find information on:

• Examination timetables• Book your assessment online or download

a form• Past papers for revision purposes• Knowledge Works – professional resources for

students and practitioners

Supply Management magazineEvery month you will receive Supply Managementas part of your membership benefits. You can alsoaccess an online daily news update. It gives yourelevant news, views, opinions and articlescovering all areas of purchasing and supply chainmanagement and again is a valuable source ofadditional reading and inspiration throughout yourstudy period. You can also access it online atwww.supplymanagement.com where you cansearch the content archive of over 6,000 articlesdating back for five years.

Qualifications updateA further publication especially for students is thenewsletter Qualifications update. Here we bringyou information on examinations and study tipstogether with news of fellow students, collegesand CIPS support network.

CIPS training coursesMany of the CIPS training courses can help tosupplement your studies. They concentrate onspecific areas and can sharpen your knowledgeand skills. Additionally you can benefit fromdiscounted rates for members. See www.cips.orgfor details.


Shapingyourfuture

CIPS Branch and member only eventsWe offer regional member-only events on topicalissues and over 50 UK branches and nine overseasbranches also arrange their own events.

These events offer you the opportunity to meetother CIPS members. The name of your nearestbranch appears on your membership card and thewebsite lists forthcoming events and contacts.

Graduation CeremonyThere is an Annual Graduation ceremony tocelebrate your success with your family andfriends.

Progression opportunitiesIn response to the increasing demand by CIPSgraduates for progression opportunities, CIPS hasbuilt up valuable relationships with a number ofUniversities which offer specialist Masters degreesto CIPS graduates. A full list of these is providedon the CIPS website, and you should contact theUniversity direct for further information as theformat, timing and content does vary.

These programmes are also often open to non-CIPS graduates, providing they can meet theUniversity’s standard entry requirements byqualification and/or experience. Such candidatescan also qualify for MCIPS following the award ofthe accredited Masters degree providing they canevidence three years’ experience in a position ofresponsibility in purchasing and supply.

Equal opportunities CIPS has responsibilities under the EqualOpportunities Act, Disability Discrimination Actand the Office of Qualifications and ExaminationsRegulator regulations to ensure that all itscandidates have equal opportunities to reach theirfull potential. This means that no candidate willreceive less favourable treatment on the groundsof gender, colour, ethnicity or national origin,socio-economic background, disability, religious orpolitical beliefs, family circumstances, sexualorientation or other irrelevant distinction.

Reasonable adjustmentsIn some instances candidates may requireadjustments to the assessment process or willrequire special consideration at the marking stageto give them an equal opportunity.

Please contact your study centre in the firstinstance.

The reasonable adjustments policies are availableas downloads from the website.

ComplaintsIf you are enrolled with a study centre and havecause to complain about any aspect of the serviceyou have received, you should take up thecomplaint directly with the centre in the firstinstance, and follow their formal complaintsprocedures. However, you should also ensure thatthe CIPS Education Network Manager([email protected]) is kept informed through copiesof emails, letters and notes of any meetings held.CIPS is only able to take up your complaint with astudy centre if you have followed their formalprocedures.

CIPS is committed to offering a high standard ofservice to all its customers and a statementrelating to those studying for CIPS qualifications isavailable on the website. If you have cause tocomplain about the service you have receivedfrom CIPS, you should write, in the first instance tothe Customer Service Manager, who will ensurethat appropriate action is taken.


Shapingyourfuture


Shapingyourfuture

CIPS contactsShould you need to contact CIPS see below.

Query type Email/telephone

Update your contact details www.cips.org/MyCIPSTelephone:+44 (0)845 880 [email protected]

Renew your membership

Book assessments online or to request an examination enrolmentform, find a local examination centre or obtain the conditions of entry to CIPS examinations

For information about alternative routes to membership, includingNVQs, accredited degrees and the Management Entry Route or if youhave completed any of these programmes and wish to apply for amembership upgrade

For details of the CIPS qualifications and unit content information

To apply for, pay for or request information on exemptions

Telephone:+44 (0)1780 [email protected]

Complaint against a study centre Contact: Education NetworkManager

Complaint about CIPS qualifications Qualifications Manager

Complaint about customer services Contact: Customer ServiceManager

ED/08/PP/V8/04/11UK

Easton House, Easton on the Hill, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 3NZ UK+44 (0)1780 756777 +44 (0)1780 751610 [email protected]

10/520 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia1300 765 142 / +61 3 9629 6000 1300 765 143 / +61 3 9620 5488 [email protected]

Ground floor, Building B, 48 Sovereign Drive, Route 21 Corporate Park, Irene X30, Centurion, Pretoria, South Africa

+27 12 345 6177 +27 12 345 3309 [email protected]

Suite F56, Block 2, Knowledge Village, Dubai, UAE+971 (0) 44 289405 [email protected]

www.cips.org

your guide to cips qualifications 4 5 qualsguide_uk.pdf · 6 your guide to cips qualifications cips...

Documents