YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS Shaping UK
Foreword Shaping Welcome. You have already taken the important first steps towards professionalism by enrolling to study the qualifications of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply. Here at CIPS we will do all that we can to help you through the next stages which we hope will contribute to a successful career. As a profession, purchasing and supply is increasingly being seen as a strategic business discipline, involving a growing number of highly specialised roles. The supply chain is becoming ever more complex, presenting those in the profession with many new challenges, from changing market structures ushered in by globalisation and the growing economic strength of developing countries, to technology, global events and trends towards ethical and fair trading. CIPS qualifications are widely regarded as an international benchmark of excellence, enhancing standards of professionalism and performance throughout purchasing and supply. We are confident that our education awards will continue to help professionals and organisations meet the new challenges and realise their potential. CIPS is accredited and regulated as an Awarding Body by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual). Ours are vocationally related qualifications within the National Database of Accredited Qualifications. CIPS wishes you every possible success and looks forward to acknowledging each level of achievement. Contents Membership 4 CIPS awards and membership grades 6 Entry requirements 6 Our standards 7 How and where to study 7 Overview of CIPS qualifications 8 Exemptions 9 Assessment and examinations 9 CIPS support for students 12 Progression opportunities 13 Equal opportunities 13 Reasonable adjustments 13 Complaints 13 CIPS contacts 14 Amanda O Brien Director of Professional Development www.cips.org YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS 3
Shaping Introduction The purpose of this guide is to provide you with a reference point for all the queries you may have whilst you are studying for a CIPS qualification. It may not always give you the detailed answer you need, but it will signpost you to other sources where the appropriate information may be found. CIPS makes extensive use of its website www.cips.org to support students. However, if you do not have access to the website then we can arrange to supply the documents referred to in hard copy, so please do ask. The customer services team is available to answer letters, telephone calls and emails, and to speed up the response to enquiry, the contact details for the most common enquiries are given at the back of this guide. It is essential that you always quote membership reference number and ensure that you let us know of any changes to contact details at home and at work. Membership In order to study and take examinations/assessments for a CIPS qualification you need to register as a studying member which means you will be able to access a range of membership benefits and study support. As a professional body, CIPS encourages those working in purchasing and supply to achieve an appropriate level of qualification to enable them to do their job better and to strive to improve their career prospects. Ambitions and needs vary and, therefore, all CIPS qualifications are linked to a progressive ladder of awards and membership grades in recognition of achievement at all levels. If you achieve the Graduate diploma in purchasing and supply you will be eligible for full membership which entitles you to use the designatory letters, MCIPS, providing you can evidence at least three years experience in a position of responsibility in purchasing and supply. This experience can be gained prior to or during the study period, and will require simple verification. 4 YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS www.cips.org
Ambitions and needs vary and, therefore, all CIPS qualifications are linked to a progressive ladder of awards and membership in recognition of achievement at all levels. Shaping www.cips.org YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS 5
Shaping CIPS awards and membership grades The following table lists the names of the CIPS awards and the CIPS membership grade gained on achievement of each award. The parity with UK national qualifications and the level in the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ) is also shown. CIPS award NDAQ ref CIPS membership grade on completion UK national qualifications parity Level 2 Introductory certificate in purchasing and supply Level 3 Certificate in purchasing and supply Level 4 Foundation diploma in purchasing and supply Level 5 Advanced diploma in purchasing and supply 500/168/7 Certificate Member GCSEs grades A*-C NVQ Level 2 100/6111/3 Certificate Member A levels NVQ Level 3 100/6112/5 Diploma Member Year 1 of degree programme 100/6113/7 Associate Member Foundation degrees Higher National Diplomas Level 6 Graduate diploma in purchasing and supply Level 7 Executive diploma in purchasing and supply 100/6114/9 Full Member (MCIPS) providing 3 years experience in a position of responsibility in purchasing and supply can be evidenced MCIPS Bachelors (Honours) degrees NVQ Level 4 Masters degrees Post-Graduate degrees NVQ Level 5 Entry requirements Before you start studies you should consider what level on the ladder is appropriate for you, based on 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 experience in a business environment. For individual advice, you should contact our customer services team. 6 YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS www.cips.org
We want you to have the best possible chance to achieve the award that you set out to study Shaping Our standards The standards of all CIPS qualifications are extremely important, not only to maintain the integrity of the Institute itself, but to raise the standards of those working in the profession so that they are able to make a valuable contribution to their organisations and so achieve greater recognition. Qualifications which you obtain from CIPS must therefore be fit for purpose and have good quality assurance systems in place. The regulatory authorities for qualifications in the UK provide a service to the public which is designed to give confidence to you and employer in those awarding bodies and qualifications which gain recognition through their systems and procedures. CIPS is accredited and regulated as an Awarding Body by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual). Ours are vocationally related qualifications within the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ). More information can be found on the CIPS website and on www.ofqual.gov.uk. For full details on the NDAQ visit http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk CIPS qualifications are in the Business, Administration and Law sector of the NQF, Sector 15.3 How and where to study Once you have established and agreed where starting point is, and which units you need to complete in that qualification, you will need to look at the options for studying. You may already have been to a local college or CIPS approved study centre and enrolled on the most suitable programme for you. Do check that this corresponds with the CIPS assessment of starting point. However, if you have not yet enrolled at a college, you will need to assess the various study options and how they might suit you, personality, working practices, personal life and general accessibility. CIPS believes that choice is important. Because of this, as well as local provision in approved study centres, distance learning, intensive modular programmes, flexible study and self-study opportunities exist. CIPS approved study centres are listed on our website. Contact the centre directly for programmes offered, start dates and timetables, together with general information on fees and facilities. Progressing through the levels It is advisable to progress through the levels in sequence so that you gain the under-pinning knowledge as you move up the qualifications ladder. You must complete all the units for a level before you will achieve that award and its certificate. www.cips.org YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS 7
Shaping Overview of CIPS qualifications Unit content guides for each level are available on the website www.cips.org and printed copies are also available. The guides detail the statements of practice, learning objectives and the guided learning hours for each unit. At Levels 3 to 6 you need to complete five units for each level. Level 3 and 6 have an integrative unit, designed to draw together the knowledge and understanding achieved in the other units and to demonstrate how these units combine and integrate in a working environment. It is strongly recommended that integrative units (highlighted with a * below) should always be taken after the core units have been completed. CIPS Award Level 2 Introductory Certificate in Purchasing and Supply Level 3 Certificate in Purchasing and Supply Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Level 6 Graduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Level 7 Executive Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Units to be studied One unit, Introduction to purchasing and supply in four elements Understanding the purchasing environment Purchasing operations Client and supplier relationships Securing supply Purchasing in action* Effective negotiation in purchasing and supply Developing contracts in purchasing and supply Measuring purchasing performance Managing purchasing and supply relationships Purchasing contexts 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 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 A self managed learning programme available through approved universities 8 YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS www.cips.org
Shaping Exemptions Before you commence studies, you need to consider if you could gain exemption from any of the CIPS units. We recognise that you may have had previous experiences and qualifications which have contributed to learning and development, and that recognition should be given if you can evidence these to be relevant to specific units within the CIPS qualifications. We do not wish you to repeat studies unnecessarily, but want to ensure that you have the right level and depth of knowledge and understanding of each unit. Such recognition is often referred to as exemption, and this is on a unit by unit basis. You can apply for unit exemptions from any level at the start of studies, if preferred, or as you commence each level. If you believe that you have achieved the standard and content of a particular unit or level, please ask our Customer Services Team for details of the exemption application process or see www.cips.org. A fee will be payable for each unit exemption. Assessment and examinations Some units can be assessed by an examination or by work-based assessment. CIPS examinations are paper-based with the exception of the one hour online test for the Level 2 Introductory certificate in purchasing and supply. The examination questions (or work-based assessment tasks) test the learning objectives of the unit content for each unit. Unit content guides for each level are available to download from www.cips.org Refer to the study resources section of the website which gives you valuable information on studying and examination or assessment preparation. Don t forget to take appropriate 'tools' to the examination with you, for example a nonprogrammable calculator as some units test financial aspects of purchasing and supply and there may be the requirement to undertake calculations. Please refer to the enrolment guidelines for CIPS rules for examinations. www.cips.org YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS 9
Shaping Format of examination papers for units within Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 Most units will be assessed by a three-hour closed book examination, the format of the examination papers is: Section A - A case study with two questions based on the information in the case study. Each question is worth 25 marks. Section B - Two questions must be answered from a choice of four which test knowledge and understanding. Each question is worth 25 marks. The exceptions are L3-05 Purchasing in action and at L6-03 Supply chain management in practice. L3-05 Purchasing in action This unit is assessed by a three-hour closed-book examination. The format of the examination is a case study scenario with four questions based on the information in the case study. Each question is worth 25 marks. These questions can be a mixture of role play and/or theory, knowledge and understanding. L6-03 Supply chain management in practice A case study based on a realistic organisation is sent out to candidates and published on the website at least four weeks in advance of the examination date to allow candidates to analyse the information and prepare for the examination. The case study is approximately 20 pages in length. The assessment will be a three hour openbook examination comprising four questions based on the case study. Each question is worth 25 marks. Work-based assessment There is an opportunity to sit some units by workbased assessment instead of by examination. Currently only students who are registered with an UK study centre approved to offer work-based assessment are able to choose the work-based assessment option. Full details on work-based assessment will be available from study centre. Format of work-based assessments for units within Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 Level 3 Certificate - Purchasing in action Section A compulsory task worth 50% of the available marks (1,200 words) Section B two tasks from a choice of three, each worth 25% of the available marks (750 words each) Section C compulsory reflective learning statement (300 words). Level 4 Foundation diploma All units Section A compulsory task, worth 50% of the available marks (1,700 words) Section B two tasks from a choice of three, each worth 25% of the available marks (1000 words each) Section C compulsory reflective learning statement (300 words). Level 5 Advanced diploma Improving supply chain performance Section A compulsory task, worth 45% of the available marks (2,200 words) Section B two tasks from a choice of three, each worth 25% of the available marks (1250 words each) Section C compulsory reflective learning statement, worth 5% of the available marks (300 words). Level 6 Graduate diploma Supply chain management in practice Based of the other two Level 6 core units L6-01 Leading and influencing in purchasing and L6-02 Strategic supply chain management; the project report will have a maximum of 6,000 words and should be professionally presented. The project tasks are as follows: Task 1 An introduction including the background, rationale and objective (600 words) worth 10% of the available marks Task 2 Review of the theory and the development of a set of predictions (1,300 words) worth 25% of the available marks Task 3 Case analysis, including application and synthesis (3,000 words) worth 50% of the available marks Task 4 Conclusions and recommendations (600 words) worth 10% of the available marks Task 5 Reflective learning statement (500 words) worth 5% of the available marks. Note - CIPS has produced guidance documents to assist candidates undertaking work-based assessment. Candidates should ask their tutor for these guidance documents. 10 YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS www.cips.org
The website www.cips.org is a valuable source of information whilst you are studying. Visit it regularly to find information. Examination and work-based assessment pass marks The following pass marks and grade bands will apply 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 Level is not graded. Past examination papers Past examination question papers and examination reports for each unit are available on the website. UK Examination timetable We hold five examination sessions each year, to a set timetable, which cannot be varied under any circumstances. Full examination timetables and unit 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 advise you when exam entry is open. It s important to ensure that we have up to date contact details. Available examination centres and fees are clearly shown at www.cips.org The examination entry dates are as follows: 2011 & 2012 schedule Entry closure date Exam period You may enter for as many units as you wish in one sitting, but obviously you cannot enter for two units which may be scheduled to take place at the same time. Examinations are held across the world but if there is no examination centre listed in region, please contact the CIPS examinations team. UK work-based assessment timetable There are three WBA sessions each year; February, May and October. Contact study centre for entry dates and entry details. Results published 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 www.cips.org YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS 11
Shaping Results and Certificates Examination results for external examinations will be mailed to you. They will also be made available on the CIPS website simultaneously and you will be able to access these by using membership number and password. Certificates for each level of qualification will be issued approximately one month after the results have been made available. When you have completed the award of Level 6 Graduate diploma you will also be asked to have experience verified so that you can be upgraded to full membership (MCIPS) if appropriate. Assessment appeals If you disagree with the grade awarded for a unit, you may wish to appeal against it. You may apply using an application form from the website and assessment will be marked again by a different assessor. For more information and details of the fee, go to qualifications/policies and procedures section on www.cips.org If the grade originally awarded is changed as a result of the appeal, the fee will be refunded. Please go to www.cips.org to download the current Assessment Appeals Procedure, which can be found in the qualifications/policies and procedures section of the website. CIPS support for students Whichever study method you decide is best for you, CIPS offers course books and essential reading material to support you. Whichever qualifications you are aiming to achieve, it is always good practice to read and investigate the topic as widely as possible. Study packs are available from the CIPS online bookshop for all qualifications. You can also purchase all essential and desirable reading books from www.cips.org/bookshop CIPS website The website www.cips.org is a valuable source of information whilst you are studying. Visit it regularly to find information on: Examination timetables Book assessment online or download a form Past papers for revision purposes Knowledge Works professional resources for students and practitioners Supply Management magazine Every month you will receive Supply Management as part of membership benefits. You can also access an online daily news update. It gives you relevant news, views, opinions and articles covering all areas of purchasing and supply chain management and again is a valuable source of additional reading and inspiration throughout study period. You can also access it online at www.supplymanagement.com where you can search the content archive of over 6,000 articles dating back for five years. Qualifications update A further publication especially for students is the newsletter Qualifications update. Here we bring you information on examinations and study tips together with news of fellow students, colleges and CIPS support network. CIPS training courses Many of the CIPS training courses can help to supplement studies. They concentrate on specific areas and can sharpen knowledge and skills. Additionally you can benefit from discounted rates for members. See www.cips.org for details. 12 YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS www.cips.org
CIPS Branch and member only events We offer regional member-only events on topical issues and over 50 UK branches and nine overseas branches also arrange their own events. These events offer you the opportunity to meet other CIPS members. The name of nearest branch appears on membership card and the website lists forthcoming events and contacts. Graduation Ceremony There is an Annual Graduation ceremony to celebrate success with family and friends. Progression opportunities In response to the increasing demand by CIPS graduates for progression opportunities, CIPS has built up valuable relationships with a number of Universities which offer specialist Masters degrees to CIPS graduates. A full list of these is provided on the CIPS website, and you should contact the University direct for further information as the format, timing and content does vary. These programmes are also often open to non- CIPS graduates, providing they can meet the University s standard entry requirements by qualification and/or experience. Such candidates can also qualify for MCIPS following the award of the accredited Masters degree providing they can evidence three years experience in a position of responsibility in purchasing and supply. Equal opportunities CIPS has responsibilities under the Equal Opportunities Act, Disability Discrimination Act and the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulator regulations to ensure that all its candidates have equal opportunities to reach their full potential. This means that no candidate will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, colour, ethnicity or national origin, socio-economic background, disability, religious or political beliefs, family circumstances, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction. Reasonable adjustments In some instances candidates may require adjustments to the assessment process or will require special consideration at the marking stage to give them an equal opportunity. Please contact study centre in the first instance. The reasonable adjustments policies are available as downloads from the website. Complaints If you are enrolled with a study centre and have cause to complain about any aspect of the service you have received, you should take up the complaint directly with the centre in the first instance, and follow their formal complaints procedures. However, you should also ensure that the CIPS Education Network Manager (ENM@cips.org) is kept informed through copies of emails, letters and notes of any meetings held. CIPS is only able to take up complaint with a study centre if you have followed their formal procedures. CIPS is committed to offering a high standard of service to all its customers and a statement relating to those studying for CIPS qualifications is available on the website. If you have cause to complain about the service you have received from CIPS, you should write, in the first instance to the Customer Service Manager, who will ensure that appropriate action is taken. Shaping www.cips.org YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS 13
Shaping CIPS contacts Should you need to contact CIPS see below. Query type Update contact details Renew membership Book assessments online or to request an examination enrolment form, find a local examination centre or obtain the conditions of entry to CIPS examinations For information about alternative routes to membership, including NVQs, accredited degrees and the Management Entry Route or if you have completed any of these programmes and wish to apply for a membership upgrade Email/telephone www.cips.org/mycips Telephone: +44 (0)845 880 1188 crc@cips.org Telephone: +44 (0)1780 756777 customer.services@cips.org For details of the CIPS qualifications and unit content information To apply for, pay for or request information on exemptions Complaint against a study centre Complaint about CIPS qualifications Complaint about customer services Contact: Education Network Manager Qualifications Manager Contact: Customer Service Manager 14 YOUR GUIDE TO CIPS QUALIFICATIONS www.cips.org
Easton House, Easton on the Hill, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 3NZ UK +44 (0)1780 756777 +44 (0)1780 751610 info@cips.org 10/520 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia 1300 765 142 / +61 3 9629 6000 1300 765 143 / +61 3 9620 5488 info@cipsa.com.au 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 infosa@cips.org.za Suite F56, Block 2, Knowledge Village, Dubai, UAE +971 (0) 44 289405 info@cips.org www.cips.org ED/08/PP/V8/04/11UK