Education & Study
What is MCIPS?
MCIPS stands for Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. By Member this means a fully qualified Member. Full Members are recognised internationally for their professional accomplishment. Full membership confers the post nominals MCIPS and represents an expression of professionalism associated with achieving the highest recognised global standard of excellence in procurement. Members can achieve this through a range of study options, most notably through the CIPS Graduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply, or members working towards MCIPS through the Personal Development Plan (PDP). Please note that although successful completion of a PDP awards Full Member status, it does not award the CIPS Graduate Diploma.
Pathways to MCIPS
There are several developed routes to MCIPS and each is designed to meet the needs of the individual. In Australasia you will have access to the following pathways:
SELF STUDY
1. CIPS examinations
2. CIPS e-Learning with no online support (based on CIPS Qualifications)
3. CIPS study resources (simply buy a study guide and self-study)
STUDY WITH CIPS SUPPORT
1. Corporate award programme (CAP)
2. CIPS e-Learning with online support (based on CIPS Qualifications)
STUDY WITH EXTERNAL CIPS APPROVED PROVIDERS
1. CIPS accredited universities
2. CIPS approved study centres (ASC)
3. CIPS approved government training programmes
4. CIPS approved internal training programmes
CIPS RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING & EXPERIENCE
1. Exemptions
2. Professional Assessment Scheme (PAS)
3. Personal Development Plan (PDP)
Download the full latest How to Achieve MCIPS brochure here.
CIPS Membership Grades
CIPS Qualifications (Subjects for Levels 2-7)
View the subjects in each CIPS level here (PDF).
The subjects shown are the compulsory and elective subjects needed to complete each level if you are choosing one of the 5 options below. These subjects do not relate to Accredited University courses.
More information on each subject is available at http://www.cips.org/studyandqualify/cipsqualifications/awardscontent/default.aspx
Please note that the minimum study requirements are passing Levels 4, 5 and 6 before MCIPS can be achieved.
EXAMS: Read more about exams here.
EXEMPTIONS: Read more about exemptions here
Why Study?
Flexibility is the key to the CIPS membership levels. This allows you to select your learning, based on a comprehensive range of top quality education programs, relevant to all organisations, job roles and levels programmes the procurement profession. So throughout your study, you are always learning and developing professionally:
Industry led membership levels - Whether you’ve just entered the profession, or you’re an experienced manager, the CIPS membership levels programme offers something for everyone.
A clear learning path link to career progress - Wherever you start your learning journey, every CIPS award is closely aligned to a specific job level, helping you to prepare for promotion and enhancing your personal and professional development.
Recognition of prior learning and workplace experience - The CIPS membership levels programme is designed to be flexible and will help find the right award for you, taking into account your current educational achievements and experience.
Reward for every individual qualification gained - Every level will be an individual award so you can choose to study for just one, or continue up the CIPS membership levels ladder (towards MCIPS) at your own pace.
A greater choice of business specific subjects - With the new topics and key business essentials, the CIPS membership levels are more closely aligned than ever to real life business issues.
A unique range of learning and revision materials - We are here to help you every step of the way. Our new look study materials and study guides will be user friendly, well designed and directly relevant to your study programme.
Put simply, joining CIPS Australia means getting better at your job and advancing your career. Plus, as you improve your procurement practices, your organisation and the profession as a whole also directly benefit as a members strive to achieve global best practice.
Read the article Procurement careers: opening doors in the world of business (from Hobson's Careers Guide 2009)