There are no entry requirements for the qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 or the International certificate qualification.

If you wish to start at the Level 4 Foundation Diploma qualification, you should have at least two A-levels (or international equivalent) or a Level 3 qualification. Learners without any prior qualifications must have at least two years’ experience in a business environment.

For individual advice contact our customer services team or telephone them on +44 (0)1780 756777. For members in Southern Africa please contact our South Africa team on +27 12 345 6177. 

Your current qualifications and experience may allow you to benefit from one or more exemptions. This means that you will not need to study some units or even a level of some of our qualifications.

Further details on exemptions are available here.

CIPS is committed to continuous development and need to ensure qualifications remain fit for purpose and suit the needs of an evolving and dynamic profession.

Additionally, as an awarding body we are regulated by Ofqual and it is a requirement for qualifications to be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain relevant to the sectors they represent and meet stakeholder needs.

The first consultation phase of an important project to review Levels 2-6 of the qualifications, the international qualifications and all assessment methods, has now been completed.

More than 5,000 stakeholders were invited to contribute via surveys, focus groups and one-to-one interviews including study centres globally, academics and assessors, employers across diverse sectors and current students.

The key findings were that we need to have a universal standard for all which is recognised in all countries in the world.

Due to this the main change from March 2013 is that the international certificate and international advanced certificate will cease and be replaced by a new ladder which will be the same for everyone around the world.

The replacement qualifications will have the same number of units as the current ones, so no students will need to sit extra assessments. Overall around 80% of the current content will remain unchanged and there will be around 20% new content developed.

Current students should not worry or change anything they are doing at the moment. Everything already achieved or in progress will be valid. We will inform and guide you if the changes affect you.

This page will be updated with further developments as the review progresses.

If you have any specific queries about the review please email qualifications.review@cips.org

Appeals

Our assessment appeals policy can be downloaded here. It applies to all forms of assessment against our units including examinations, work-based assessments and exemptions.

Should you wish to appeal against an assessment result, please click here to read the procedure guide, complete the appeal application form and send it to the assessment services team together with the fee.

Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration

CIPS has a responsibility to ensure all candidates have equal opportunities to reach their full potential. In some instances, candidates may require adjustments to the assessment process to give them an equal opportunity. Applications for Reasonable Adjustments should be made at least eight weeks prior to the date of the examination or assessment.

Candidates may apply for Special Consideration in instances that could not possibly be predicted. Such applications must be made within 14 days of the date of the examination or assessment. This also applies to candidates wishing to report any incident which may have affected their examination or assessment performance.

Before applying for Reasonable Adjustment or Special Consideration, please download and read the related policy document:

Reasonable adjustments and special consideration policy

Reasonable adjustments guidance and application form for candidates

Malpractice

The CIPS Malpractice Policy is detailed here. In addition there are the following CIPS guidance documents;

Examples of Malpractice

Plagiarism Guidance for Learners

We are committed to offering a high standard of service to all of our customers, including students, approved centres and assessors. We aim to provide a service that is:

• Consultative and responsive
• Open and informative
• Prompt and efficient
• Streamlined and manageable
• Cost effective

When you become a member through our qualification route, we aim to provide you with:

• Free and accurate information through relevant literature, this website and our programme handbooks
• Accurate information on subscription, exemption, and assessment fees prior to enrolment
• Supportive and confidential advice from an experienced team
• Acknowledgement of all enquiries within seven working days
• The outcome of your application for membership with six weeks
• Assessment dates and procedures
• Assessment results no more than ten weeks after the event
• Details of our Equal Opportunities policy, Complaints Procedure and Appeals Procedure

Equal Opportunities Policy

CIPS has responsibilities under the Equal Opportunities Act, Disability Discrimination Act and the Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulator regulations to ensure all its candidates have equal opportunities to reach their full potential. This means 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. Our equal opportunities policy can be downloaded here.

Fees and Invoicing Policy

Every effort is made to ensure learners have access to clear information about fees and payment, and are offered a variety of payment methods.  The Fees and Invoicing Policy can be downloaded here.

Issues with Study Centres

If you have a complaint which concerns an issue within the control of a study centre, you should complain to that study centre in the first instance and copy any correspondence relating to the matter to CIPS Networks Manager, at the registered office at Easton House, Easton on the Hill, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 3NZ. E-mail enm@cips.org

If, having been through a study centre’s complaints or grievance procedure, the matter remains unresolved, we may consider, if it is appropriate, intervening on your behalf.

Issues with CIPS

If you wish to raise a complaint relating to our work you should notify the CIPS Awarding Body Manager in writing within two weeks of the alleged incident.

You will be sent an acknowledgement letter within one week and we will investigate the complaint, and communicate its findings to you in writing. Wherever possible, this will be completed within one month of the date the complaint was received.

If the matter is not resolved, we will undertake further investigations, including, where necessary arranging for an independent review of the case.

For general help and advice:

Customer service advisers
Tel: +44(0)1780 756777
E-mail: customer.services@cips.org

For qualifications, examinations, assessment, appeals, reasonable adjustment/special consideration:

Assessment Services Team
Tel: +44(0)1780 756777
E-mail: assessment.team@cips.org

For enquires about quality issues relating to our assessments or for independent appeals:

Qualifications Team
Tel: +44(0)1780 756777
E-mail: eat@cips.org

If you are not happy with any element of the customer service you received:

Customer Service Manager
Tel: +44(0)1780 756777
E-mail: john.ohanlon@cips.org