CIPS Level 2* Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations

Come away with a clear knowledge and understanding of facts, procedures and processes related to procurement and supply. You will be able to effectively interpret information and ideas, and learn how to identify, gather and use relevant information.

Joining a CIPS qualification programme means you will join the largest Institute in the world for those working in procurement and supply. You can join as a member online today. Once you've become a CIPS member you can book your examinations online.

What can CIPS qualifications do for your career?

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

Typical job titles:

• Administrative assistant
• Purchasing assistant
• Contracts administrator
• Stock controller
• Merchandiser

Core skills upon completion of this qualification
You will be able to recognise and describe the key transactional processes of procurement and supply.

View other CIPS qualifications:

You are required to complete 18 credits to achieve this qualification.

What are credits? Each module is given a credit value of 3 or 6 credits. To complete a qualification you must complete the required number of credits to achieve the award.

Five CORE modules make up the required 18 credits

Select a module below for more information:

CIPS Level 2* Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations is a vocationally related professional qualification. Formal recognition is included within the regulatory frameworks of an increasing number of countries such as the UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), UAE (including Dubai) and Africa (including Zambia). Further information on this recognition and the details of corresponding qualifications levels for other international qualifications frameworks are detailed here. 

The qualification accreditation number is Ref: 603/3282/7.

View full specification.

Everyone learns at a different pace and as individuals we all have our own personal circumstances to consider when starting a qualification.

Before you start we strongly recommend that you contact one of our approved study centres for advice about different types of learning programmes available, and how long they take to complete.

Here are the typical amount of time required to achieve this qualification:

Your total qualification time (TQT) The TQT indicates the overall number of guided learning hours, additional self-study and assessment time that is required.
Guided learning hours (GLH) It is expected that you will undertake 120 GLH. The definition of guided learning hours is:‘A measure of the amount of input time required to achieve the qualification. This includes lectures, tutorials and practicals, as well as supervised study in, for example, learning centres and workshops’.
Self-study requirement (SSR) Additionally, we recommend that you also commit to at least 54 SSR hours. This includes wider reading of the subject areas and revision to give yourself the best preparation for successfully achieving the qualification, the assessment time per module, will be included within this.
Total exam time All the modules in CIPS qualifications are assessed by an examination. All the modules in CIPS qualifications are assessed by an examination.

The cost of studying for a qualification will vary depending on the level of support you need.

CIPS offers exams globally six time per year  in:

• January
• March
• May
• July
• September
• November

Use the online fee finder to select your country and the module(s) you plan to take for a cost guide. In addition to the CIPS exam fee an additional surcharge may be applied by the exam centre. Check with the exam centre for their fees.

Learning resources
To support your studies CIPS publishes a complete set of study guides with an optional ebook version (available from February 2019) and a suite of e-learning (available from February 2019) to compliment your learning for each module. Study Guides are available to buy online now.

All exams for this qualification are computer based and are available on a flexible timetable where you are able to choose your exam timeslot. 

The following principles are applied when we develop our exam papers:

• For each module we will examine your knowledge through the use of every learning outcome (LO) in the syllabus. These are published on this website and in the syllabus guide for each qualification.
• Using the learning resourses you can check your understanding of each LO.
• All LOs within a module will have the same amount of coverage and the exam questions are weighted equally.
• You must answer all questions within an exam, you can expect no optional questions. All exams are marked out of 100%. The standard of the exam is set by the LOs within the module content.

Exam format
The type of questions in this qualification are known as Objective Response, and they are all equally weighted. This means they are worth the same amount of marks. You will be required to select a response from a list of possible answers.

You will find these types of exams across all of our qualifications levels and they are marked by computer then moderated by CIPS examiners.

Exam pass mark for all modules
You must achieve 70% for each LO within the exam to pass.

Sample exam papers

• Introducing Procurement and Supply [L2M1]
• Procurement and Supply Operations [L2M2]
• Stakeholder Relationships [L2M3]
• Systems Technology [L2M4]
• Inventory, Logistics and Expediting [L2M5]

For each of our qualifications you will find supporting study resources. Each module has a study guides available in hard copy and as an eBook (available from February 2019), elearning (available from February 2019) and any other further recommended reading to deepen your knowledge. 

All of these learning materials have been produced together to mix up the way learning is delivered and to improve your overall experience.

Other resources which all form part of your membership benefits will also provide further support and includes:

CIPS Knowledge
Access a wealth of expertise, experience, knowledge and resources, including guidelines, white papers, tools and templates.

Supply Management
This free online magazine includes latest news, job opportunities and current developments in procurement and supply.

Guidance on answering exam questions
Exam guidance documents to help to understand what assessors look for when marking exam papers.

Networking
Stay connected with other like-minded professionals 

Interested in studying the CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations?
CIPS has a network of over 190 approved study centres globally offering a range of flexible courses. Get in touch to talk about getting started.

 
Completed CIPS Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations?
Progress to the CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations or CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply, depending upon your experience.

If you are currently studying for this qualification don't stop or delay your studies here are some simple tips for you to follow:

1. The qualification title has stayed the same.
2. We will automatically transfer any successfully completed units in the 2013 syllabus and your updated qualifications plan will show this in your MyCIPS account in February 2019.
3. You will never be expected to repeat learning already achieved.
4. You will be expected to complete the required number of credits to complete the award.
5. What will the transfer look like from 2013 to 2018 qualifications syllabus?
6. Anyone who has passed exams or has been awarded exemptions on 2013 syllabus will be given credits for subjects within the updated 2018 syllabus.

Here's a quick online guide to find out what your transfer will look like.

Download transfer arrangements table for CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations.