Diploma in Procurement and Supply

Unit content guideA valuable management tool for those moving into junior and middle management procurement roles or those supervising the procurement function. It focusses on organisational procedures and processes including negotiation, planning, risk management and data analysis.

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 or by downloading a membership form. You can then book your examinations online or complete an enrolment form.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This qualification is currently being reviewed and an updated syllabus will be available by the end of January 2019. Your first opportunity to take an exam on the updated syllabus will be in July 2019.

The last opportunity to take an exam on this syllabus will be in May 2019, there will be no resit opportunities. 

It is important that you don't delay your studies as everything that you complete will count towards the updated syllabus.

To make sure you stay fully up to date check our qualifications review web page. 

    Entry requirements

    This is the highest entry point to our diploma level qualifications and requires a minimum of at least two A-levels (or international equivalent) or a CIPS Advanced Certificate qualification. Alternatively you need a minimum of two years' experience in a business environment.

    Typical job titles:

    • Buyer
    • Procurement / purchasing executive
    • Procurement specialist
    • Contract officer
    • Supply chain / inventory / logistics analyst
    • Supply chain / inventory / logistics planner

    Core skills upon completion of this qualification
    Provision of advice and guidance to key stakeholders on the performance of organisational procedures and processes in procurement and supply.

    Units

    Unit Title: CIPS Reference: Guided
    Learning Hours:
    Contexts of procurement and supply
    		 D1 50
    Business needs in procurement and supply
    		 D2 50
    Sourcing in procurement and supply
    		 D3 50
    Negotiating and contracting in procurement and supply
    		 D4 50
    Managing contracts and relationships in procurement and supply
    		 D5 50

     

    For information about the learning outcomes for each unit, please see the unit content guide.

    Unit exemptions may be granted depending on your prior certified learning. Find out more about how to apply for exemptions.

    Examinations

    CIPS examinations for qualifications units are hand written and paper-based.

    The following principles are adhered to when CIPS exam papers are developed:

    • The unit content will be assessed through the use of the learning outcomes (LOs), and parts thereof, published within the unit content guides. All LOs will be assessed within every assessment.
    • All LOs within a unit are weighted equally. The coverage of each LO within an assessment is equally weighted.
    • All questions within an assessment are compulsory. There are no optional questions. All assessments are marked out of 100%.
    • The standard of the assessment is set by the LOs within the unit content.

     

    Unit Exam format (3 hours). Pass mark 50%
    D1
    Contexts    		 Four exam questions each worth 25 marks, each testing a different learning outcome.
    D2
    Business needs    		 Four exam questions each worth 25 marks, each testing a different learning outcome.
    D3
    Sourcing    		 Unseen case of around 500 words and five questions each worth 20 marks, each testing a different learning outcome. Questions should be answered within the context of the case.
    D4
    Negotiating and contracting    		 Four exam questions each worth 25 marks, each testing a different learning outcome.
    D5
    Managing contracts and relationships    		 Four exam questions each worth 25 marks, each testing a different learning outcome.

     

    Examination pass marks:

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

     

    For information about the learning outcomes for each unit, please see the unit content guide.

    Specification

    The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Level 4 Diploma in procurement and supply is a vocationally related qualification. It is recognised by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual), CCEA and Qualifications Wales in the UK and appears on the Register of Regulated Qualifications.

    The qualification accreditation number is 600/6858/9.

    View full specification.

    Next steps

    Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply

    Following succesful completion of the Level 4 Diploma, you will be upgraded to Diploma membership grade.

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