CIPS Graduate Diploma

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The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) is the professional body for those wishing to develop a career in purchasing.

The CIPS Graduate Diploma in Purchasing & Supply is an honours degree equivalent qualification at NVQ Level 6. It is designed for anyone operating in purchasing and supply chain management wishing to gain professional recognition and a transferable business qualification.

To obtain the Graduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply students are required to study Levels 4, 5 and 6 (although some students may have exemptions). Successful completion of this programme, together with three years’ relevant work experience, leads to full membership of the Institute and the use of the designation MCIPS.

The full qualification comprises a minimum of 15 individual study units as detailed below. Some of the units are compulsory, while others are optional. Please note that it is likely that, in time, further optional units may be added.

The syllabus is as follows:

Level 4 – Foundational Diploma in Purchasing & Supply

The following units are compulsory:

• Effective Negotiation in Purchasing & Supply [L4-01]
• Developing Contracts in Purchasing & Supply [L4-02]
• Measuring Purchasing Performance [L4-03]
• Managing Purchasing & Supply Relationships [L4-04]
• Purchasing Contexts [L4-05 – the integrative unit]

The above can be studied in any order, although it is recommended that the integrative unit is taken last.

Level 5 – Advanced Diploma in Purchasing & Supply

The following units are compulsory.

• Management in the Purchasing Function [L5-01]
• Risk Management and Supply Chain Vulnerability [L5-02]
• Improving Supply Chain Performance [L5-03 – the integrative unit]

In addition, you are required to select two of the following optional units:

• Marketing for Purchasers [L5-04]
• Storage and Distribution [L5-05]
• Operations Management in the Supply Chain [L5-06]

The above can be studied in any order, although it is recommended that the integrative unit is taken last.

Level 6 – Graduate Diploma in Purchasing & Supply

The following units are compulsory:

• Leading & Influencing in Purchasing [L6-01]
• Strategic Supply Chain Management [L6-02]
• Supply Chain Management in Practice [L6-03 – the integrative unit]

In addition, you are required to select two of the following optional units:

• Legal Aspects in Purchasing & Supply [L6-04]
• Advanced Project Management [L6-05]
• Finance for Purchasers [L6-06]

The above can be studied in any order, although it is recommended that the integrative unit is taken last.