CIPS Level 6 – Professional Diploma in Procurement & Supply (Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply)

Who is the course for?

The Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement & Supply from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply is the highest level CIPS qualification offered at University Centre at Blackburn College. If you’re studying on the course you’ll more than likely be working in a role where you’ll be practicing at a high level and making demanding purchasing and supply decisions on a daily basis. Indeed, you may be working in a specialist Purchasing and Supply role.

Aimed at senior procurement professionals and heads of department, it is targeted at building strategic procurement competence, giving managers the ability to formulate strategic direction and advice, in terms of change management, stakeholder management and team leadership.

What will I study?

At this higher level, you’ll be able to: equip purchasers to understand and respond to the changing purchasing and supply environment; enable organisations to be more effective and competitive through purchasing activities; enable purchasers to be effective leaders and managers within the supply chain; enable purchasers to be innovative, creative and competitive in terms of the specifications they develop; manage and develop sustainable supplier relationships; measure and improve supply chain performance; analyse, assess, manage and mitigate against risk; develop and manage legal, contractual arrangements associated with purchasing and supply.

During the course you’ll study five units and you’ll build on all the skills you’ve already learnt at Levels 4 or 5 in the CIPS suite of qualifications. You’ll build skills particularly in the key areas of Finance, Strategy, Legal aspects and leading and influencing Supply and Purchase decisions.

There will be two intakes for this level, September and January. Specific modules are:

Module 1
Legal Aspects in Procurement & Supply (UK)

Module 2
Leadership in Procurement & Supply

Module 3
Corporate & Business Strategy �

Module 4
Strategic Supply Chain Management

Module 5
Supply Chain Diligence/Project & Programme Management

How will the course be delivered?

The course will be delivered in the University Centre on the main campus in Blackburn.

Detailed course content can be found at this link: http://www.cips.org/en-GB/Qualifications/Qualifications-review-2013/ or we can email it to you in PDF form by request.

Once you have been awarded a place, you will, in due course, need to complete the CIPS Registration Membership document and this can be found at: http://www.cips.org/membership/joinonline. This needs to be submitted directly to CIPS with the registration fees which are also detailed (You can also register online at this link).

If you have completed some CIPS modules already and are unsure where to start, please contact the course leader Mike Keane – m.keane@blackburn.ac.uk or alternatively contact CIPS directly (www.cips.org) who will be able to advise you.

Course Entry Criteria

You will already have completed the Level 4 and Level 5 diplomas in the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply range of qualifications.

The college operates a no refunds policy as detailed below. Cancellations and transfer requests are subject to the following conditions:

• More than 4 weeks notice – no charge
• 4 weeks notice – 30% of the cost
• 2-3 weeks notice – 50% of the cost
• 1-2 weeks notice – 75% of the cost
• Less than 1 weeks notice – 100% of the cost

All cancellations must be made in writing and are subject to a £10 administration charge. The full fee’s policy is available on request.

What will I get at the end of the course?

You will receive a Level 6 Professional Diploma in Purchasing & Supply from CIPS.

What can I do next?

Graduates continue to progress in their careers in purchasing with the prospect of achieving high level management positions. Successful completion of this level will lead to the award of MCIPs providing you have at least three years procurement experience.

How much does it cost?

The course fee is £2,125* per year (excluding exam fees and registration fees, which are paid directly to CIPS).