Demonstrate professionalism and skills as a leader
This qualification will help you to make a real impact in your career. It will take you all the way on your professional journey to becoming MCIPS Chartered. Based on the Professional level of our Global Standard, it’s recognised by employers world-wide for producing competent and confident procurement and supply professionals.
Start your CIPS journey today
Join as a Student member and begin with one of our Level 2, 3 or 4 entry qualifications.
The syllabus
The qualification is worth 60 credits and you'll need to pass each exam to achieve the award.
What are credits?
Credits are a way of quantifying the number of study hours you'll need to complete the qualification. We suggest that for each credit you should plan to dedicate 10 hours of study time. For example a 12 credit module you should plan for 120 hours studying and taking the exam. Four core modules make up 42 of the required credits.
Three elective modules will make 18 of the remaining credits.
Select a module below for more information:
Choose three elective modules to make up the final remaining 18 credits:
Frequently asked questions
Everyone learns at a different pace, and you’ll have your own personal circumstances to consider before deciding to start a qualification. Our approach to your learning is completely flexible, we won’t set a start or end date for your first exam, simply book your exam when you’re ready! Our exams are available five times a year, March, May, July, September (OR exams only) and November and you’ll be able to enter for these exams up to eight weeks before, giving you lots of time to study. Take a look at the typical amounts of time required to achieve this qualification below.
The Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 600 hours, this indicates the overall number of guided learning hours, additional self-study and assessment time that is required.
TQT consists of the following:
- Guided learning time is 250 hours
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 learning centres and workshops. - Self-study requirement is 335 hours
Additionally, we recommend that you also commit to at least 335 SSR hours. This includes wider reading of the subject areas and revision to give yourself the best preparation for successfully achieving the qualification. - Total exam time is 15 hours
All the modules in CIPS qualifications are assessed by computer-based exams.
We have lots of study and exam resources for you to prepare for exams. This includes study guides, eBooks, eLearning and eRevision. As well as links to our Intelligence Hub for knowledge and guidance linked to learning outcomes in the syllabus. There are also lots of freely available exam resources along with sample exam questions and answers and marker reports.
Find your Level 6 Professional Diploma Study Resources
Useful Links
CIPS qualifications are regulated internationally to ensure we offer a recognised, professional standard in procurement and supply. CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply 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), Dubai, Trinidad & Tobago, Bahrain, Botswana and Ghana. 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: 603/3926/3.
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