Understanding the answer to this question about CIPS exams could save you so much time and heartache! Last week, one of our retail students asked whether they could start their CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma studies before they had passed all of their CIPS Level 4 Diploma exams.
This is all about the ‘progression rules’ within the CIPS qualifications.
The levels of CIPS qualification indicate separate qualifications. In effect, there is a ‘ladder’ of qualifications that progress with increasingly complex educational standards through operational, managerial and strategic levels.
However, while it is often helpful to start at the beginning and work your way up, this isn’t always the most practical solution - and you certainly do not have to!
WHERE DO I START?
All CIPS students must start at least at Level 4 (or lower) and then progress upwards. You can stop or pause at any point along the journey, however you only get entitled to use the MCIPS designatory letters once you have completed the CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement & Supply.
In effect, most CIPS students end up studying three separate qualifications across Levels 4, 5 and 6 and so they receive three professional qualifications en route to becoming chartered.
HOW MANY EXAMS IS THAT?
There are eight exams at Level 4 and also at Level 5. Two of these exams involve writing computer-based essays, whereas the other exams are multiple-choice. Once you get to Level 6 there are seven exams to complete.
This means the full study journey from Level 4 to Level 6 can take 3-4 years, or possibly longer if you take time-out along the way.
CAN I FAST-TRACK THIS?
Some students like to explore ways of speeding up the learning journey. While it is certainly possible to take several exams in one week, it must be recognised that this can place a burden on the learner, particularly if they are also employed in a full-time professional procurement job.
CIPS has recently announced that it is increasing the number of exam sittings a year to help students progress with their studies. You can read more here about how Cordie is opening up its exam centre more to support this.
One of the frustrations of students is the slow turnaround of exam results from CIPS (up to eight weeks for the essay-based exams) hence the question whether you can start a new Level before knowing your exam results from the previous.
While the answer is yes, it must be remembered that you cannot be awarded the higher level qualification if you haven’t previously passed the lower level (i.e. you need to pass Level 4 in order to be awarded Level 5, and so on).
PLANNING YOUR STUDY JOURNEY
The good news about being able to start Level 5 before you’ve officially completed Level 4, is that this means you can now “time-compress” some of your studies. It also means you can study similar subjects across both levels.
For example, the CIPS L4M3 “Commercial Contracting” study module has a lot of cross-over content with the L5M3 “Managing Contractual Risk” study module. Both modules study contract formation, contractual terms and liabilities.
This cross-over means that a learner studying both modules at the same time can reduce the risk of repetition and ‘streamline’ their studies. They may even find that CIPS has ‘copy and pasted’ some of the same exam questions between these two exams!
FIND OUT MORE
If you would like to find out more about how to complete your CIPS studies in the most effective and efficient manner, please do get in touch! You can use the contact form at the bottom of this page. We would love to hear from you.