We are excited to announce the all new CIPS Level 6 “Environmental, Social & Governance Principles” study module. Here we give you an early insight to its content, how it will be examined and a timetable as to when you can expect it be available.
Content
CIPS has not introduced a new study module since its major syllabus revision in 2018 and so the launch of this new “Environmental, Social & Governance Principles” module is a welcome addition to the wider qualifications. It’s an elective module, so you don’t have to study it, but we think it is great addition to the CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma qualification. To keep things simple, let’s just call it the new ESG module, or L6M11 to give it its module code.
Like most other 6-credit OR modules, the ESG module will have three learning outcomes, covering:
The role and importance of developing an ESG culture in organisations and the impact it has on procurement and supply
Application of tools and techniques to address the challenges raised by ESG in supply chains
Application of ESG principles to the procurement and supply chain strategy in organisations.
You can find out more from this YouTube clip where Cordie Director Ian Thompson FCIPS provides a deeper dive into the content:
CIPS L6M11 ESG Principles Overview
Please do remember to like this clip! You can also subscribe to our Cordie YouTube channel to receive notifications and further updates about useful CIPS study clips.
The L6M11 Exam
Like all other CIPS Level 6 Objective Response exams, the L6M11 ESG module will be based on 60 multiple-choice questions evenly spread across the syllabus. The questions will be in the usual range of formats, including the two ‘cluster’ scenario questions that consume eight questions each.
Naturally, the new syllabus already starts to raise questions about the learning content and how it will be assessed. For example, Scope 3 Emissions are specified in Learning Outcome 3.0 but it is unclear whether this means that Scope 1 and 2 emissions will not be assessed.
Cordie tutors are following the development of this module closely and you can expect the normal high-quality Cordie teaching to follow. Cordie regularly achieves over 90% exam pass-rates, and in some Level 6 elective modules we achieve a 100% pass-rate!
Timetable for Release
CIPS will be launching its L6M11 officially on 31 July 2025 with the study materials and study guide to follow on at some point in August/September 2025.
The first L6M11 exam will be available to be sat in the March 2026 exam series, after which it will be available every second month through the normal diet of CIPS OR exams (May, July, September, November, January and March).
Cordie warmly welcomes the arrival of this new study module. We will definitely be integrating it into our 2026 timetable - which is due to be published later this month.