The Procurement Academy | Procurement and Supply Chain Training | CIPS Qualifications | Procurement Apprenticeships

Choose how you study

• CIPS Level 5 in Leeds: classroom study at Novotel Leeds, four minutes' walk from Leeds station with an onsite car park, with Dr Paul Wright MCIPS.


• CIPS Level 5 in Nottingham: classroom study at Leonardo's Hotel, two minutes from Nottingham station, with Mike Donnelly FCIPS.


• CIPS Level 5 online: live, tutor-led sessions on Zoom with Dr Paul Wright MCIPS, which you can join from anywhere.

Study days run from 09:30 to 15:30. Classes are small, so there's plenty of time for discussion and questions.

How the course works

The course runs over 14 months, with 15 tutor-led study days in total. It's built around the CIPS exam series, with three study days before each set of exams, spread over six to eight weeks:

1. Study days one and two cover the learning outcomes in depth, using real procurement examples.


2. Study day three is for revision and exam preparation, including how to answer CIPS questions at Level 5.


3. You then sit the CIPS exam, with your next block of study days to follow.

Between study days you have our Google Classroom, with revision and study resources, and your tutor supports you throughout the course. The timetable is designed for people in demanding jobs, and most of our learners study alongside full-time work.

Who the course is for

Level 5 is for people who have completed the CIPS Level 4 Diploma and are ready to take on more responsibility, such as senior buyers, category managers, contract managers and procurement team leaders. If you hold another relevant qualification, you may be able to claim exemptions, so ask us before you enrol.

The Advanced Diploma sits at the same level as the second year of an undergraduate degree. When you complete it, you become an Associate Member of CIPS and can move on to Level 6.

What you'll study

You study five core modules and three electives, worth 60 credits in total. With us, you study:

• L5M1 Managing Teams and Individuals (core)


• L5M2 Managing Supply Chain Risk (core)


• L5M3 Managing Contractual Risk (core)


• L5M4 Advanced Contract and Financial Management (core)


• L5M5 Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (core)


• L5M6 Category Management (elective)


• L5M7 Achieving Competitive Advantage Through the Supply Chain (elective)


• L5M8 Project and Change Management (elective)

You sit two three-hour written exams, with a pass mark of 50%, and six 90-minute multiple choice exams, with a pass mark of 70%.

Your tutors

Both of our Level 5 tutors are Chartered and bring senior procurement experience into every session.

• Dr Paul Wright MCIPS teaches in Leeds and online. He has worked across the public and private sectors, co-wrote Excellence in Public Sector Procurement, and marks CIPS exams as a CIPS Direct Associate.


• Mike Donnelly FCIPS teaches in Nottingham. A former Chief Procurement Officer at Shell, he has led teams of more than 480 people across 35 countries and managed annual spend of $5.4bn.

Start dates

New groups start in January, March, June and September. You'll find the full timetable on each location page.

What our learners say

"The Procurement Academy has made the journey toward achieving MCIPS a pleasure. Evidenced by my 100% pass rate to date of both CIPS Level 4 Diploma, and CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma."

Sophie Morgan, Together Housing

"I have been studying with the Procurement Academy for the past three years and have successfully passed all of my exams on the first attempt."

Kym Wood, SSE

For employers

Level 5 is a strong development step for the people who will lead your procurement team. We regularly train groups from the same organisation, and our online option suits teams spread across different sites. We've trained teams at the NHS, DfE, DHSC, Barclays, Burberry, DB Cargo and JN Bentley, and we're a Crown Commercial Service supplier.

Fees

Your quote shows tuition, exam fees and books as separate lines, so you can see exactly what you're paying for. You'll also need CIPS membership before you sit your exams. Ask us for a Level 5 quote.

Ready to start? Request a brochure using the button on this page, enrol now or get in touch to talk it through.

CIPS Level 5 course FAQs

How long is the CIPS Level 5 course?

Our course runs over 14 months, with 15 tutor-led study days. CIPS suggests allowing 12 to 15 months for the Advanced Diploma.

Do I need CIPS Level 4 before Level 5?

Yes, Level 5 follows on from the CIPS Level 4 Diploma. If you hold another relevant qualification, you may be able to claim exemptions, so ask us before you enrol.

Which Level 5 electives do you teach?

We teach Category Management, Achieving Competitive Advantage Through the Supply Chain, and Project and Change Management, alongside the five core modules.

Can I study CIPS Level 5 online?

Yes. Our online course is live and tutor-led on Zoom, with the same study days, materials and support as the classroom course.

What comes after CIPS Level 5?

You become an Associate Member of CIPS and can move on to the Level 6 Professional Diploma, which leads to MCIPS Chartered status.