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

Choose how you study

• CIPS Level 6 in Leeds: classroom study at Novotel Leeds, four minutes' walk from Leeds station, with an onsite car park.


• CIPS Level 6 in Nottingham (opening soon): classroom study at Leonardo's Hotel, two minutes from Nottingham station, with Mike Donnelly FCIPS. Register your interest.


• CIPS Level 6 online: live, tutor-led sessions in a virtual classroom, which you can join from anywhere with no travel.

Study days run from 09:30 to around 15:30. Classes are small and discussion-based, so you learn from other senior professionals as well as your tutor.

How the course works

The course runs over 14 months, with 16 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 full, with discussion of real strategic challenges.


2. Study day three is for revision and exam preparation, including how to answer CIPS questions at Level 6.


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 study materials and revision resources, and your tutor supports you throughout the course.

Who the course is for

Level 6 is for people who have completed the CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma and are working in, or moving towards, senior procurement and supply roles, such as heads of procurement, senior category managers and commercial managers. If you hold another relevant qualification, you may be able to claim exemptions, so ask us before you enrol.

What you'll study

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

• L6M1 Strategic Ethical Leadership (core)


• L6M2 Global Commercial Strategy (core)


• L6M3 Global Strategic Supply Chain Management (core)


• L6M4 Future Strategic Challenges for the Profession (core)


• L6M5 Strategic Programme Leadership (elective)


• L6M8 Innovation in Procurement and Supply (elective)


• L6M9 Supply Network Design (elective)

You sit four written exams (three of three hours and one of two hours), with a pass mark of 50%, and four 90-minute multiple choice exams, with a pass mark of 70%.

From Level 6 to MCIPS

Once you've completed the Level 6 Professional Diploma and have three years' relevant experience, you can apply to become MCIPS. You'll also need an up-to-date CIPS Ethics Certificate. Your experience builds up while you study, so many of our learners apply soon after finishing Level 6.

The Procurement Academy was founded by Mandy Chippindale FCIPS, the world's first Chartered Procurement Professional, so helping people achieve Chartered status is at the heart of what we do.

Your tutors

• Dr Paul Wright MCIPS teaches Level 6 in Leeds and online. He has worked across the public and private sectors, co-wrote Excellence in Public Sector Procurement, and marks CIPS assessments and exams as a CIPS Direct Associate, so he knows exactly what examiners look for at this level.


• Mike Donnelly FCIPS will teach the new Nottingham group. 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. We're confirming the first Nottingham start date now, so register your interest and we'll let you know. You'll find the full timetable on each location page.

What our learners say

"My tutor (Paul) is exceptionally knowledgeable on both private and public sector procurement legislation, processes and policy."

Sophie Morgan, Together Housing, now studying Level 6

"Paul, the tutor, is exceptionally organised and knowledgeable, consistently delivering the material through real-world scenarios."

Kym Wood, SSE

For employers

Level 6 develops the strategic leaders your procurement function needs, and MCIPS gives your organisation recognised professional credibility. We regularly train groups from the same organisation, in the classroom in Leeds and soon Nottingham, or online for teams spread across different sites. 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 6 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 6 course FAQs

How long is the CIPS Level 6 course?

Our course runs over 14 months, with 16 tutor-led study days. CIPS suggests allowing 12 to 15 months for the Professional Diploma.

Does CIPS Level 6 make me MCIPS?

Level 6 is the qualification you need for MCIPS. You also need three years' relevant experience and an up-to-date CIPS Ethics Certificate before you apply.

What is CIPS Level 6 equivalent to?

CIPS describes the Level 6 Professional Diploma as equivalent to an honours level degree.

Which Level 6 electives do you teach?

We teach Strategic Programme Leadership, Innovation in Procurement and Supply, and Supply Network Design, alongside the four core modules.

Where can I study CIPS Level 6 in the classroom?

In Leeds, at Novotel Leeds near the station. We're also opening a new Level 6 group in Nottingham, next to Nottingham station, so register your interest if that suits you better.

Can I study CIPS Level 6 online?

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