CIPS Level 6
Professional Diploma in
Procurement and Supply Operations
About this course:
The Level 6 Professional Diploma is designed to expand on the knowledge and understanding gained through the studying the Level 5 Advanced Diploma. With content intended to develop transferable skills and strategic knowledge and leadership skills – the Level 6 qualification is developed with the requirements of employers in mind. This qualification will draw you closer to achieving the prestigious MCIPS status, to benefit both your professional reputation and your salary.
Flexible Start Dates and Study Schedule
Average Completion Time of 12 months
Unlimited Study and Exam Support Package
Access your Course via Online Material
Facts at Your Fingertips
Important information about the CIPS 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Operations
Start Date
Begin your course as soon as you wish
Average Completion Time
12 - 15 months
Material Format
A combination of CIPS approved E-book material and online resources via the DLC Learning Hub
Support Package
Unlimited award winning support package. Click here to find out more
Support Period
24 months
Study Schedule
Flexible to fit around you
Assessment
All exams for this qualification are computer-based. You will be required to complete a mix of Objective Response and Constructed Response exams, 1 exam required to be completed per unit.
Credits Required
60 Credits
Is this course right for me?
For those who have completed the Level 5 Advanced Diploma, this qualification represents the final level of study for the CIPS qualifications for those working towards MCIPS.
You must have completed a CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply.
Material and support are provided online and via e-book, therefore you must have access to the internet.
We recommend speaking with one of our course advisors to make sure this is the right course for you.
Your Payment Options
Our course packages are high quality, and great value. We have a range of payment options available to suit every learner.
£2710.00 (inc vat)
Immediate Course Start
Choose to pay for your course upfront and benefit from zero delay in your course start, or study progression rate
£2710.00 (inc vat)
Deposit Payment £813.00
Monthly Payments 10 x £189.70
Available for self-funded learners only
Bespoke Fee
Receive up to 20% discount
Become part of the DLC Business Rewards Club and you’ll receive discounted course fees and a host of other benefits
Additional fees for CIPS Membership and Examinations. Click here for the pricing structure.
If you’d like to discuss an alternative payment plan, schedule a call with our Course Advisory team here
What will I study?
The course comprises of FOUR core units and your choice of THREE elective units, totalling 60 credits.
Core Mandatory Units of Study - 42 Credits
This unit is worth 12 credits
Globalisation and the ever changing markets in which organisations operate require effective leaders who are able to think and act in a strategic manner. This is particularly true for those who lead the procurement and supply function ensuring that it makes a positive contribution to overall organisational success. Strategic Leadership is the ability to make and communicate decisions that enhance the prospects for the organisation’s long-term success while maintaining long-term financial stability.
This module is designed for those professionals who are expected to deliver effective and efficient procurement and supply. It emphasises the leadership skills and behaviours required for the achievement of the objectives and improvements sought by the organisation and enables students to understand the influence that ethical practices and standards have to play in their decision making.
This unit is worth 12 credits
One of the significant impacts of globalisation has been a marked increase in the complexity of the supply chain and associated networks. These challenges require procurement and supply leaders to develop and lead modern day supply chains and understand the vital role that they have in the overall success of corporate and business strategy.
This module is designed for such professionals as it focuses on the development, implementation, monitoring and optimisation of global supply chains and on the strategic influence of such chains on the achievement of competitive advantage.
This unit is worth 12 credits
The global agenda is becoming more and more prevalent in organisational success. As organisations increase overseas development, investment and sourcing, business leaders are called upon to formulate and implement global commercial strategies.
This module is designed for professional procurement and supply chain leaders and takes as its focus the development; configuration and implementation of global commercial strategy to enable such leaders to help organisations achieve competitive advantage.
This unit is worth 6 credits
The volatile global environment poses a threat to traditional concepts of international trade and presents strategic challenges to the procurement and supply function and profession. Strategic procurement and supply leaders require knowledge of the present challenges for their function and profession, and must be able to look ahead to prepare themselves for the future strategic challenges that they will undoubtedly be faced with.
This final module for those learners studying on the CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply is designed to challenge professional procurement and supply leaders to look ahead and to identify and consider ways to address the future strategic challenges that they and their professionals will face.
Elective Units of Study - 18 Credits
This unit is worth 6 credits
Major programmes are a key element in any organisational strategy, hence the successful leadership of them is a significant contributor to overall success.
This module is designed for those procurement and supply professionals who will be expected to develop and lead the implementation and monitoring of contracts from the strategic standpoint requiring a practical knowledge of the associated issues and approaches to programme and project control.
This unit is worth 6 credits
To support organisational success procurement and supply has a significant role to play in influencing strategic suppliers to adopt innovative approaches and to continue to develop. Professional procurement and supply leaders are therefore expected to identify areas which offer the opportunity to improve and innovate and to lead and implement the associated processes.
This module is designed for procurement and supply leaders who require a clear knowledge of tools and techniques available to them to achieve improvement and innovation as well as an appreciation of the environmental factors which affect such initiatives.
This unit is worth 6 credits
Until recently big data was seen as a technical issue that had to be addressed; however, organisations now view it as a business opportunity that can significantly contribute to competitive advantage and are now exploiting big data in all of its forms to discover facts that they did not know before. Given this propensity for data and the associated gathering and storage activity, supply chain cyber security is now a key requirement.
This module is designed for procurement and supply leaders who require clear knowledge of the concept of big data and of the impact of data integrity and cyber security.
This unit is worth 6 credits
Organisations are part of an interconnected network of other businesses and organisations; termed as the supply network.
At a strategic level the design and leadership of such networks is crucial to the effectiveness and efficiency of the associated supply chains, it is the operations processes which form a fundamental element of an organisation’s strategic advantage. If materials and/ or information are to flow smoothly through the supply network and add value as a result, effective resource planning and control are essential.
This module is designed for procurement and supply leaders who require knowledge and understanding of the strategic supply network concepts, its configuration and influence and be able to assess the impact of operational strategy and resource planning and control.
This unit is worth 6 credits
Globalisation generates significant opportunities as well as increased risks for organisations. This means that global logistics strategy, the flow of resources and information between a business or source and the consumer is regarded as a key element of organisational success. Personnel responsible for leading and developing global logistics strategy are seen as significant contributors to competitive advantage and overall business success.
This module is designed for procurement and supply leaders who are responsible for global logistics strategy who require knowledge and understanding of the associated challenges, governance and requirements for successful strategic implementation.
Your CIPS Exams
Each Level 6 unit is assessed by a single exam, 4 by multiple choice (Objective Response) and 3 by essay based (Constructive Response) examination.
You can choose whether to sit your exams online using CIPS remote invigilation, or in person at a CIPS examination centre. We can support you in deciding which option is best for you, and you’ll pay CIPS a fee for each exam.
There are 4 examination sessions each year*;
March, May, July, November
*You can sit multiple exams in one session, providing the scheduled time of these exams do not overlap
You will have the opportunity to speak with your study support advisor about your planned examination dates to ensure we can provide you with the right support you require in the timescale you need it.
| Unit | Assessment Type | Credits | Exam Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Ethical Leadership | CR | 12 | 3 Hours |
| Global Commercial Strategy | CR | 12 | 3 Hours |
| Global Strategic Supply Chain Management | CR | 12 | 3 Hours |
| Future Strategic Challenges for the Profession | CR | 6 | 2 Hours |
| Strategic Programme Leadership | OR | 6 | 1.5 Hours |
| Commercial Data Management | OR | 6 | 1.5 Hours |
| Innovation in Procurement and Supply | OR | 6 | 1.5 Hours |
| Supply Network Design | OR | 6 | 1.5 Hours |
| Global Logistics Strategy | OR | 6 | 1.5 Hours |
| Mergers and Acquisitions in the Supply Chain | OR | 3 | 1 Hour |
| Strategic Procurement of Services | OR | 3 | 1 Hour |
| Strategic Diversity Management in the Supply Chain | OR | 3 | 1 Hour |
Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
250 hours
Self-Study Requirement (SSR)
335 hours
Assessment Time
15 hours
Total Qualification Time (TQT)
600 hours
Level 6 is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree