CIPS Advanced Certificate in Procurement & Supply Operations Level 3

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply is the most prominent professional body for those who are developing a career in procurement.

This qualification is designed for those in an operational role who need the capability to carry out procurement and supply tasks.  You will develop the knowledge to understand demand management, arrange supply logistics and implement new contracts.

Why come to Blackburn College?

• Centre of Excellence CIPS Study Centre, the top grade awarded by independent auditors
• Teacher trained, CIPS qualified & Sector specific qualified tutors
• Purpose built facilities for CIPS business training
• Small class sizes (max. 15 students) delivered in Blackburn, Lancashire
• Renowned for providing an excellent student experience with an emphasis on pastoral care throughout
• Bespoke workbooks to enhance learning
• Revision sessions
• Private exam centre on college site
• 24/7 access to learner materials through Moodle

 

Typically, this course would be suitable for the following titles:

• Administrator
• Assistant buyer
• Assistant contract officer
• Contract analyst
• Stock / inventory controller / planner

 

The course tuition fee is £1,850 per year (or you may opt to pay modularly at £370 per module) excluding exam fees and registration fees (CIPS Registration fees are paid directly to CIPS).    Direct Debit options may be available - contact us for information.  

Objective Response exams are priced at £80 each and are payable to Blackburn College at enrolment (£400 in total) or you may opt to pay these separately approximately 2 months before the start of each module – please confirm upon enrolment how you wish to proceed in this regard. 

This course is also available for Advanced Learner Loan funding.  Details available at https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan/overview.  The maximum value of the loan is £1,265 therefore an additional payment of £585 tuition + £400 exam fees (£985) is required to cover the remainder of our fees upon booking.     This option is NOT available if you are paying for the course modularly or if your employer is funding the course.  

Government Lifetime Skills Fund:  The Diploma element of this course is eligible for funding.  From April 2021, any adult aged 19 and over who wants to achieve their first full level 3 qualification, which is equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or 2 full A levels, will be able to access this course fully funded by the Government, subject to meeting the criteria:

• You have not completed a level 3 course previously in any subject
• You are over the age of 19
• You are not already studying this course

Please contact us before completing any documentation, including your full name, date of birth, age, student number or ULN (if you know it) and post code so we can assess your eligibility for the funding.

L3M1   Procurement and Supply Environments

• Know the different sectors of procurement and supply 
• Understand types of pricing arrangements in commercial agreements 
• Know the external environment and its impact on procurement and supply
• Understand procedures that regulate procurement and supply

L3M3   Contract Administration

• Explain administrative processes behind contract development
• Measure contract performance
• Identify how to achieve competitive pricing
• Describe how effective tendering is achieved

L4M4   Team Dynamics & Change    

• Identify the influence that people and teams have on procurement & supply success
• Recognise the challenges associated with and methods to achieve organisational change

L3M5   Socially Responsible Procurement

• Explain the concepts and implications of sustainability and corporate social responsibility
• Recognise the potential environmental impact of procurement and supply operations

L3M2   Ethical Procurement and Supply

• Identify the significance of ethics for procurement and supply
• Define each stage of the sourcing process
• Explain how operational performance can be measured and improved in support of value added operations

A detailed course content can be found at this link:  http://www.cips.org/Qualifications/About-CIPS-Qualifications/Advanced-Certificate-in-Procurement-and-Supply-Operations/. 

TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS FROM 2013 – 2018 SYLLABUS:  If you are a progressing/continuing student who has completed various units under the 2013 syllabus but you are unsure of the modules you require to complete your qualification under the new 2018 syllabus, use the Transfer Tool on the CIPS website at this link:  https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4619798/CIPS-Qualifications-2018-Your-Transfer-Information.

You don't need any prior experience or qualifications to start your studies at this stage however we would recommend that students who have little or no procurement experience attend our Buying for Beginners introductory course as a pre-cursor.

Objective Response exams are priced at £80 each and are payable to Blackburn College at enrolment (£400 in total) or you may opt to pay these separately approximately 2 months before the start of each module – please confirm upon enrolment how you wish to proceed in this regard.   These exams are usually 1.5 hours to 2 hours in duration and are usually 6 credits.

Once you have been awarded a place on the course, you will need to become a member of CIPS (fees payable directly to CIPS):  https://www.cips.org/en-gb/membership/cips-membership/.  Current cost approx. £187 (subject to change).

Text books are available in our library or alternatively can be purchased from the CIPS bookshop: http://www.cips.org/en/book-shop/CIPSProfexStudySets/ 

The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, laboratories and workshops, library and skills labs, art and photography studios, small group and quiet zones. Learning methods will vary according to the programme of study but will include lectures and group tutorials. In addition, seminars, field trips, work placements, role play or scenario activities, laboratory and workshop practical, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions and debates all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject specific skills and knowledge and the development of transferable and employment related skills.

You should typically expect to have around 15 contact hours per week if you are studying full time.

In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor.  

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.  The team could include senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.  You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

You can progress onto CIPS Level 4 Diploma in in Procurement & Supply once you have successfully completed your studies.

For more information about this course, contact our specialist team on 01254 29 25 00 or email business@blackburn.ac.uk