How Much Does a CIPS Qualification Cost?

Roles in the Procurement and Supply sector are becoming increasingly popular with professionals in search of a rewarding career with lots of room for progression.

It’s not surprising then that many are turning to professional qualifications from the highly respected Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply as a great way to prove to employers they have the high skills and knowledge expected in the role.

But if you’re interested in taking a CIPS qualification, how much do they actually cost? We decided to take a closer look at the subject to help you choose the best course for your needs.

What are CIPS Qualifications?

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply is one of the largest professional membership bodies for the procurement and supply industry, with over 118,000 members across the world.

Dedicated to promoting best practice in the industry, and providing a range of services to its members, CIPS is widely regarded by employers as a leading authority on procurement and supply. This makes its qualifications particularly sought-after and well-respected.

If you’re trying to get started in the procurement and supply sector, or you’re planning to develop a long-term career in the area, a qualification from CIPS will help to equip you with the skills, knowledge and confidence you’ll need to succeed.

What affects the cost of a CIPS qualification?

Several things will affect how much your CIPS qualification costs in reality. Here are the main factors:

The learning provider

One of the things that affects how much a CIPS qualification costs is the particular learning provider that offers it. The price will vary from provider to provider and it isn’t set by the CIPS themselves.

If you’re looking to save money, it’s really important that you do some proper research when you’re choosing your course so that you can find the course best suited to your needs and that offers best value for money.

How you study

The way that you choose to study your CIPS qualification will also directly influence its cost.

There are two ways that CIPS courses can be studied: remotely, by using the internet, and in person, in a classroom. The format you choose will depend on the most productive way that you learn.

Some people enjoy the social interaction that comes with classroom learning, guided by a lecturer. They might find that they learn best with the strict structure and boundaries that physical learning provides. That said, physical study is often much more expensive than online learning.

Online learning is a highly popular way to complete CIPS qualifications. In this format, you study the course online, usually at your own pace. You’re free to complete the course whenever and wherever you want – all you need is an internet connection – and you’ll generally have support from an online tutor.

The type of qualification

The cost of your course will vary depending on the type of qualification you choose to study and how advanced that qualification is.

Here the different types of CIPS qualification available. 

The CIPS Level 6 and 7 Graduate and Executive Diplomas are the most comprehensive CIPS qualification that you can take. It’s aimed at senior procurement and supply professionals, like directors and heads of department. Once you’ve completed this qualification, you can apply for membership of the CIPS (MCIPS status)

The CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma is aimed at senior buyers, contract and supply chain managers who are looking to enhance their strategic planning and management skills.

The CIPS Level 4 Foundation Diploma is useful if you’re working in a junior or middle-management procurement and supply role and are looking to gain specialist knowledge of the sector.

The CIPS Level 2 Foundation Certificate and Level 3 Certificate is useful if you’re entering procurement and supply for the very first time, or if your role includes elements of procurement and supply.

So, how much does a CIPS qualification cost?

As well as the price of CIPS qualifications varying depending on which provider you choose, it will also vary depending on which individual qualification you choose to study.

Here’s a typical price range that you can expect to see for each type of CIPS qualification:

CIPS Level 2 Foundation Certificate Qualifications

A CIPS Certificate generally costs between £1,000 and £1,500.

Best for: Those who are coming into the procurement and supply industry for the first time.

CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate Qualification

A CIPS Advanced Certificate generally costs between £1,300 and £1,600.

Best for: People with at least two years experience of the industry and an interest in climbing the career ladder.

Example: CIPS Level 3 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations

CIPS Level 4 Foundation Diploma Qualification

A CIPS  Diploma generally costs between £1,400 and £2,400.

Best for: Professionals with significant industry experience who are looking to improve their strategic and management knowledge.

Example: CIPS Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Procurement and Supply 

CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma Qualification

A CIPS Advanced Diploma generally costs between £1,100 and £2,500.

Best for: Senior professionals with extensive experience who are looking to enhance their strategic decision-making and planning.

Example: CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply

CIPS Level 6 and 7 Graduate and Executive Diploma Qualifications

CIPS Level 6 and 7 Graduate and Executive Diplomas generally cost between £1,600 and £2,500.

Best for: Directors who are looking to extend their strategic management and planning expertise.

Additional Fees

Like other professional qualifications, CIPS courses have additional costs associated with them.

When you’re studying a CIPS qualification, you’ll have to apply for student membership of the body, which will usually cost around £187. You’ll also have to pay a fee for each exam that you sit on the course too.

Whilst these costs might seem off-putting at first, in the long-run they’re well worth the temporary pain. A CIPS qualification holds significant weight with employers when it comes to procurement and supply roles, so having one can help to open up a range of rewarding careers.

Interest-free payment plans

If you’re worried about the cost of your CIPS qualification find out if your provider offers an interest-free payment plan. At ICS Learn, we offer these with all of our courses.

Interest-free payment plans break down the total cost of your qualification into small, manageable monthly payments, making it easier to pay back the total cost over a particular period of time.

We hope you’ve found this guide to the cost of CIPS qualifications useful and that it’s helped you to think about which course might be right for you.

Discover how an online CIPS qualification can accelerate your career. Get your free CIPS course guide today to get started.