Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply

Foundation Diploma (Level Four)

You will study five core subjects, including:

• Effective Negotiation in Purchasing and Supply
• Purchasing Contexts
• Developing Contracts in Purchasing and Supply
• Measuring Purchasing Performance
• Managing Purchasing and Supply Relationships

Advanced Diploma (Level Five)

You will study five core subjects, including:

• Management in the Purchasing Function
• Risk Management and Supply Chain Vulnerability
• Improving Supply Chain Performance
• Marketing for Purchasers
• Storage and Distribution

Graduate Diploma (Level Six)

You will study five modules, including:

• Leading and Influencing in Purchasing
• Strategic Supply Chain Management
• Strategic Supply Chain Management in Practice (case study or work-based project)

Plus two modules from the following three options:

• Legal Aspects in Purchasing and Supply
• Advanced Project Management
• Finance for Purchasers

This qualification is in line with the governments National Qualification Framework and contains modules on contemporary topics that are essential in procurement and supply chain management.

You may also complete a work-based project for the Strategic Supply Chain Management in Practice module, which could involve identifying a problem within your/an organisation, researching it and making recommendations for its solution.

You will be assessed through a final CIPS examination for each module.

If you have relevant prior experience, CIPS may grant exemption from some modules. The Foundation Diploma (Level Four) is available for entry without a degree or HNC.

Applications for this course are through our Commercial Services webpage

This professional stage qualification leads to corporate membership of CIPS. This award is particularly suitable if you are employed or have experience in purchasing, logistics, stores, inventory, contracts and other areas of supply chain management in the public or private sector.

Our Careers and Employability Service

As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.

This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.

Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.