Procurement & Contracts · Accredited certification
CIPS L5
Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply (CIPS Level 5) (CIPS L5)
Why managing procurement risk matters
At senior buyer and category manager level, the job shifts from running purchases to protecting what the organisation depends on. Managers who can map supply chain risk, build robust contracts, measure contract performance in financial terms and lead capable teams keep supply continuous and make every major agreement deliver what it promised.
When that capability is missing, a single supplier failure can halt operations, a breach of contract finds no clear remedy, ESG obligations surface too late and the team relies on one or two people. The CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma prepares managers for these responsibilities through an Ofqual-regulated qualification that leads to the Level 6 Professional Diploma and MCIPS.
What you will be able to do
- Plan, build and lead effective procurement teams using sound management approaches
- Identify and assess supply chain risks and select strategies to protect supply continuity
- Form robust contracts and choose remedies for breach of contract
- Measure and improve contract performance with financial analysis and performance measures
- Assess ESG risks and apply recognised ESG standards and initiatives to procurement practice
- Deepen a specialism through electives such as category management, advanced negotiation or logistics management
Course outline: 11 modules
Each module below shows what it covers and what you will be able to do at the end of it.
1. Managing Teams and Individuals
Covers management and organisational approaches, managing individuals, and planning and leading teams within procurement and supply.
- Apply management theories to organise procurement work and people
- Plan, build and manage effective procurement teams
2. Managing Supply Chain Risk
Examines the nature of supply chain risk, the processes for managing it and strategies to mitigate disruption.
- Identify and assess sources of risk across the supply chain
- Select mitigation strategies to protect supply continuity
3. Managing Contractual Risk
Explains legal issues in contract formation, the consequences of breach and the implications of contractual non-conformance.
- Explain the legal and process issues in forming robust contracts
- Choose remedies and approaches for managing breach of contract
4. Advanced Contract and Financial Management
Covers measuring and developing contract performance, strategic sourcing, and the financial techniques and measures that affect supply chains.
- Measure and improve contract performance with suitable tools
- Apply financial analysis and performance measures to supply decisions
5. Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply
Examines how ESG considerations shape ethical, sustainable supply chains, including compliance and relevant standards and initiatives.
- Assess ESG risks and compliance requirements in the supply chain
- Apply recognised ESG standards and initiatives to procurement practice
6. Category Management (Elective)
Covers developing category management strategies, managing organisational spend and the strategic impact of the category management process.
- Develop a category strategy based on spend and market analysis
- Evaluate the strategic benefits of a category management process
7. Achieving Competitive Advantage Through the Supply Chain (Elective)
Examines supply chain dynamics, improvement methodologies and the measures needed to gain competitive advantage through the supply chain.
- Analyse supply chain dynamics that affect value and cost
- Apply improvement methodologies to strengthen competitive position
8. Project and Change Management (Elective)
Covers projects in organisations, the nature of organisational change, and approaches to planning and managing projects and change initiatives.
- Plan and control procurement-related projects
- Apply change management approaches to support implementation
9. Operations Management (Elective)
Explains the concept and scope of operations management and the improvement methodologies that can be applied to operations.
- Explain the scope of operations management and its link to procurement
- Apply improvement methodologies to operational processes
10. Logistics Management (Elective)
Covers the concept of logistics management and capacity planning and control within logistics operations.
- Explain the role and components of logistics management
- Apply capacity planning and control techniques in logistics
11. Advanced Negotiation (Elective)
Examines the stages that shape negotiation outcomes, negotiation relationships and ethics, and behavioural methods of influencing others.
- Manage the key stages that determine negotiation outcomes
- Use ethical influencing methods to manage negotiation relationships
Programme details
| Entry requirements | Successful completion of the CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply. |
|---|---|
| Award | CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply, Ofqual-regulated (ref. 603/3925/1); 60 credits: 42 from 5 core modules, 18 from 3 electives. |
| Written grades | Constructed Response (essay or case study) exams are graded Pass 50%, Merit 60%, Distinction 75%; multiple-choice exams are pass/fail at 70%. |
| Exam series | OR exams: January, March, May, July, September, November. Written (CR) exams: March, May, July, November only. Booking closes about four weeks before exam week. |
| Study membership | Current CIPS student membership is required to enrol and to book any exam; bookings are made through the MyCIPS dashboard. |
| Remote exams | Remote invigilation via VICTVS outside the UK: needs webcam, microphone, stable internet and a quiet private room; tablets and iPads are not accepted. |
| Time to complete | CIPS recommends 12 to 15 months; total qualification time 600 hours, including 250 guided learning hours and 335 hours of self-study. |
| Results | OR results about three weeks after exam week; CR results about six to eight weeks after. CR results may be reviewed on request. Certificates posted within about eight weeks. |
| Study resources | CIPS provides study guides, eBooks, eLearning, eRevision, Intelligence Hub access, sample exam questions and examiner (marker) reports. |
| Exemptions | Candidates whose previous study covers module content may apply to CIPS for module exemptions. |
| Next step | Progression to the Level 6 Professional Diploma, which completes the qualification route to MCIPS. |
Your path to CIPS Level 5 certification
- Enquire and choose your format. Entry requires successful completion of the CIPS Level 4 Diploma. Choose the classroom in Cairo, live online, or an in-house cohort for your team.
- Keep your CIPS student membership current. Current CIPS student membership is needed to enrol and to book any exam; you book through your MyCIPS dashboard.
- Learn the core modules and your electives with practitioners. 80 hours over 16 sessions, every live session recorded on our learning platform.
- Practise with module tests and question banks. Exam-style questions with instant results on our platform, alongside the CIPS study guides and sample exam questions.
- Sit one exam per module. Eight exams: written exams for L5M1 and L5M4 graded Pass 50%, Merit 60% and Distinction 75%, and multiple-choice exams with a 70% pass mark for the others, at a CIPS exam centre such as ours in Cairo or by remote invigilation.
- Earn the Advanced Diploma and keep climbing. The CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma (Ofqual-regulated, 60 credits), then the Level 6 Professional Diploma, which completes the qualification route to MCIPS.
What you walk away with
- Risk, contract and team-management methods you can apply the next working day
- The CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply, an Ofqual-regulated qualification
- The option to apply to CIPS for module exemptions where your previous study covers the content
- Recordings of every live session, official study material, question banks and module tests on our learning platform
- Support until exam day, then a clear next step to the CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma
Want the full picture?
The CIPS L5 brochure has the complete module outline, exam facts and delivery options in one PDF.
Download the CIPS L5 brochure (PDF) Enquire about the next cohort
How you will learn
- Classroom: Interactive sessions at our training and exam centre in Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
- Live online: Instructor-led virtual classes for participants anywhere in the region.
- In-house: A private cohort for your team, at your premises and tailored to your context.
- Every live session recorded: Watch any session again, or catch up on one you missed, on our learning platform.
- Official study material: Books, handbooks and course files for the programme, in one place.
- Question banks and module tests: Exam-style practice with instant results.
- Support until exam day: Keep studying on the platform after the live sessions end, right up to the exam.
Exam and certification
CIPS
| Exams | 8 module exams (5 core + 3 electives) |
|---|---|
| Questions | L5M1 and L5M4 written (3 hours each). Other modules multiple-choice (1.5 hours) |
| Exam time | 15 hours in total |
| Pass mark | Multiple-choice modules 70%. Written modules 50% (Merit 60%, Distinction 75%) |
| Where you sit it | Computer-based, at a CIPS exam centre or by remote invigilation. Transights is a CIPS Approved Exam Centre (no. 005778760) |
| Good to know | One exam per module. Multiple-choice exams: Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov. Written exams: Mar, May, Jul, Nov |
Who should attend
- Senior and chief buyers
- Category managers
- Contract managers
- Logistics managers
Frequently asked questions
What is the CIPS L5 course?
Builds on the CIPS Level 4 Diploma with a focus on supply chain and contractual risk. It also covers managing teams, advanced contract management and ethical procurement practice.
Who should take CIPS L5?
It suits: Senior and chief buyers; Category managers; Contract managers; Logistics managers.
How long is the CIPS L5 course at Transights?
80 hours, 16 sessions. It runs live online, in class in Cairo, or in-house for company teams in Egypt and the GCC.
What is the CIPS L5 exam like?
8 module exams (5 core + 3 electives). L5M1 and L5M4 written (3 hours each). Other modules multiple-choice (1.5 hours). Exam time: 15 hours in total. Pass mark: Multiple-choice modules 70%. Written modules 50% (Merit 60%, Distinction 75%). Where you sit it: Computer-based, at a CIPS exam centre or by remote invigilation. Transights is a CIPS Approved Exam Centre (no. 005778760). One exam per module. Multiple-choice exams: Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov. Written exams: Mar, May, Jul, Nov.
Who awards the CIPS L5 qualification?
CIPS awards the qualification. Transights is a CIPS Approved Centre and Study and Exam Centre (centre 005778760).