CIPS Level 3 Advanced CertificateProcurement & Supply Operations

'CIPS' stands for the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, the leading global organisation for procurement professionals.

CIPS provides industry-recognised qualifications that help professionals develop essential procurement and supply chain management skills. Plus, their qualifications are highly valued by employers worldwide and can open doors to new career opportunities, enhanced professional credibility, and higher earning potential.

However, when you study with us, you can progress at your own pace, on your terms.

Whether you're just starting out in procurement or looking to advance your career, you’ll gain the practical skills and knowledge to pass your CIPS exams and stand out in the competitive procurement field. 

A CIPS qualification is a certification awarded by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), a leading and globally recognised professional body for procurement and supply chain management. Their qualifications are designed to help people develop the skills and knowledge they need to excel in procurement and supply chain roles. 

There are five levels of CIPS qualifications in total (three of which you can study online with us!), designed to support your career at every stage, from beginner to senior strategic roles. Choosing the right level depends on your experience, education, and professional goals.

If you're new to procurement and supply, you’ll likely start at CIPS Level 2 or Level 3. If you’re 18+ with two A Levels (or equivalent) or 21+ with two years of business experience, you can begin at Level 4, which is the most advanced starting point.

CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations

This entry-level qualification is ideal for beginners with little or no prior experience.
It suits roles like Administrative Assistant, Contracts Administrator, Stock Controller, or Merchandiser.

You’ll gain a strong understanding of key transactional procurement processes and terminology.

CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations

This online course is perfect if you already have some junior procurement or admin experience, focusing on the skills needed to carry out operational procurement tasks effectively and qualifying you for roles like Assistant Buyer, Contract Analyst, or Inventory Planner. 

CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply

Level 4 is the most advanced CIPS qualification you can start with directly. It’s ideal if you’re working or aiming for roles like Buyer, Contract Officer, or Procurement Executive. You’ll learn how to manage procurement processes and advise stakeholders across the business.

CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply

This is your next step after completing Level 4. It prepares you for more senior roles such as Senior Buyer, Contract Manager, or Supply Chain Manager and develops your strategic thinking, supplier relationship management, and leadership skills.

CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply

This is the final and most prestigious qualification in the CIPS pathway.
It’s designed for experienced professionals in roles like Head of Procurement, Senior Procurement Manager, or Operations Manager.

When you study CIPS Level 3, 4 or 5 online with us, you can study flexibly at your own pace. Whether you're just starting out or looking to progress to senior leadership, we’ll help you build a successful career in procurement and supply chain management.

MCIPS stands for Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. It is a professional qualification awarded by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), recognising individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise and knowledge in procurement and supply chain management.

MCIPS is an industry-recognised certification that demonstrates a commitment to excellence in procurement, offering a competitive edge in the job market. 

With over 50% of employers requesting MCIPS status when interviewing candidates, it's safe to say that achieving it helps procurement professionals enhance their career prospects, increase earning potential, and gain access to a network of industry experts. 

Whether you're looking to move into more senior procurement roles or want to deepen your knowledge in supply chain management, MCIPS offers the credibility you need to excel in the field.

Start your journey today with an online CIPS qualification! 

How long a CIPS qualification takes will largely depend on your course provider and how you choose to study.

Check out our blog on how long a CIPS course takes at each level for more information.  

Professional recognition is vital for procurement professionals aiming to advance their careers.

CIPS membership provides you with access to a register that showcases practitioners’ qualifications globally, demonstrating your credibility in the procurement and supply sectors, even as you train! 

CIPS offers various membership grades, from Affiliate to FCIPS, catering to different professional stages and providing ongoing support and resources for career development.

As an ICS Learn student, you'll always have the support you need to succeed. From the moment you enrol, you'll gain access to:

• Our all-in-one virtual learning platform, mystudyspace
• Access to all of your interactive online course materials
• Online Induction Programme, Live Induction Session and AI-led videos
• FREE online study planners 
• Personalised tutor support
• Access to our Resource Library, full of tools, tips and guidance
• Our friendly Student Services team to help you with non-academic questions

You'll also have lifetime access to our Career Hub, which offers you thousands of resources to help you impress employers, master critical business skills, and build your dream career. This includes:

• A CV and cover letter builder
• An interview simulator
• An elevator pitch builder
• Career and work psychology assessments
• In-depth industry and employer profiles
• 350+ employer films with practical advice from hiring managers
• 1000+ short courses, articles and videos on key career skills like negotiating a raise and leading a team

You can take a sneak peek at the Career Hub and sign up for free today.

If you’re funding the course yourself, our flexible monthly payment plans allow you to spread the cost of your monthly instalments. 

If your employer is funding all or part of your course, we can invoice them directly for your course fees – just let your course advisor know and we’ll arrange everything.

We’re the world's most experienced distance learning provider, rated Excellent from more than 10,000 independent student reviews.

We’re also the world’s most experienced online learning provider, having been pioneers in distance learning for 130 years.

Our flexibility, unlimited support, and interest-free* payment plans make it easy to shape learning around your life.

That’s why every year, thousands of students like you advance their careers with us.

Right away! When you enrol, you’ll be able to log in to your course and get started within an hour.

There are no set start dates or schedules – everything is shaped around you.

Enrol online or get in touch with our Course Advisors today! 

They’ll talk through your experience, education and ambitions to make sure you’re choosing the right course, then get you enrolled with a flexible payment plan.

If you have any disabilities which you think might affect your studies or assessments, please tell your Course Advisor before you enrol so we can advise you on whether reasonable adjustments can be made to accommodate your needs.

Your payments will be charged in GBP. The monthly payments listed in your local currency are an estimate based on the current exchange rate from xe.com.

This means that the amount you’ll pay each month in your local currency may vary based on the current exchange rate.

Your bank may use a different exchange rate from the one listed here, or charge a fee for converting your payments into GBP; we’d advise that you speak to your bank directly for more details.