CIPS has just published the proposed changes to their Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement & Supply syllabus. The basic qualification will remain the same, but the technical content of the core modules has been reviewed and modernised. These changes won’t come into force until the first exam assessment in 2025, but here we give you the initial heads up...
What’s staying the same?
It’s probably easiest to start with what isn’t going to change… Basically it will be the same qualification, with the same structure, the same number of modules and exams, the same module titles and more or less the same learning outcomes.
So in reality these plans are only termed as a ‘minor’ change to the existing syllabus - and it is only the learning content of the core modules that will be updated.
All of the optional study modules remain unchanged.
What’s going to change?
The learning content of the core modules (L5M1 - L5M5) has been reviewed and modernised. This includes updating some of the core concepts to keep in line with modern-day practice, particularly within the area of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
It has also included the stripping out of references to UK legislation (specifically in L5M1) in favour of a more inclusive and global learning community.
The biggest changes will be within the two 12-credit constructed response (CR) modules. Historically, L5M1 (Managing Teams & Individuals) has been unwieldy with five full learning outcomes and an over-emphasis on theory and UK-oriented content. This is now being reduced to four learning outcomes, therefore streamlining the exam to just four essay-based questions.
In the L5M4 (Advanced Contractual & Financial Management) the content has been refreshed and will include a greater emphasis on calculating and interpreting numerical performance measures, such as finance and accounting.
The three core 6-credit modules (L5M2, L5M3 and L5M5) have received a lighter degree of revision, with the inclusion of ESG as the most significant change. In L5M3, specific references to the topics of force majeure, novation and repudiation have been added, although CIPS is still somewhat unclear as to which legal system(s) applies for their learning content.
“Having been asked by CIPS to make in-depth proposals to improve their Level 5 syllabus, I am delighted to see they have taken on board many of my recommendations. The inclusion of ESG brings a modern flavour to this qualification, and I also welcome the evaluation of performance measures.”
How will these changes affect current learners?
The revised syllabus will not take full effect until the first exam of 2025. This means the remaining Level 5 exams in 2024 (September and November) will not be based on any of the new content.
CIPS has also just released *new* study guides, which reflect the amended content for the core modules L5M1 - L5M5. Unfortunately this is also unaccompanied by an unwelcome 10% price rise. The content of the study guides for the optional modules will remain unchanged, but price increases will also be applied to these study guides.
No learner will be unduly affected by the transition from current syllabus to new. The qualification will be exactly the same and so the credits gained on the current syllabus will simply roll on and apply to the revised syllabus.
The November exams will act as a “transition” exam, meaning that the exam will only focus on content that is covered by both the current and the newly proposed syllabus, thus not disadvantaging any learner going through this transition period.
Summary:
All in all, Cordie welcomes these additions and updates to the CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma syllabus. We appreciate the prior notice from CIPS to its study centre partners to allow us to get ready for the changes to our teaching.
The general principles behind these changes have been to modernise and refresh the syllabus and to make the qualification more relevant to a global community. These proposals certainly go some way to achieving this.
Moreover, CIPS has given plenty of thought to ensuring that no learner should be disadvantaged by these changes and this also is warmly welcomed.
If you wish to discuss how these future changes are likely to affect you personally, then please get in touch with us via the contact form at the bottom of this page and we will arrange for one of our experienced CIPS tutors to get in touch with you directly.