CIPS Management Entry Route (MER): MCIPS Without Exams

The CIPS Management Entry Route (MER) is a way to become MCIPS without sitting CIPS exams. Instead, experienced senior procurement professionals are assessed on their experience, knowledge and responsibility through an online questionnaire and a telephone interview.

MER is designed for senior procurement and supply chain professionals in upper management roles, usually with at least five years’ experience at a strategic level. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, we’ll check your experience with you before you apply.

With ABA Procurement’s support, most professionals reach MCIPS in around six months. You can go faster or slower: some take three weeks to prepare their application, others take a year.

CIPS associate membership costs £256 and the MER application costs £815, both paid directly to CIPS. ABA Procurement’s support package is £1,750 + VAT for 10 hours of one-to-one mentoring, with extra mentoring available at £175 + VAT an hour if you need it.

It isn’t easier, but it’s different. MER is a robust and rigorous assessment of what you already do at a strategic level, rather than a test of study. For experienced senior professionals, it’s usually much quicker than working through CIPS Levels 4 to 6.

You can apply on your own, but most people find it hard to present their experience in the way the assessors are looking for. Our mentors are experienced procurement professionals who help you choose the right evidence, write strong answers and prepare for the interview.

When you pass, you become MCIPS, a full Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, the internationally recognised professional standard in procurement and supply.

If you don’t have enough strategic experience yet, the exam route through CIPS Levels 4, 5 and 6 also leads to MCIPS. We’ll help you work out which route suits you.