CIPS L4M1 - Video Course- Scope of Procurement & Supply

About this course

If L4M1 is the first module you're studying at CIPS Level 4, this might also be your first proper introduction to procurement theory — and possibly your first CIPS exam.

If that's the case, welcome!

This course is designed to take you through L4M1: Scope and Influence of Procurement and Supply right from the basics.

You don't need years of procurement experience or an existing knowledge of CIPS terminology. I'll explain the concepts as we go, in clear, straightforward language, and then show you what they actually look like in practice.

If you already work in procurement, that's absolutely fine too. The course will help you connect the things you already do at work with the formal terminology, theories and models CIPS expects you to understand.

Making the theory make sense

At level 4 we need to both understand the theory and be able to apply it. That's why I use plenty of practical examples throughout the course.

We'll explore the Five Rights of Procurement through the purchasing decisions of a cake factory.

When we study the Procurement Cycle, I'll take you through a real example from my own procurement experience involving some rather fancy doors I bought for a school.

And when we look at stakeholder mapping, we'll work through the stakeholders involved when a university procures new laboratory equipment.

Examples make the theory easier to understand and remember, but they're also useful in your exam. Being able to give a relevant example helps you demonstrate to the examiner that you understand how the theory works in practice.

Who's teaching you?

I'm a qualified teacher, MCIPS-qualified procurement professional and practising Procurement Consultant.

I've studied for the CIPS qualification myself, so I've been on the other side of the exam. I also work in procurement, which means I can relate what you're learning to situations I've actually encountered rather than simply reading the theory from a PowerPoint.

And because I'm a teacher, my focus is on helping you understand the content.

If something is complicated, we'll break it down. If the terminology sounds unnecessarily intimidating, we'll translate it into normal English. And where a practical example makes something easier to understand, we'll use one.

New to CIPS?

If L4M1 is your first CIPS module, don't worry if you're not quite sure what to expect from the exam yet.

L4M1 is assessed by a 3-hour Constructed Response exam. Rather than choosing answers from a multiple-choice list, you'll need to write essay responses that demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the syllabus.

That means exam preparation isn't just about remembering definitions. You need to be able to explain concepts clearly, apply the theory to the question and use appropriate examples.

We'll look at how to do that throughout the course.

You'll also have 104 practice questions to help you check your understanding as you progress and get used to thinking about the topics you've studied in an exam context.

Use the course alongside your CIPS Study Guide

This course is designed to complement the official CIPS Study Guide.

You can read a chapter of the book and then watch the relevant lessons to reinforce your understanding, or watch the videos first so the theory feels a little more familiar when you come to read it.

And if you've read the same paragraph three times – I’m here to help. You can pause, rewind and revisit individual topics whenever you need to and there is a Q&A function where you can ask me any questions you have.

You can use the course in whatever way works best for you.

Extra resources when you need them

You'll also get a Resource Pack for every Learning Outcome, containing additional articles, videos and resources.

You don't need to work through everything in them. They're there if you need a little extra help understanding a particular theory, want to explore something in more depth or would like additional real-world examples that you could potentially use in your exam.

Who this course is for

This course is designed for students studying CIPS Level 4, Module 1: Scope and Influence of Procurement and Supply.

It's particularly suitable if:

• L4M1 is one of your first CIPS modules and you're not quite sure where to start.

• You're new to procurement and want the fundamentals explained clearly from the beginning.

• You already work in procurement but want help connecting your practical experience to CIPS theory.

• You're self-studying and would like a teacher to talk you through the syllabus alongside your Study Guide.

• You learn better when theories are connected to practical, real-world examples.

• You want additional practice questions, resources and examples to support your exam preparation.

Whether you've worked in procurement for years or you're opening a CIPS book for the very first time, I'll take you through L4M1 step by step. this module.