You can study for your CIPS qualifications through a range of study options. We have over 90 approved study centres in the UK and a further 100 providers of our qualifications outside the UK. We suggest you talk to study centres about the study options they offer in order to determine what best suits your learning style(s) before deciding which one to register with.

We will be able to accept and process applications for cancellation up to 7 days after the exam entry closure date. This can be done by logging into your MyCIPS part of the website, alternatively you can contact the customer response centre who can also change your examination entry. If you wish to cancel on medical grounds less than 30 working days before the start of examination week, you should forward a copy of a medical certificate to the customer response centre who will cancel your entry. 

We will send you confirmation that we have received your exam entry by text message, if you have given us your mobile telephone number. If we cannot contact you by text message, we will send you an e-mail. Ensure that we can contact you by checking your details on your MyCIPS account.

Once we have processed your exam entry and booked your exams, you will also receive an exam notification letter confirming your booking. You must keep this letter in a safe place and take it with you to the exam as proof of entry, together with your membership card.  You can also check the exams you are booked for, on your MyCIPS account.

You can check the exam timetable for the dates of this year's exams.

CIPS provides reasonable adjustment and special consideration; we have a responsibility to ensure all candidates have equal opportunities to reach their full potential.

In some circumstances, candidates may require adjustments to the assessment process to give them an equal opportunity. Applications for reasonable adjustments should be made at least eight weeks prior to the date of the examination or assessment.

Candidates may apply for special consideration in circumstances which may have affected your performance during an assessment, which could not have been predicted. For example sudden illness or excessive noise during an examination. Such applications must be made within 14 days of the date of the examination or assessment.

Before applying for reasonable adjustment or special consideration, please download and read the related policy document: reasonable adjustments and special consideration policy, reasonable adjustments guidance and application form.

Further information on CIPS policies and procedures is availble from the About CIPS qualifications area of the site.

APEL stands for Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning which means an exemption based on previous experience. APCL stands for Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning which means an exemption based on previous qualifications. 

To apply for either an APCL or an APEL we recommend that you read our Guide to Exemptions.

For APEL applications use our downloadable APEL form by completing the MS Word form on your computer and then emailing it to us at exemptions@cips.org Your payment for the exemption must be received with the form. See the Guide to Exemptions for ways to pay.

Our assessors will use your portfolio to assess your experiential learning and we will advise you of the outcome. You will receive confirmation and feedback. If you would like help completing your portfolio click here to see the completed portfolio example.

Please note that there can be no re-submission of an APEL portfolio.

For APCL applications use  our downloadable APCL Application Form. Complete the MS Word form on your computer and then email it to us at exemptions@cips.org

Your payment for the exemption must be received with the form. See the Guide to Exemptions for ways to pay.

If your qualification has previously been assessed by CIPS it will be on the list of accredited qualifications.  Both your Awarding Institute and qualification title must appear exactly as written on the list of accredited qualifications for each unit you wish to be exempt from.

If your qualification does not appear you will need to complete the APCL Application Form together with a Mapping Document for the relevant CIPS unit (which can be downloaded the table below) to detail your existing qualification.  We will also require copies of any relevant syllabuses for the qualification that you have completed.

You can see an example of a completed mapping form here.

We will advise you of the outcome within a maximum of four working weeks. If we do not award an exemption for APCL there will be no charge and your payment will be returned in full.