Policies and Procedures

The process for cancelling a CIPS examination is available from the procedures tab.

Reasonable adjustment and special consideration
CIPS has a responsibility to ensure all candidates have equal opportunities to reach their full potential. In some instances, 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 instances that could not possibly be predicted. Such applications must be made within 7 days of the date of the examination or assessment. This also applies to candidates wishing to report any incident which may have affected their examination or assessment performance.

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 for candidates

Assessment review and appeals
Our assessment review and appeals policy applies to all forms of assessment against our modules including examinations and exemptions.

• Assessment review and appeals policy and procedure

Review and appeal application form:

• UK and Rest of the World
• South Africa
• Australia

Fees and invoicing
Every effort is made to ensure learners have access to clear information about fees and payment, and are offered a variety of payment methods.

• Fees and invoicing policy
• Introduction of regional centre candidate fee FAQs
• Position statement on introduction of regional centre candidate fee

Malpractice and plagiarism
CIPS Awarding Body strives to prevent the occurrence of malpractice in the development, delivery and award of its qualifications, in order to safeguard the consistency and integrity of all assessments.

• Malpractice policy
• Examples of malpractice
• Plagiarism guidance for learners
• Conflict of interest policy

Assessments

• Candidate regulations for CIPS exams
• Position statement on progression through CIPS qualifications
• Return of examination answer booklets to candidates

Please note, certificates will be posted to successful candidates after result publication. Delivery should be in 6 – 8 weeks.

Endorsements

• Endorsement policy

Change of name

• Change of name policy

Cancelling examinations
To cancel your booked exams within entry period and in line with exams terms and conditions you will need to will need to login to My CIPS  using your membership number and password.

For online bookings there is a 14 day 'right to cancel' period (UK Consumer Contracts Regulations (June 2014). This period begins on the day after the day on which the contract (entry and payment) is concluded as notified by us in accordance with these terms.

After this date, no applications for cancellation can be accepted and no refund will be provided.

The only exception is for medical reasons affecting the student either during the examination series or for a significant time leading up to the examination. Medical evidence must be provided in all cases within 14 days of the examination date. If an exception is granted, the exam fee will be refunded, however venue fees are non-refundable.

Please email any requests to exams@cips.org.

Procedure for complaints against study centres
If you have a complaint which concerns an issue within the control of a study centre, you should address that complaint to that study centre in the first instance and copy any correspondence relating to the matter to CIPS Networks Manager, at the registered office at Easton House, Easton on the Hill, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 3NZ. E-mail enm@cips.org

If, having been through a study centre’s complaints or grievance procedure, the matter remains unresolved, we may consider, if it is appropriate, intervening on your behalf.

Issues with CIPS
CIPS is committed to offering a high standard of service to all our customers.

If you are not happy with the service you received please email complaints@cips.org.  

• Vexatious correspondence policy and procedure
• CIPS Complaints policy

We are committed to offering a high standard of service to all of our customers, including students, approved centres and assessors. We aim to provide a service that is:

• Consultative and responsive
• Open and informative
• Prompt and efficient
• Streamlined and manageable
• Cost effective 

When you become a member through our qualification route, we aim to provide you with:

• Free and accurate information through relevant literature, this website and our programme handbooks
• Accurate information on subscription, exemption, and assessment fees prior to enrolment
• Supportive and confidential advice from an experienced team
• Acknowledgement of all enquiries within seven working days
• The outcome of your application for membership with six weeks
• Assessment dates and procedures
• Assessment results no more than ten weeks after the event
• Details of our Equal Opportunities statement, Complaints Procedure and Appeals Procedure

View the CIPS Awarding Body customer service statement.

Equal Opportunities
CIPS has responsibilities under the Equal Opportunities Act, Disability Discrimination Act and the Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulator regulations to ensure all its candidates have equal opportunities to reach their full potential. This means no candidate will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, colour, ethnicity, or national origin, socio-economic background, disability, religious or political beliefs, family circumstances, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction. Download our equal opportunities policy.

Who to contact for help and advice:

Customer Service Advisers
Tel: +44(0)845 880 1188
E-mail: helpdesk@cips.org

For qualifications, examinations, assessment, appeals, reasonable adjustment/special consideration:

Assessment Services Team
Tel: +44(0)845 880 1188
E-mail: assessment.team@cips.org

For enquires about quality issues relating to our assessments or for independent appeals:

Qualifications Team
Tel: +44(0)845 880 1188
E-mail: upgradetomcips@cips.org