PIABC Level 5 Certificate in Packaging Materials &Components

If you don't have time to commit to the PIABC Level 5 Diploma in Packaging Technology or are unsure whether the full Diploma is for you, this course is an ideal way to start your learning and improve your knowledge and understanding of the materials used in packaging industry. 

Completion of this course will give you a highly regarded foundation degree level qualification and a stepping stone to further learning.  It will also provide the opporunity to hear from experts in their field and network with like-minded professionals.

Our learners come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines but they all share a desire to broaden and deepen their knowledge and understanding of the packaging industry.
This is a Level 5 qualification (foundation degree level) so you should expect a challenging and rigourous course that explores the packaging industry in detail.  We would normally expect those wishing to undertake the course to have a minimum of 1 GCE A-level and 5 GCSEs at grade A–C, or equivalent, including one science subject, or to have previously graduated from our PIABC Level 3 Certificate in Packaging course.   Industrial experience can be used as an alternative to formal qualifications and we expect all learners to have good communication, numeracy and IT skills.

This is an online course that you can start at any time throughout the year and work through the course material at a time and pace to suit you.  Help is on hand from our tutor should you need it and we are happy to set up virtual tutorials to go through aspects of the course that you are finding challenging.

The PIABC Level 5 Certificate in Packaging Materials and Components provides an in-depth exploration of the main materials used by the packaging industry.  You will cover the basic structure of the materials, their useful properties and how they can be processed to shape to make products.  In addition, you will investigate the environmental impact of these materials.  The themes covered by the course are:

• Glass
• Rigid and flexible plastics
• Metals (steel and aluminium)
• Paper, board, corrugated and other wood-based packaging materials
• Packaging closures
• Adhesives
• Labels
• Printing & decoration processes
• Combining materials

The recommended total learning time for this qualification, which includes working through the course materials, revising for an sitting your exams is 270 hours.  We would, therefore, expect you to complete the qualification in about 10 months if you studied for approximately 3 hours each week, depending on your start date and the timing for your exams.

For example, if you were to start your studies in January, we would expect you to sit your Paper A exam in June and Paper B exam in November.  Alternatively, you could sit both of your exams at the same time in November.  

The PIABC Level 5 Certificate in Packaging Materials and Components is assessed through two examinations which you would normally sit in Grantham.  Paper A covers learning outcomes 1-4 and Paper B covers learning outcomes 5-9.

Each examination is two hours long and is comprised of two twenty mark questions and six ten mark questions.  The exams are graded pass (50-59%), merit (60-69%) and distinction (70% or more) and are held twice year, in June and November on dates dictated by PIABC.  The exams for this qualification are held on the morning and afternoon of the Thursday of exam week.

It is up to you whether you feel confident to take both exams at the same time.  You are welcome to do this or sit one exam at a time.

The PIABC fee covers your registration with the awarding body, one sitting of each of the exams and certification.  If you do not pass first time, you can sit again but a resit fee will apply.

This substaintial course costs £1595 (+VAT at 20% where applicable).

There is are additional fees of £205 (VAT free) for your registration with the awarding body PIABC.

IOM3 members and Business Partner Programme subscribers are entitled to a discount of 10% on the course fee.