Certificate in Pensions Insurance and Investment
Course Overview
Want to jump-start your career in the financial services industry?
This programme provides learners with comprehensive knowledge and competence relating to Life Assurance, Savings and Investment, Pensions and Retirement Planning, Retirement Funding and General Taxation.
At a macro level, it incorporates the fields of Corporate Benefit Design, Operational Governance, Financial Risk Management, Financial Planning, Financial Regulation and Government Policy. The programme also develops students’ transversal skills in the areas of communication, written and oral, active listening, relationship management, problem-solving and business awareness.
The programme is designed to jump-start your career in the financial services industry. It is ideally suited to graduates from Accountancy, Business, Finance, IT, Human Resources, Law and related disciplines who wish to join Ireland's large and growing financial services industry or learners who wish to advance their career in financial services.
Why study Pensions, Insurance and Investment with Griffith College?
As a Global Hub, Ireland is home to more than 400 financial services companies, including 20 of the Top 25 Global Institutions. The industry is experiencing significant growth and is recruiting accordingly. This programme is designed for people who work or wish to work in Ireland’s large and growing Financial Services Industry.
Those undertaking the Certificate in Business Pensions, Insurance and Investment will gain a wide understanding of the financial services industry. The five modules cover an extensive range of core topics required to operate in the financial services industry, life assurance industry, the investment industry and the pensions industry.
- The programme was developed in consultation with the financial services industry and with the regulator.
- It is a professional designation that was specifically designed to meet the Central Bank’s Minimum Competency Code (MCC) requirements for selling and advising on Life Assurance, Pensions, Savings and Investment. The code sets out the minimum professional standards for persons providing certain financial services, in particular when dealing with consumers.
- Graduates will also be awarded membership of the Irish Institute of Pensions Management (IIPM) and permitted to use the designation MIIPM (subject to application to the IIPM). This designation is supported by all the large industry players including the Pensions Regulator.
- The programme is delivered by experts from both the college and the industry.
- Students may choose to progress onto the Higher Diploma in Pensions Management.
Intake Dates
We run two intakes for this course, commencing as follows:
- Autumn: September*
- Spring: February*
*subject to sufficient numbers
Course Details
Course Modules
This module aims to develop an enhanced understanding of life assurance protection products available in the market and corresponding regulation pertaining to this field. It will equip learners with the necessary skills to identify client protection needs, compare insurance products and determine the appropriate recommendations to meet these needs.
This module provides a detailed understanding of the regulatory framework pertaining to financial services and intermediaries and the application of the conduct of business provisions to real-life financial planning situations.
This module provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of the investment environment, the different types of investment classes and corresponding risks and returns associated with different types of assets. It provides a practical applied knowledge of the range of financial securities and products available in the Irish marketplace. It develops corresponding analytical skills to critique each type of financial security the requisite skill set to identify, critically analyse and select financial products which are appropriate to individual client risk profiles and meet their investment objectives.
The module provides the learners with an in-depth knowledge of financing of retirement. It develops the skills to carry out the appropriate funding calculations and the ability to recognise the impact of the underlying assumptions on Sustainable Retirement Financing. Learners understand funding methods used in funding defined benefit schemes and the corresponding implications. The module builds on the knowledge gained in previous modules by analysing key factors for consideration in the determination of an investment strategy and on the implementation of appropriate selection and control processes.
The aims of this module are to provide learners with an enhanced & current understanding of the retirement provision framework in Ireland, in particular the mechanisms for private retirement provision in Ireland. Key to the module will be the ability to research, interpret and apply the underpinning legislative provisions, developing the learner’s independent learning skills, and skills of enquiry and research.
Course Contacts
Áine Mc Manus
- Dublin
Timetables
The course will consist of classes run over two or three nights per week for eight weeks per semester, as well as some Saturday classes each semester. Please see provisional timetable below and please take some time to read the notes in the timetable.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Applicants can apply directly on our website.
Fees
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin: EUR 3500
+ IIPM fee of 100 euro
Progression
Academic Progression
On completion of the Level 8 Certificate in Business in Pensions, Insurance and Investment, students may progress onto the Higher Diploma in Pensions Management.
You can contact our admissions team to discuss what progression options are available to you.
Career Progression
Through the Certificate in Business in Pensions, Insurance and Investment, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong foundation of communication and presentation skills and covered a diverse range of technical topics. There is a wide range of career options for our graduates in many areas of financial services.