International Finance and Administration qualifications

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International Finance and Administration Qualifications (IFA)

Start your career (with IFA 4) or advance your understanding and career prospects (with IFA 5) in offshore financial services.

  • No previous experience required for IFA 4, a recognised finance qualification required for IFA 5
  • Self-study
  • Access to study support resources, optional tuition via partners
  • Register anytime, exams in June or Nov
  • Eligible
Need help?

International Finance and Administration Qualifications (IFA)

Looking to extend your influence? The IFA qualification covers offshore finance, regulation and company management. Optional modules can deepen your expertise in financial reporting and governance, fund administration and more.

The IFA qualifications are recognised by regulators in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands, increasing your employability across the world.

Where can IFA take you? 

IFA students aspire to work within the global market – whether from the UK, or beyond. They understand that achieving regulator-recognised qualifications (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands) can significantly increase the chance of this.

What will you learn? 

IFA is a suite of qualifications that mix robust core modules with optional elements tailored to your expertise, experience and need.

The core modules cover:

  • The offshore finance and legal environment
  • Products and services
  • Regulation
  • The management of trusts and companies
  • The optional modules available will depend on the level of IFA you study.

Select your level

We offer IFA as a Level 4 or Level 5 qualification, depending on your current qualifications and experience:

Choose IFA Level 4 if:

  • You do not have any finance qualifications, 
  • You are looking to change career, or
  • You have some industry experience but no recognised qualification.

See IFA Level 4

Choose IFA Level 5 if:

  • You have significant industry experience and in a management role:
  • Hold the Level 4 Certificate in International Finance and Administration;
  • Hold the Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration (COFA) qualification;
  • Have a relevant university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) from a recognised institution; or
  • Hold a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Diploma in International Trust Management.

See IFA Level 5

Have a Question?

For help and advice call +44 (0)20 7580 4741 or email the Membership team.

IFA 4

IFA Level 4

Start your career in offshore financial services.

  • No previous experience required
  • Self-study
  • Access to study support resources, optional tuition via partners
  • Register anytime, exams in Jun or Nov
  • Eligible (with the achievement of the full certificate)
Need help?

Level 4 International Finance and Administration Qualifications

IFA Level 4 is open to anyone who aspires to work within the global market – whether from the UK, or beyond.

The core module provides a sound grounding in regulatory knowledge, trust law, company law, products, services and offshore business.

Optional modules (in Accounting and Investment) allow students to extend their expertise, earning deeper qualifications and benefits. Those who choose the full programme will receive the Level 4 Certificate in International Finance and Administration. Graduates are eligible to become Affiliated members of The Chartered Governance Institute.

The Level 4 IFA is recognised by regulators in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands.

Each module is assessed by exams, with the level similar to that which you might expect in the first year of an undergraduate degree.

Level 4 options and qualifications

Note: Students must start with the core module, and the other modules can be taken following this in any order.

The discovery pack

Explore the module overviews, a study text chapter excerpt, sample exam papers and tuition options.

View the IFA 4 discovery pack

Supporting your study

Included in your course fees, you will have access to:

  • Digital textbooks for each of your chosen modules
  • MyCG, which provides past papers, mark schemes and other study materials
  • A comprehensive study skills book
  • Webinars on study skills and exam technique

Tuition Partners  (recommended)

In addition, we strongly recommend the use of tuition partners to help structure your study. These external organisations provide tuition options to suit your location, situation and budget – including classroom courses and distance learning.

View all tuition providers

The costs of IFA 4

The costs for IFA Level 4 range from £1,220 to £1,830. Whatever modules you choose to study, your fees will cover:

  • Registration, exam and certification fees
  • Student membership throughout your course
  • Syllabus and sample assessment materials
  • All required study texts
  • Free study skills and exam techniques webinars

Your final qualification reflects your module choices, so you start with the core module then add further specialisms, to work towards the Subsidiary Certificate or Certificate qualifications.

Package Prices

Level 4 Award in International Finance and Administration
£1,220

Level 4 Subsidiary Certificate in International Finance, Accounting and Administration
£1,520
Level 4 Subsidiary Certificate in International Finance, Investment and Administration
£1,520

Level 4 Certificate in International Finance and Administration
£1,830

What next?

Start your application online, download our IFA Level 4 Discovery Pack, or call +44 (0)20 7580 4741.

Note: All applications are subject to our Student Rules and Regulations, and the Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.

IFA 5

IFA Level 5

Advance your understanding and career prospects.

  • A recognised finance qualification is required
  • Self-study
  • Access to study support resources, optional tuition via partners
  • Register anytime, exams in Jun or Nov
  • Eligible (with the achievement of the full Diploma)
Need help?

Level 5 International Finance and Administration Qualifications

The Level 5 IFA is an advanced course for those with existing qualifications.

The core module provides the essential understanding of the regulation of offshore trusts and companies. Students then customise their qualification by selecting at least one optional module. These are available in Financial Reporting and Governance, Fund Administration and Business Management in Practice.

Level 5 qualifications 

The number of modules studied affects the final qualification awarded.

Those who complete the full programme will receive the Level 5 Diploma in International Finance and Administration. Graduates are eligible to become Affiliated members of the Chartered Governance Institute.

All Level 5 IFA qualifications are recognised by regulators in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands.

Each module is assessed by one three-hour exam, with the level similar to that which you might expect in the second year of an undergraduate degree.

Exams are held at our regional centres and take place in June and November each year.

Entry requirements

IFA Level 5 is open to anyone who holds one of the following:

  • The Level 4 Certificate in International Finance and Administration;
  • The Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration (COFA);
  • A relevant degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) from a recognised institution; or
  • A Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Diploma in International Trust Management.
  • Certificate in Offshore Finance and Foundation Programme, delivered by Highlands College

If you do not currently qualify, you may wish to consider our Level 4 IFA.

The discovery pack

Explore the module overviews, a study text chapter excerpt, sample exam papers and tuition options.

View the IFA 5 discovery pack

Supporting your study

Included in your course fees, you will have access to:

  • Digital textbooks for each of your chosen modules
  • MyCG, which provides past papers, mark schemes and other study materials
  • A comprehensive study skills book
  • Webinars on study skills and exam technique

Tuition Partners  (recommended)

In addition, we strongly recommend the use of tuition partners to help structure your study. These external organisations provide tuition options to suit your location, situation and budget – including classroom courses and distance learning.

View all tuition providers

The costs of IFA 5

The costs for IFA Level 5 range from £1,345 to £2,310. Whatever modules you choose to study, your fees will cover:

  • Registration, exam and certification fees
  • Student membership throughout your course
  • Syllabus and sample assessment materials
  • All required study texts
  • Free study skills and exam techniques webinarsYour final qualification reflects your module choices, so you start with the core module then add further specialisms to work towards your chosen qualification.

Package Prices

Level 5 Advanced Certificate in International Finance & Administration
£1,345

Level 5 Subsidiary Diploma in International Finance & Administration
£1,830

Level 5 Diploma in International Finance & Administration
£2,310

What next?

Start your application online, download our IFA Level 5 Discovery Pack, or call +44 (0)20 7580 4741.

Note: All applications are subject to our Student Rules and Regulations, and the Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.

IFA qualifications

Want to know more about the IFA qualifications?

Find out more about IFA 4 and 5 by downloading the Discovery Packs.

You can also:

  • Read the syllabus
  • sample the study text
  • and try a sample exam

Download Discovery Pack IFA 4

Download Discovery Pack IFA 5

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