Professional Programmes to Propel Your Career in Funds by IOB

Wednesday, 09 July 2025

Applications are now open for Professional Qualifications offered by Funds by IOB in association with Irish Funds education and training. IOB is a recognised college of University College Dublin and deliver the below UCD Accredited Qualifications for the funds industry:

Part-funding for some of these fund qualifications is available through IFS Skillnet and HCI with early registration advisable to avail of this funding.

Professional Diploma in Applied Alternative Investments
The Professional Diploma in Applied Alternative Investments provides an opportunity for professionals working in the funds industry to develop their expertise in the growing alternative assets market. Increasingly, alternative assets which include hedge funds, commodities, private equity, structured products and real asset investments such as infrastructure investments, are becoming mainstream investments which are predicted to grow significantly.

The programme qualifies for 25% IFS Skillnet Funding. We will be holding an information event about this programme on Wednesday, 16 July. Register for the event.

Applications now open: further information and expression of interest.

Professional Certificate for Designated Persons in a Fund Management Company

The Professional Certificate for Designated Persons in a Fund Management Company was introduced specifically to support the development of individuals in Designated Person roles, or those who aspire to these roles. It is also relevant to individuals who support Designated Persons and to other professionals in Fund Management Companies.

The Professional Certificate for Designated Persons in a Fund Management Company has been carefully designed to equip professionals in the funds industry with the necessary competence to fill DP roles and is the only accredited qualification at this level. This programme has been designed in consultation with our Funds Advisory Board, Irish Funds and a variety of industry experts.

The programme qualifies for 50% HCI funding.

Applications now open: further information.

Professional Certificate in Capital Markets, Investments and Funds

The Professional Certificate in Capital Markets, Investments and Funds is designed to deepen your knowledge of the drivers of performance of capital markets and of capital market products, the settlement and trade life cycles, regulations, and the importance of risk management and operational robustness in the fund management sector. The programme is targeted at the fund management industry, bringing together all the major areas of requisite knowledge required for portfolio and risk management processes within the funds and investment environment.

The programme qualifies for 25% IFS Skillnet Funding. We will be holding an information event about this programme on Wednesday, 16 July. Register for the event.

Applications now open: further information.

Professional Certificate in International Investment Fund Services
This has been the industry benchmark qualification for many years and has been significantly refocused, updated and enhanced to reflect the many industry developments over recent years. It is a unique and specific programme designed to support the industry’s day-to-day activities. Upon successful completion of this programme graduates will be invited to the Accredited Funds Professional Designation.

The programme qualifies for 25% IFS Skillnet Funding.

Professional Certificate in Complex Financial Instruments
This is a practical based programme for understanding and providing you with a strong comprehension of derivatives. Delivered over one trimester, the key objective of the programme is to simplify the most common derivatives and explain their uses in a highly practical way.

The programme qualifies for 25% IFS Skillnet Funding.

Graduate Diploma in Investment Fund Services Management

A postgraduate programme consisting of six modules that is designed to deepen your knowledge of the theory and practice underpinning Investment Fund Services and Investment Fund Services Management design, delivery and operations.

Apply for a place on this programme.

Certified Investment Fund Director (CIFD) Programme

The CIFD Programme is designed for existing fund directors, and those with extensive asset management or funds experience (15 plus years’ experience) who aspire to become investment fund directors. It is also a highly valuable programme for those operating in director/senior management positions within both fund promoter and service provider organisations, those responsible for product governance within fund promoter organisations and institutional investor personnel responsible for the oversight of investment fund governance frameworks within their portfolio of investment funds.

Further information on this programme.

If you have any questions, please contact William Lawless (William.lawless@iob.ie) who will be happy to assist.

IOB Programmes Funding Poster

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