UCD
If you are interested & require further information, we will email you a copy of the programme brochure.
As you are not registered with us, you will need to upload proof you can enrol to this programme.
I know, let’s sign upI have an account, let me sign in firstThe 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.
UCD
Who is this programme for?
Professionals in the funds, capital markets and asset management industry, drawing on and integrating key areas of essential knowledge, theory and practice required by individuals associated with the investment and risk management processes. It is designed for:
Capital Markets and Banking specialists
Equity and Debt Raising professionals
Corporate Finance advisers
Asset managers and fund service providers
Accountants, lawyers and other professionals who provide advise in the areas of capital markets, investment and funds
Those involved in wealth management and advise
Internal Audit staff who assess investment and risk processes
Compliance professionals
Fund Managers / Fund Promoters
Financial control staff with responsibility for budget setting, capital allocation, financial performance evaluation and financial/regulatory reporting
On completing the Professional Certificate in Captial Markets, Investments and Funds, you will be expected to:
Describe and explain the theory and practice underpinning capital markets activities, and services provided to facilitate investors and issuers achieve their investment goals;
Identify capital markets main participants, outline their roles and the variety of products commonly traded on capital markets;
Outline and discuss the key factors which impact on capital markets operations and future development;
Advise an individual investor on risk management and measurement in capital markets, and the enablers which exist for robust risks management;
Review the impact of the intended and unintended consequences of regulatory change across capital markets from the perspective of an Investment Funds Manager;
Drawing on your learning, identify and pursue career enhancement / professional development activities to facilitate the attainment of specific goals (personal/professional).
Kevin, a Chartered Financial Analyst, is an external specialist consultant in the banking and investment sectors with over 25 years of experience in financial markets. Working with banks, regulators and investors in Credit, Capital, Stress Testing and Strategy, Kevin has experience in over a dozen regulatory jurisdictions across Europe, US and Emerging markets.
He has worked through a range of mid-tier to top tier M&A transactions providing stress testing/due diligence consultancy, and transaction advisory. He was a member of Committee on Collective Investment Governance (CCIG) of Central Bank of Ireland (2014) which supported the development of CP86.
He is currently a member of the Advisory Committee of the Certified Investment Fund Director Institute. He developed and delivers the post graduate programs in Alternative Assets at IOB (UCD), in Wealth Management in the Masters in Finance at Trinity College Dublin, and on the Certified Bank Director program in Ireland and UK.
Kevin is also deputy chair of the Irish platform one of the largest CLO originators in Europe and is chief executive of GEM Strategic, a specialist consultancy firm.
This programme has IFS Skillnet funding available for certain companies. You should check if your company has IFS Skillnet approval.
Tax relief may be available to candidates who are paying fees in a personal capacity. Further information is available from www.revenue.ie.
Funding it subject to availability
Professional Certificate in Capital Markets, Investments and Funds 2025/2026 IFS Skillnet form
View the IFS Skillnet Checklist
The programme fee is €1,595.
The programme fee is €1,196
Note: Students without IFS Skillnet funding should apply using the Apply now button above.
The programme is delivered online.
Continuous assessment which carries 30% of the final grade and a two-hour end of trimester exam worth 70%.
IOB programmes are largely delivered and assessed online. Students should ensure they have appropriate equipment (laptop), and that appropriate software (including MSOffice: Office and Word) is available to them to participate in the programme and related assessments (continuous assessments and exams).
When you successfully complete this programme, you will be awarded the Professional Certificate in Capital Markets, Investments and Funds from UCD.
This is a special purpose award and a level 9 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications.
The Professional Education Framework is a flexible education pathway that provides learning and development opportunities wherever you are in your career. You can access the framework at any step to take specialist qualifications depending on your career and learning need. Please click here to view the 2024/25 portfolio of programmes.
Autumm Trimester - (September 2025 - January 2026)
29 September 2025
When will IOB trimesters take place?
Application closing date - 19 September 2025
Registration closing date - 1 October 2025
What is the difference between the application and registration closing date?
Please note that the 2025/2026 academic year opens for registrations on the 8 August.
For more information please contact the Programme Manager, William Lawless at [email protected]
Module is running in Autumn and Spring Trimesters
(NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS) Understanding Financial Markets
Financial markets history: Equities, Bonds, Alternatives markets. Evolution and importance of capital markets. Understanding the core financial markets and history of asset prices.
Portfolio Management Part 1: Economics of Investment Management
Economics for Equity, Bonds, Property, Cash, other Alternatives. Impact of economic cycles on market returns and asset performance. Impact of Monetary Authorities and of Fiscal policy.
Key Legal Regulatory Requirements Part 1
Funds & Investments Regulations for capital markets, market participants and market structure. Markets Regulations.
Portfolio Management Part 2: a) Mathematics of Risk & Return
Measuring of performance, VAR, IRRs, Beta, Duration. Time Values, Discounting, Bond returns.
b) Asset Valuation
Key drivers of valuation - Bonds, Equities, Property, Alternatives. Valuation models and techniques.
Risk Management
Market Risk, Volatility, Liquidity Risk , Climate Risk, FX Risk, Interest Rate Risk. 3 Lines of Defence, Regulatory Reporting Requirements.
Hedging Portfolios & Derivatives
Key Uses of Derivatives - Calls, Puts, Futures, Interest Rate SWAPs, Total Return SWAPs, Credit Derivatives.
Alternative Investment Management
Real Estate, Private Equity/Private Credit/Debt, Hedge Funds , Commodities, Infrastructure, Digital Assets.
Portfolio Management Part 3: Building/Managing Portfolios
Fund development, investment selection, investment management. Case studies in investment management.
Key Legal Regulatory Requirements Part 2
Funds Regulations / Funds Law-UCITS / AIFMD / PRIIPS / CP86. Key fund structures and regulations. Protection of institutional and retail investors. Designated person for Investment Management (PCF 39D).
Sustainable Investing
ESG, Climate Risk Investing, Investing for Transition, SFDR Article 6,8,9 Investment Funds.
Portfolio Management Part 4: Investments & Funds Due Diligence
Key due diligence questions in building and managing assets and investment funds portfolios for all major fund industry participants.
Autumn Trimester (September - January)
Trimester start date - 29 September 2025
Application closing date - 19 September 2025 (Application Date | IOB Help Centre)
Registration closing date - 1 October 2025 (Registration Date | IOB Help Centre )
Spring Trimester (January - May)
Trimester start date - 3 February 2026
Application closing date - 23 January 2026 (Application Date | IOB Help Centre)
Registration closing date - 4 February 2026 (Registration Date | IOB Help Centre )
The minimum entry requirements to the Professional Certificate in Capital Markets Investments and Funds.
Will normally possess an Hons. Degree (Second class Hons. Grade 2 award or higher) and have employment experience in financial services sector
OR
Applications from aspiring candidates who do not satisfy criterion 1 above but have significant employment experience at middle to senior management level, will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
You must be a current member of IOB, or become a member, to apply for this programme, (membership year - January to December).
For more information on the membership fee and the benefits of being an IOB member, please click here.
Teaching in IOB is through the medium of English; therefore, applicants must demonstrate a high level of competence in the English language to be admitted to study. Students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate their proficiency in the language and must provide verifiable evidence of that proficiency. Further information on these requirements is provided in the IOB English Language Policy
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