University College Dublin
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I know, let’s sign upI have an account, let me sign in firstThe Professional Certificate in Financial Advice is a must for all those pursuing a career in retail and business banking. It is the benchmark qualification for product advisers in retail financial services products in the Republic of Ireland.
University College Dublin
For people who are interested in...
If you are a product adviser, or wish to become one in the future, then the Professional Certificate in Financial Advice will enhance the breadth and depth of your knowledge to provide consumers with sound professional advice.
On successful completion of this programme and on attaining the recognised professional designation APA, you will be able to:
Provide competent financial product advice to consumers
Describe relevant regulation that is used in the provision of financial services and the impact it has in this environment
Use analytical skills to make recommendations to clients regarding a financial product.
Successfully demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to meet the regulatory requirements for the relevant designation, as outlined in the Central Bank of Ireland’s Minimum Competency Code (MCC).
Delivery is online
Two hour exam for each module at the end of the trimester - (100 multiple choice questions)
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)
€395 per module, plus an annual study fee of €80
Professional Certificate in Financial Advice from UCD.
This is a special purpose award and a level 7 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Invite to the APA designation.
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.
IOB is offering six exam sittings per year for some QFA modules, providing greater flexibility to attain the Professional Certificate in Financial Advice (APA).
For further information and to see the enrolment dates in the 2025-26 academic year, please click on the Key Dates tab at the top of this page.
For more information please contact the Programme Manager, Ann Hodgins at [email protected]
The QFA modules listed below run in Autumn, Spring and Summer Trimesters.
*It is also possible to register for some of these modules at other times throughout the year. To see the additional exam dates, please click on the Key Dates tab above.
In this programme you study one core module and one optional module:
Core:
(NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)
Identify the different forms of Regulation relating to financial service providers.
Identify the main regulatory bodies in Ireland and their functions.
Discuss the range of regulatory rules that apply to intermediaries and/or product providers in their dealings with clients.
Describe the impact of legislation relating to consumer protection, money laundering, distance marketing, data protection & privacy, Investor compensation, unfair terms in consumer contracts and tax evasion.
Explain the functions and powers of the Financial Services Ombudsman and the Pension Ombudsman.
Specific areas covered:
Why financial service providers are regulated
Authorisation
Minimum Competency Code
Consumer Protection Code
MiFID
Data protection
Anti-money laundering.
Optional (choose 1):
(NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)
Discuss the operation of the financial services markets and the impact of government economic and monetary policy on Investments.
Describe the features, benefits, limitations and risks associated with the different classes of investment assets available within the industry.
Identify and discuss the basic investment principles.
Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of investments required to effectively advise clients.
Specific areas covered:
Markets
Asset classes
Shares
Bonds
Deposits
Collective investment schemes
Unit-linked savings
Regulation.
(NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)
Describe the main life assurance needs of the consumer at all life stages.
Explain the main features, benefits, limitations, and risks of different types of life protection policies.
Detail the issues involved in starting a policy and in paying out benefits.
Identify the constituents in a valid will and know the impact of the Succession Act.
Discuss financial mathematics principles that underpin personal life assurance and pension products and perform related calculations.
Specific areas covered:
Why protection is needed
Term assurances
Income protection
Serious illness
Business insurances
Estate planning
Unit-linked savings and bonds
Quantifying protection needs
Regulation.
(NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)
Describe the personal financial need for a loan, and the different ways in which such a need can be met by different types of loans and consumer credit on offer.
Explain the features, benefits, limitations, security requirements and taxation treatment of consumer loans and credit arrangements, and their associated insurances.
Discuss and demonstrate the impact of regulation on the provision of housing loans and different forms of consumer credit.
Detail the steps and documentation involved in obtaining a housing loan and evaluate and recommend an appropriate housing loan option from those on offer.
Identify the issues and processes involved in debt restructuring and equity release and describe the process and protocols to be adopted for the recovery of loan arrears.
Specific areas covered:
Types of housing loans
Central bank requirements
Regulation
Loan application
Housing loan insurances
Arrears
Consumer credit.
(NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)
Explain the need for retirement provision.
Describe the taxation, legislation and regulatory framework for pensions.
Identify the features, benefits and risks of pension product options available to clients.
Display the skills and competencies required to effectively advise clients in all areas of Pensions.
Specific areas covered:
State pensions
Personal pension plans
Employer pension schemes
AVCs
ARFs
Annuities
Quantifying pension needs
Investment
Regulatory bodies.
Accredited Product Adviser (APA)
If you hold an IOB designation or a designation managed by IOB, CPD hours may be awarded on successful completion of this programme.
IOB is offering six exam sittings per year for PCFA modules, providing greater flexibility to attain the Professional Certificate in Financial Advice (APA).
*Please note that some of these modules do not run in all intakes. For further information, please refer to the Upcoming Intakes, or click on the link below:
Key dates for extra sitting APA / QFA modules 2025/2026
INTAKE ONE
TO REGISTER FOR QFA REGULATION, QFA LIFE ASSURANCE, QFA LOANS, QFA INVESTMENT, QFA PENSIONS, QFA FINANCIAL ADVICE or QFA FINANCIAL PLANNING
Closing date - 05 November 2025
Trimester start date - 29 September 2025
Exam Session - (05-01-2026 - 17-01-2026)
INTAKE TWO
TO REGISTER FOR QFA REGULATION, QFA LOANS OR QFA INVESTMENT
Closing date - 25 February 2026
Trimester start date - 5 January 2026
Exam Session - (06-04-2026 - 18-04-2026)
INTAKE THREE
TO REGISTER FOR QFA REGULATION, QFA LIFE ASSURANCE, QFA LOANS, QFA INVESTMENT, QFA PENSIONS, QFA FINANCIAL ADVICE or QFA FINANCIAL PLANNING
Closing date - 11 March 2026
Trimester start date - 03 February 2026
Exam Session - (04-05-2026 - 16-05-2026)
INTAKE FOUR
TO REGISTER FOR QFA REGULATION, QFA LOANS OR QFA INVESTMENT
Closing date - 20 May 2026
Trimester start date - 06 April 2026
Exam Session - (29-06-2026 - 11-07-2026)
INTAKE FIVE
TO REGISTER FOR QFA REGULATION, QFA LIFE ASSURANCE, QFA LOANS, QFA INVESTMENT, QFA PENSIONS, QFA FINANCIAL ADVICE or QFA FINANCIAL PLANNING
Closing date - 15 July 2026
Trimester start date - 08 June 2026
Exam Session - (07-09-2026 -19-09-2026)
INTAKE SIX
TO REGISTER FOR QFA REGULATION, QFA LOANS OR QFA INVESTMENT
Closing date - 31 July 2026
Trimester start date - 08 July 2026
Exam Session - (05-10-2026 -10-10-2026)
****INTAKE SIX (2024 - 2025 ACADEMIC YEAR****
TO REGISTER FOR QFA REGULATION, QFA LOANS OR QFA INVESTMENT
Closing date - 08 August 2025
Trimester start date - 03 June 2025
Exam Session - (29-09-2025 -11-10-2025)
The minimum entry requirements are as follows:
Five passes in the Leaving Certificate, including English and Mathematics, OR;
Five O Level/GCSE passes, including English Language and Mathematics, OR;
IOB will also consider applications on a mature candidate basis from applicants who are 23 years of age before the date of their application for admission to the programme.
You must be a current member of IOB, or become a member, to undertake 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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