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The Diploma in Pensions Management and Policy

Explanatory Note

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Table of Contents

1 Why the change .............................................................................................................................. 3

2 Entry Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 4

3 Transitional Arrangements for existing IIPM Students ................................................................... 6

3.1 New Diploma Structure ........................................................................................................... 6

3.2 Previous IIPM Structure & Transition arrangements for IIPM Students:................................ 7

3.2.1 I am at the entry requirements level .............................................................................. 8

3.2.2 I am commencing or part way through the membership exams ................................. 10

3.2.3 I am commencing or part way through the Associateship exams ................................ 12

4 How to apply for the programme ................................................................................................. 16

5 How to apply for module exemptions .......................................................................................... 16

5.1.1 What happens after I apply? ......................................................................................... 18

5.1.2 Exemption Application Fee: .......................................................................................... 18

6 Who to Contact for further information ....................................................................................... 18

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1 Why the change

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2 Entry Requirements

On completion of this form please submit with your Admissions Office, National College of Ireland,

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Q: I have already completed part of the existing IIPM qualifications, or other relevant professional

qualifications, what options do I have?

If you have already started the Membership or Associateship qualifications, you can transition onto

this new award where you may apply for exemption from the subjects that you may have already

been successful in. Specific details are provided in the section on transitional arrangements.

If you have already started or completed other professional qualifications, you may also be eligible

for exemptions under the recognition of prior learning process. Further details are provided in

section on transitional arrangement and section regarding the exemption application process.

Q: I have studied some of the modules before as part of my degree or other academic qualification

You may be eligible for exemption in these modules. Further details are provided in section 5 –

exemption application process.

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3 Transitional Arrangements for existing IIPM Students

This section is intended to guide individuals currently engaged in the IIPM qualifications

through their options.

3.1 New Diploma Structure

*The International Practice will only be taken by individuals who wish to complete the Diploma. If

you wish to to exit the programme with a Certificate in Pensions, Investment & Insurance you will

not take the international Practice module

...Investments

...RetirementBenefits

...Retirement Funding

...Life Insurance

...Regulation & Financial Planning

...International Practice*

...Pensions Scheme Law & Governance

...Pensions Managment

Diploma in Pensions Management & Policy

IIPM Associateship & Minimum Competency

Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3

Certificate in Pensions Investments & Insurance

“Membership” of IIPM & Minimum Competency

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3.2 Previous IIPM Structure & Transition arrangements for IIPM Students:

Previous Structure - Route to Associateship:

For transition arrangements, please click on your relevant stage below:

1. I am at the entry requirements level : Please click here or see section 3.2.1 2. I am commencing or part way through the Membership exams: please click here or see

section 3.2.2 3. I am commencing or part way through the Associateship exams: please click here or see

section 3.2.3

Entry Requirements

• QFA Life Assurance

• QFA Pensions

• QFA Regulation

Membership

• Retirement Planning Advice

• Retirement Provision

Associateship

• International Pensions Practice

• Governance & Compliance

• Pensions Managment

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3.2.1 I am at the entry requirements level

Subjects I have successfully completed to-date

Exemption from Modules under the new programme

Requirements

QFA Life Assurance Application for an exemption for “Life Assurance” may be sought.

See note 1

QFA Pensions Not eligible for an Exemption N/A - See note 3

QFA Regulation Application for an exemption for “Regulation & Financial Planning” may be given if you have also successfully completed QFA Financial Planning.

See note 1 and 2

QFA Financial Planning Application for an exemption for “Regulation & Financial Planning” may be considered if you have also successfully completed QFA Regulation Module.

See note 1 and 2

QFA Investments Application for an exemption for “Investments” may be considered.

See note 1

Note 1:

The QFA modules form part of the Professional Diploma in Financial Advice awarded by the Institute

of Bankers or LIA are accredited on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at level 7.

All modules on the Diploma in Pensions Management and Policy/Certificate in Pensions, Investments

& Insurance are accredited at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

In order to be eligible for an exemption for a level 8 module, you must apply for an exemption

through the RPEL process, which gives credit for exams already completed and work experience.

If you hold the QFA Designation - please submit a transcript of the qualification and your CV.

If you do not hold the QFA designation but have successfully completed a relevant QFA

Module, please submit the completed RPEL application form, providing evidence of how

your additional experiential learning through your work experience or through further study

has achieved the learning outcomes at level 8 for each module you wish to apply for an

exemption. Each RPEL application is individually assessed. For further information please

click here or go to section 5

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Note 2:

The corresponding module on the new Diploma in Pensions Management and Policy programme is

“Regulation & Financial Planning”. The Regulation element of this module is assessed through an in

class assessment during the semester and the financial planning element of this module is assessed

by a project completed at home.

If you hold the QFA designation then please provide copies of the qualification and your CV.

If you do not hold the QFA Designation but have completed both the QFA Financial Planning & QFA

Regulation modules, which are at level 7, will can apply through the RPEL exemption process and

submit the completed application form for this module, providing evidence of how your additional

experiential learning through workplace or through further study has achieved the learning

outcomes at level 8 for this module.

For further information and the exemption application forms - please see section 5

Note 3:

This module does not provide any exemptions but will serve as an excellent basis of learning for the

Retirement benefits and Retirement Funding modules.

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3.2.2 I am commencing or part way through the membership exams

You must complete the first five modules on the new structure in order to achieve the professional

recognition of “Member” of the IIPM and advance onto the final stage of the Diploma or

alternatively elect to exit on completion for the five modules with a Certificate in Pensions,

Investments & Insurance.

The five modules you must complete for Membership and Minimum Competency are as follows:

Retirement Benefits

Investments

Retirement Funding

Life Insurance

Regulation & Financial Planning

Am I eligible for any exemptions?

If you have already completed the following subjects in studying for the IIPM professional

membership qualification, the following will apply

Subject I have successfully completed to-date

Exemption from Modules under the new programme

Requirements

Retirement Provision

Retirement Funding You will qualify for an Exemption from this module No Exemption Application required - Please include note on your application form This exemption will cease to apply for students who have not successfully completed the Retirement Provision subject by the 31st December 2011

Retirement Planning Advice

Retirement Benefits Provided QFA Pensions has also been successfully completed.

You will qualify for an exemption from this module provided you have also successfully completed the QFA Pensions module No Exemption Application from required, please include note on your application form This exemption will cease to apply for students who have not successfully completed the Retirement Planning Advice module by the 31st December 2011.

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QFA Pensions Retirement Benefits Subject to also having completed the Retirement Planning Advice module. This exemption will no longer apply for students who have not successfully completed the Retirement Planning Advice module by the 31st December 2011.

QFA Life Assurance Application for an exemption for “Life Assurance” may be considered.

See note 1

QFA Regulation Application for an exemption for “Regulation & Financial Planning” may be considered.

You must also have completed the QFA Financial Planning module - see note 1& 2

QFA Financial Planning Application for an exemption for “ Regulation & Financial Planning” may be considered

You must also have completed the QFA Regulation Module - see Note 1 & 2

QFA Investments Application for an exemption for “Investments” may be considered.

See note 1

Note 1:

The QFA modules form part of the Professional Diploma in Financial Advice awarded by the Institute

of Bankers or LIA are accredited on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at level 7.

All modules on the Diploma in Pensions Management and Policy/Certificate in Pensions, Investments

& Insurance are accredited at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

In order to be eligible for an exemption for a level 8 module, you must apply for an exemption

through the RPEL process which give credit for previous exams and work experience–

If you hold the QFA Designation - please submit a transcript of the qualification and your CV.

If you do not hold the QFA designation but have successfully completed a relevant QFA

Module, please submit the completed RPEL application form, providing evidence of how

your additional experiential learning through your work experience or through further study

has achieved the learning outcomes at level 8 for each module you wish to apply for an

exemption. Each RPEL application is individually assessed. For further information please

click here or go to section 5

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Note 2:

The corresponding module on the new Diploma in Pensions Management and Policy programme is

“Regulation & Financial Planning”. The Regulation element of this module is assessed through an in

class assessment during the semester and the financial planning element of this module is assessed

by a project completed at home.

If you hold the QFA designation, to apply for an exemption please provide copies of the

qualification and your CV.

If you do not hold the QFA Designation but have completed both the QFA Financial Planning

& QFA Regulation modules, which are at level 7, will can apply through the RPEL exemption

process and submit the completed application form for this module, providing evidence of

how your additional experiential learning through workplace or through further study has

achieved the learning outcomes at level 8 for this module. For further information and the

exemption application forms - please see section 5

3.2.3 I am commencing or part way through the Associateship exams

If you have already completed the membership level and are currently studying to receive the IIPM

Associateship accreditation, you can Transfer to Diploma in Pension Management & Policy

You can transition onto this new award where you may be eligible for exemption from the subjects

that you may have already been successful in – please see below for further details

The Diploma in Pensions Management & Policy at level 8 (60 ECTS) on the National Framework of

Qualifications (NFQ) consists of the following eight modules

Retirement Benefits

Investments

Retirement Funding

Insurance

Regulation & Financial Planning

International Practice

Pension Scheme Law & Governance

Pensions Management

On successful completion of this programme you will graduate with the above academic

qualification and will also receive the professional accreditation of “Associate” of the IIPM.

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Am I eligible for any exemptions?

If you have already completed the following subjects in studying for the IIPM professional

Associateship qualification, the following will apply

Subject I have successfully completed to-date

Exemption from Modules under the new programme

Requirements

International Practice International Practice You will qualify for an Exemption from this module No exemption application form is required - Please include note on your programme application form

Pensions Management No exemption will granted for this subject.

See Note 1

Governance & Compliance Pension Scheme Law & Governance – subject to very strict criteria

See Note 2

Retirement Provision

Retirement Funding You will qualify for an Exemption from this module No Exemption Application is required - Please include note on your programme application form. This exemption will cease to apply for students who have not successfully completed the Retirement Provision subject by the 31st December 2011

Retirement Planning Advice (IIPM or LIA)

Retirement Benefits You will qualify for an exemption from this module provided you have also successfully completed the QFA Pensions module No Exemption Application from required, please include note on your application form This exemption will cease to apply for students who have not successfully completed the Retirement Planning Advice module by the 31st December 2011.

QFA Pensions Retirement Benefits Subject to also having completed the Retirement Planning Advice module.

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This exemption will no longer apply for students who have not successfully completed the Retirement Planning Advice module by the 31st December 2011.

QFA Life Assurance Application for an exemption for “Life Assurance” may be considered.

See note 3

QFA Regulation Application for an exemption for “Regulation & Financial Planning” may be considered.

You must also have completed the QFA Financial Planning module - see note 3 & 4

QFA Financial Planning Application for an exemption for “ Regulation & Financial Planning” may be considered

You must also have completed the QFA Regulation Module. see note 3 & 4

QFA Investments Application for an exemption for “Investments” may be considered.

See note 3

Note 1:

This module under the new structure is assessed by a role play & work based project. As this form of

assessment is not included under the existing IIPM basis, no exemption can be granted.

Note 2:

If you have already successfully completed the Governance & Compliance modules under the

existing IIPM Associateship programme, you may be eligible to apply using the RPEL process for an

exemption for the Pension Scheme Law & Governance.

In order to be considered for an exemption from this module at level 8, students must to show extensive consultancy experience and dealings with Trustee Boards at a senior level.

Note 3:

The QFA modules form part of the Professional Diploma in Financial Advice awarded by the Institute

of Bankers or LIA are accredited on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at level 7.

All modules on the Diploma in Pensions Management and Policy/Certificate in Pensions, Investments

& Insurance are accredited at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

In order to be eligible for an exemption for a level 8 module, you must apply for an exemption

through the RPEL process which give credit for previous exams and work experience.

If you hold the QFA Designation - please submit a transcript of the qualification and your CV.

If you do not hold the QFA designation but have successfully completed a relevant QFA

Module, please submit the completed RPEL application form, providing evidence of how

your additional experiential learning through your work experience or through further study

has achieved the learning outcomes at level 8 for each module you wish to apply for an

exemption. Each RPEL application is individually assessed. For further information please

click here or go to section 5

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Note 4:

The corresponding module on the new programme is “Regulation & Financial Planning”. The

Regulation element of this module is assessed through an in class assessment during the semester

and the financial planning element of this module is assessed by project completed at home.

If you hold the QFA designation then please provide copies of the qualification and your CV.

If you do not hold the QFA Designation but have completed both the QFA Financial Planning & QFA

Regulation modules, which are at level 7, will can apply through the RPEL exemption process and

submit the completed application form for this module, providing evidence of how your additional

experiential learning through workplace or through further study has achieved the learning

outcomes at level 8 for this module. For further information and the exemption application

forms - please see section 5

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4 How to apply for the programme

1. You can apply and complete the programme application form online by using the following link http://www.ncirl.ie/Programmes_Courses/Apply and clicking on “Apply or Register Online for Part-time Courses”.

http://www.ncirl.ie/Programmes_Courses/Apply

5 How to apply for module exemptions

Recognition of Prior Learning is the process that can allow you to gain an exemption from some

modules of the programme based on you providing evidence of learning you achieved through

previous study and/or your work experience by demonstrating how your breadth and depth of

experience meets the required Learning Outcomes of the preceding a particular module.

The learning outcomes are what you are expected to be able to demonstrate that you have learnt

and can do in order to successfully pass the subject and are assessed on the basis of the learning

outlined in the syllabus of particular module. Each of the individual learning outcomes and module

syllabus for this module is included below.

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If you do not hold the QFA designation, by completing the RPEL exemptions application form for

particular module, you will be providing assessors with evidence of this experiential learning. There

are two key words that you need to keep in mind experience and evidence.

In describing your experience focus on what you have done – previous study, experience &

knowledge gained through duties related to their employment, activities, projects, interactions,

processes and achievements and aligning this experience to the outcomes for this module.

Provide evidence to back up your assertions through experience through prior learning or through

experience gained through work.

You can find the relevant exemption application forms below. Where possible, please type the

application.

1. Prior Experiential Learning through previous study in related areas:

Please provide a copy of both of the following from the awarding body

The result transcript, and

Confirmation that the programme is accredited the National Framework of Qualification and at what level and

For each relevant subject or module, an official subject descriptor/syllabus of the module.

Note: Professional Diploma in Financial Advice (QFA)/Diploma in Pensions:

For applications related to the above Professional qualification with either the Institute of Bankers or

the LIA, a copy of the module syllabus is NOT required.

What happens if my qualification is accredited on the framework at level 7 or lower?

Please note if your qualification(s) is accredited on the National Framework of Qualifications at level

7 or lower, in order to gain an exemption you will need to provide evidence of how your additional

experiential learning through experiences in a workplace or through further study has achieved the

learning outcomes at level 8 for this module set out below

2. Prior Experiential Learning through experiences in your workplace

In describing your experience focus on what you have done & contributed and how this experience

show evidence that it aligns to the particular learning outcomes and syllabus for this module.

This may include for example course outlines of in house training seminars, descriptions of

experience & knowledge gained through duties related to your employment, work you carried out as

part of projects you have been involved in, interactions with staff and clients, processes and

achievements.

Documentation, technical specifications and other tangible outputs can be attached in support of

your application.

It is not advisable to provide information that is sensitive or confidential to your employer.

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5.1.1 What happens after I apply?

All application are individually assessed

An assessor will map the information you have provided to the learning outcomes and syllabus of

the module you are seeking to apply for an exemption.

The outcome of your application will be communicated in writing to you. Please ensure to put

include a postal address and email address on your programme application form.

5.1.2 Exemption Application Fee:

6 Who to Contact for further information

Should you have any queries with regard the above or any details on the course, please contact

Jessica Mullen at iipm@ncirl.ie or on 01 4498 534