The ifs will no longer award new Fellow, Associate or Affiliateship professional designations. All current holders will retain their existing professional designation and have access to the same benefits and services as long as they continue with their Alumni Membership.

The gaining of degree-awarding powers along with calls for greater professionalism and relevant qualifications within the financial services industry has prompted a review into how the ifs awards professional designations.

The review considered the changes necessary in order to meet new regulatory obligations as a degree-awarding institution, and how to embed a robust framework for professional designations, linking academic achievement with Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

In addition, as a degree-awarding body in its own right, the ifs degree programme no longer requires validation by a university partner which means the programme can not lead to a ‘dual’ award. As a result, students who register on the BSc (Hons) programme after 2 February 2010 will not be eligible to receive the Associateship award on completion of their studies. Please note that successful students who registered before this date are still eligible for the Associateship award.

However, students successfully completing the BSc (Hons) in Banking Practice and Management will be eligible to join the Chartered Associateship scheme provided they also have two years of relevant work experience. A new Chartered Fellow professional designation will be available to students who successfully complete the MSc in Banking Practice and Management.

Chartered professional designations give formal recognition to the application of experience and academic understanding as they sit within a structured CPD scheme. By undertaking monitored Continuing Professional Development participants are able to enhance and maintain their skills and technical knowledge after they have completed their studies.

If you have any queries regarding your professional designation, please do not hesitate to contact Alumni Services on + 44 (0) 207 444 7129 or via alumni@ifslearning.ac.uk.