The CISI, the professional body for Certified Financial Planners, has signed a deal with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) to enable its students to take CISI exams during their courses.

The university has become an accredited CISI Partner University.

The CISI says the move should help students target careers in financial services, the City and Financial Planning.

ARU has campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford and Peterborough and the new deal will allow students to take CISI examinations during their studies to help prepare for a career in finance.

Relevant ARU courses include: BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance, BSc (Hons) Banking and Finance, BSc (Hons) Business and Finance, MSc Accounting and Finance and a Finance MBA.

CISI qualifications which will be available to ARU students are the International Introduction to Investment and the Level 3 Introduction to Investment.

The agreement also means that ARU students will be able to become CISI members providing access to the CISI Continuing Professional Development suite, which includes 250 learning modules, CISI TV videos and the CISI member magazine The Review.

Eligible students will also have opportunities to study an accredited programme to enter the annual CISI Global Educational Trust Awards.

The new ARU/CISI collaboration will take effect from September.

Kirsty Crosby, CISI head of education development, said: “I am thoroughly looking forward to this collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University. The university is a strong advocate of professional qualifications and I feel as though the students are going to be well supported to embark on this fantastic opportunity. Our CISI Educational Trust programme will complement students' academic studies and give them a competitive edge in the world of work."

Professor Mohammad M. Ali, Pro Vice Chancellor & Dean of the Faculty of Business & Law Anglia Ruskin University (above), said: “This exciting collaboration with CISI promises to deliver added value for Anglia Ruskin University students. In addition to expert tuition and practical, real-world course content provided as part of their Anglia Ruskin degree courses, our students will also have the opportunity to gain globally recognised professional qualifications from CISI.”  

The CISI has about 47,000 members worldwide.

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