Higher Diploma in Pensions Management
Course Overview
Gain the in-depth technical knowledge & skills specifically required to operate at a senior level in the pensions industry.
This Higher Diploma in Pensions Management is designed for those who work closely with pension schemes and retirement planning, either as advisors, consultants, registered administrators, trustees, human resources, tax and finance managers, employees of insurance companies and investment management firms.
Please note: If you are hoping to apply for programme exemptions please complete this form as part of your application.
Why Study Pensions Management at Griffith College?
The programme provides learners with comprehensive knowledge and competence relating to pensions and retirement planning, including pensions legislation, taxation, insurance and investment, long-term financing, regulation and government policy. The programme also develops the employees’ softer skills in the areas of communication, written and oral, active listening, relationship management, problem solving and business awareness.
Course Highlights
- Excellent reputation within industry
- Superb networking and mentoring opportunities within the Institute
- Convenient part-time city centre location
- Endorsed by the Pensions Regulator
- A proven stepping stone to senior career opportunities
- Part-time blended learning
Intake Dates
Irish Institute of Pensions Management
The IIPM was founded in 1990 with the primary objective to promote professional and educational standards amongst those working in the field of pensions. The institute has delivered high quality and relevant qualifications to employees for close to 30 years. Employers and the pensions regulator recognise the value of IIPM membership qualifications given the importance of pensions to the Irish economy and Irish society.
Course Details
Both the higher diploma and certificate provide advanced knowledge in the areas of pensions and retirement planning, as well as management practice. The programme enhances and develops the learners’ knowledge of pensions and retirement planning principles and the evaluative skills to apply this knowledge to the issues facing individuals, companies and scheme trustees.
Ultimately, successful learners on this programme are able to advise clients (employers, trustees and individuals) and colleagues on all matters relating to pensions in a professional, expert and comprehensible manner.
Course Modules
This module aims to develop an enhanced understanding of life assurance protection products available in the market and corresponding regulation pertaining to this field. It will equip learners with the necessary skills to identify client protection needs, compare insurance products and determine the appropriate recommendations to meet these needs.
This module provides a detailed understanding of the regulatory framework pertaining to financial services and intermediaries and the application of the conduct of business provisions to real-life financial planning situations.
This module provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of the investment environment, the different types of investment classes and corresponding risks and returns associated with different types of assets. It provides a practical applied knowledge of the range of financial securities and products available in the Irish marketplace. It develops corresponding analytical skills to critique each type of financial security the requisite skill set to identify, critically analyse and select financial products which are appropriate to individual client risk profiles and meet their investment objectives.
The module provides the learners with an in depth knowledge of financing of retirement. It develops the skills to carry out the appropriate funding calculations and ability to recognise the impact of the underlying assumptions on Sustainable Retirement Financing. Learners understand funding methods used in funding defined benefit schemes and the corresponding implications. The module builds on knowledge gained in previous modules by analysing key factors for consideration in the determination of an investment strategy and on the implementation of appropriate selection and control processes.
The aims of this module are to provide learners with an enhanced & current understanding of the retirement provision framework in Ireland, in particular the mechanisms for private retirement provision in Ireland. Key to the module will be the ability to research, interpret and apply the underpinning legislative provisions, developing the learner’s independent learning skills, and skills of enquiry and research.
The aims of this module are to provide learners with an understanding of the issues pertaining to international employees and key factors for consideration in designing international employee benefit strategies. Learners will achieve the ability to analyse the methods & implications of provision of retirement & risk benefits in an international context. The module will also include an analysis of the retirement framework in a selection of countries, which will serve to highlight the difference in international pension practices.
The aims of this module are to provide learners with an in-depth understanding of: Trust arrangements including trust documentation, trustee duties & powers. Legislation pertaining to pension scheme arrangements and aims to provide learners with the skills to research, critically analyse & present the required provisions in a professional manner. Good pension scheme governance and mechanisms for effective governance.
Learners will gain a developed understanding of general pension management issues & review/update on National policy pertaining to pension provision and in particular employee-related arrangements. Learners will apply their understanding in a practical situation and communicate in a non-technical manner and the opportunity to integrate knowledge & skills developed over the course of the programme with work-based experience. Overall they will gain the ability to reflect on their own practices using concepts, knowledge and experience gained over the course of the programme building on their own prior experiential learning.
Course Contact
Aine Mc Manus
- Dublin Main Campus
Timetables
The course will consist of classes run over two or three nights per week for eight weeks per semester, as well as some Saturday classes each semester. Please see provisional timetable below and please take some time to read the notes in the timetable.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to hold an undergraduate degree at level 7 (cognate) or 8 (non-cognate).
The programme is ideally suited to graduates from accountancy, business, finance, insurance, compliance, risk, governance, actuarial, human resources, law, mathematics and related disciplines who wish to advance their career and deepen their knowledge in the financial, pension, insurance and investment sectors. The programme is also open to graduates of other disciplines, for example, science, engineering or the arts.
Applications are also invited from learners holding the Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA, Level 7) award who have a minimum of two years of relevant working experience in the financial services sector.
Other candidates, who do not have the requisite educational standards, but who have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in financial services, may also apply.
Exemptions
Please note: If you are hoping to apply for programme exemptions please complete this form as part of your application.
Applicants are entitled to apply for a maximum of three module exemptions on the programme through the Colleges Approved Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) policies. The applicant must demonstrate knowledge/experience and/or relevant qualifications e.g. QFA, PTP, etc through a written APEL matrix submission. The following modules are available to apply for exemption.
- Life Assurance
- Regulation and Financial Planning
- Savings and Investments
A discount of €350 is given per exemption granted. This discount applies where exemptions are granted for up to and including the first three modules on the certificate stage of the programme only. Application for exemptions must be made prior to registration and will not be facilitated once the programme has commenced. Please note, exemptions awarded in the award stage of a programme result in the final award appearing as unclassified on the QQI diploma supplement.
Please enquire with the Admissions Team for details and application process for exemptions on this programme.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply to Griffith College directly online using the Apply Online facility on the website homepage or the button below. Mature applicants will be asked for a copy of their passport.
Fees
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times. For confirmation, refer to the intake dates in the Overview tab.
The full fee for this programme is €5,650.*
|
Programme |
Fee |
IIPM Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Diploma in Pensions Management (ab initio) | €5,650* | €100 |
| Higher Diploma in Pensions Management (post-Certificate) | €2,900* | €100 |
| Credit for Exemptions | €350 discount per module** |
*Quoted fee inclusive of Griffith College registration and PEL (Protection for Enrolled Learner) fees
**This discount fee applies where learners are exempted from modules at the certificate stage, and applies where exemptions are granted for up to and including the first three modules on the certificate stage of the programme. Exemptions must be applied for and granted in advance of undertaking the programme.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and you should send this to the Student Fees Office:
Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
Email: accounts@griffith.ie
Direct Debit Scheme
Students wishing to pay for their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page to review the payment plan schedule and how to apply.
An Academic Administration Fee of €250 is payable each September at the start of term. For students starting in the January/February term, €125 is payable in February, and then €250 will be payable each September from then onwards.
A 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted. The fees above relate to Year 1 fees only.
Progression
What further study can I do?
Upon completion of the course participants are encouraged to further their studies through joining our Graduate Business School, and by doing so continuing to broaden their knowledge and academic studies within the business environment.
