Essex becomes a member of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program

The University of Essex has been welcomed into the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, widely considered as the investment profession’s most rigorous credentialing scheme.

MSc Finance and Investment, taught at Essex Business School, has been acknowledged as incorporating at least 70 percent of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) and placing emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Run by the CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, the CFA Program sets a standard for developing the skills and integrity of financial analysts, portfolio managers and investment advisers worldwide.

Becoming a member of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program signals to potential students and employers that the University of Essex curriculum is closely tied to professional practice. By completing this Masters course, students are well positioned to sit for the CFA examinations and obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, the most respected and recognised investment credential in the world.

Dr Sina Erdal, CFA, a lecturer at Essex Business School, said: “Finance is a competitive profession, so we strive to provide our students with as many opportunities as possible to enhance and broaden their CVs. Becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst can be a great way for students to gain an edge in the job market, so I am delighted that our students can take advantage of the opportunities provided by our membership of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.”

Membership also enables the University of Essex to award a limited number of student scholarships for the CFA exams each year.

Neil Govier, CFA, Head of University Relations at CFA Institute, said:

“Students of MSc Finance and Investment study much of the Candidate Body of Knowledge, which includes the core knowledge, skills and abilities identified by practitioners worldwide as essential for successful practice.

“By mastering the fundamentals of the CFA Program, these future investment professionals are well prepared to join the growing CFA Institute community, dedicated to promoting the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society.”