The CISI and universities

Investment education in universities – do your students want to work in the financial services industry?


The CISI is developing strong links with the higher education sector by accrediting some universities to offer training for CISI qualifications. The CISI recognises the synergy between some university offerings and the CISI’s qualifications and is pleased to be able to offer exemption from some of its modules. Please follow the links for more information.

Centres of Excellence are a select group of UK universities, recognised by the CISI as offering leadership in academic education on financial markets.

Students who are on a financially-related masters course recognised by the CISI are eligible for a range of benefits, the main one being that on successful completion of their Masters programme, they are eligible to apply for the prestigious CISI Diploma.

The following universities have been recognised as CISI Centres of Excellence.

Follow the links for more information and to download application forms:

BPP College of Law
CASS Business School
Edinburgh University
Glasgow Caledonian University 
ICMA Centre at the University of Reading
Imperial College Business School 
University of Exeter

How to take advantage of the benefits available

Step 1
Become a student member of the CISI by the first day of the second term in the Masters programme

Step 2
Achieve a grade A or B in Integrity Matters

Step 3
Gain a Masters degree

Step 4
Apply for exemption from the CISI Diploma
Apply for a membership upgrade to MCSI status, OR
Apply for exemption and MCSI membership status together at a discounted price

Please click on your university page (above) to get access to the forms.

*For BPP Law School apply for exemption from the Diploma in Investment Compliance once Regulation exam is completed

For more information on benefits available to students at the CISI’s Centres of Excellence,please download the brochure. 


The Stephen Cooke Scholarship Award

The CISI created an educational trust to sponsor a number of scholarships for students of financial subjects within its accredited Centres of Excellence.

If you would like to apply for the scholarship or would like more information on the eligibility criteria please follow the link CISI Educational Trust.

Find out more

For more information please contact:

John O’Keeffe
CISI Head of Educational Development
Email: john.o'keeffe@cisi.org