Liverpool Business School at Liverpool John Moores University has signed an agreement, with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), the leading professional body for the securities & investment industry, recognising the university as a CISI partner.

As part of this agreement students undertaking Liverpool Business School’s new MSc Financial Management programme will be given an opportunity to sit one of the CISI professional examinations, Level 6 Financial Markets.  Successful completion of this module enables the students to progress further and achieve either the CISI’s Chartered Wealth Manager qualification, or the CISI Capital Markets pathway designation.

Students undertaking the qualification will be eligible for student membership of the CISI.

Mike Franco, Programme Leader for Accounting & Finance at the University and Anne Chisholm, CISI Regional Education Development Executive from the CISI signed the agreement in the Redmonds Building on the university campus. Also in attendance were Karl Roberts, Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance from the University and James Charlton from Tilney Bestinvest, Education Secretary and Vice President of CISI’s Liverpool & North Wales Committee.

The partnership between a Chartered Institute and a higher education institution is seen as an excellent opportunity for students to bridge the gap between academia and the work place.

Mike said: “This is an exciting and valuable collaboration with the CISI.  Students undertaking the MSc Financial Management programme will have the opportunity to develop their employability skills, network with likeminded individuals within the profession and begin their journey in obtaining a CISI professional qualification.

“The initiatives and opportunities offered in this collaboration will add value to students studying the MSc Financial Management programme at Liverpool John Moores University and enhance their employability prospects.  We hope that this is just the beginning of our working partnership with the CISI and that further opportunities for programme enhancement will continue for both undergraduate and postgraduate provision within the Accounting & Finance programme area”.

Simon Culhane, Chartered FCSI and CISI CEO said: “We are delighted to be working with Liverpool Business School at Liverpool John Moores University. This partnership demonstrates the importance of combining a professional qualification with a highly relevant Masters degree to help students gain a competitive edge in the jobs market.”