Financial Services - Classroom Course

This course will be suitable for you, should you be new to your role or if you wish to gain this valuable qualification and find a job in this sector.

Access to the Programme

Mature Applicants with relevant life and work experience are welcomed. The Course Advisor is available to meet with prospective learners to discuss and advise on the course details, career and academic opportunities and assess your suitability for the course.

Entry Criteria

Entry criteria / prerequisites Level 4 Certificate / Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) or relevant life experience detailed in a current Curriculum Vitae. Please provide details and attach a copy of either a current CV or Certificate. Learners must be a resident of Ireland / based in Ireland.

English

As this NFQ level 5 qualification is delivered through English it is necessary learners will have sufficient written English skills to complete this course. Forus Training recommends a minimum English language competency of IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) for successful completion of this programme. If you are not sure what level of English competency you have, please contact hello@forustraining.ie and a Course Advisor will arrange for you to take an assessment.

IT Skills and Equipment Required

Basic working knowledge of computers and access to a computer with internet access is required to do the course. A PC with Windows 8 or later or a Mac with OSX 10.5 or later.

• An internet connection with a speed of at least 10mbps.
• The latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari, set to accept cookies and pop-ups.
• Adobe Flash and Adobe Reader, to view content.
• Word processing software, such as MS Word or Google Docs.
• Some courses include video, therefore your computer must be capable of playing video and sound.

* eLearning and tutor support may vary by course, please check each course page for details.

Reasonable Accommodation

To reinforce inclusion for all our learners we offer customised learning support for individual applicants who require accommodations. Additional Requirements Forus Training provide a range of supports for learners to ensure that our programmes and services are accessible to all.

On application for a course with Forus Training please discuss any additional requirements with the Course Advisor at hello@forustraining.ie so that the appropriate supports for teaching, learning and assessment can be considered. It is important that you discuss your needs with centre staff as early as possible.

Through this programme you will discover how to;

1. Examine the financial services industry in Ireland, including, the various types of financial services organisations, the range of financial products provided and the role of the industry in the economy
2. Examine the structure and operation of the Irish Banking system and the range of products and services provided
3. Examine the role and services provided by of other lending and savings institutions, to include, An Post, Credit Unions and Building Societies
4. Evaluate the regulatory environment in which the Financial Services Industry operations, including the role of the Irish Government, the Central bank and the Financial Services Regular
5. Examine the impact of and role of Europe on the Irish Financial Services Industry
6. Investigate the technological solutions that meet the needs of financial services providers to include market data, credit risks, share purchase, payment clearance, yields, and cash flows
7. Examine the concepts of Monetary Policy and the Money Supply, including objectives and techniques of Monetary policy and the relationship between inflation and money supply
8. Explore the role and functions of the Irish Stock Exchange to include, the conditions for stock exchange quotation, the methods for selling and buying different types of shares, share groupings and the role of brokers and dealers
9. Distinguish between different types of Share Speculation, to include, Stags, Bulls, Bears, Arbitrage, Options and Dealings
10. Distinguish between a managed fund and unit linked fund and between a Unit Trust and Investment Trust
11. Interpret a stock exchange quotation published in the media
12. Complete a range of financial services industry documentation, including commonly used banking service documents
13. Provide investment advice and propose solutions to a specific investment problem
14. Evaluate employment opportunities in the financial services sector and the personal, business and professional skills necessary to obtain these positions.

Assessment

The course 5N1383 Financial Service is assessed in the following ways, with the following weighting;

• Assignment 60%
• Examination 40%.

Assignment 60%;

An assignment is an exercise carried out in response to a brief with specific guidelines as to what should be included. An assignment is usually of short duration and may be carried out over a specified period of time

Examination 40%;

An examination provides a means of assessing a learner's ability to recall and apply knowledge, skills and understanding within a set period of time and under clearly specified conditions. A theory-based examination assesses the ability to recall, apply and understand specific theory and knowledge.

Grading

Pass 50% - 64%

Merit 65% - 70%

Distinction 80% - 100%

Tutor Support

At Forus Training, we have many different supports available for your learning.

Learner Pack

• When you enrol on a course, you will receive a printed learner pack from your trainer on the first session of the event.
• This learner pack contains clear assessment instructions and comprehensive material to support you as you complete the course.
• The pack will also include induction information as well as forms that you will complete during and at the end of your course.

Trainer Support

• The trainer provides support to learners, including issuing feedback on draft work you will submit. Expect to wait up to 72 hours for a response by email from your trainer. Many of our trainers have full time jobs as well as training with us this means they will have up-to-date sector specific information, but also means that you need to allow a little time for them to get back to you. Our trainers are current with practice in the sector in which they work.
• Trainers can, by appointment, make time available to you before or after class to answer your queries that cannot be covered in the session. They can also make an appointment with you to discuss your work on a telephone call.

Assessment Upload Facility

• We have a user-friendly assessment upload facility available to you..

Support with Preparing for Assessment

If it has been a while since you’ve studied, we have free, short presentations on Study Skills, Academic Writing and Harvard Referencing to assist you in your work.

Technical Support

• Every Saturday, our Digital Ambassador Team holds a Zoom meeting – to assist learners with their technology related challenges - no question too small! The staff in this “Digital Ambassador“ role are experienced in accessing all of our systems, including the LMS and myforustraining.ie. They are positioned to assist with all the usual technology queries learners might have: Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc), email, file saving and organisation etc.
• Technical support is available by phone to 044 9349400 or by email: hello@forustraining.ie or through the contact form on our website.

Compassionate Consideration

• Where a Learner, pursuing an award, through no fault of his/her own, is unable to complete their assessment, the exit pathway below is in place to facilitate this Learner with an alternative course. The Learner is given the opportunity to obtain the Award by completing the course at an alternative date/location should they have relocated to an area where we provide the same award.
• The following are examples of circumstances where a Learner is unable to complete their project/their course:

● Bereavement,

● Illness,

● Pregnancy,

● Relocation,

● Extenuating circumstances.

• Please see P9 S7 C6 Compassionate Consideration Policy.

Learner Welfare

• P9 S6 C6 Learner Welfare Policy and practices are fully integrated throughout teaching and learning experiences by both Trainers and staff to effectively meet the health and wellbeing needs of all Learners. The Forus Training welfare policy is focused on the welfare of all Learners and addresses any particular challenges individual Learners may be experiencing during their learning experience. The learning environment includes welfare support provided by staff for Learners which is fully integrated throughout the teaching and learning and organisation of teaching and learning to effectively meet the personal, social (wellbeing) and academic needs of Learners and staff. Please see the policy here P9 S6 C6 Learner Welfare Policy.

Supports for Learners with Disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties

• Forus Training is fully committed to complying with relevant policies and legislation with respect to equality and disability. Registered and potential Learners with verified disabilities or specific learning difficulties may be given compassionate consideration and reasonable accommodation to enable them to successfully complete their programme. This is arranged by the Course Coordinator.
• A reasonable accommodation is any action that helps to alleviate a substantial disadvantage due to an impairment or medical condition. Such accommodations are put in place to help reduce these barriers in order to provide equality of access and opportunity for all. Reasonable accommodations are made for Learners on a case by case basis and must be supported with medical documentation. Both P9 S2 C6 Evidence of Disability Form and P9 S2 C6A Application Form for Reasonable Accommodation can be found at the following link:
• https://forustraining.ie/knowledge-base/how-do-i-access-reasonable-accomodations/

This course leads to a level 5 award on the National Framework of Qualifications. Students who successfully complete this programme may use their credits towards completing a higher level of study in the area of Business.

Students who successfully complete this Major Award can also use the Certificate as the basis for entry into selected courses in Third Level Colleges and Universities.

Click here to download a pdf version of – Progression from QQI Level 5 Certificates and Level 6 Advanced Certificates to Higher Education Courses 2017.