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IMC (Investment Management Certificate)

IMC is an entry-level qualification into the UK investment profession. It provides an excellent foundation into the core areas of portfolio management, research analysis, front office investment activities, relationship management and risk management.

Book 2025 dates at 2024 prices

Unit 1 & 2 Courses (excluding exams):

£520.20 - £1,337.04 (inc. VAT)

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Spread the cost over your studies:

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Save 25% when you buy units 1 and 2 together for the Distance Learning package

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Save 10% when you buy units 1 and 2 together for any Classroom or Live Online package

1. Structure

The syllabus cycle runs from 1 December 2024 - 30 November 2025 (Version 22)

The qualification is made up of two units: Unit 1 (Investment Environment) and Unit 2 (Investment Practice). You will need to have passed both units to be awarded the qualification.


Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements needed to study IMC, but ideally candidates will have 5 GCSEs A* to C or Grade 4 and above. If it's been a while since you studied Maths, we recommend you take the one day Core Skills Online Course.


Syllabus

Unit 1 - Investment Environment

You’ll gain an understanding of the UK and international financial services industry and markets. You’ll be able to understand the UK regulatory environment, taxation in the UK, client advice, and the conduct of investment businesses.

View syllabus information

£336 - £660

(£280 - £550 excl.VAT)

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Unit 2 - Investment Practice

After completing this unit, you’ll be able to apply statistic and financial mathematical techniques, understand micro and macro economics, analyse the characteristics and risks of equities, and understand and analyse the principles of investment management. You’ll learn how to use investment tools, and how to construct and manage investment portfolios.

View syllabus information

£357.60 - £825.60

(£298.00 - £688.00 excl.VAT)

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Optional extras

Optional
Core Skills Online

If it has been some time since you last studied maths or used it in an exam, this introductory online course (including recordings plus questions) will help you with the core skills you need to pass your exam. Topics include an introduction to quantitative methods and basic derivatives.

£138

(£115 excl.VAT)

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2. Study methods

Do you prefer face-to-face classroom, live online or studying using distance learning at a pace and time that fits around your work and home commitments? Whichever study method you choose, you'll benefit from highly experienced tutors, practical learning methods and ongoing support, right up until your exam. And if you already have the CFA UK Official Training Manual, this can be discounted from your package price.

Study methods available for this qualification

To see which IMC study option is best for you, please see our infographic .

What Live Online Classroom Distance Learning and recorded classes Distance Learning
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MyKaplan Recorded Classes check_circle check_circle check_circle
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Weekday Tuition
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Evening Tuition check_circle


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Distance Learning

Study at your own pace from wherever you like. Our Distance Learning study option offers maximum flexibility for independent study and comes with MyKaplan access including online questions helping you to study on the go.

You’ll also receive hard copy materials.

Unit 1 & 2 from

£520.20

(£433.50 excl. VAT)

local_library
Distance Learning with recorded classes

Study at your own pace from wherever you like. Our Distance Learning study option offers maximum flexibility for independent study and comes with MyKaplan access including online questions helping you to study on the go.

You’ll also receive hard copy materials and access to all of the recorded classes delivered by an expert tutor.

Unit 1 & 2 from

£787.50

(£656.25 excl. VAT)

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Classroom

A scheduled programme with face-to-face tutor led classes.

  • Classes with your peers at set times of the day
  • Includes distance learning material plus recorded classes
  • Weekdays available.

Unit 1 & 2 from

£1,337.04

(£1,114.20 excl. VAT)

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Live Online

A scheduled programme with live online tutor led classes

  • Live online classes with your peers at set times of the day
  • Includes distance learning material plus recorded classes
  • Evenings available.

Unit 1 & 2 from

£1,337.04

(£1,114.20 excl. VAT)


Timetables - Classroom

Unit 1 takes place over 2 days from 9-5pm or 5 evenings from 6-8pm.

Unit 2 takes place over 3 days from 9-5pm or 8 evenings from 6-8pm.

date_rangeView 2024 timetable

date_rangeView 2025 timetable

location_on Classroom location

All classes take place at our London Bridge training centre:

London Bridge training centre: 179–191 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1HR


Inhouse training

We also offer inhouse training for your staff, allowing bespoke exam courses designed specifically for your staff. Please contact us on 020 7920 3060 or email us at citybookings@kaplan.co.uk or to find out more about how we can help train your team.

3. Exams and sittings

Exams

All exams are delivered by computer based testing (CBT) on demand and can be sat across the UK, overseas and also remotely. You'll need to register with the CFA UK directly for CFAUK exam entry.

The IMC syllabus is updated every year on 1 December. This is to ensure that the content of the IMC remains relevant to the current financial services industry landscape.

Testing is via a mixture of standard multiple-choice questions, item set questions based around short scenarios, and gap-fill questions requiring a value to be typed in an answer field. Unit 1 has 85 questions and takes 1 hour 40 mins and Unit 2 has 105 questions and takes 2 hours 20 mins.

Provisional exam results are available online within three working days.

How long does it take to pass?

Students typically take 3 - 6 months to achieve the qualification, but this depends entirely on your preferred way of learning and study method.

We recommend 80 hours of study time for Unit 1 and 120 hours for Unit 2.

Are there any exemptions available?

You may be eligible for an exemption from one or more of the exams depending on your prior qualifications, check the CFA UK website.

4. Study materials and delivery costs

Study materials - Valid from 1st December 2024 - 30th November 2025 (Version 22)

Whichever study method you choose, you’ll receive the following materials:

  • Full Study Guide

    Emailed to you on booking, and also available on MyKaplan, the study guide pulls the hard copy and online study materials together into a recommended study approach.
  • CFA UK Official Training Manual

    Written by CFA UK, this manual covers all the syllabus and is the official reference document for real exam questions (supplied in hard copy).
  • Question & Answer Book

    Contains printed chapter questions to test yourself and check your progress. Each question is compiled to reflect as closely as possible the standard and type of question that you will face in the real exam.
  • Access to MyKaplan

    Our online learning portal with everything you need to prepare for your exam.
  • IMC Calculator (unit 2 only)

    The official IMC calculator, the Texas Instruments TI-30XB.

Delivery costs

How much it costs to deliver your study materials and how long it takes depends on where in the world you live.

For detailed information on delivery prices please refer to our delivery page.

5. MyKaplan: Online Learning Portal

MyKaplan is an online learning portal with practical resources to help you prepare for your exams.

Online features

  • Online Study Portal

    Get everything you need at your fingertips. You’ll have access to the course home page which gives you a recommended learning pathway.
  • Online Questions

    Practice makes perfect with hundreds of online practice questions. Our questions are designed to assess your understanding of the chapters and include mock exams to reinforce your learning of the syllabus.
  • Tutor recordings

    Exam focused tutor recordings and slide packs that bring the syllabus material to life. You can watch and replay classes whenever you like to help your understanding and retention of key facts and concepts.
  • Help and support

    Our tutors are here for you every step of the way. You can get clarifications, support and advice as you progress with your studies.

Access duration

You can access your online content for 12 months from your enrolment date.

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6. Tutor support

We’ll support you every step of the way throughout your IMC learning experience with us. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need, with a response time of under 48 working hours. Please contact us at citybookings@kaplan.co.uk.

In addition, classroom tutors will provide you with their contact details.

7. Course pricing and funding options

Pricing structure

Prices below are based on purchasing unit 1 & 2 and include a discount for purchasing both units together. If you only need one unit, then you can purchase them separately.

Unit 1 & 2 Package Price (excl. VAT) Price (incl. VAT)
Weekday Classroom £1,114.20 £1,337.04
Evening Live Online £1,114.20 £1,337.04
Distance Learning £433.50 £520.20
Distance Learning with recorded classes £656.25 £787.50

All prices include study material for Version 22 of the syllabus (valid from 1st December 2024 - 30th November 2025)

Funding options

Employer sponsoredchevron_right

Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you’re already working in a related field and want to develop your learning. You’ll need to speak to them to see if you’re eligible and confirm that they’re happy to pay for your studies.

Payment planschevron_right

The IMC qualification is covered with our interest-free payment plan, providing the total cost is £500 minimum (including VAT). The plan lets you spread the cost of your studies over a period of time, with no extra costs.

Apprenticeshipschevron_right

You may eligible for an Apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances. Speak to your employer to find out more.

How to enrol

Enrol online, call us on 020 7920 3060 or enrol with a form which you can email to citybookings@kaplan.co.uk.

Download enrolment form

Why study IMC with Kaplan?

Official training manuals

As the only provider to supply official training manuals we are confident that we have the knowledge and skills for you to succeed.

Extensive question book

Our practise questions reflect the types of questions you’ll face in the real exam so you are as ready as you can be.

Personalised learning

With the MyKaplan online study portal you’ll have access to your personalised study portal, where you can access all your learning resources, take tests, and contact your tutor.

Core modules for key competencies

We also offer a Core Skills Online course, if you need to refresh your maths skills before starting the IMC.

Don't just take our word for it

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