IOC Investment Operations Certificate

1. Structure

You must complete two compulsory units (Introduction to Securities and Investment and UK Financial Regulation) and then choose one specialised technical unit from a wide range of subject areas.

Entry requirements

This qualification is suitable for anyone working, or aspiring to work, in the administration and/or operations sector and no previous qualifications are required.

Syllabus

The following two subjects are compulsory:

Please choose one subject from the following based on the most appropriate fit to your job role:

2. Study methods

We will help you maximise your time and make revision easier.

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Timetables - Live Online

Introduction to Securities and Investment takes place over 5 days from 12pm to 2pm.

UK Financial Regulation takes place over 4 days from 12pm to 2pm.

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Inhouse training

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

3. Exams and sittings

Each IOC unit comprises a one hour, 50 question multiple choice exam (except for UK Financial Regulation and Derivatives Operations, which are 1½ hour 75 question exams, and the Combating Financial Crime, Global Financial Compliance and Risk in Financial Services, which are 2 hour 100 question exams).

The exams are based on published syllabi, which are reviewed annually to reflect changes in the industry and the regulatory environment.

All IOC exams are delivered by computer based testing (CBT) on demand and can be sat globally. You'll need to register with the CISI directly for exam entry.

Exam results are available online within 24 hours.

How long does it take to pass?

The CISI recommends 80 - 100 hours of study time per unit over a period of 3-4 months before you take an exam.

Are there any exemptions available?

You may be eligible for an exemption from one or more of the exams depending on your prior qualifications. Please see CISI’s exemptions page for further details.

4. Study Materials and Delivery Costs

Study Materials

Our distance learning study option includes both online and printed study materials.

Materials included

• 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.

Compulsory modules

• CISI Official Learning and Reference Manual

  Written by the CISI, these manuals cover all the syllabus and only the syllabus, and are the official reference document for real exam questions.

• Question and Answer Book

  Contains printed chapter questions and mock exams to test yourself and check your progress.

• Access to MyKaplan

  Our online learning portal with everything you need to prepare for your exam.

  If you order your materials through Kaplan, you'll be able to exclude the workbook fee when booking exams with the CISI.

Technical Units

• CISI Official Learning and Reference Manual

  Written by the CISI, these manuals cover all the syllabus and only the syllabus, and are the official reference document for real exam questions.

• CISI Revision Express Interactive

  Written by the CISI, this is an online study portal including exercises and questions to help you prepare for your exam.

Delivery costs

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

UK and NI - £10.42 per unit up to a maximum of £20.83 (including VAT)
EU - £16.67 per unit up to a maximum of £33.33 (including VAT)
Rest of World - £25 per unit up to a maximum of £50 (excluding VAT)

Materials are delivered to the address you provide us, within the following timescales:

UK – 3 to 5 working days
EU – 5 to 7 working days
Rest of World - 5 to 14 working days

5. MyKaplan: Online Learning Portal

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

Online Features

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  Study Guide - a helpful guide that outlines the order of topics you should study, including which questions to practice, and which videos to watch.
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  Exam Syllabus - a complete breakdown of what you’ll be studying.
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  Tutor Recordings - watch and replay classes whenever you like.
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  Classroom Slide pack - your central reference point for note taking. It integrates the CISI Institute material to aid the note taking process, which provides you with more time to practice questions.
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  Workbook - helps you keep all your notes in one place to improve revision.
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  Chapter Questions - see how much you’ve learnt at the end of every chapter.
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  Mock Exams - test your knowledge with mock exams, mirroring the real exams.

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 studies. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need, with a response time of within 48 working hours. Please contact us at citybookings@kaplan.co.uk.

7. Course pricing and enrolment options

Pricing structure

Units are all priced individually, so you can purchase them altogether or separately as you need them.

Payment options

Employer sponsored ›

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 plans ›

Our IOC materials are 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.

Apprenticeships ›

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 or call us on 020 7920 3060.