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Summary  

The Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning is a prestigious Level 9 qualification and the essential pathway to the internationally acclaimed CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) designation. 

Designed in collaboration with industry leaders, this programme equips professionals with practical, relevant skills that meet the highest global standards in financial planning and wealth management. 

Ideal for those holding the Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA) designation, this diploma not only fulfills the educational requirement for the CFP Certification Examination but also positions graduates among a global network of 192,000 CFP professionals across 27 countries. 

Benefit to you 

This course will provide students with specialist knowledge and the ability to: 

  • Gain expertise in key financial planning disciplines, including investments, pensions, taxation, and estate planning. 

  • Develop advanced analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to craft comprehensive financial solutions. 

  • Learn to evaluate economic, financial, and other critical data for creating integrated financial plans. 

  • Cultivate a deep understanding of professional values and ethical principles to excel in financial planning execution. 

This course is for: 

This course is ideal for financial professionals holding the Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA) designation who are seeking to advance their expertise to the highest international standards. It is designed for individuals currently working in or aspiring to a career in financial planning and wealth management, offering practical, industry-relevant skills to enhance professional practice and achieve the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) designation. 

Watch this short video to hear about the transformational impact that the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning had on Mark Hedderman’s practice and the impact that it can have for you!

CFP | Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning Image 1

Delivery and Assessment 

This is an 18-month part-time online course consisting of six modules, delivered one or two evening per week over a 12-week period. The modules are scheduled across two exam terms: September–December and February–May. Participants have the flexibility to complete one or two modules per term. 

Assessment is conducted on a continuous basis through three components: the first and second exams each contribute 25% to the final grade, while the final exam accounts for the remaining 50%. 

Fee 

€1,100 per module 

Award and Designation 

Upon completion, participants receive the Postgraduate Diploma in Business in Financial Planning award ATU Sligo and will be awarded the Specialist Investment Adviser (SIA), Retirement Planning (RPA) and Financial Planning Risk Adviser (FPRA) designations by LIA. 

Those that successfully complete this programme are invited to sit the CFP exam with the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) in Ireland to earn the internationally recognised CFP designation.   

CPD 

8 Hours Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is awarded on successful completion of each modules on this course.   

Progression 

Upcon successful completion of this programme, participants are invited to sit the CFP exam with the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) in Ireland to earn the internationally recognised CFP designation.   

Find out more 

For more information about this course please contact our education team level9@lia.ie or 01 456 3890 

Alternatively, you can register your interest here to receive more information.  

How to Register 

To register click the link below to complete an application form. Please ensure you meet the entry requirements before enrolling. Your application form will be reviewed to ensure you are eligible to complete this course. Payment will not be required until after you have been accepted to the course. 

The Principles and Practices of Financial Planning module provides the student with an introduction to basic financial planning information and principles, including: the financial planning process, the compilation and evaluation of client information, time value of money applications, ethical and practice standards for financial planning, the regulatory, economic and political environments related to financial services and the client engagement process and the financial planning process.

The Risk Management and Insurance Planning module provides the student with an introduction to the meaning of risk and the role it plays in financial advice and planning.  It enables the student to compile and appraise the risks faced by clients and the most appropriate techniques for mitigating such risks, to discuss how to prioritise a client’s risk management needs and to compile and assess the relevant details of the client’s personal information needed for risk management and insurance planning.

The Tax and Estate Planning module provides the student with an introduction to the Irish taxation system and framework relevant to financial planning. It enables the student to compile and estimate current, deferred and future tax liabilities as part of the financial planning process, and to discuss the taxation reliefs, exemptions and deductions relevant to financial planning. 

The Investment Management module enables the student to evaluate the characteristics of the main asset classes, to compare and contrast the risk and return features of these different asset classes, to appraise the rationale for diversification of a client’s

The Retirement Planning module provides the student with an introduction to State pensions, and the different pension product options for sole traders and partnerships, proprietary directors and employees. It describes the process of using projections to determine a client’s retirement income shortfall and the contribution required to meet that shortfall, and the different options which may be open to clients when taking retirement benefits from funded private pension arrangements. 

The Integrated Personal Financial Planning Module is the capstone module for the Postgraduate Diploma in Business in Financial Planning. It draws on learning across all the previous programme modules. The module enables the student to appraise the financial planning process in the practice of financial planning, to evaluate the process of collecting the information required in that process, and to appraise the process used to identify the client’s objectives, needs, values and constraints that have financial implications. 

Module 
Lectures commencing 
Continuous Assessment 1
Continuous Assessment 2
Final Exam Date
Ratified Results

Principles and Practices of Financial Planning

(Term1)

1st Sept 2025
Monday
6th Oct 2025
Monday
10th Nov 2025 Monday
29th Nov 2025
Saturday
16th Jan 2026

Retirement Planning

(Term 1)

2nd Sept 2025 
Tuesday
23rd Sept 2025
Tuesday
21st Oct 2025
Tuesday
13th Dec 2025
Saturday
16th Jan 2026

Risk Management and Insurance Planning

(Term 3)

3rd Sept 2025
Wednesday
1st Oct 2025
Wednesday
5th Nov 2025
Wednesday
6th Dec 2025
Saturday
16th Jan 2026

Integrated Personal Financial Planning

(Term 3)

4th Sept 2025
Thursday
9th Oct 2025
Thursday
Assignment due 4th Dec 2025
16th Jan 2026
Term 2 2026
Tax and Estate Planning

3rd February 2026

Tuesday 

10th  March 2026

Tuesday

7th April 2026

Tuesday 

9th May 2026

Saturday

24th June 2026

Retirement Planning

 

4th February 2026

Wednesday

25th Feb 2026

Wednesday

25th Mar 2026

Wednesday

23rd May 2026

Saturday

24th June 2026

Investment Management

 

5th Feb 2026

Thursday

5th Mar 2026

Thursday

Assignment

16th May 2026

Saturday

24th June 2026

Study Supports

We’re committed to providing you with the resources and tools you need to succeed. Your core learning materials include lecture slides, short pieces, suggested readings, and the required reading from the course manual, all designed to support your learning journey.

Entry Requirements 

Relevant 2.2 honours degree (level 8) in business, finance or in a numerate discipline (such as mathematics, physics or engineering)  

OR 

Equivalent relevant professional qualification:  

e.g  

Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA) with three years’ relevant work experience obtained in the life assurance or financial services industry.  

AITI Chartered Tax Advisers (CTAs)  

ACIIs/FCIIs  

Actuaries  

Member of a Professional accountancy bodies (ICAI, ACCA, CIMA, ICPAI)  

Solicitors and barristers 

CFP | Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning

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