LIA - The Professional Association for Financial Services in Ireland

Education



Overview - BFS Degree

The Bachelor of Financial Services (BFS) gives individuals a chance to develop knowledge of the major disciplines underpinning financial services at a practical and conceptual level, appreciate the critical elements of management in a financial services environment and be able to apply discipline, skills and judgements to practical problems. It is aimed at those who aspire to management and senior management careers in financial services.

This course provides a unique opportunity to acquire a qualification which has industry recognition and support, developed and modified by industry and academic subject leaders and which is accessible irrespective of working location. It is provided on a distance learning part-time basis.

The Bachelor of Financial Services (BFS), a level 8 qualification, is awarded by UCD and is the only part-time financial services degree accredited by both European and American Academic accreditation bodies (EQUIS and AACSB respectively).

At Stage 1 all modules are provided as 5 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credit modules. At stages 2 and 3 modules are provided as double modules and earn 10 ECTS credits each. 60 ECTS credits are required to complete each stage.

The BFS aims to address the needs of those who aspire to management and senior management careers in financial services for rigorous and relevant education and development. It allows members to combine study for a university degree and professional examinations in an educationally effective way and its major objectives are:

  • To develop knowledge of the major disciplines underpinning financial services at a practical and conceptual level.
  • Be able to apply analytical, interpretive, communication and problem solving skills in different contexts;
  • Appreciate the critical elements of management in a financial services environment, including strategy formulations and implementation as well as contemporary issues facing the industry;
  • Be able to apply disciplines, skills and judgments to practical problems

The BFS provides a particularly effective approach to gaining a degree for LIA members who have been awarded the University Diploma in Financial Services.