Two recent cohorts of students from University of Edinburgh have achieved outstanding results with a 100% pass rate in a professional finance exam.
The 21 students have been studying the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) International Introduction to Securities and Investment exam as part of Introduction to Financial Markets, a first-year core course, taught to Finance specialist programmes, by University of Edinburgh Business School. These two groups of students studied the CISI exam in 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, all passing successfully, 10 of them passing with merit.
Course organiser and Senior Lecturer in Finance, at University of Edinburgh Business School, Dr Maria Michou (pictured), explained some of the secrets behind the students’ success: “The CISI examination has been carefully mapped against the Introduction to Financial Markets course and there is a close match of its curriculum. An enormous amount of effort has been invested in the teaching, with the support of our teaching assistants, to ensure that students cover the material for the CISI exam, in addition to the requirements of the University of Edinburgh course. We worked hard to ensure that the materials for both requirements were linked appropriately.”
“The University of Edinburgh Business School is highly selective in the type of students which it puts forward for this opportunity, contributing significantly to this success. We look at the opportunity to sit the CISI examination: International Introduction to Securities & Investment, as a privilege for students who perform exceptionally well on the course: Introduction to Financial Markets. We almost see it as a “Prize” for these students and for this reason we fund all 3 elements 100% for our students– registration, workbooks, and examination.
“But very importantly we should emphasise the strong teamwork in supporting the students, administratively as they prepare for their examination – Karolina Galera and Rachel Blythe, from University of Edinburgh Business School’s Quality and Accreditation Team.”
Students have received both excellent teaching and excellent academic support.
Their feedback was very positive. They commented that they found the course to be incredibly insightful and intriguing, as it goes through a very thorough and in depth analysis about financial markets and so much more, with the study materials easy to follow.
Additionally, the students take on 80 hours of self study towards the examination and some coaching by the CISI Client Relationship Manager for Scotland & Northern Ireland, Colin Anderson, in February and October. The session in February promotes the opportunity and the benefits of taking the CISI examination, and the two sessions taking place in October discuss study and exam techniques, as well as going through the whole CISI workbook. Students also form study groups and rehearse with practice examinations.
Dr Michou added: “The course design is closely aligned with the CISI curriculum and aims to bridge the gap between academic theories and practical applications. Its content and breadth add huge value to our students and help them to understand better the foundations of the financial services profession and how everything relates to its bigger picture. We are so proud of our students and for our partnership with CISI.”
Colin Anderson, CISI Client Relationship Manager, Scotland and Northern Ireland said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the University of Edinburgh Business School on this important programme.
Their finance students’ exemplary 100% exam success is testament to both their hard work, and their lecturer Dr Michou and her team. Leaving university with a professional qualification will give these students a competitive edge in our fast moving and exciting financial services profession.”
