Professional skills training for students
Professional skills is a key part of your training and ongoing development.
The three stages of our mandatory professional skills curriculum will all affect students.
Stage 1:
Professional Awareness Test
If you joined the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries on or after 1 March 2012 you must pass the Professional Awareness Test before you can take Subject CT9 Business awareness. You'll need to have had your student membership application accepted before you can take the test. Once we have received your application for the test we will process this within ten working days.
Stage 2:
Professional Skills Course
If you are a student who joined on or after 1 July 2006 you must complete the Professional Skills Course between the 4th and 6th anniversaries of your admission, or within a year of qualifying as a Fellow, whichever comes first.
If you wish to become an Associate you will need to complete the course, in addition to passing the relevant exams, before you can transfer.
The Professional Skills Course is available as a face-to-face or online option. See the application forms on the right for details.
The Professional Skills Course is available as a face-to-face option and dates are given on the application form on the right. The course is also available as an online option, however currently this is only open to overseas members.
Stage 3:
Professional Skills for Experienced Members
This is an annual requirement to complete 2 hours of verifiable professional, ethical training, and took effect from 1 July 2013. The requirement applies to students who joined the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries before 1 July 2006, in addition to Associates and Fellows. Students in this category are not required to complete Stage 1 of the Professional Skills Training but you will be required to do Stage 2, the Professional Skills Course (PSC), if you wish to transfer to Associate, or within a year of qualification as a Fellow.
The Professional Skills Handbook will give you further detail on the different stages. Follow the links above for more information about each of these.