The Islamic Finance Qualification IFQ pathway has been specifically developed to provide financial services professionals with specialist knowledge and expertise to foster strong careers in all areas of Islamic finance including Islamic Economics, Islamic Business Ethics, Sharia and Islamic Commercial Jurisprudence, Sukuk Market, Islamic Insurance – Takaful and Islamic Corporate Governance.
New entrants to the Islamic finance industry are encouraged to start with the new Level 2 Fundamentals of Islamic Banking and Finance and as they gain knowledge and experience pursue higher level, specialist areas of study to demonstrate their expertise.
The Islamic Finance Qualification IFQ pathway has been developed in conjunction with the Bahrain Institute on Banking and Finance (BIBF) and l’Ecole Supérieure des Affaires (ESA) and is supported by the Central Bank of Lebanon.
In the Foundation Level, the CISI Level 2 Award in Fundamentals of Islamic Banking & Finance provides an introduction to the philosophy of Islamic banking and finance and offers an overview of the industry. Developed in conjunction with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, with industry experts and practitioners, it covers the key Islamic banking and finance principles and concepts including Islamic economics and its worldview, infrastructure and history, Islamic business ethics, and Sharia’a and Fiqh principles. Fundamentals of Islamic Banking and Finance is an ideal qualification for those wishing to launch a career in Islamic banking and finance. It is suitable for all staff working in, or aspiring to work in, the Islamic finance areas of financial services. It is also suited to those wishing to further their studies and research related to this field or professionals operating in financial services who want to gain a comprehensive overview of the Islamic finance sector.
In the Qualifying Level, the Islamic Finance Qualification IFQ expands upon knowledge gained from Fundamentals of Islamic Banking and Finance. It is a global qualification that covers Islamic finance from both a technical and a Sharia’a perspective, providing the first international benchmark in the area of Islamic finance. It provides an understanding of the influence of Sharia’a in a business context and prepares candidates to hold key positions in the Islamic finance and takaful (Islamic insurance) industries. The qualification is appropriate for existing and new employees and those seeking a career in Islamic finance.