Two students from the University of Ulster’s Business School have out-performed more than 4,000 other candidates across the UK in the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment’s (CISI) professional examinations.

Mark McCoy from North Belfast and Jonathan McAdam from Greenisland sat the external exams following completion of the Ulster Business School’s recently introduced Graduate Development Programme in Financial Services.

Professor of Finance and Investment, Philip Hamill, who developed the programme explained: “The financial services sector is increasingly seeking to employ graduates who have the demonstrable skill sets to meet industry needs. As a centre of excellence in the provision of finance and accounting education the Business School has taken the lead in delivering this bespoke course which is funded by the Department for Employment and Learning under its Assured Skills programme.”

“In essence, the Graduate Development Programme in Financial Services is an intensive programme comprising three modules including securities and investment, financial regulation, and global securities operations. Successfully completing the three modules leads to the award of the CISI’s Investment Operations Certificate and professional membership of the Institute which is regarded as a must-have benchmark qualification for many employers in the financial services sector.”

“By working in partnership with DEL, Invest NI and CISI we are practically implementing the core recommendations of the Barnett Review and skilling up graduates with appropriate qualifications who can contribute positively to economic growth and help attract inward investment. So it’s a win win situation for everyone involved and Mark and Jonathan are to be congratulated for their outstanding success which has been recognised at a national level.”

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Caption:Professor Philip Hamill (left) pictured at the CISI Awards ceremony in The Mansion House, London, with winning students Mark McCoy (centre) and Jonathan McAdams.