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International Diploma in Risk Management - Revised Syllabus
Unregulated
Become a GradIRM:
Learn Online | 4 Modules | 180 - 200 hours per module
Enrol anytime
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The gold standard qualification. For 30 years, IRM's International Diploma in Risk Management has been the global choice of qualification for risk professionals and their employers.
The IRM has revised the syllabus for the International Diploma to ensure our students are informed of the best practices in risk management. Students will benefit from our new online learning platform, the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The VLE supports students step-by-step through the modules and provides activities and quizzes to help master the subject matter. Students can submit their assignments when they are ready.
This Master’s level equivalent qualification has been developed by internationally recognised academics and industry practitioners to provide you with the knowledge and skills to manage risk and maximise opportunities in any organisation.
The Diploma aims to develop:
- Your ability to design and implement risk management strategies.
- Proficiency in selecting and applying the tools and techniques required to assess and treat risks.
- A critical understanding of the relationship between risk management, governance, internal control and compliance.
- Your ability to make informed risk management decisions for current and emerging risks, and to critically appraise real-life case studies from different sectors and countries.
Risk Management: Assessment and Control
This module advances the understanding of risk identification, risk analysis, risk evaluation and risk control gained from the International Certificate. This leads to an examination in more detail of: the different techniques for identifying risks (opportunities and threats); the exploration of common qualitative and quantitative methods for analysing risks and uncertainties; control types, options and techniques; and lastly project risk management.
Risk Management: Organisational Oversight
This module examines organisational oversight of risk management and the responsibilities of managing risk at the highest level in organisations. It looks at the areas of corporate governance and decision making, organisational performance and oversight of risk management, organisational culture and ethics, strategic risk and leadership. The module also examines the issues of the process of decision making and the effect of corporate culture on organisations.
Risk Management: Resilience, Perception and Society
This module is designed to enable students to examine risk and risk management as it relates to organisational resilience and to society as a whole. Students will study key elements in building resilience and in developing business continuity and crises management. The module also takes students into the realms of risk perception and risk communication. The last area examined is that of emerging and future risks, where students will consider the nature of new risks, and the tools and techniques available to risk management practitioners for dealing with these.
Risk Management: Project
This final diploma module allows the student free choice in undertaking a specific and specialist piece of work in his/her own field. It will consist of a project which is of particular interest to the student and/or their employer. It will be an original, realistic, feasible risk management project that adds to their own professional development and contributes to furthering risk management knowledge, ethos or practice in their own or other’s workplace or for society in general.
The International Diploma is set at an equivalent level to a Master’s Degree.
Students have 3 years to complete the Diploma modules 3 - 6.
An indicative study time for the qualification is between 180 and 200 hours per module. Students can submit assignments when they are ready but must successfully complete modules 3-5 before proceeding to module 6 and obtaining access to the learning materials within this timeframe.
Self-directed distance learning
Studying for a professional qualification is a rewarding experience. However, we recognise it can be a challenge when balancing distance-learning study, work and family commitments. To make studying as straightforward as possible, we provide a comprehensive support package. Students will gain access to our online learning platform, the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as soon as their application and payment has been processed.
Distance learning gives you the flexibility to study at home at your own pace.
Virtual Learning Environment
The VLE can be accessed from desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones. It provides students with online access to the student handbook, learning materials and practice questions and the discussion forums.
Students will be provided with a reading list, however, additionally need to purchase core textbooks (available in e-book or hard copy format). The VLE leads the student step by step through the modules and provides activities and quizzes to help master the subject matter.
Our discussion forums provide a valuable opportunity to network, share ideas and learn from other students. Module coaches review the discussion forums and pose questions, challenges and facilitate discussion amongst students. Where common questions or themes arise, they will attempt to answer these. For each module, there are online tutorials led by the module coach.
- VLE – online student study area
- Discussion forum
- Dedicated student support team
- Module coaches
- Live webinars
- Online resource centre
- Guides and briefings
In order to enrol on the International Diploma, you must either have completed or fulfilled the criteria for exemptions to one of the IRM International Certificates.
If English is not your first language, we recommend you have an Academic IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element less than 5.5) or equivalent evidence of competence in the English language before beginning your studies.
The Diploma modules are assessed through assignments which are submitted online, using our educational portal.
| Module | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Module 3: Risk Management: Assessment and Control | Two written assignments |
| Module 4: Risk Management: Organisational Oversight | Two written assignments |
| Module 5: Risk Management: Resilience, Perception and Society | Two written assignments |
| Module 6: Risk Management: Project | Assessed by submitting first a project proposal and subsequently a completed risk management project |
Successful graduates automatically become Graduate Members (GradIRM).
This is the final step of the journey before being able to become a Certified Member of the IRM (CMIRM)
What is the level of the qualification?
The International Diploma is set at an equivalent level to a Master’s Degree.
What happens once the qualification has been completed?
Completion of the diploma will mean that you become a Graduate Member (GradIRM); this is the final step of the journey before being able to become a Certified Member of the IRM (CMIRM)
How long does it take to complete?
Modules 3-6 of the Diploma must be completed within three years but students can submit assignments when they are ready and may be able to complete earlier.
Is there a time limit in which to complete the qualification?
Students must complete the qualification within three years. Students can submit assignments when they are ready but must successfully complete modules 3-5 before proceeding to module 6 and obtaining access to the learning materials within this timeframe. Three attempts at each assignment for Modules 3-5 and two attempts at the project for Module 6 are permitted within the time-frame, after which students are required to re-enrol. A further fee of £100 is charged for each assignment resubmitted after the first attempt for Modules 3-5 and £200 for Module 6. Students can enrol on to the Diploma once they have completed the Certificate level qualification by examination or Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).
What is the expected amount of study required for the course?
An indicative study time for the qualification is between 180 and 200 hours per module which counts towards CPD requirements.
| Fees | Bulk enrolment (4 modules) | Fee Per module (pay as you go) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | £3,495 | £975 |
| Low GDP rate* | £2,970 | £830 |
Qualification course fees are VAT exempt.
* To qualify for Low GDP fees, you must live and work in a Low GDP country.
Please note: Core textbooks for this qualification are not included in the course fees and need to be purchased separately.
Student subscription
You are not required to pay a subscription fee.
Payment methods
Full details of payment methods can be found on the enrolment form. Payment can be made using the following methods
- BACS / Bank transfer
- Debit / Credit card
Students can enrol on the Diploma at any time.
Successful IRMCert students:
Students who have completed or received exemptions from an IRM Certificate and wish to complete the International Diploma modules can apply on our website.
Please note that the enrolment is not an enquiry form or an expression of interest. By completing the online enrolment application you are enrolling as a student on to the course for the qualification and must pay the course fees; you will be asked to pay your full course fees by debit/credit card (MasterCard or Visa) at the end of this online application.
Alternatively, if your organisation is sponsoring you and has already agreed to cover the cost of your course fees and needs an invoice raised you can select this option. Please ensure that you have all of the correct invoicing details before starting this process - information you will need from the person agreeing to sponsor you includes a PO number, invoicing email address, and invoicing postal address. A PO cannot be accepted as an enrolment, and an enrolment form will need to be completed as well as submitting a PO.
If your organisation is sponsoring your course fees, please ensure that this has already been agreed before starting the enrolment process, as once the enrolment form has been submitted, full payment is required.
Standard exemptions
If you hold a qualification/award on this list then you will be exempt from the first 2 modules of the International Diploma (equivalent to the International Certificate) and may be eligible to apply for exemption to further modules.
Download a standard exemption form here
Non-standard exemptions
If you hold a qualification/award with which we have not already approved, but which you feel covers the syllabus of one or more modules, you might still be able to claim an exemption. You will need to provide evidence that the qualification/award you hold covers a minimum of 80% of the syllabus for the module you are applying for and has been tested to a level equivalent to the International Diploma.
Download a non-standard exemption form here
Accreditation of prior learning (APL)
Our Accreditation of Prior Learning Scheme (APL) recognises that people learn and demonstrate knowledge in ways other than through a process of formal study and examination. It allows you to demonstrate that you have met the theoretical requirements of the International Diploma modules through practical work experience or non-certificated training rather than by examination.
You must have a minimum of five years risk management experience to be eligible to apply and you will need to demonstrate your professional competence through the completion of a detailed portfolio of experience.
Download the International Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management application form here
Download the guidance for applicants here
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