IRM's exemption scheme offers students recognition for other relevant academic or professional qualifications/awards that they may hold.

Routes to exemptions

There are two types of exemption - standard and non-standard. 

Standard Exemptions

• Standard exemptions are where the Institute has previously evaluated qualifications/awards and has determined that such qualifications/awards cover the relevant subject matter and have been tested to a level equivalent to that of the IRM Diploma. 

Please click here for or an-up-to date list of the current standard exemptions.

Non-standard exemptions

• Students who hold a qualification/award which is not shown on the standard exemptions table, but which they feel matches the subject matter and was tested to a level equivalent to the IRM Diploma, may apply for a non-standard exemption.  

Special exemption for holders of IRM's International Certificate

IRM Certificant members who completed the International Certificate on or after September 2008 are entitled to exemptions from the first two core modules (Principles of Risk, and Risk and Organisations) of the International Diploma. Certificant members wishing to enrol on the Diploma are not required to submit an exemption form or pay an exemptions fee.  They shoudl simply submit a copy of their Certificant membership certificate with their Diploma application form.

Eligibility for exemption

Exemptions are a concession and are awarded at the discretion of IRM.  There is no automatic entitlement to exemptions.  Where IRM determines that a qualification does not contain sufficient relevant coverage, no exemptions will be awarded.

Where IRM is unfamiliar with an international qualification or the awarding institution, the advice of UK NARIC will be sought.   Where UK NARIC is unable to comment on an institution, IRM reserves the right to not award exemptions on the basis of that qualification.

All exemptions are granted on a module by module basis on the basis of completed qualifications.   IRM does not award exemptions for exemptions.

Students who have previously failed an examination for a Diploma module are not permitted to subsequently submit an exemption application.  

Standard exemption applications are only eligible where the qualification/award has been obtained in the last ten years unless the application is accompanied by a letter of good standing from the professional body who awarded the qualification.  This letter should confirm that the student’s knowledge, understanding and experience is up to date.

Students applying for a non-standard exemption on the basis of another qualification held must provide evidence that they have covered 80% of the syllabus for the Diploma module from which they are seeking exemption.

Applications for standard exemptions must be made at the point of registration as a Diploma student.  IRM will only confirm eligibility for exemptions once a student’s registration has been completed. 

Applications for non standard exemption may be made at any point.

Supporting documentation

All exemption applications must include a copy of the certificate confirming successful completion of an academic award or professional qualification or a letter from the awarding body confirming the date of completion of the qualification and modules passed.

In addition, students applying for a non-standard exemption must complete a qualification assessment table which links the relevant elements of their qualification/award to the Diploma syllabus.  An assessment table for each module must be completed for each exemption sought. 

If original certificates were not issued in English, then certified translations of all documents are required along with copies of the original language documents. Any document which has been translated into English must be certified as an “Accurate translation of the original language documents” by someone who is fluent in both languages and who is not related to the applicant.

Fees and application

A fee of £90 per module is payable for each standard exemption sought.   If you are applying for standard exemption from all modules of Level 1 then a reduced rate of £270 is payable.  The non standard exemption fee is £135 per module.

Please download the appropriate application form:

Standard exemption form

Non-standard exemption form

For any additional queries please contact studentqueries@theirm.org