Recognised qualifications
If you’re joining as a Student, Associate, Member or applying for Fellowship and including a qualification as part of your application, below you will find information on the level and types of qualifications recognised for each grade, as well as the subject areas.
Qualification levels
When describing qualification levels, we have used the England, Wales & Northern Ireland Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). If your qualification is on another framework, you will need to check its equivalency to the RQF. Depending on where you are based, you may find the following webpages useful:
- Regulated Qualifications Framework
- Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework
- European Qualifications Framework
- The National Qualification Framework UAE
If your qualification is not on a qualification framework, we may require evidence of equivalency before we can process your membership application, which may involve supplying the syllabus or a letter from the awarding organisation. For qualifications that originate outside of the UK, you may be asked to obtain a Statement of Comparability from NARIC. You can find out more about how to apply for it, including the fees here. If more information is needed before we can progress your application, we will let you know.
Recognised qualification subjects
A wide range of risk and risk-related topics quailfy the holder for membership. As a risk charity we welcome those responsible for the management of risks, in all their forms, as we believe diversity in membership provides richer learning opportunities from the sharing of their knowledge and experiences.
The list below provides examples of the subjects we accept. We will consider others depending on the nature of the subject.
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If you’re unsure if your qualification is eligible contact us at membership@iirsm.org
The tab below shows the levels and types of qualifications we accept for each grade of membership.
Student - you need to be studying for any level of academic or professional qualification. Free membership is for the duration of your studies.
Associate - you require a level 3 qualification.
- Level 3 professional qualification
- Level 3 NVQ
Member/Specialist - you require a minimum of level 4 qualification.
- Level 4 professional qualification
- Level 4 NVQ
- Certificate of higher education (CertHE)
- Higher National Certificate
Fellow - you require a minimum of level 6 qualification.
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Level 6 professional qualifications of at least 121 hours / 13 credits
- Level 6 NVQ
If you're applying via the qualification route you require a level 5 (RQF) or above qualification.
Examples of the types of qualifications include:
Level 5
- Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- Foundation Degree
- Higher National Diploma (HND)
- Level 5 professional qualifications of least 121 hours / 13 credits
Level 6
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Level 6 professional qualifications of at least 121 hours / 13 credits
- Level 6 NVQ
Level 7
- Master’s Degree
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
- Level 7 professional qualifications of at least 121 hours / 13 credits
If you're applying to be a Member via this route, you will need to have a level 4 (RQF) qualification and a minimum of 3 year’s demonstrable relevant experience. Click here to view the Member page for more information.
Examples of the types of qualifications include:
- Level 4 professional qualification
- Level 4 NVQ
- Certificate of higher education (CertHE)
- Higher National Certificate
To be eligible to apply for Fellowship, and you're not currently a Member or Specialist Member, you require a minimum of a level 6 (RQF) qualification.
Examples of the types of qualifications include:
Level 6
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Level 6 professional qualifications of at least 121 hours / 13 credits
- Level 6 NVQ
Level 7
- Master’s Degree
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
- Level 7 professional qualifications of at least 121 hours / 13 credits
Level 8
- Doctorate
- Level 8 professional qualifications of at least 121 hours / 13 credits