The CFA®
Professional Qualification
What/Why CFA® Charter & How Can We Help?
CFA® Program Curriculum & Structure
The CFA® Curriculum is organized into topics, and each topic contains learning modules. See below details per Level including important information such as Entry Requirements, Practical Skills Modules & the Exam Structure.
Exemptions & Eligibility
Irrespective of your prior qualification and/or experience, you cannot apply for exemption from any Level of the CFA® Program. To be eligible to start at Level I, you must EITHER:
Hold a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree, or
Be within 23 months of your graduation month of your bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree , and/or
Have four years of work experience (not necessarily investment-related).
Please note: Although four years of work experience which is not necessarily-invested related will grant you eligibility, you will be required to submit three years of relevant work experience before being accorded the CFA Charter. This relevant experience you can gain before, during or after completing all the relevant CFA® exams.
CFA® Syllabus Structure - All Levels
The CFA® Program is structured into 3 challenging levels:
• Level I (knowledge and understanding of investment tools and techniques);
• Level II (application of investment tools and techniques to asset valuation) and
• Level III (synthesis and evaluation of investment tools and techniques in the context of portfolio management and wealth planning).
The above 3 levels are underpinned by a network of progressively challenging Learning Outcome Statements (LOSs), founded on 10 syllabus topic areas:
Quantitative Methods;
Economics;
Financial Statement Analysis;
Corporate Issuers;
Equity Investments;
Fixed Income;
Derivatives;
Alternative Investments;
Portfolio Management and
Ethics & Professional Standards
Prerequisite Knowledge Requirements
The CFA® Institute expects candidates to be familiar with the material on Quantitative Methods, Economics, and Financial Statement Analysis covered in the prerequisite readings. This is assumed knowledge from introductory university-level courses in Statistics, Economics, and Accounting.
If a candidate does not have a basic understanding of these concepts or would like to review these concepts, The CFA Institute provides content (included in your registration fee at no extra cost) and candidates can study from any of the three prerequisite reading volumes as follows:
- Prerequisite reading volume 1: Quantitative Methods
- Prerequisite reading volume 2: Economics
- Prerequisite reading volume 3: Financial Statement Analysis
The above Prerequisite Knowledge content is about 500 pages of material and will not be tested in the exam.
Practical Skills Modules (LI & LII)
The CFA® Practical Skills Modulles have been added to the CFA exam in response to employers who would like candidates to have more exposure to practical, relevant skills that connect with what they are learning on the job.
The Practical Skills Module is a stand-alone, self learning module that contains between 10-15 hours of content which candidates must advance through in order to complete each one, including videos, questions and guided practice.
Level I Candidates: (Candidates must complete one or both)
Financial Modelling
Python Programming Fundamentals
Level II Candidates: (Candidates must complete one or both)
Python Programming Fundamentals
Analyst Skills
Python, Data Science & AI
The content in PSM is not tested in the final CFA® Exam and it is not graded.
Level I Candidates complete at least one Practical Skills Module to receive your exam result
Level I CFA® Exam Structure
Exam Format:
Computer-Based Testing: The Level I computer-based exam consists of 180 multiple choice questions, split between two 135-minute sessions. There is an optional break between sessions. Candidates must take both sessions in order to receive an exam result.
Duration:
First session (2 hours, 15 minutes): 90 multiple choice questions, covering the topics of ethics & professional standards, quantitative methods, economics, and financial statement analysis
Second session (2 hours, 15 minutes): 90 multiple choice questions, covering the topics of corporate issuers, equity, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments and portfolio management
CFA® Level I Exams will be offered four times a year in Feb, May, August & November 2024.
Our CFA® Level I Class Intake Structure for 2024: Classes Starting in January, May & October.
Key Exam Requirements:
Valid international travel passport
Approved calculator. Only two calculator models are authorized for use during the CFA Program exams:
Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including BA II Plus Professional)
Hewlett Packard 12C (including the HP 12C Platinum, 12C Platinum 25th anniversary edition, 12C 30th anniversary edition, and HP 12C Prestige)
You must complete at least one Practical Skills Module to receive your exam result.
Level II CFA® Exam Structure
Structure: The Level II exam consists of 22 item sets comprised of vignettes with 88 accompanying multiple-choice questions.
Duration: The Level II exam will be 4 hours and 24 minutes, split into two equal sessions of 2 hours and 12 minutes, with an optional break in between.
CFA® Level II will be offered three times a year in May, August & November 2024.
Our CFA® Level II Class Intake for 2024: Classes Starting in January & April 2024 (2 intakes).
Key Exam Requirements:
Valid international travel passport
Approved calculator. Only two calculator models are authorized for use during the CFA Program exams:
Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including BA II Plus Professional)
Hewlett Packard 12C (including the HP 12C Platinum, 12C Platinum 25th anniversary edition, 12C 30th anniversary edition, and HP 12C Prestige)
Level III CFA® Exam Structure
Structure: The Level III exam consists of item set and constructed response (essay) questions.
Duration: The Level III exam will be 4 hours and 24 minutes, split into two equal sessions of 2 hours and 12 minutes, with an optional break in-between.
CFA® Level III of the CFA exam will be offered twice a year in February and August 2024
Our CFA® Level III Class Intake for 2024: Classes Starting in Jan 2024 (1 intake).
Key Exam Requirements:
Valid international travel passport
Approved calculator. Only two calculator models are authorized for use during the CFA Program exams:
Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including BA II Plus Professional)
Hewlett Packard 12C (including the HP 12C Platinum, 12C Platinum 25th anniversary edition, 12C 30th anniversary edition, and HP 12C Prestige)
Why Study The CFA® Program
There are many respected credentials in the investment management industry. Esteemed and valued across the globe, the CFA® designation is known for demonstrating superior competency in advanced portfolio management, financial expertise, and technical skills, underpinned by ethical conduct and the highest standards of practice.
CFA® Program Fees & Study Options
Flexible Tuition Support with up to 12% Discounts + Flexible Payment Plans!
Student Funding
Enjoy our exclusive partnership with Standard Bank South Africa & Capitec Education Finance.
Get access to student loans at preferential interest rates, longer repayment periods (up to 120 months) & quick turnaround approval time!
Discounts
Self-Sponsored? Get up to 12% Discount by enrolling under TEPP/On-Campus Subjects. T/Cs Apply.
Flexible Payments
Pay a 20% deposit (upfront fee) and get your book + class access. You can then pay the balance over 6 months!
Registration Information
3 Intakes
Level I - Jan, May & Oct. aiming for the Aug/Nov. sitting
Level II - Jan & April aiming for the November Sitting
Level III - January aiming for the August Sitting
Payment Options & Funding
Up to 12% Discount for Self-Sponsored Students (T/Cs)
20% Upfront Fee to get started and the balance paid over 6 months directly with CQ!
Get Student Funding through our partnerships with Capitec Education Finance & Standard Bank. Learn more
Mode of Delivery
Online & On-Campus
Pre-recorded Online/Self Study
Classes Run at our Sandton Rivonia Campus. Click here to access class timetables. Online - Interactive Livestream Classes Available!
CFA® Fees & Study Benefits
3 STUDY OPTIONS BELOW:
Choose between the 3 study packages below. Selecting the TEPP or e-Campus Livestream Package will allow you to attend all 50 classes (over 25 weeks), covering all 6 books/modules (including 4 exam revision practice workshops) with supporting books.
Payment Terms: 20% deposit and balance payable over 6 months + Student Funding Options!
CONTENT PROVIDER: uWorld- Formerly Wiley
UWorld has acquired Wiley Efficient Learning to deliver innovative CFA® review courses proven to boost candidate success. Discover the powerful combination of Wiley's 200+ year track record of product excellence with UWorld's pioneering approach to active learning.
TEPP - Weekends & Evenings
Tuition & Exam Preparation Package
On-Campus/Livestream
- 50 Tuition Classes (150 hours)
- 2 - 8 Exam Prep Classes
- CQ Instructor Recorded Lecture Videos & Slides accessible online.
- Expert-Led Pre-recorded Video Lectures
- Detailed Scheme of Work
- Student File - Customised CFA Student File
- Instructor-Led Office Hours (Ask questions during an instructor’s set office hours)
- uWorld (Formely Wiley) 6 e-Books: Clear, concise study notes (uWord - Formerly WILEY) and examples that cover every Learning Outcome Statements (LOS), +questions to check your understanding.
- uWorld Question Bank accessible online with Over 1500 questions (to quiz yourself and build custom exams based on LOS). PRACTICE TOOLS 2
- CQ Multiple 3-9 Online Practice Mock Exams (to help you perform on exam day, depending on your performance tracking).
- uWorld Premium Formula Sheet (includes key formulas, definitions, and CFA Level 1 concepts).
- uWorld SmartCards and ReadyDeck Flashcards (customizable digital flashcards and transfer source content to the front or back, add unique notes, and organize by subject, topic, or custom tag)
The CFA® Program recommended financial calculator (Level I Only) BAII Plus Professional -Texas Instruments
- Online access to over 1000 additional exam practice questions.
- 24/7 Student Support (WhatsApp Groups)
e-Campus -Weekends & Evenings
Interactive/Online
Livestream from anywhere!
- 50 Tuition Livestream Classes (150 hours)
- 2 - 8 Exam Prep Livestream Classes
- CQ Instructor Recorded Lecture Videos & Slides accessible online.
- Expert-led Pre-recorded Video Lectures
- Detailed Scheme of Work
- Instructor-Led Office Hours (Ask questions during an instructor’s set office hours)
- uWorld Question Bank accessible online with Over 1500 questions (to quiz yourself and build custom exams based on LOS).
- uWorld Question Bank accessible online with Over 1500 questions (to quiz yourself and build custom exams based on LOS). PRACTICE TOOLS 2
- CQ Multiple 3-9 Online Practice Mock Exams (to help you perform on exam day, depending on your performance tracking).
- uWorld Premium Formula Sheet (includes key formulas, definitions, and CFA Level 1 concepts).
- SmartCards and ReadyDeck Flashcards (customizable digital flashcards and transfer source content to the front or back, add unique notes, and organize by subject, topic, or custom tag)
- Online access to over 1000 additional exam practice questions.
- 24/7 Student Support (WhatsApp Groups)
EPOP - Weekends & Evenings
Exam Preparation Only Package
On-Campus/Livestream
R 15,000.00
/ Full Course/per levelNo VAT to be added.
- 2 - 4 Exam Prep Classes (24 hours)
- Instructor-Led Office Hours (Ask questions during an instructor’s set office hours)
- CQ Multiple 3-9 Online Practice Mock Exams (to help you perform on exam day, depending on your performance tracking)
- Online access to over 1000 additional exam practice questions.
- 24/7 Student Support
- PRACTICE TOOLS 2
The above fees exclude any fees to The CFA® Institute. See below list of CFA Program Fees.
CFA® Program Fees
1. Registration $350
There is a one-time enrollment fee of USD350 when you register for the CFA® Program and the Level I exam. This fee will not be applied to subsequent exams.
2. Cost of Exams
CFA® Exam Registration costs vary depending on when you decide to register for the exam.
*Early Registration Fee $940
*Standard Registration Fee $1250
The exam fee should be paid together with the exam registration fee at the same time.
*Access CFA® 2024 Exam Timetable for applicable exam registration window
3. Cost of Rescheduling Exams
If a candidate needs to reschedule an exam appointment within an exam window, a USD250 rescheduling fee will apply.
4. Membership Fees:
CFA® Institute offers membership at a cost of USD299 for the full membership period—which starts 1 July each year.