University Students

If you're planning a career in investment management, you've already heard that enrolling in the CFA Program and earning the CFA charter can play a key role in your success.

While most MBA programs cover a broad range of topics, the CFA Program focuses specifically on the practical and fundamental investment knowledge you need in today's job market. And because you advance through the program by setting your own study schedule, with no constraints on how many years it may take you to finish the program, you can work full time while earning your charter.

If you aren’t sure the CFA Program is right for you, but are still interested in pursuing a career in finance, you may be interested in the CIPM Program or Investment Foundations Program.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge offers university students the opportunity to compete against their peers in an annual competition that promotes best practices in equity research and presentation skills.

University Affiliation Program participants embed a percentage of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge into their degree programs. Affiliated Universities are also required to cover the Standards of Practice Handbook which serves as the hallmark of ethics in the CFA Program.

Find out if your university offers waivers for successful completion of all or part of the CFA Program, CIPM Program, and/or Investment Foundations Program. If you don't see your university listed, send your questions or suggestions about educational recognition to university@cfainstitute.org.

We have CFA Program scholarships for qualified, full-time students attending a school in our University Affiliation Program. We also offer a Women’s Scholarship.

Preparing for a career in the investment industry can be daunting, but we’re here to help.