Internal Auditor Professional - Certified Internal Auditor Pathway - PgDip
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
The Internal Auditor Professional – Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Pathway has been developed to provide learners with support when undertaking the CIA qualifications who perhaps do not wish to complete a full 3-year MSc programme or who are unable to access the English Apprenticeship levy through the Internal Audit Professional Apprenticeship (IAPA) programme....
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Part Time/Distance Learning
- Award PgDip
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
The Internal Auditor Professional – Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Pathway has been developed to provide learners with support when undertaking the CIA qualifications who perhaps do not wish to complete a full 3-year MSc programme or who are unable to access the English Apprenticeship levy through the Internal Audit Professional Apprenticeship (IAPA) programme.
The course’s over-riding philosophy is to equip those working within the internal audit profession with the conceptual understanding, knowledge and skills to contribute positively to the organisations that they work for.
The course is divided into 6 modules which are aligned to the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) syllabus and for those who wish to continue subsequently to then attain Chartered status, there is the option to “top up” this qualification to attain the Chartered Internal Auditor (CMIIA) designation.
The course has been carefully mapped against the syllabi of the CIA and as part of this course learners will be supported in sitting the external exams required in order to obtain the CIA designation. In addition, their first year’s CPD for ethics which is a requirement of the awarding body, will be completed as part of the programme when learners have successfully completed the Ethics for Internal Auditors module.
What's covered in this course?
The course is divided into six modules which are aligned to the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) syllabus.
For those who wish to continue on to Chartered status, there is the option to “top up” this qualification to attain the Chartered Internal Auditor (CMIIA) designation.
The course has been carefully mapped against the syllabi of the CIA and as part of the course, you will be supported to sit the external exams required in order to obtain the CIA designation.
In addition, successful completion of the Ethics for Internal Auditors module provides the CPD for ethics which is a requirement of the awarding body.
Why Choose Us?
- Our Governance and Assurance Hub is the UK’s first university department to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence by The Institute of Internal Auditors.
- We are an established team with over 20 years’ experience of delivering courses accredited by the Internal Auditing Education Partnerships (IAEP).
- We get to know our students as individuals and support their specific needs, or signpost them to other areas of the University that can provide additional, complementary support.
OPEN DAY
Join us for a virtual Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail. Booking isn't open yet for this event, register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Event: 3 - 7 February 2025
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
Essential Requirements
| Typical Offers (UK Students) | ||
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A bachelor’s degree |
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OR Three or more A-levels or equivalent (plus two year’s internal audit experience) |
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OR The ACCA Qualification |
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OR Four years’ experience in internal audit (plus secondary education) |
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Additional information for EU/International students
| Essential | ||
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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| English language requirements | ||
| IELTS |
6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: PgDip
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 2 Years
- Show fees
- £1804 per 20 credits
- Year 1 - 60 credits
- Year 2 - 60 credits
Fees for Part-time students
This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.
- Distance Learning
- 2 Years
- Show fees
- £1804 per 20 credits
- Year 1 - 60 credits
- Year 2 - 60 credits
Fees for Distance Learning students
This course can be studied on a Distance Learning study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: PgDip
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Distance Learning
- 2 Years
- Show fees
- Year 1 - 60 credits
- Year 2 - 60 credits
Fees for Distance Learning students
This course can be studied on a Distance Learning study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course, the learner must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module considers the purpose of internal audit and how it fits alongside other governance activities of an organisation. It explores the principles which sit behind the activity as well as how to ensure that a high quality function is delivered. It also looks at internal audit’s role in evaluating the anti-fraud framework in the organisation. This module provides the foundation from which the rest of the modules then build.
This module provides an introduction to organisations, in particular their structures, leadership, strategic planning, governance, risk and control. It then moves onto internal audit strategic planning explaining how this is developed using risk based techniques within the organisational context.
This module is designed to guide the student through the performance of a risk based internal audit engagement which complies with the definition of internal auditing and the standards defined in the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) which were introduced in Essentials of Internal Auditing.
The module will expose students to different financial processes within an organisation that they may be required to audit, helping them to understand best practice, risks and controls.
The module will expose students to information technology (IT) and information security (IS) practices found in an organisation that they may be required to audit, helping them to understand best practice, risks and controls for the related processes. It also looks at the IT tools and techniques available to internal auditors in performing an audit, such as data analytics
This module explores the impact that businesses have on the wider world and how the role of internal audit contributes to effective control environments that support corporate objectives and the perceived contribution to the wider societal impact. By the end of this module, you will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of corporate governance, culture and sustainability, and develop communication techniques which support the wider delivery of internal audit to provide continual improvement opportunities for organisations and their impact on their stakeholders and environments.
Download course specification
Download nowThis course uses a blended delivery pattern with a mix of on-campus and online learning delivered by our high-quality expert tutor team.
The learning and teaching methods are designed to encourage and support independent learning.
Learners are provided with a guided pathway through the learning resources on our Virtual Learning Environment ‘Moodle’. These resources include (but are not limited to):
- Presentations
- Quizzes, with feedback
- External professional published articles, journals, standards
- Practical exercises to apply knowledge
Wherever possible, real life case studies will be used to illustrate learning. You will be actively encouraged to share your working experiences in the direct teaching sessions. This enriches the learning experience and enables you to understand how the university teaching sits alongside your day to day role.
Distance Learning
This course is also offered as a distance learning option, enabling you to study at a time that suits you. You don’t have to attend any face-to-face sessions, and delivery of course materials is done through our e-learning platform, Moodle.
Each module with an exam has a revision day which, although not mandatory, you should highly consider attending. If you can’t make it, supporting materials are made available via Moodle.
If you’re an international student, you can sit your examinations at your British council offices for a fee payable locally of around £100 per examination.
Employability
International
Welcome to Birmingham City University, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!
Our Business programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.
We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.
International ServicesOur international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
Michelle Dyke
Senior Lecturer in Audit & Assurance
Michelle has over 25 years’ experience in accounting, beginning her career in 1993 with Tarmac in Wolverhampton, before moving into practice firstly with Clement Keys Chartered Accountants and then BDO Stoy Hayward in the audit department.
More about MichelleJulianne McGarry
Senior Lecturer
Julianne McGarry is an Internal Controls, Risk and Internal Audit professional with over 30 years’ experience across the Public and Global Private sectors encompassing FMG, OEM, Financial Services and Logistics.
More about Julianne