STEP Advanced Certificate in Trusts: Law and Practice (International)

Master the trust concept and trustee responsibilities with the STEP Advanced Certificate in Trusts: Law and Practice. Take a step closer to the STEP Diploma and achieve global recognition in the international trusts industry with this Advanced Certificate.

Course details

This course provides practitioners with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to manage wealth held in trust in a professional and effective manner in compliance with industry best practice. 

  • Gain in-depth expertise: Improve your technical knowledge of the trust concept and the role, powers, and duties of a trustee.
  • Practical focus: Practical advice and guidance written by practitioners, for practitioners on everyday matters encountered in international trust management from creation, modern usage, and administration of trusts.
  • Build valuable connections: Network with like-minded professionals in varied roles and firms from all over the world. 
  • Industry recognition: Recognised worldwide as the ‘gold-standard’ benchmark qualification for those working in the international trusts industry by employers, regulators, clients, and professionals. Successful completion provides 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership, enhancing your professional standing, and is awarded in association with Alliance Manchester Business School, a School of the University of Manchester.
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Course dates, fees and enrol now:

STEP Advanced Certificate Set 1

Entry requirements

60 Entry Level credits which can be achieved through:

  • Completion of a STEP Certificate (30 credits)
  • Previous learning - confirmed through Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) application - 30 credits
  • Work experience - confirmed through Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) - 30 credits

Note: You do not need to apply for APEL or APCL if you already have confirmed, or if you have studied for at least two STEP Certificates previously.

What will I learn?

  • The essential characteristics and parties to a trust
  • The roles, responsibilities and duties of trustees
  • How to effectively manage and administer trusts
  • Typical provisions of a trust instrument, including dispositive provisions of discretionary, settlor-directed and life interest trust.
  • The significance of conflict of laws issues, choice of law and changing the governing law of the trust
  • Estate planning and forced heirship issues
  • How offshore trusts may be used to protect family wealth
  • The practical uses of purpose trusts
  • The characteristics and governance of foundations

Is this course right for me?

The course is designed for all professionals moving into or working in financial services (specifically trusts and corporate services), who wish to develop their understanding and knowledge of this area.

Students of this course typically include:

  • trust assistants/officers/administrators
  • trust managers (senior)
  • trustees/fiduciaries
  • corporate administrators
  • lawyers/solicitors/attorneys
  • wealth managers
  • accountants
  • tax advisers
  • compliance officers/managers
  • private bankers
  • secretarial/administration
  • client relations/marketing/sales
  • financial/estate planners

Course format

This course is available for study all year round, with intakes at different points throughout the year. The core programme is delivered through a blend of distance learning and four virtual workshops as part of a revision week series delivered online. 

Enrolment onto this course will include the following: 

  • access to the online learning platform containing:  bespoke soft copy course manual supplementary resource material, including over 50 trust-related documents  
  • self-assessment material  
  • distance learning support  
  • four days of online tuition 
  • examination fees

The course is assessed by way of a five-hour open book written examination comprising of multiple-choice questions and three 25-mark essay style questions.

Once you have successfully completed this course, you will gain 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership and be awarded the STEP Advanced Certificate in Trusts: Law and Practice (International). 

 

Become a member of STEP

This is a STEP course/qualification. STEP membership is required to study this course and must be maintained throughout the duration of your studies.

You will need 60 Entry Level credits and if you are not already, you will become an Affiliate member by enrolling on this course. STEP will contact you regarding membership 4-6 weeks after course enrolment.

Successful completion of the course will provide 30 Diploma Level credits as part of the STEP Qualification and Membership framework.

Any questions?

Tutors

Photo of Robin Mcghee

Robin Mcghee

Tutor
Photo of Mike Parkinson

Mike Parkinson

Tutor
Photo of Natalie Dimond

Natalie Dimond

Tutor