The Strate Academy has added a new module, Collective Investment Schemes, to the Strate exams syllabus.

The Academy is committed to enhancing the knowledge of individuals working in the securities industry. The Strate exams now consist of five modules, which all align with the objectives of the Financial Markets Act 19 of 2012 and remain relevant and fit-for-purpose.

Collective investment schemes module

Collective Investment Schemes (CIS), the fifth module, will be available from 2 July 2026. The module introduces the characteristics and categories of CIS securities in the South African market and the legal, regulatory and governance framework. It covers the end-to-end lifecycle of CIS securities, including issuance, trading, settlement and maturity.

Exam structure

Module one “Understanding Strate and the financial markets” is compulsory for anyone wishing to write the Strate exams (including compliance officers and settlement officers). The other four modules, which cover bonds, money market, equities and CIS, are elective modules.

Compliance officers must write all the module exams. Settlement officers must write the Module 1 exam and then choose from the elective modules relevant to them – bonds, money market, equities or CIS. For more information or queries, please contact Strate Academy at academy@strate.co.za.