Launching the IPA CPI and JIE Exam Scholarships
19 May 2026
In partnership with Aryza (from 2026) and BPP (from 2027)
The IPA is the UK’s only professional regulator focused solely on insolvency and is the UK’s largest by market coverage. As such, the IPA’s focus is on high professional standards and on supporting members of the insolvency sector from their first steps in the profession through to becoming a licensed practitioner and onwards throughout their career.
A core part of our support for professionalism in insolvency is the IPA’s training and qualifications, giving insolvency professionals structured, respected learning pathways that have sector-wide recognition. This comprises, at entry level, the Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency (CPI), which we introduced in 1995 and which enjoys a reputation as the best foundation qualification for a career in in insolvency. Then, the benchmark exam and the basis of gaining an insolvency licence is the Joint Insolvency Examination (JIE) which the IPA led the way in creating. And finally, there is the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) that the IPA provides to the sector through its 20 in-person and dozens of online webinars each year.
The IPA is thus wholly committed to supporting all insolvency professionals with their development. But we know that some find it harder than others to access the training they need, whether due to pressures of work or the commitment to study involved. The IPA wishes to address this challenge, supporting everyone who wants a career in insolvency.
As such, in 2026 we are launching IPA CPI Exam Scholarships. These are packages of financial support and training to help those new to insolvency to obtain the professional qualifications they need to succeed in the sector. The IPA will cover the cost of exam fees and membership, with training providers providing free training to those taking the CPI qualification. In 2026, our launch year, we are funding two scholarships for the November CPI exam, sponsored by training provider Aryza.
In 2027, we will fund four CPI Exam Scholarships. In addition, we will launch our JIE Exam Scholarships, for those who are ready to move up in their career and apply for an appointment-taking licence. These will be sponsored by training providers Aryza and BPP. We hope other training providers will come on board too.
This year, we invite applications from candidates in smaller insolvency firms, recognising that access to dedicated internal training and development infrastructure can vary across practices of different sizes.
Founded and championed by IPA’s 2025-26 President Yin Lee and the IPA Board, the IPA Exam Scholarship will provide an important educational opportunity for existing insolvency professionals to have a fully funded professional qualification, including free Student Membership of the IPA, examination entry fees paid for, and free participation in a high-quality programme of study for the CPI or JIE. Scholarship winners will also be invited to attend the IPA’s prestigious Annual Awards ceremony and gala dinner in central London.
The IPA Exam Scholarships are a further example of how the IPA is leading the way for the UK insolvency profession, setting and maintaining high standards so that those working in insolvency and restructuring can be proud of their sector and have access to the skills and training they need to support creditors and debtors and play their role in promoting economic regeneration and growth.
Application process 2026
In 2026, our launch year, we are starting with two scholarships for the November sitting of the CPI taking place on 9 November in partnership with training provider, Aryza.
To apply for the 2026 IPA CPI Exam Scholarship, we invite applications from any person who:
- is a national of the UK
- works in the field of insolvency and restructuring practice
- has at least three years’ experience (for JIE Exam Scholarships, we will require five years’ experience)
- at the time of application works in a small insolvency practice with a maximum of three licensed IPs
If you meet these requirements, you are invited to apply by sending the following to membership@ipa.uk.com before 9am on Monday 22 June 2026. Please also ensure you have read and understood the terms and conditions as below.
- A CV
- Letter of support from your employer, confirming that they will help you to succeed in achieving the qualification, including by allowing you time to study and prepare for the exam.
- An essay of no more than 1,000 words answering the question : “How did you come to work in insolvency and how will you develop your career with the CPI qualification?”
Essays will be judged by a panel chaired by the IPA’s Chief Examiner and comprising an IPA Office Holder and a representative from the sponsoring training provider. The panel will be looking for a commitment to personal development and to the insolvency profession. The panel’s decision is final.
Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be contacted as soon as decisions are made. Scholarship winners will have their exam fees paid by the IPA, as well as an all expenses paid tuition support place provided by Aryza training, and will be put in contact with the training provider to support them in preparation for the exam.
The training provision for the November CPI exam will start 14 July 2026 which we will expect successful candidates to be ready to attend. The winner will have a choice of online and in-person training sessions.
The scholarship place is not transferrable or refundable and applies only to the November 2026 sitting of the CPI.
Scholarship winners, with a complementary guest, will be invited to the IPA Annual Awards Gala Dinner immediately after the exam they have studied for, where they will receive a framed certificate to recognise their achievement.
A summary of the winning entries may be published in the IPA’s newsletter and on our website.
For more information, please contact our Student Officer, Maria Weemes at mariaw@ipa.uk.com.
Application deadline
For the 2026 IPA CPI Exam Scholarship Award, please send your application by 9am on Monday 22 June 2026.