Frequently Asked Questions about The Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration
When can I start the course?
Whenever you like. You may enrol on the course at any time - whenever suits you best.
What qualification do I need to enrol on the course?
The only qualification you need is to be a member of the Institute of Legacy Management, which costs only £80 a year, and which offers you a wide range of services and benefits.
How long will the course take to complete?
This depends on you! Ideally you should aim to complete the course within 9 months. However, we do appreciate that our members' commitments vary from individual to individual. Some will complete the course in a few weeks, some will take 9 months and some will take longer. Because the course is based on distance learning, you can work at a speed which fits in with your other commitments.
When do I have to undertake the assessments?
Again, this is entirely up to you. We will be arranging assessments up to three times a year at all three levels, the dates of which will be notified to members. Full details of the assessments will be sent nearer the time. Depending on your progress, you can elect to take whichever assessment you choose.
What backup and support will I get?
We appreciate that, when enrolling on a distance learning course, one of the concerns students have is where to go for help. Once you have enrolled on the course, you will be allocated a mentor. This mentor will be an experienced Legacy Officer. Your mentor will be available throughout the duration of the course for you to discuss any problems with the course, further explain problem areas and generally provide moral support. Your mentor will initially make contact with you to check that you have received the full course and will leave you details of where and when he or she can be contacted for advice. The mentors will be in regular contact with each other so, if a there is a particular problem area, they can make arrangements for group discussions if necessary.
Do you have a student network so I could contact other students?
Networking between Legacy Officers is to be positively encouraged! Indeed, it was one of the major motivations in setting up ILM in the first place. For this reason, enclosed with this information pack is a form asking you whether you would like your details to be passed to other ILM members doing the same course. If you choose to become part of the network, you will then receive details of the other students currently participating on the course. Mentors will also encourage students to contact each other and discuss topical issues. In addition, the new discussion forum that is part of the members' section of this website includes a special forum for Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration students.
Will I need to buy any text books?
No. The course is designed to be fully self-contained. However, should you wish to do further reading, your mentor will be able to suggest textbooks which would help. Although the course itself could never replace a good reference library, it is designed to become your reference manual for the future. ILM publishes a series of factsheets which are available to members in the Members section of this website for downloading.
Before I enter for any assessments, could I see any previous assessment papers?
Because of the need of ILM to maintain a large bank of questions, we do not make available assessment questions.
I am an experienced Legacy Officer and would just like to undertake the assessments without taking the course, can I do this?
The course is aimed at those members who are new to the legacy world or for whom legacies only represent part of their job. It is intended to give a basic level of understanding in the estate and legacy administration process. If you feel confident to be assessed without undertaking the course of study, then the Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration is probably not for you. ILM has debated this point at length and resolved that only those members taking the full course of study will be eligible for assessment. We are running various courses throughout the year which address more advanced points. A full programme is available and is advertised through the ILM Newsletter and on this website.
Do I need a computer to do the course?
No. The course is paper-based. A computer and email account may be useful for contacting your mentor, but this can just as easily be done by telephone.
What coursework will I be expected to do?
None! At the end of every unit there are self test questions and answers (no cheating!).
Will I need to attend tuition sessions?
No. There is no mandatory attendance required as part of the Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration. Although you may find it useful to attend some of our courses run during the year, no formal tuition is required. Where courses are particularly appropriate to Certificate students, we will endeavour to let you know.
How much does the course cost?
The course is £750 (VAT is not applicable). This is payable in advance. Please make cheques payable to Institute of Legacy Management and send to our administration address: Dawn Pendergast, ILM, P O Box 632, Hayes, UB3 9JA.
If you would like your charity to be invoiced, please return the attached form. Please do not send any money now.
You haven't answered all my questions! Where can I get some more information?
Telephone Dawn Pendergast on (01733) 704326; she will be happy to help. Or email us using the Contact us link in the menu bar to the left. | 
