Certificate in Financial Studies

Examining Body: London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF)

Entry Criteria: Grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics and English Language

What will I learn?

The one year Certificate in Financial Studies (CeFS) has been designed to encourage individuals to be inspired to meet their lifestyle aspirations in the context of an evolving financial services marketplace. The course will help students to become responsible borrowers, sensible savers and have an appreciation of the need for financial planning throughout their life.

You will learn about managing your money, how it will impact on your life and the choices that you will have to make. Financial services products (such as credit cards, loans and mortgages) will be explained to you, along with how they can help you meet your individual lifestyle needs.

What can I do next?

This qualification will clearly give you a head start to a career in the financial services industry. However, rather than focusing on any particular career, this qualification is intended to teach you what you need to know about managing your money. If you are worried about becoming financially independent at university, or when you start fulltime work, this could be the course for you.

Summary

  • Level: IFS Level 3 Certificate (AS Level equivalent)

  • Duration: 1 year

  • Qualification: CeFS - IFS Level 3 Certificate in Financial Studies

  • Entry Requirements: Five grade 4 passes including a 4 in Mathematics and either a 4 in English Language or Literature

Further course content

The Certificate in Financial Studies is graded A*-E and carries a UCAS tariff of up to 28 points which contribute towards university entry.

Unit 1 - Financial Capability for the Immediate and Short Term.
A two paper examination: Part A includes 35 multiple choice questions [45 mins] and Part B consists of questions based on a pre-release case study requiring essay responses to 5 questions [1 hr 45 mins].

Unit 2 - Financial Capability for the Medium and Long Term.
A two-paper examination: Part A includes 35 multiple choice questions [45 mins] and Part B consists of questions based on a pre-release case study requiring essay responses to 5 questions [1 hr 45 mins].

The overall qualification will be graded A*- E. To achieve a pass, students must achieve a pass of 40% in all four units. Units will be graded with pass / fail only.