Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (2024)

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (1)
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Your pathway to Chartered Financial Planner status

The RQF Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning builds on existing knowledge enabling advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities and offer a sophisticated and comprehensive approach to financial management.

Members with over five years’ sector experience can apply forChartered Financial Plannerstatus on completion of the Advanced Diploma.

Who's it for?

  • Retail investment advisers qualified at level 4
  • Paraplanners, technical consultants and staff in related support roles qualified at level 4

To complete the Advanced Diploma, you must already hold one of the following CII qualifications: Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, Diploma in Financial Planning.

Recognition of prior learning

Before studying, check to see whether any of your previous academic qualifications or credits from other professional bodies and institutes can be carried towards completion of the Advanced Diploma.

Find out more about recognition of prior learning

Study time

Specific study time guidelines are provided for each unit on its webpage and in the CII qualifications brochure.

The notional Ofqual ‘Total Qualification Time’ for this qualification is 600 hours. This represents the time a student might typically take to upgrade their CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning or Regulated Financial Planning to the CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning by the shortest combination of units from the core and optional units available. The number of hours may increase dependent on the units chosen. Further study time will be needed for any units required to meet the additional completion requirements (for students who have not already completed these as part of their prior study).

Assessment method

Diploma and Advanced Diploma level units are assessed by written exam or coursework assignment.

Written exam results are normally released 6-8 weeks following exam sitting. Coursework assessment results are normally released 63 calendar days following submission.

Find out more about assessments, including policies and exam centres

Learning support

Qualification units are delivered through purchasing an Enrolment, equipping you with the essential materials to support core learning. For a single fee, an Enrolment typically includes: study text, assessment and access to RevisionMate, our online study tool.

We also offer additional revision aids through purchasing Enrolment plus for most key units. These range from Key fact booklets and Question packs, to Learn online tutorials.

Chartered status and Fellowship

As a holder of the Advanced Diploma you can apply forCharteredstatus (subject to having five years' experience within the profession - experience gained prior toqualification counts towards this requirement).

Chartered status cements your professional standing and gives you parity with other professionals such as accountants and solicitors. The CII also offers corporate Chartered status to qualifying firms, further enhancing visible professionalism.

If after completing the Advanced Diploma you wish to continue with formal professional development, you could study forFellowshipof the PFS.

Fellowship,held by more than 5,000 working practitioners is our highest level of qualification. Attainment is globally recognised as an indicator of expertise and experience.

Units treated as equivalent

Due to the extent of syllabus overlap, certain combinations of current and withdrawn units will result in only one award of credits.

If a withdrawn equivalent is held you may not need to complete a current unit in order to satisfy a qualification's completion rules. Clarification should always be sought from CII Customer Service.

Find out more about credit awards for equivalent units

Completion requirements

Core units

The Advanced Diploma comprises one core unit and a number of option units from the CII Personal Finance qualifications framework, providing a total of 290 credits on successful completion.There is no definitive order in which you should study your chosen units, however unit AF5 tests skills developed through completion of other Advanced Diploma units so must be completed last.

Unit

Credits

Level

AF5

Financial planning process

Credits : 30

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

Option units

120 credits must be at level 6 and include the core unit AF5. A further 40 credits must be at level 4 or above, and the remaining credits may come from any unit with the exception of unit LF1.

Any credits already achieved from these units will continue to count towards the completion requirements of the Diploma in Financial Planning and the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning after the unit’s withdrawal.

Unit

Credits

Level

AF1

Personal tax and trust planning

Credits : 30

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

AF4

Investment Planning

Credits : 30

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

AF6

Senior management and supervision

Credits : 30

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

AF7

Pensions transfers

Credits : 20

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

AF8

Retirement income planning

Credits : 30

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (2024)

FAQs

What level is advanced Diploma in Financial Planning? ›

The Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning builds on existing skills and knowledge, enabling advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities and offer a sophisticated and comprehensive approach to financial management.

Is DipFA worth it? ›

By completing the DipFA course, you'll be in a great position to progress with your career. Whether you're looking for a fresh start with a career in finance or you're keen to expand upon your existing skills and knowledge, this qualification has the potential to open you up to a world of new opportunities.

What is DipPFS equivalent to? ›

Qualification LevelDesignatory LettersEducational Equivalent
Advanced DiplomaACII / APFSDegrees and Higher National Diplomas
DiplomaDipCII / DipPFSCertificates of higher education - HNC
CertificateCert CII / CertPFSA-levels
AwardCII (Award)A-levels
2 more rows

How long does DipFA take? ›

It will take up to nine months to complete DipFA but you'll have 17 months of study support.

What is the difference between advanced diploma and a degree? ›

Is advanced diploma equivalent to bachelor degree? That is a common question. Despite some similarities, the two are distinct qualifications. An advanced diploma can typically be finished faster than a bachelor's degree and focuses on practical skills relevant to a particular job.

What is the most recognized credential in financial planning? ›

1. Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Certified financial planners (CFPs) are well-versed in topics across the financial field. They assess their clients' full financial portfolio and then provide personalized financial plans.

What can you do with DipFA? ›

'DipFA' is short for The Diploma for Financial Advisers. It is an FCA approved level 4 qualification and, once you pass, you are legally and confidently able to offer professional advice on retail investment. It is amongst the most highly regarded financial adviser qualifications.

What is the difference between DipFA and DipPFS? ›

What is the difference between DipFA and DipPFS? In the long term, there are no differences between the two qualifications, ultimately, they should get you to the same destination. Is DipFA better than the DipPFS? No, they both achieve the same outcome, you become diploma qualified either way.

Is a 1% financial advisor worth it? ›

But, if you're already working with an advisor, the simplest way to determine whether a 1% fee is reasonable may be to look at what they've helped you accomplish. For example, if they've consistently helped you to earn a 12% return in your portfolio for five years running, then 1% may be a bargain.

How long does it take to complete Dippfs? ›

How long does it take to get? The CII website details “Specific study time guidelines are provided for each unit on its webpage and in the CII qualifications brochure. The notional Ofqual 'Total Qualification Time' for this qualification is 370 hours.

What is a Level 7 Diploma in Advanced financial planning? ›

Level 7 Diploma in Advanced Financial Planning

It will give you the necessary skills to build trust and help consumers in an increasingly complex advice world. The CFP process equips individuals with the following: A financial planning framework that is robust and repeatable.

Is a financial planner the same as a CPA? ›

The accountant and financial planner professions tend to rely heavily on math and numbers but there are major differences. Accountants do auditing work, financial forecasting, and putting together financial statements, while financial planners help individuals with wealth management and retirement planning.

Is 50 too old to become a financial advisor? ›

There is nothing to prevent anyone of working age becoming an adviser based on age alone. However, it would be naïve to suggest there are no potential barriers for those who come to the profession late. The older someone is, the longer it is likely to be since they have taken an exam.

How fast can you become a financial advisor? ›

At a minimum, it takes about six years to become a certified financial planner. Along with earning a bachelor's degree, CFPs must have about two years of professional experience and pass an exam.

What is level 4 in financial planning? ›

The level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning meets the FCA's qualification requirements for retail investment advisers and helps candidates to develop core technical knowledge and financial planning capabilities.

What is a Level 7 diploma in Advanced Financial Planning? ›

Level 7 Diploma in Advanced Financial Planning

It will give you the necessary skills to build trust and help consumers in an increasingly complex advice world. The CFP process equips individuals with the following: A financial planning framework that is robust and repeatable.

Is Advanced diploma Level 7? ›

Further specialisation in a teaching subject, offered through an Advanced Diploma at Level 7, requires cognate studies in that subject at Level 6 in the entry qualification.

What is a Level 5 Advanced diploma? ›

A level 5 qualification is a higher education certificate that demonstrates learning at university level. Individuals who take these certificates gain a strong foundation in the subject area. Level 5 education and training can be academic, vocational or a mixture of both, such as foundation degrees.

What is a Level 6 Advanced diploma? ›

3) A Level 6 Diploma (120 credits) student will study a course equivalent to year 3 of an Undergraduate Degree, as well as a qualification that can be used to gain entry into a Postgraduate Diploma or Master's Degree programme.

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