A guide to the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (CII)

A guide to the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (CII)

What is the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning?

“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 for Chartered Financial Planner status on completion of the Advanced Diploma.”

It takes 290 credits to achieve so, 190 more credits if you have the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning or 150 credits if you have Diploma in Financial Planning.

What are the unit options?

Adv Diploma in Financial Planning is made up of one core unit which is the Financial planning process (AF5) and a number of optional units which are:

  • AF1 – Personal tax and trust planning
  • AF4 – Investment Planning        
  • AF6 – Senior management and supervision        
  • AF7 – Pensions transfers
  • AF8 – Retirement income planning

How much does the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning cost?

Due to the optional units the price can vary:

UnitNumber of creditsMember PriceNon-member
AF130£265.73£361.44
AF430£265.73£361.44
AF530£134.00£185.00
AF630£442.00£549.00
AF720£265.73£361.44
AF830£442.00£549.00

What are the entry requirements?

Unlike the LIBF who will accept any Level 4 qualification to commence their version of Adv DipFA you must hold one of the following CII qualifications:

  • Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
  • Diploma in Financial Planning

How long does the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning take?

“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).”

UnitTotal study hours
AF1150
AF4150
AF5150
AF6150
AF7100
AF8150

What are the study materials?

UnitStudy material
AF1Exam guides
+
Study material – editions available. Applicable to Apr and Oct exams within a 12-month enrolment period.
AF4Exam guides
+
Study material – editions available. Applicable to Apr and Oct exams within a 12-month enrolment period.
AF57 practice tests
+
Exam guides + AF5 Post fact-find video technical guide
AF6Coursework Exemplars and Guidance
+
Study material – editions available. Enrolment (12 months)
AF7Exam guides
+
Study material – editions available. Applicable to Apr and Oct exams within a 12-month enrolment period.
AF8Exemplar fact find
+
Study material – editions available. Enrolment (12 months).  

What are the assessment types?

The assessment type is either a written exam or coursework

UnitAssessment types
AF1Written Exam only
AF4Written Exam only
AF5Written Exam only
AF6Coursework only
AF7Written Exam only
AF8Coursework only

Where do I take the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning exams?

Written exams – Exam centres

Coursework – Accessed and submitted online

What support is available for the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning?

The CII state “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. “

They 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.”

Conclusion

The Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning is a great way to advance your career as a Financial Advisor or Paraplanner and, for many, is a stepping stone in achieving Chartered status. Keep your eyes peeled for more content relating to “How to revise for the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning” recently we have posted “A guide to Adv DipFA (Diploma in Financial Advice)” which is the LIBF equivalent to the Advance Diploma in Financial Planning. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more FS content on the Premier Jobs UK YouTube and blog.

In the meantime, you can view our Financial Advisor and Paraplanner jobs now or call/email us to discuss your circumstances and what roles could be suitable for you free of charge at:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0208 0044 154