Certificate in Financial Studies
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm, timetable to be confirmed at interview or induction.
We all need to learn how to manage our money effectively; this course will help you to do just that. This will involve gaining an appreciation of the benefits that can be derived from financial services products (e.g. savings, mortgages, pensions, loans), and how these can contribute to achieving your personal aspirations, you will also gain an awareness of risk and reward in relation both to saving and borrowing money, an understanding of the concept of money in all its forms, and learn how to make sound financial decisions by comparing a range of financial products. This qualification counts for UCAS points in the same way as an AS level.
You will study three units. The first is called Why Money Matters; this unit highlights the importance of money and introduces you to the financial services industry by focusing on the interaction between money, personal finance and the financial services market place.
In the second unit Risk and Reward in Personal Finance you will learn the features of different financial service products, the types of providers (e.g. banks, building societies, insurance companies) and the different sources of advice available to help you to understand the process of decision-making and become more effective in planning and monitoring your finances.
The final unit Making Personal Financial Judgements teaches you to compare and contrast a range of financial products and draw reasoned, informed and sound financial decisions.
To study four subjects to GCE AS Level you will normally require 6 GCSEs at grade C or above including English Language and Maths.
All AS and A2 subjects are studied as a part of a full time programme comprising 3/4 AS subjects and is aimed at 16 - 18 year olds. This subject complements Business Studies and Applied ICT AS Levels.
If English is not your first language, a minimum IELTS (Academic) of 5.5, Cambridge FCE, TOEFL 530 (paper based),71 (internet based), 197 (computer based) or TOEIC 850 is required. Completion of High School studies with good passes is required.
For the first two units you will be assessed through multiple choice tests, one for each unit, these exams are administered online at the College, and you will receive your result for both units immediately. If you are not happy with your result, you will have the opportunity to resit each exam one week after the initial sitting, again receiving immediate feedback on your performance. Your result from the first exam represents 25% of your overall score for the qualification, and your result from the second exam represents 35%.
Unit 3 is assessed through a written exam, with questions based around a case study of a client seeking financial advice, with further questions related to broader financial issues. Your result from this exam will represent 40% of your overall score for the qualification. Results are released approximately one month after the exam, and you will have the opportunity to resit this exam one month after receipt of your result if you wish to improve your grade.
Higher Education, teaching or advanced entry into professional employment.
There are normally no charges to UK and EU students for a full-time course. Exam fee - Normally no charge unless the subject is a re-take.
International students will study 4 subjects at AS level in the first year, and 3 subjects at full A level in the second year. The cost of this programme is £5,000 per year for tuition and a deposit of £100 (non refundable) should be sent with the International Students Application for Admission Form. There may be an additional cost for materials and educational visits.
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The Certificate in Financial Studies is a stand alone qualification, however many students progress to study the Diploma in Financial Studies, usually during their A2 year at College. Both qualifications are part of a group of finance related courses offered by the IFS School of Finance , and on leaving College you could go on to study the IFS professional qualifications for financial advisers or mortgage advisers, if you chose a career in Financial Services. Alternatively, the award offers UCAS points and many of our students choose to progress to university.
You will not be in College every day from 9am to 5pm, students on an AS/A level course will have free time and you do not need to be on the premises unless you have a timetabled session or tutorial.
The lessons are 1 hour 30 minutes which is the standard slot with longer variations for more practical subjects.
You will have a personal tutor who will be responsible for reviewing your general progress and helping you with your problems, no matter how small. You will see them on a regular basis.
This subject would normally be studied with two or three other AS/A levels as a full time course.