Professional qualifications

Level 5 Diploma in Asset Finance (DipAF)

Whether you’re new to asset finance or an experienced professional, DipAF will broaden your understanding of asset leasing, regulation, risks, return and credit – and help you advance your career.

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About the qualification

Asset finance is a vital and constantly evolving part of the economy. And if you work in asset finance, you need to be confident you're making sound business decisions to keep yourself – and your organisation – competitive.

Studying the DipAF will enable you to demonstrate the high level of expertise and professionalism that you need.

With study materials that relate to the practical work of asset finance, you'll get a better understanding of the whole industry – including economic and social trends, legislation and regulation.

As we created DipAF with The Finance and Leasing Association (FLA), we know it will give you the skills you need to succeed and become a trusted expert. If you choose to continue your studies after DipAF, you could be on your way to chartered status.

While studying with us, you’ll become a Member of The London Institute of Banking & Finance (MLIBF), receiving benefits including careers support and access to professional networking events. 

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Your studies will cover

  • Why businesses need asset finance
  • Essential business management and competitive strategies
  • The asset leasing sector, legal and regulatory requirements
  • Sales and account management processes
  • FLA's Business Finance Code
How much does it cost? FLA members £3,300 – includes your study materials, coursework and exam entry

Non-FLA members £3,800 – includes your study materials, coursework and exam entry 
Average time to complete? 15 months
Number of units Three
How will I be assessed?

Exams and coursework. View the assessment section for further details.

You can take your exam at a test centre or at home with remote invigilation

Once you’ve passed you’ll receive a digital certificate. A paper copy can also be ordered for an additional fee.

What study materials do I get?

As part of your fee, you’ll get: 

  • weekly study guides including activities 
  • webinars (recorded and live)
  • student handbook
  • access to online forum
  • live workshop
  • weekly study planner
  • unit syllabuses
  • specimen and exemplar papers
  • online access to our student portal MyLIBF
  • online access to our virtual library KnowledgeBank

You will be learning on our new VLE Brightspace, click on the logo to find out more.

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How will I study? This qualification is online, and you will follow a structured timetable
Regulation This qualification is registered with Ofqual in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
 
DipAF - Stephen Haddrill
Designed by the industry for the industry, the Diploma in Asset Finance is the must-have qualification for anyone building their career in this sector. Stephen Haddrill, Director General - Finance & Leasing Association

Units

DipAF consists of three units.

Unit 1 - Business Management and The Provision of Asset Finance (AFBM)

  • Background to the asset finance industry
  • Essential business management knowledge
  • Key competitive strategies
  • Options available to provide asset finance

Unit 2 - The Legal and Regulatory Requirements of Asset Finance (AFLR)

  • Legal impacts on delivering asset finance services
  • Purpose and powers of the regulators
  • Background and consequences of key legal acts
  • FLA’s Business Finance Code

Unit 3 - The Sales and Account-Management Processes of Asset Finance (AFSA)

  • How to analyse the account management process
  • How to use data to make financial decisions
  • How financial and numerical data can be manipulated

Are you eligible for an exemption?

If you have qualifications from us or another awarding organisation, we may be able to count them as credits.

Find out more
DipAF - Paula Millward
DipAF is an excellent area of study for those that are new to asset finance and equally to experienced professionals within the industry. Up to date with the latest economic and social trends, legislation and regulation, the learning material was varied including reading, video and audio and was well balanced to encourage students to participate in further reading and discussion. The forums and opportunities to interact with other students also helps provide a broader understanding of the topics than personal experiences alone can provide. In addition, the opportunity to further progress studies to the LIBF Professional Banking and Finance Diploma was a welcome and rewarding extension. Paula Millward, MLIBF DipAF PDipB&F - JCB Finance

Timetable

You can register for one of the following study sessions throughout the year: 

AFBM unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   30 October 2023
 Course start date   06 November 2023 
 Coursework deadline   15 January 2024

AFLR unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   30 October 2023 
 Course start date   18 March 2024
 Coursework deadline   20 May 2024

AFSA unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   30 October 2023  
 Course start date   22 July 2024
 Exam date   23 January 2025 

AFBM unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   26 February 2024 
 Course start date   04 March 2024 
 Coursework deadline   07 May 2024

AFLR unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   26 February 2024 
 Course start date   01 July 2024
 Coursework deadline   02 September 2024 

AFSA unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   26 February 2024
 Course start date   04 November 2024 
 Exam date   08 May 2025 

AFBM unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   24 June 2024 
 Course start date   01 July 2024
 Coursework deadline   02 September 2024  

AFLR unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   24 June 2024  
 Course start date   04 November 2024  
 Coursework deadline   06 January 2025

AFSA unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   24 June 2024 
 Course start date   03 March 2025 
 Exam date   04 September 2025 

 

Assessment

You will be assessed by:

  • Unit 1 – one-hour 30 multiple choice question exam and written piece coursework
  • Unit 2 – one-hour 30 multiple choice question exam and written piece coursework
  • Unit 3 – two-hour 50 multiple choice question exam as well as a three-hour typed electronic exam

When you register, you will be allocated a session. You can find the coursework assignment and assessment dates on your MyLIBF account.

You will need to submit both pieces of coursework electronically through the course site.

 You can decide when and where to take your multiple-choice exam for each unit. Your unit 3, three-hour typed electronic exam will be on a set date depending on which study session you join. Please refer to the timetable section above for exam dates.

For all exams, you can choose to sit at a test centre or through remote invigilation at home.

Exam and assessment information

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