Level 6 Diploma in Financial Advice
(Adv DipFA)

Professional qualifications

Level 6 Diploma in Financial Advice (Adv DipFA)

Enhance your professionalism with a Level 6 qualification and achieve chartered status as a financial adviser.

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About the qualification

Working in financial advice is a very rewarding career. You can help your clients retire sooner, plan for that once-in-a-lifetime trip or face financial ups and downs with much more confidence.

As with any profession, financial advisers will have different levels of experience and expertise as they go through the stages of their careers.

As a Level 6 qualified financial adviser, you’ll demonstrate the highest level of professionalism – important to showcase your credentials and for your customers to know they are getting the best service.

You can now differentiate yourself based on your knowledge about likely changes in the sector and what your clients need.

  • Get the expertise you need to provide complex financial advice and planning services.
  • Tailor your learning to match your current and future areas of specialism by picking modules relevant to you.
  • Develop your skills to provide advice for a variety of areas – bringing in new opportunities for your business.

And if you have three years' relevant work experience, achieving Adv DipFA could lead to chartered status.

While you study online, we will support you with weekly study guides. Our team of dedicated tutors will also be on hand to answer your queries.

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

Who can study Adv DipFA?

  • Financial advisers
  • Financial consultants
  • Paraplanners
  • Financial planners
  • Independent financial advisers (IFA’s)
  • Wealth advisers and wealth managers
  • Retail investment advisers

To study Adv DipFA you must already hold a Level 4 Financial Advice qualification approved by the FCA with us or another awarding body. If not, please see our Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA).

And if you have qualifications from us or another awarding organisation, you may be able to count them as credits towards Adv DipFA. See our Recognition of Prior Learning policy.

Your studies will cover

  • How to examine the rules, data and information to develop a taxation and trusts strategy for clients
  • How to build and develop a client’s investment portfolio by selecting different products and investment strategies
  • How to simplify and understand the technical language, tools, methods and good practice
  • How to analyse, prepare and interpret financial data
  • How to apply theories, evidence and concepts in wealth management
How much does it cost?              £510 for each compulsory unit.
The price includes study materials and exam entry.

View the fee section for a full breakdown with the specialist unit options.
Average time to complete
18 months to 2 years
Number of units Four
How will I be assessed? Exams and assessments. 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: 

  • access to our virtual library KnowledgeBank
  • online access to our student portal MyLIBF
  • online student forum and group activities
  • exam papers
  • coursework exemplars
  • online study materials
  • online tutor support
  • webinars
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? Everything is online, you'll follow a structured timetable
Entry requirements
  • If you hold an RDR-compliant qualification in financial advice, with us or another awarding body

              OR

  • If you hold a Statement of Professional Standing (SPS) as a retail investment adviser, with us or another awarding body
Regulation
  • Registered with Ofqual in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
  • Meets the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) examination standards


 

Units

Adv DipFA comprises of five units but you only need to complete four, which you can study in any order.

The two compulsory units are TTTC and MANI. You can then pick from at least one of the Level 6 optional units and either one of the Level 4 optional units or a specialist unit.

Unit – Taxation, Trusts and Tax Compliance (TTTC)

  • Developing a taxation and trusts strategy within an ethical framework
  • Advising UK clients on taxation and the administration of trusts

This unit is compulsory.

Unit – Managing Investments (MANI)

  • The principles and theories associated with measuring investment performance
  • Managing investment portfolios to achieve client objectives

This unit is compulsory.

Level 4 specialist unit options

Or you can pick one Level 6 optional units and one of the following:


The specialist unit must have a minimum of 10 credits and be at Level 4 or above.

If you decide to take CeMAP Diploma as the specialist optional module to study you must have CeMAP or an equivalent Level 3 mortgage qualification prior to picking this option.

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

Exemptions

If you have a previous financial advice qualification, you may be exempt from some of the units.

Here are a few exemptions you can use towards Adv DipFA:

  • You can claim credit for the specialist unit if you have completed the Later Life Adviser Accreditation from the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA)
  • Practical Investment Planning (PIP) has been formally recognised by LIBF as an eligible specialist unit Adv DipFA
  • If you have started a advanced qualification with another awarding body, you may have credits you can use towards the Adv DipFA.

You’ll need to provide details of your current qualifications and accreditations in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) form on our website.

If you’re not sure whether an exemption applies to you, please contact our Student and Customer Services team on +44 (0) 1227 818609 or email customerservices@libf.ac.uk

Timetable

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

TTTC unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   22 January 2024 
 Course start date   12 February 2024 
 Coursework deadline   23 April 2024
 Exam date  06 June 2024 

MANI unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   22 January 2024
 Course start date   12 February 2024 
 Video presentation deadline   15 April 2024
 Exam deadline  13 June 2024 

 

TTTC unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   22 July 2024 
 Course start date   12 August 2024 
 Coursework deadline   22 October 2024
 Exam date  05 December 2024 

MANI unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   22 July 2024
 Course start date   12 August 2024 
 Video presentation deadline   14 October 2024
 Exam deadline  12 December 2024 

 

TTTC unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   20 January 2025 
 Course start date   10 February 2025 
 Coursework deadline   22 April 2025
 Exam date  05 June 2025 

MANI unit:

Details Date 
 Registration deadline   20 January 2025
 Course start date   10 February 2025 
 Video presentation deadline   14 April 2025
 Exam deadline  12 June 2025 

 

Assessment

We assess each unit of Adv DipFA differently.

  • TTTC – coursework and three-hour 15 minute typed electronic exam
  • MANI – video presentation and three-hour typed electronic exam with multiple choice and written responses

Your exam will be on a set date depending on which study session you join. Please refer to the timetable above for exam dates. You can choose to sit at a test centre or through remote invigilation at home.

You will also be assessed when you take the optional units. The popular choices are:

  • Certificate in Long-term Care and Later Life Planning (CertLTCP), which is tested by an electronic exam. 
  • CeMAP Diploma has two elements – an exam with 50 multiple-choice questions and coursework
  • PETR has a 3-hour 15 minute typed electronic exam with a mixture of multiple-choice, short answer and long answer questions.
  • Financial Planning in Retirement (FPIR) has three different types of assessments – forum contribution, video presentation and timed assessment.

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

Exam and assessment information

Accredited Learning Support Providers (ALSP)

We understand that everyone has different learning styles. Some students prefer a qualification route with extra learning support. 

We have recognised a select number of Advanced DipFA training providers offering to help support your learning and understanding of the concepts and materials.

Find out more

Please note that using a learning support provider is entirely up to you: it is NOT a requirement of your studies.

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