Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA)
Financial advisers help people manage their money, plan for the future, and achieve their goals.
Do you have strong communication skills, empathy, and a knack for problem-solving? You could thrive in this rewarding career – and DipFA is your first stop to achieving it.
12 months to complete
Six modules in total
DipFA is the foundation for professional financial advisers
Fees
£1,380 for the full qualification, or pay per module
Modules
Six modules in total
Duration
12 months to complete the module(s) that you register for
Regulation
• Registered with Ofqual in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
• Meets the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) examination standards
• Appears in the Financial Adviser apprenticeship standard
Assessment
• Assessed through multiple-choice exams and final coursework
• Take your exam at a test centre, or at home with remote invigilation
• Receive a digital certificate once you've passed
What your studies will cover
The UK financial services industry and its structure
The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) aims, rules, and regulations for financial advice
Key risks affecting clients' financial needs
Solutions for major financial advice areas
How to gather, analyse, and communicate client data and advice
About the qualification
DipFA is the minimum level qualification you need to become a financial adviser, as laid down by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Study online, fitting your learning in around your life – in a way that works for you.
When studying DipFA you’ll learn all the skills you need to begin your career as a financial adviser. And, because we include case study-based learning, you’ll gain practical knowledge that you can immediately apply in the workplace.
During your studies, you’ll become a Member of LIBF (MLIBF). Membership offers benefits such as career support and access to professional networking events.
Hear from a DipFA learner
"The learning experience with LIBF was very supportive, with clear goals and markers to be achieved throughout the programme. This really helped me stay on track with my studying."
Julie
Mortgage and Protection Adviser | DipFA Completer
Module information
DipFA consists of six compulsory units, contained within six modules.
Financial Services Regulation and Ethics (FSRE)
FSRE introduces the financial services profession, covering regulations, ethics, client skills, and financial products to help advisers meet client needs.
Advanced Financial Advice – Taxation (AFAT)
This module builds your understanding of the UK taxation system and equips you to analyse the tax treatment of individuals and trusts when advising on investments.
Advanced Financial Advice – Investments (AFAI)
Explore the economic impact of investments, investment products, and theories, preparing you to guide clients in achieving their financial goals.
Advanced Financial Advice – Protection (AFAP)
Learn about the importance of financial protection. You’ll cover state benefits, protection policies, and how to identify and address clients' protection needs and priorities effectively.
Advanced Financial Advice – Retirement Planning (AFAR)
Gain a thorough understanding of retirement planning, including state pensions, taxation, and the structure of defined-benefit (DB) and defined-contribution (DC) schemes, so you can effectively advise clients on their retirement options.
Advanced Financial Advice – Coursework (AFAC)
Through this coursework module, you’ll develop your ability to provide effective financial planning by gathering and analysing client information, and applying knowledge from previous modules to create and communicate tailored solutions.
Key module dates
To allow you to tailor your studies to your lifestyle, you can select the coursework Fact Find submission date that best suits your needs. If your situation changes you can amend the start date of your coursework before the Fact Find is released without charge – keeping you in control.
Please note that the Fact Find is released four weeks prior to the submission date. Results are usually announced four weeks after the submission date.
Studying
What study materials do I get?
Included in your course fee, you’ll get access to:
our online learning platform, Brightspace
specimen coursework assignment
unit syllabuses
an online tutor forum
specimen exams and exemplars
online access to our student portal, MyLIBF
online access to our virtual library, KnowledgeBank.
Additional study materials
To support your learning, we offer a range of additional study support options that you can purchase when you register or later through your MyLIBF account by clicking the "Purchase Additional Study Support" button.
Tutor support
You’ll get access to our team of experienced web tutors through an online tutor forum.
The tutors are all experts in their fields and have extensive experience in financial services, meaning they can explain the theory and show you how to put it into practice.
You’ll be able to engage in discussion with your tutors and fellow students, as well as ask questions to help you prepare for each assessment.
Assessments
Module 1
Two-hour multiple-choice exam, split into two units
Each unit: 25 questions and three case studies with five linked questions
Both units are worth a total of 80 marks
Modules 2-5
90-minute multiple-choice exam per module, split into two units
Each unit: 20 questions and two case studies with five questions each
Each unit is worth 30 marks
Module 6
Coursework with a pre-released fact find and an essay response worth 240 marks
Resits
No limit on resits. For multiple-choice units, you only need to resit the unit(s) you failed.
Fees
You can register to study DipFA throughout the year.
Corporate bookings
If you are a company and want to register a cohort of students onto DipFA please email corporate@libf.ac.uk for further information.
Module fees:
Module one – Financial Services, Regulation & Ethics (FSRE): £320
Module two – Taxation : £220
Module three – Investment: £220
Module four – Protection: £220
Module five – Retirement Planning: £220
Module six – Coursework: £180
The price includes your study materials and first assessment entry.
Additional costsQuestions about our professional qualifications?
If you have any questions about our professional qualifications in finance and banking, please contact our customer services team.
Our professional qualification customer services office is open:
Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm UK time.
Accredited learning support providers (ALSP)
There are several organisations offering courses for LIBF qualifications, especially in financial and mortgage advice. To help students make an informed choice, in addition to the DipFA Academy and online Digital Academy we also accredit a select number of reputable training organisations. These organisations have joined our ALSP scheme. To keep this status their provision is subjected to regular quality checks by LIBF.
Using an ALSP is entirely up to you – it is not a requirement of your studies – but this extra support might be beneficial to your learning. You’ll need to pay for such provision directly to your chosen ALSP.
Please note that you will still need to register and complete DipFA with us as the qualification awarding body.
Find out more
Progressing your career as a financial adviser
The Certificate of Professional Achievement (CPA)
Looking for your first financial adviser position, in between jobs or working in a non-advice role? The Certificate of Professional Achievement (CPA) will help demonstrate that you’ve:
completed DipFA or you hold another Retail Distribution Review (RDR) compliant Level 4 qualification
met the requirements of our CPD scheme, and
adopted our Code of Ethics.
In other words, you have everything you need to practise as a retail investment adviser in the UK, apart from the required Statement of Professional Standing (SPS).
If you start working for a company that adds you to the FCA register within three months of having your CPA, we'll convert it to an SPS at no extra charge.
Or, if you’re happy to get started, register today.