Level 6 Diploma in Financial Advice (Adv DipFA)
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 LIBF (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.
Fees
£530 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.
Study duration
18 months to 2 years
Modules
Four
What your studies will cover
How to examine the rules, data and information to develop a taxation and trusts strategy for clients
Building and developing 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
Analysing, preparing and interpreting financial data
How to apply theories, evidence and concepts in wealth management
Entry requirements
Hold an RDR-compliant qualification in financial advice, with us or another awarding body.
OR
Hold a Statement of Professional Standing (SPS) as a retail investment adviser, with us or another awarding body.
Your qualification at a glance
Assessments
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.
Regulation
Registered with Ofqual in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
Meets the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) examination standards
Module information
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.
If you decide to take CeMAP Diploma as the specialist optional module 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 body, we may be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning.
What study materials do I get?
As part of your fee, you’ll get:
access to our learning platform, Brightspace
online student forum and group activities
exam papers
coursework exemplars
online study materials
online tutor support
webinars
access to our virtual library KnowledgeBank
online access to our student portal, MyLIBF.
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 via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) form.
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:
Assessments
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 deadlines. You can choose to sit your exam 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 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
Fees
To register for the next study session, please complete our online registration form.
Registration is open all year round.
You can also call our Customer Services team on +44 (0)1227 818 609 or talk to them on live chat.
US$684
The total cost is:
£530 for each unit (TTTC and MANI)
plus the specialist unit options you decide to take.
For the specialist units, choose from:
CertLTCP at £455
CeMAP Diploma at £525
FPIR at £540
PETR at £540
Corporate bookings
If you are a company and want to register a cohort of students please email corporate@libf.ac.uk for further 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 morePlease note that using a learning support provider is entirely up to you: it is NOT a requirement of your studies.
Progression
When you've completed your Adv DipFA, if you have three years' relevant work experience you will be eligible to apply for chartered status.
