Completion requirements

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements in order to study for the Advanced Diploma. However, we would recommend that Advanced Diploma candidates hold the following qualifications or their equivalent:

• the Diploma in Insurance or 3 A-levels or equivalent

Aside from the requirements set out below you are free to select units from across all the CII's insurance qualifications: Award for the Foundation Insurance Test, Certificate in Insurance, Diploma in Insurance and Advanced Diploma in Insurance.

This approach provides you with maximum flexibility, enabling you to choose units from those currently available across our qualifications. The advantage here is that someone still developing their study skills or subject to a particularly demanding work schedule can initiate or continue their studies by taking a larger number of lower level units.

Completion requirements

To achieve the Advanced Diploma you must accumulate a minimum of 290 credits, with at least 205 at Diploma level or above and 90 at Advanced Diploma.

The following table shows the compulsory unit requirements to complete the Advanced Diploma:

What does this qualification involve?

There is no prescribed order in which units must be taken, but it is strongly recommended that you sit the required compulsory units first since these provide foundation knowledge upon which the others build.

This flexible approach allows you to develop a course programme that suits your particular needs and requirements. You can tailor learning to your current role and/or develop areas which are new to you or where you need to gain in-depth knowledge.

Note: 'Flexible learning options' below details the ability to use credits from CII financial planning units for insurance qualifications. Particularly relevant may be the Diploma in Financial Planning unit (J07) Supervision in a regulated environment which can be used towards completion of the Advanced Diploma. This covers key aspects of supervision, leadership and coaching, and provides 20 Diploma level credits on completion.

Advanced Diploma in Insurnace units credits

* A range of replacement risk management options will be introduced during 2014 at both Diploma and Advanced Diploma level.

The mechanics of studying for Advanced Diploma units

 Note: The recommended minimum study hours are shown in the table above (this will vary according to your experience and ability). The nominal pass marks are also shown. However, the actual pass marks may vary slightly from one session to another to ensure that the pass standard remains constant.

You may sit as many exams as desired at a single sitting, although it is strongly recommended that no more than two Diploma or Advanced Diploma units per session are taken.

Flexible learning options

The overall CII insurance qualifications framework is extremely flexible, allowing you to select units from qualifications other than the one for which you are studying.

Therefore, if you are working towards the Advanced Diploma in Insurance you are able to select units from the entire insurance qualifications framework. If you sit or have sat CII financial planning exams (for example, the Financial Planning Certificate, Certificate in Financial Planning, Diploma in Financial Planning, Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning, Advanced Financial Planning Certificate, or comparable exams from other professional and educational bodies), you will also receive credits that can count towards completion of the insurance qualifications.

When studying for the Advanced Diploma you are allowed to claim up to 180 credits for financial planning units. Please note: this rule is currently under review - any changes will be publicised in 2013.

Your past qualifications can count

If you hold a degree or a professional qualification in a relevant subject, for example accounting, business or law, you could receive credits that count towards completion of a CII qualification through our recognition of prior learning scheme.

Important note: To be awarded a CII qualification, you must obtain, by CII examination, dissertation or coursework assessment, a pass in a unit from the qualification that you are looking to complete, and meet the qualification completion requirements. These rules apply irrespective of how many credits your existing qualifications might provide through recognition of prior learning.

Obtain your learning statement online

A CII personalised learning statement provides a record of the exams and resultant credits you hold which can be used towards completing CII qualifications. Importantly, your statement sets out what you personally need to do to complete a qualification you are, or may be considering working towards, such as the Diploma in Insurance.