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Home » Qualifications » Award in Financial Planning
 

The benchmark of learning for advisers across the global market place

Designed for financial advisers and insurance agents working outside the UK, this single-unit qualification provides a solid grounding in the core financial and life assurance products and offers guidance on what constitutes professional practice, thereby providing a framework for ethical behaviour.

With over 6,500 holders to date across 80 countries, the Award in Financial Planning is the benchmark qualification for this sector.

What will I learn?

At the end of this unit, you should be able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

  • the client's needs;
  • the fact-finding process;
  • good practice;
  • protection products;
  • savings and investment products;
  • pension products.

Why the Award in Financial Planning?

The Award delivers many advantages:

  • Upon completion, CII members are eligible to use the designation 'CII (Award)'. Continuing Professional Development requirements apply.
  • Entry comes as a complete package for a single fee: study text, examination guide and examination sitting.
  • On passing the exam, you will hold one of the three Awards needed to complete the Certificate in Insurance and Financial Services.
  • Provide 15 Certificate-level credits towards completion of the CII's higher level qualifications (subject to completion requirements and excluding the Certificate in Insurance which is subject to UK regulation).

Is the Award suitable for me?

The Award is open to anyone working outside the UK in the insurance and financial services sector irrespective of educational background or experience.

In a growing number of territories the Awards meet the regulatory qualification requirements relevant to advisers. In other non-regulated environments they frequently provide a development pathway where no local educational and professional provision is available.

The Award is particularly suitable for:

  • Non-UK financial advisers and insurance agents working outside the UK.
  • Non-UK financial advisers needing to satisfy the minimum operating standards set by a local regulator.

Your next step

The links at the top right of this page contain all the information you require to finalise your entry.

You can enroll online by selecting the AWF link on the right of this page. Alternatively download the application form above or contact customer service.

Introduction

« Back to Introduction

CII qualifications require completion of one or more units, each covering a specific topic that is individually assessed. Assessment methods vary depending on the level and subject matter of a unit, and include:

  • Multiple choice examinations - the assessment method for Certificate, Award and financial services 'R0' Diploma units assessed in the UK.  Exams are delivered on-screen at a network of over 80 public centres across the UK. Sittings are available year-round, often on a weekly basis.
  • Written examinations - the assessment method for Diploma and Advanced Diploma units, excluding financial services 'R0' Diploma units, and also all units examined outside the UK. Sittings are typically available twice yearly in April and October at over 50 public centres throughout the UK and over 100 public centres outside the UK.

What you need to know

It is essential that candidates familiarise themselves with our service, in particular the rules and procedures that are in place. This should include both exam policies (before the assessment) and notes to results (after the assessment).

Things you need to know before the exam

Things you need to know after the exam

Completion requirements

To complete the award you must study a single study text and then pass the associated exam.

Studying for the Awards

The study text breaks down into six chapters, each with clearly-defined learning objectives. All chapters conclude with a series of self-test questions which enable you to monitor your progress as you prepare for the exam itself.

As a guide, it is recommended that you allow a minimum of 60 hours' study (this will vary according to your experience and ability).

The exam

The exam itself takes the form of a two-hour paper consisting of 75 multiple choice questions, and is examined twice-yearly in April and October.

The nominal pass mark is 70%. However, the actual pass mark may vary slightly from one session to another to ensure that the pass standard remains constant.

The complete package

Enrolment for the Award includes everything you need for a single fee of £175: study text, examination guide and exam entry.

Important deadlines

There are two public exam sittings for the Award in 2013 - April and October. Please note the following important dates.

  April 2013 Oct 2013

Closing date for your exam entry and payment to reach the CII at normal fees

 27 Feb 13 28 Aug 13
At late entry fee 22 Mar 13 20 Sep 13
Exam entry confirmation Despatched within seven working days from receipt of application form
Receive your exam permission permit* Despatched six weeks for non-UK applicants
Sit exams

10 Apr 13

 09 Oct 13

Exam results released **online at www.cii.co.uk/results and posted to candidates

 17 May 13                      15 Nov 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Please contact Customer Service if you do not receive these. When you receive your admission permit you MUST check whether any change has been made in the date or time of the exam for which you have entered and that the exam shown on your permit is the one that you intend to sit. If there is any discrepancy you should contact Customer Service immediately.

** To access your results online you will need to be logged in to the CII website using your CII Permanent Identity Number (PIN) and password.

AWF
Award in Financial Planning
 

Assessment information

It is important that candidates entering for a CII assessment familiarise themselves with our service, in particular the rules and procedures that are in place.

Find out more »

Syllabuses

AWF Award in financial planning

The exam is based on the published syllabus, which is in itself an important aid to exam preparation and revision. It is essential that you familiarise yourself with this before commencing study (a full syllabus is provided in the CII study text).

This sets out the objectives of the unit and details the range of knowledge that forms the basis of the exam.

 

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