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Achieving the CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning qualifications with prior learning
The following example illustrates a route to the CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning qualification with prior learning.
Other routes are available and this example doesn't guarantee that all applications will receive the same prior learning award.
Completing the CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning
Violet is an experienced financial adviser who has completed the CISI Level 4 Investment Advice Diploma (Financial Planning and Advice and Securities versions). She has also graduated with a business degree within the past ten years. She holds current Statements of Professional Standing, issued by CISI.
She hasn't previously passed CII qualification units.
Having recently changed jobs, her new employer asks her to complete CII qualifications. When her Statements of Professional Standing become due for renewal, she renews with CII.
Her prior learning outcomes state that she is eligible multiple sets of non-unit specific credits. As these don't contribute towards the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, Violet chooses to complete the CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning instead.
Prior learning awards for the CISI Level 4 Investment Advice Diploma cost 20% of the price of CII qualification units and prior learning awards for degrees cost 50% of the price of CII qualification units.
DipPFS and CertPFS (DM) professional designations
Once Violet passes the CII Diploma-level unit she reaches 155 CII credits. Her CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning completion means that, as a member, she is eligible to use the DipPFS professional designation.
Her CII unit (J10) Discretionary investment management pass, together with her R01 exemption, completes the CII Level 4 Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management qualification* and is eligible to use the CertPFS (DM) professional designation.
Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning, Chartered Financial Planner title and Fellowship
Violet passes further CII units and completes the Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning qualification. As a member, she is eligible to use the APFS professional designation.
With 5 years' sector experience, she applies for the Chartered Financial Planner title.
She then progresses to PFS Fellowship with more unit passes.
Sets of non-unit specific credits
This is the most suitable qualification route for Violet because she has been awarded multiple sets of non-unit specific credits based on her professional qualification and degree.
The sets of non-unit specific credits do not contribute towards the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, yet they do contribute towards the CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning and the CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning.
As she already has a Statement of Professional Standing for advising on retail investment products, she isn't required to complete the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.
Pre-requisite qualification
As Violet has completed the CISI Level 4 Investment Advice Diploma, which is one of the eligible non-CII qualifications, she requests an exemption from completing one of the additional CII level 3 qualifications required to achieve the CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning.