Prior learning based on the LIBF (Walbrook Institute) Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers
The following examples illustrate routes to achieving CII level 4 personal finance qualifications with prior learning based on the LIBF Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers
Other routes are available and this example doesn't guarantee that all applications will receive the same prior learning award.
Non-CII qualifications and Statements of Professional Standing
Liz and Walter have Statements of Professional Standing for advising on retail investment products, having completed the London Institute of Banking and Finance Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers.
They join CII and, when their SPSs expire, they renew them with CII.
They aren't required to complete the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in order to continue advising; nevertheless, as their LIBF Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers meets one of the criteria to progress to the CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and achieve the CII Chartered Financial Planner title.
Certifying their LIBF qualification documentation
To ensure their applications are successful, they have their qualification completion documents certified as true representations of the originals.
Documentation certified via LIBF portal and PFS member
Liz enters the CII email address (priorlearning@cii.co.uk) into the LIBF portal so it shares a link to her qualification completion certificate with CII.
CII uses this link to connect within the LIBF portal and forwards the email to Liz.
Liz then uploads this email exchange within her prior learning application form.
Liz also asks a PFS member to certify her academic summary because the LIBF portal doesn't share this document. The PFS member certifies this by email, as outlined in Step 2A(ii) of the application process.
Liz adds the PFS member's name and PIN within her application form.
She encloses 3 documents within her application form:
- Email containing LIBF portal link to her qualification completion certificate
- LIBF Academic summary
- Certification email from PFS member
Documentation certified by QR code and PFS member
Walter submits his LIBF academic summary and completion certificate as attachments within the CII application form.
His completion certificate contains a QR code, so he doesn't need to have it certified separately by a Personal Finance Society member colleague or solicitor. CII can verify the authenticity using the QR code.
However, his academic summary doesn't contain a QR code or link to digital verification, so Walter asks his colleague, a Personal Finance Society member, to certify it by email in Step 2A(ii) of the application process.
Walter adds the PFS member's name and PIN within his application form.
He encloses 3 documents within his application form:
- LIBF Qualification completion certificate containing QR code
- LIBF Academic summary
- Certification email from PFS member
Different qualification versions have different prior learning awards and routes to CII qualifications
There have been several versions of the LIBF Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers. In the two most recent versions:
- The version launched in 2024 consists of six units with each aligning to the six units within the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
- The previous version consisted of two units whose assessments covered six syllabus areas.
The syllabus for all versions is based on the same Financial Conduct Authority's learning outcomes for regulated activities. These fully match the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning learning outcomes.
However, the differences in qualification structure and assessments mean prior learning awards and routes to CII qualifications are different for each version.
Pathways to CII qualifications
CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
Liz completed the version containing six units.
As four of these fully match the CII units (R01, R03, R04 and R05), she receives four exemptions. She passes R02 and R06 to complete the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and use the DipPFS professional designation.
Walter completed the version containing two units.
As these fully match CII units (R01 and R06), he receives four exemptions. He passes R02, R03, R04 and R05 to complete the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and use the DipPFS professional designation.
Both Liz and Walter now have 100 CII credits that contribute towards the CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning.
Prior learning awards for the LIBF Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers cost 20% of the price of the CII qualification units.
CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and Chartered Financial Planner title
They complete similar routes to the direct assessment pathway.
When they complete the CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning qualification, as members, they are eligible to upgrade their DipPFS professional designations to APFS.
With 5 years' sector experience, they apply for the Chartered Financial Planner title.
PFS Fellowship
On reaching 350 CII credits, they upgrade their APFS professional designations to FPFS.