The RQF Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning builds on existing knowledge enabling advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities and offer a sophisticated and comprehensive approach to financial management.
Members with over five years’ sector experience can apply for Chartered Financial Planner status on completion of the Advanced Diploma.
To complete the Advanced Diploma, you must already hold one of the following CII qualifications: Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, Diploma in Financial Planning.
Before studying, check to see whether any of your previous academic qualifications or credits from other professional bodies and institutes can be carried towards completion of the Advanced Diploma.
Specific study time guidelines are provided for each unit on its webpage and in the CII qualifications brochure.
The notional Ofqual ‘Total Qualification Time’ for this qualification is 600 hours. This represents the time a student might typically take to upgrade their CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning or Regulated Financial Planning to the CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning by the shortest combination of units from the core and optional units available. The number of hours may increase dependent on the units chosen. Further study time will be needed for any units required to meet the additional completion requirements (for students who have not already completed these as part of their prior study).
Diploma and Advanced Diploma level units are assessed by written exam or coursework assignment.
Written exam results are normally released 6-8 weeks following exam sitting. Coursework assessment results are normally released 63 calendar days following submission.
Qualification units are delivered through purchasing an Enrolment, equipping you with the essential materials to support core learning. For a single fee, an Enrolment typically includes: study text, assessment and access to RevisionMate, our online study tool.
We also offer additional revision aids through purchasing Enrolment plus for most key units. These range from Key fact booklets and Question packs, to Learn online tutorials.
As a holder of the Advanced Diploma you can apply for Chartered status (subject to having five years' experience within the profession - experience gained prior to qualification counts towards this requirement).
Chartered status cements your professional standing and gives you parity with other professionals such as accountants and solicitors. The CII also offers corporate Chartered status to qualifying firms, further enhancing visible professionalism.
If after completing the Advanced Diploma you wish to continue with formal professional development, you could study for Fellowship of the PFS.
Fellowship, held by more than 5,000 working practitioners is our highest level of qualification. Attainment is globally recognised as an indicator of expertise and experience.
Due to the extent of syllabus overlap, certain combinations of current and withdrawn units will result in only one award of credits.
If a withdrawn equivalent is held you may not need to complete a current unit in order to satisfy a qualification's completion rules. Clarification should always be sought from CII Customer Service.