Finance

Sixth Form

Course title: LIBF Level 3 Certificate in Financial Studies (CeFS), cefs-qualification-specification.pdf

What are the knowledge and skills that students will gain over Key Stage 5?

Year 1 - Certificate in Financial Studies

Content areas:

• Importance of financial capability in the immediate, short, medium and long term.
• Financial services and products, including sources of help and advice.
• Borrowing, budgeting, financial planning and cash flow forecasting.
• The impact of external influences at different stages in the personal life cycle.
• Risk and reward in managing personal finance.

Skills developed:
During the first year of study students will be encouraged to analyse financial information, financial services products and services and begin to make judgements about suitability for people in different circumstances; develop an understanding of financial concepts and terminology to enhance financial literacy; analyse, synthesise, evaluate and reflect; Page 2 of 3 demonstrate numeracy skills, including the ability to manipulate financial and other numerical data to reflect the conceptual activity of financial maths; select appropriate data and information to make arguments; structure and communicate ideas logically and coherently; and increase their ability to work and learn independently.

Year 2 - Diploma in Financial Studies

Content areas:
Importance of financial capability in the immediate, short, medium and long term.
The impact of external influences at different stages in the personal life cycle.
Risk and reward in managing personal finance.
Personal and external factors that lead to change.
Maintaining financial sustainability and avoiding long-term debt.
The financial services system and financial sustainability (individual and general).
Marketing techniques.

Skills developed:
During the second year of study students are encouraged to analyse financial data and information, financial services products and services and make judgements about suitability for people in different circumstances; develop an understanding of the concept of financial sustainability and ethics to enhance financial literacy; analyse, synthesise, evaluate and reflect; demonstrate numeracy skills including the ability to manipulate financial and other numerical data to reflect the conceptual activity of financial maths; use appropriate data and information to make arguments; structure and communicate ideas logically and coherently; and learn independently in preparation for further / higher academic study.

Why is it delivered in this way?

Financial Studies is a modular course delivered and assessed over the two years, meaning students are working towards their qualification throughout the two years.

During the first year of study students will develop an understanding of financial capability in the short, medium and long term which they will be able to apply to themselves and wider family situation. During the year students will undertake four external examinations and achieve their certificate of Financial Studies (equivalent to half an A-Level) and counting towards their UCAS points.

During the second year of study students will build on their knowledge and understanding from the certificate in learning about the stability of both individual finance and the financial system as a whole. Students will sit four external examinations during the year and on completion, will achieve a Diploma in Financial Studies which is equivalent to a full A-Level.