Overview

London Institute of Banking and Finance Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS)

The LIBF Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) will give you a comprehensive introduction to personal finance. The purpose of this course is to develop your knowledge and understanding of finance and develop the skills required to make informed financial decisions by introducing you to the risks and challenges involved in personal finance and the tools for effective planning. The course also explores social-economic trends and their relationship with an individual’s circumstances and attitudes.

Key content areas

• The 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.
• 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 in banking and finance.

Key skills developed

The LIBF Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) will develop your skills and enable you 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 upon different types of financial information;
• 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 your ability to work and learn independently.

You will also engage with a range of employers from the banking, finance and insurance sectors. Recently our students have visited the London offices of multinational business organisations such as Merkel International, Northern Trust, MUFG Bank of Japan and Deutsche Bank. Through these visits students have taken the opportunity to sign-up for master classes in job applications and interviews, internships and work experience placements. As a key part of the course, you will be expected to engage in at least one work experience placement.

Throughout the course you will be supported by a dedicated tutor and will receive regular progress reviews, along with full and regular feedback from the course team. Feedback will be verbal, written and electronic, with each being specifically designed to support your development and progress. Your tutor will also provide additional support and guidance for university applications.

Students completing the LIBF Diploma in Financial Studies typically progress to study BA(Hons) degrees in banking, finance, accountancy and other business related disciplines. As the qualification develops knowledge and skills relevant to the financial services sector, students can also progress to sector related apprenticeships or entry level employment opportunities where they can further develop their skills and knowledge in the workplace.

This course can be combined with either our BTEC Level 3 Business courses or a combination of A Levels.