Why choose IFS Level 3 Certificate in Finanical Studies (CeFS)?

You will learn about managing your money, how it will impact on your life and the choices that you will have to make. Financial services products (such as credit cards, loans and mortgages) will be explained to you along with how they can help you meet your individual lifestyle needs.

Course Outline

Awarding Institution - ifs School of Finance

The Certificate in Financial Studies (CeFS) has been designed to encourage individuals to be inspired to meet their lifetime aspirations. This will be achieved by teaching them to apply the appropriate solution(s) from the wide range available within the evolving financial services marketplace.

The qualification will enable students to make informed and confident decisions regarding their finances.

This qualification is divided into three units:

Unit 1: Why Money Matters (WMM)

Unit 2: Risk and Reward (RAR)

Unit 3: Making Personal Financial Judgements (MAJ)

All units are paper-based examinations.

CeFS carries a UCAS tariff of 60 points.

On completion of this programme students will be able to:

• Appreciate the benefits that can be derived from financial services products, and how these can contribute to achieving their personal aspirations.
• Understand the concept of ‘money' in all its forms, and how the value its is subject to time and circumstance.
• Develop an awareness of risk and reward, and the obligations associated with different financial solutions.
• Understand the scope of the financial services industry and how it impacts upon the individual.
• Appreciate how different external factors impact upon the individual directly, and indirectly.

Resources and facilities

Students will be provided with numerous support material including:

• Specialist Business/Finance qualified teaching staff
• Online access to learning materials, my ifs learning and ifs Knowledgebank (virtual library).
• Online activities to help consolidate their learning.
• Unit syllabuses.
• Worksheets for each unit
• Revision guide.
• Specimen papers.
• Feedback on objective tests.

Careers and progression

The CeFS course has been found to impact positively on:

• students' personal financial management
• financial self-efficacy and knowledge
• intentions to study in HE
• intention to consider pursuing a career in the financial services sector.

It is also possible to progress to the LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN FINANCIAL STUDIES (Dip FS)

The Diploma in Financial Studies (Dip FS) follows on from the ifs level 3 Certificate in Financial Studies (CeFS) and applies what students have learnt to the broader financial environment. The financial planning element, introduced in CeFS, is explored further as the student becomes more aware of the (financial) environment within which they live.

Students must successfully complete the Certificate in Financial Studies before they begin the Diploma in Financial Studies.

Entry requirements

Although there are no specified entry requirements, the level of achievement required to obtain the award is equivalent to that of GCE level/ AS Level qualifications.

Applicants need to be satisfied of their ability to study, in English, at this level.

Course Results

The results for 2005/2006 were impressive - (89% A-E)

Enquiries

Please address all enquiries regarding the IFS CeFS course should be made via M Pates at Castle Manor Business and Enterprise College or via email: m.pates@castlemanor.lpplus.net