Curriculum Intent
In Financial Studies, our aims are:
- Enable students to be informed, confident and interested in achieving their lifestyle aspirations
- For all students to understand the role of financial services and be able to challenge what they offer
- To increase their flexibility in their choices and understand others choices based on their beliefs, attitudes and values
- Understand the value of money and how needs, wants and aspirations are dependent on situations beyond your control
- To understand their own risk tolerance, how this can affect them and why they need to be mindful of others risk tolerance levels
- Be aware of how different people interact with the diverse range of financial services available
- Appreciate and be able to consider them impact of external factors on a person’s finances
- To be able to create discussion and partake in arguments, acknowledging different viewpoints
- Analyse data and draw key conclusions from this
- Feel confident reflecting on their strengths and weaknesses in order to improve within the course
Key Stage 5
Financial Studies has been a popular choice amongst students as it allows students to develop a genuine life skill that will benefit them throughout their adult lives. Financial studies is a Level 3 equivalent qualification with the first half (Certificate in Financial Studies) being equivalent to an AS level and then the second half (Diploma in Financial Studies) being equivalent to a full A level.
The qualification encourages students to analyse financial data and use this to make appropriate choices and recommendations to people from a variety of backgrounds and situations. They will be able to consider the need for financial sustainability and the importance of this ethically within the structure of financial services markets.
Students will develop the ability to structure arguments coherently so that the resulting conclusions are understood and followed. The students will begin to develop the skills necessary for success in further education.
LIBF Certificate/Diploma in Financial Studies is the exam board, there is no coursework and the students are examined on the following topics throughout the course.
Unit 1- Financial capability for the immediate and short term
Unit 2- Financial capability for the medium and long term
Unit 3- Sustainability of an individual’s finances
Unit 4-Sustainability of the financial services system
Unit 1 and 3 are examined in January and consist of a multiple choice paper and a seen case study paper.
Unit 2 and 4 are examined in May and consist of a multiple choice paper and a seen case study paper.
Year 12- Certificate in Financial Studies
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
| The personal life cycle, Purpose of Money, Payment Methods, Everyday banking, savings products, borrowing products, Providers, Budgets and Forecasts
|
Dealing with unexpected events, Dealing with debt, Earnings, Consumer protection, Case Study, Revision
|
Exam, Needs wants and aspirations, Savings and investment products, Borrowing products, Financial planning, Financial planning and informed choices, Dealing with long term risks
|
Dealing with unforeseen events, Ethics and sustainability, Sources of information and advice, Case study, Revision
|
Revision and Exam
|
The impact of external factors (PESTLE Analysis)
|
Year 13- Diploma in Financial Studies
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
| Personal Financial Studies, Good debt bad debt, Monitoring and adapting personal financial plans, How the state can help, The impact of external factors
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The impacts of global events and ethics, The impact of recent changes, Case Study, Revision
|
Exam, The financial system, Competition in the financial services sector, Sustainability in the financial services sector, The impact of media on the sustainability of the financial services industry, External influences on financial service providers and their products
|
The impact of change and uncertainty on financial products, Marketing materials and their effectiveness, Attracting retaining and satisfying customers, Market segmentation and product development, Case Study, Revision
|
Revision and Exam
|
Online Learning Support
For this course the students will get access to a textbook for each Unit, they will also have access to the LIBF website (shown below) this website will have all of the material on it required for the course.
Careers
This qualification develops knowledge and understanding of the financial services sector and enhances skills that are valued within that sector. For students seeking to continue in education, DipFS provides a foundation for further study in business and finance-related disciplines, as well as a wide range of other commercial or not-for profit sectors. This course will benefit anyone looking to enter a career in finance, management and accountancy.
For students who choose to move straight into employment, DipFS may support access to employment in areas such as in insurance, banking, and office administration, accountancy, or in the voluntary sector such as with Citizens Advice.
British Values
British values feature in many aspects of this course that we deliver within the department.
We consider the background of different people, how their views and political preferences affect their decisions and values. We encourage the students to discuss and challenge each other’s views in order to gain a greater understanding of why people act in the way they do. We look and consider the rule of law within the sustainability of the financial services industry and how providers have to act ethically in the consumer’s best interest. We accept that people will make their own choices and have the option to make their own choices, based on their religion, culture, upbringing and preferences, we take this into consideration when discussing the best decisions, a person could make given their financial situation. As well as that we look at the role the government has in facilitating the financial services industry, whilst also considering the impact that building societies have compared to banks because every customer is a member of the company.