Financial Studies

Ever wanted to know what a Mortgage is or how a Credit Card works? If you are considering a career in Banking or the financial services industry then this course is for you! You will adopt the role of financial advisor, analysing a person’s situation and suggesting financial products to suit their circumstances. This course will help you understand finances and the influences that they have on everyday life.

This is a modern subject using up to the minute news and economic developments that have an ever increasing role within the jobs market and the economy. Ifs students are expected to be aware of the news and developments within financial services markets.

 AS Units:

Unit 1: Why Money Matters - You will learn about the needs, wants and aspirations of individuals as they progress through the personal ‘life cycles’ and the role that financial services can play in assisting in life planning. It highlights the importance of money and introduces you to the financial services industry.

Unit 2: Risk and Reward in Personal Finance –You will gain the ability to plan and manage your money in the short, medium and long-term. You will learn about the features of different financial service products, the types of providers and the different sources of advice available. You will then apply your learning through case study scenarios.

Unit 3: Making Personal Judgements –You will explore how external factors affect the financial services industry’s’ products and services and how these factors can impact upon consumer choice which will enable you to make informed financial judgements within given situations. You will then use skills of analysis and evaluation to answer questions on a case study.

 All units are assessed either by a paper based examination or via the ifs e-test™ electronic examination system. Your first and second units are multiple choice and you need 50% in each to pass. The third unit is an exam, a 1 ½ hour written paper based on a case study. There is no coursework.

Once the AS (first year of the course) is completed, students then progress onto the A2 course (second year of study) which is the ifs Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS);

A2 Units:

Unit 1: Financing the Future
Unit 2: Financial Services from the Providers' Perspective
Unit 3: Enhancing Financial Capability

Career options

You may decide to continue your studies at university, as the ifs offers unique, specialist full-time degrees designed for students who already know they want a career in financial services. There is a wide range of careers within the financial services industry. This course would allow you progression into banking, insurance, mortgage consultancy, debt counselling, stock broking or as an independent financial advisor.