Diploma in Financial Planning

Your route to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification in the UK.

Why study the Diploma in Financial Planning?

If you want the confidence of knowing you will change your clients' lives for the better by the quality of the service you provide, this is the qualification that will help you create that difference. It's your route to building long term relationships with clients based on trust. Get that right and clients are not only willing to pay for such a service but also to refer you to their friends and colleagues

Is the Diploma in Financial Planning right for me?

The CISI Diploma in Financial Planning represents a challenging test of your technical ability by examination, but also assesses how well you can apply this knowledge in order to produce an effective financial plan - ie your planning skills. Key features include:

Entry requirements

Level 6 Diploma
Those completing the Level 6 Diploma in Financial Planning, which is being retired for new entrants from 30 November 2019, must hold a current and valid SPS or any RDR compliant* qualification (including gap fill if necessary).

Find out more about the new Level 7 Diploma in Advanced Financial Planning

*By RDR compliant, we mean a qualification that has been recognised by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as meeting the exam standards published by the FCA as a result of the Retail Distribution Review.

Qualification Structure

Level 6 Diploma

The Diploma in Financial Planning is a level 6 qualification recognised by Ofqual. It represents a challenging test of your technical ability by examination, but also assesses how well you can apply this knowledge in order to produce an effective financial plan - i.e. your planning skills. You should not underestimate the time or effort required to obtain the Diploma, in particular that which is required to produce a Financial Plan that meets the assessment standards.

If you're planning to attempt this qualification, we recommend that you study the syllabus, identify any areas of weakness for further study and access our recommended reading list. The full Level 6 Diploma in Financial Planning syllabus can be found in the Diploma in Financial Planning Handbook.

If you hold any technical examination passes over three years old, you should undertake the necessary reading to ensure that your technical knowledge is up- to-date before attempting the examination, but particularly the case study element.

Total Qualification Time:
702 hours

Total Qualification time is a term that Ofqual require awarding organisations to use. It is an estimate of the total time a candidate might typically take to complete the qualification. It includes Guided Learning Hours and any other time a candidate is likely to spend in studying for the qualification.

Details of the two assessment components for the Level 6 Diploma are available below:

 

Exam Details

Exam Availability

Pass Mark / Pass Rate

The current pass rate for this exam is and the pass mark is . The exam grades are as follows:

Regulated Qualifications Framework

credits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework are awarded upon successfully passing this exam

Feedback and Appeals

For further details on how to give us your feedback and / or Appeal your result, please refer to our Exam Policies.


 

 

Exam Details

Exam Availability

Pass Mark / Pass Rate

The current pass rate for this exam is and the pass mark is . The exam grades are as follows:

Regulated Qualifications Framework

credits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework are awarded upon successfully passing this exam

Feedback and Appeals

For further details on how to give us your feedback and / or Appeal your result, please refer to our Exam Policies.

Study support

5 Day CFPTM Financial Planning Assessment Course

These courses are delivered by an impartial trainer who is also one of our Accredited Training Providers. Over the five days, candidates will receive extensive training on what is required for the financial plan assessment in a generic form (an example case study will be used). Additionally, candidates will be allocated time to work on their own plan.

To attend this course you will need to order a case study and meet entry requirements. We recommend that the case study is ordered 2-4 weeks before the start of the course to study the eLearning package that comes with the case study and carry out some basic calculations in line with the required standards. Please contact either FPexams@cisi.org or customersupport@cisi.org for more information.

Financial Planning & Advice

We have created some support materials to help you with some of the new concepts in this examination and to help as a refresher for your technical knowledge

Supplementary Learning Material

Post Qualification Opportunities

Membership

Obtaining the Diploma in Financial Planning entitles candidates to join the Institute at MCSI membership level. As a member of the Institute, you will enjoy the recognition of being a professional in a world of increasing competition. The extensive continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities available through the CISI’s suite of membership benefits ensures financial services practitioners can maintain competence and meet the requirements of firms and the regulator.

Become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional

Following successful completion of the Diploma in Financial Planning, you can apply to the CISI to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional and use the CFPTM marks subject to certain criteria being met.

Find out more about the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification

We have launched a new pathway for CFP certification. Our Level 6 Diploma in Financial Planning is closing to new entrants on 30 November 2019.
Find out more about the new route to CFP certification