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Financial Studies

Ursuline College

225 Canterbury Road, Westgate-on-sea, Kent, CT8 8LX

Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ)
Level 3
Retail and Commercial Enterprise

Available start dates

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Ursuline
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours

Application Instructions

Applications Open: - Monday 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: - Thursday 20th August 2026.

General Sixth Form Entry Requirements: - Minimum 4 GCSE passes at Grade 4 and above to study BTEC or vocational courses; 5 GCSE passes at 4 and above to study A level/BTEC combination; 5 GCSE's at Grades 5 and above to study straight A Levels.

*Please note there may be subject specific entry requirements which also need to be met.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices. Applications via email will not be accepted.

Course Summary

This Level 3 Diploma is the equivalent to to one A Level qualification. The course equips students with expertise in financial planning, budgeting, and ethical considerations. Students explore the impact of financial decisions on individuals, businesses, and society, as well as the legislation and regulation shaping the financial sector.


Course Details

Year 1

Unit 1 - Financial Capability for the Immediate and Short Term. Focuses on understanding immediate financial needs, cash flow management, and the use of different financial products to handle short-term obligations.

Unit 2 - Financial Capability for the Medium and Long Term. Emphasises budgeting and planning for future financial goals, while assessing risks and rewards in personal financial decisions.

Year 2

Unit 3 - Sustainability of an Individual’s Finances: This unit covers financial sustainability for individuals, highlighting the importance of adapting to external financial factors and managing debt and unforeseen events.

Unit 4 - Sustainability of the Financial Services System: Examines the competitive landscape of financial services providers, exploring strategies for sustainability and approaches to meet diverse consumer needs through marketing and product development.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

For this qualification, learners must complete four mandatory units. Each unit is assessed through a combination of online multiple choice questions (Part A) and a written paper (Part B). To pass a unit, the student must achieve the minimum pass mark for both part A and part B.

Entry requirements

Four GCSEs at Grade 4 or above (including Mathematics & English).

Your next steps...

FINANCIAL ADVISOR. INVESTMENT ANALYST. MORTGAGE ADVISOR.

BANKING PROFESSIONAL. RISK ANALYST. STOCKBROKER.

INSURANCE AGENT. CLAIMS PROCESSOR. PAYROLL CLERK. FINANCE

ASSISTANT. CREDIT ANALYST. BOOKKEEPER. TAX ASSISTANT.


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