Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies - Agored Cymru

Applications Open: - 13th November 2025

Applications Close: - January 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 levels 4 grades including English Language

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Please note: due to recent reforms of Level 3 qualifications, this qualification is on offer provisionally and subject to change or removal. Please bear this in mind when making your selections.

As an Applied General qualification, the DipFS is mainly designed for students aged 16 to 19. It provides an in-depth exploration of the important concepts of financial education and how to apply them in achieving longer-term financial stability.

The DipFS builds on the skills and knowledge students gained when completing the Certificate in Financial Studies (CeFS). It extends these to include areas such as sustainability in the wider financial services system, and the long-term effect of debt.

As with the Certificate in Financial Studies (CeFS) this qualification can further develop a greater understanding of financial planning, to support entry to university on finance and banking courses and a wide range of other disciplines. It also supports progression to a wide range of entry level occupations within finance, ensuring that learners understand the sector and a have range of transferable skills and knowledge.

The DipFS prepares students for further study by developing their core skills of independent thinking, critical analysis and evaluation, verbal communication (through classroom discussion) and written communication.

Diploma in Financial Studies consists of 4 units:

Year 12:

• Unit 1 - Financial Capability for the Immediate and Short Term
• Unit 2 - Financial Capability for the Medium and Long Term

Year 13:

• Unit 3 - Sustainability of an Individual's Finances
• Unit 4 - Sustainability of the Financial Services System

All four units can be assessed by paper based examination or by the LIBF e-test electronic testing system.

Each unit is assessed through a combination of Multiple Choice Questions (Part A) and a written paper (Part B).

Unit 1 and Unit 2

• Part A: 35 multiple choice questions in a 45-minute examination.
• Part B: pre-release case study requiring essay responses in a 105-minute examination.
• Part B will also assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) through the essay responses.

Unit 3 and Unit 4

• Part A: 35 multiple choice questions in a 1-hour examination.
• Part B: pre-release case study requiring essay responses in a 2-hour examination.
• Part B will also assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) through the essay responses.

Note: this is subject to change pending Government approval of the qualification.

To be accepted onto the course a student should have at least 5 GCSE's at grade 4 or above including English Language

There is an expectation that students' 'written response' skills are of a high standard as this is how Part B exams are assessed.

The financially-related content of DipFS serves as a strong grounding for undergraduate study within finance and business-related disciplines, with many students going on to study accounting, business, finance and banking.

The skills developed and enhanced during the course provide valuable study skills appropriate for these disciplines and others, and students have pursued a wide range of other undergraduate courses following this qualification.

Financial education is also supportive of the personal and financial skills that underpin clear decisions about progression options and life as an undergraduate. The qualification carries the maximum UCAS points available which can be counted towards university applications.