Qualifications Courses Applied Diploma in Retailing Financial Services (Applied DFSM® - Retail)

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Applied Diploma in Retailing Financial Services (Applied DFSM® - Retail)

Why study for the Applied DFSM® - Retail?

• Achieve an internationally recognised qualification.
• Demonstrate your commitment to professional development.
• Help you understand your role as part of your organisation within the financial services sector.
• Gain the core foundation knowledge to strengthen your ability to manage people and resources.
• Assist your critical thinking and analysis.
• Provide the opportunity to progress on to a BSc (Hons) degree.

Course content

To achieve the Applied DFSM® - Retail, you need to complete either five or six modules depending on which of the two routes you choose:

1. You can complete two compulsory modules and a further three modules chosen from one of the 30 credit option modules, and two of the 15 credit option modules
2. You can complete two compulsory modules and all four 15 credit option modules

Compulsory modules:

• Customers and their Needs
  • Syllabus
  • Module Taster
• Measuring Performance
  • Syllabus
  • Module Taster

Option modules (30 credits):

• Organisations and Individuals:
  • Syllabus
  • Module Taster
• Financial Markets and Risk
  • Syllabus
  • Module Taster

Option modules (15 credits):

• Relationship and Wealth Management
• Principles of Lending
• Consumer Credit Risk Management
• Retail Management in Financial Services

Please note that students who are currently studying the diploma are able to complete their studies using the module options that were available at their time of registration. Alternatively, students are able to transfer to the new structure. These modules are only available to students who registered under the previous structure prior to July 2007 with the final examinations being held in April 2009:

• Lending and Securities
• The Principles and Practice of Consumer Credit Risk Management

Entry requirements

Students are required to have a minimum of GCSE grade C or equivalent in English Language and Mathematics. You must also have a level of proficiency, as exemplified for example by GCSE standard in ICT. Upon registration you may be contacted and asked to provide evidence that you meet these requirements. Please contact Customer and Student Enquiries if this FAQ does not answer your questions.

This guidance document contains examples of equivalences.

Qualification level

The full Diploma is assessed at first year UK undergraduate degree level.

Study time

Compulsory and 30 credit option modules require approximately 300 study hours each. 15 credit option modules require approximately 150 study hours.

By studying the recommended one module at a time, you should complete the Applied DFSM® - Retail in approximately two years.

Study support

On registration of compulsory and 30 credit option modules, students will be sent:

• a dedicated set of learning materials
• student induction materials

All students will be given access to:

• My ifs Interactive Learning Environment
• ifs KnowledgeBank

If you have any queries please contact Customer and Student Services on +44 (0) 1227 818609 or email customerservices@ifslearning.ac.uk.

Assessment

The Applied DFSM® - Retail is assessed and awarded by the ifs.

From 1 June 2008 the revised delivery model for the Applied DFSM® - Retail was made available, which enables students to follow structured 24-week courses. The modules will contain three assessment components to be completed at set points throughout the course – at 10 weeks, 16 weeks and 24 weeks – providing students with building blocks to achieve their aspirations.

The three assessment components are as follows:

1. An examination/test of knowledge and understanding after 10 weeks of study, of one hour’s duration. The examination will comprise 40 multiple-choice questions or, in the case of Organisations and Individuals, short written answers. Students will be provided with a “drill down” document showing the topic groups to be examined within the test. The examination will represent 30% of the overall assessment weighting for the full module.
2. Guided coursework (750 words) representing 20% of the overall weighting and submitted after 16 weeks of study. The assignment will allow students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding on a focused part of the syllabus and also to rehearse their research and writing skills. It will be marked and feedback provided by the tutor.
3. Final module assignment (2,500 words) providing the opportunity to demonstrate learning from across the syllabus and taking the form of a report based on a business case study. The assignment will be submitted after 24 weeks and will account for 50% of the overall module weighting.

All assessment components must be passed in order to complete the module.

Each 15 credit option module is assessed by a two-hour objective test, delivered electronically (please contact Customer and Student Enquiries if there is no centre near you).

The PDFSM timetable contains further information about course start dates and assessment deadlines under the new structure.

How do I study?

Distance learning, Approved Provider or distance learning with three workshops. For more information please see Study support and exam information for Diplomas.

Approved Provider courses of study commence in September, November, March and May.

Flexible Learning workshops will run four times a year. Please contact Learning Support on +44 (0) 1227 818637 for further information.

For the 15 credit option modules you will also have the choice to study via our web-support programme or the web-supported learning plus two workshops programme.

Web-supported learning

For the 15 credit option modules you will have access (through my ifsILE) to a web tutor who will be able to support you through your course of study and answer any technical queries. The web tutor is an expert in their subject field. You should ensure that you access the student forum regularly to read messages posted by the web tutor, and you can use the forum to post your own questions for the web tutor to answer.

Web-supported learning plus two workshops

This option is the same as web-supported learning, but includes two workshops. The workshops cover crucial concepts contained in the syllabus and give you the opportunity to meet up with other students during your course of study. The workshops are delivered by ifs-approved tutors who will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Cost

	Compulsory/30 credit option modules	15 credit option modules
Distance Learning	£665.00	£665.00
Flexible Learning (incl 3 workshops)	£795.00
Approved Provider	£795.00
Web Supported Learning		£435.00
Web Supported Learning plus two workshops		£530.00

How to register

By post/fax - download and complete the application form (PDF format). To view this file you need to have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This is free and available from the Adobe website. When you have completed the form either send it to the address given on the form or fax it to +44 (0) 1227 784331.

Before enrolling onto this programme there are some online documents you must read, these are viewable in the essential info area.

More information

Call Customer and Student Enquiries on +44 (0) 1227 818609 or email customerservices@ifslearning.ac.uk.