Qualifications Regulations and Policy Forms ifs Regulations for Certificate courses

ifs Regulations

These documents detail the ifs Awards and Curriculum policy applying to the following qualifications:

Issue 2 April 2007

These regulations are best understood if read in conjunction with the following ifs documents (use the links below to view these documents). If there is no link then this document is not yet available via the website.

  1. Introduction
    1. These regulations apply to the awards listed above.
    2. These regulations apply to the units within the awards as well as the overall award. Hereinafter they are referred to as "the awards".
    3. The awards are assessed and awarded by the ifs School of Finance (ifs).
    4. The structure of the awards is as follows:
      1. The Certificate for Financial Advisers (CeFA®) is structured around three modules comprising two units and one synoptic assessment.
      2. The Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP®) is structured around one module comprising two units, one module of four units and one synoptic assessment.
      3. The Certificate in Commercial Mortgages (CeCM) is structured around one module of two units.
      4. The Certificate in Supervising in a Regulated Environment (CeSRE) is structured around one module of one unit and one moduel of two units.
      5. The Certificate in Regulated Complaints Handling (CeRCH) is structured around one module of two units.
      6. The Certificate of Regulated General Insurance (CeRGI®) is structured around a single module of one unit.
      7. The Certificate in Regulated Customer Care (CeRCC) structured around a single module of one unit.
      8. The Advanced Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (Adv CeMAP®) is structured around two modules of a single unit, five modules comprising two units, one module of four units and one synoptic assessment.
      9. The Customer Service Professional (CSP) is structured around one module comprising one unit, four modules each containing a single unit and one module of four units.
      10. The Certificate in Regulated Equity Release (CeRER) is structured around two modules of two units, one module of four units and one synoptic assessment.
      11. The Certificate in Regulated Complaints Handling is structured around a single module of one unit.
    5. The awards at 1.d.i through 1.d.iv are Level 3 awards within the UK National Qualifications framework as approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).
    6. The Customer Service Professional supersedes the Contact Centre Professional Award (CCP).
    7. To achieve any of the awards listed at 1.d.i through 1.d.vi students must pass all units and assessments. For the Customer Service Professional (CSP) students must pass one compulsory module and two further modules. For the Advanced Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (Adv CeMAP®) students must pass four compulsory modules and two optional modules.
    8. Successful students will be granted the following designatory letters:
      Certificate for Financial Advisers CeFA
      Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice CeMAP
      Certificate of Regulated General Insurance CeRGI
      Certificate in Regulated Customer Care CeRCC
      Advanced Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice Adv CeMAP
      Certificate in Commercial Mortgages CeCM
      Certificate in Supervising in a Regulated Environment CeSRE
      Certificate in Regulated Complaints Handling CeRCH
      Certificate in Regulated Equity Release CeRER
  2. Eligibility to Study
    1. Entry requirements
      1. The awards have no entry requirements and are open to all.
      2. All units are offered and assessed in the English language only; an appropriate knowledge and understanding of English is assumed.
    2. Membership requirements
      1. Students are not required to be members of the ifs in order to undertake any of the awards.
    3. Registration requirements
      1. To register for either an award or a module students must complete the appropriate registration form and pay the appropriate fee.
      2. Each registration is valid for a period of twelve months from the date of acceptance by the ifs. This period is known as the Registration Period.
      3. Each initial registration fee covers one attempt at each examination for each of the assessment units during the Registration Period. Additional attempts at a unit assessment within Registration Period will attract a re-sit fee.
      4. The qualifications allow students to register at any time; there are no registration deadlines.
    4. Registration changes
      1. Students who decide that a module is not appropriate to their needs may cancel their registration and receive a full refund provided their materials are returned to the ifs at Canterbury with a request of cancellation within 14 days of receipt of the materials. This does not affect the student's statutory rights. No refund is available after this period.
      2. A refund will not be payable for a module for which the student has sat an objective test.
      3. Students who withdraw from an award or module and subsequently choose to register for that award or module again will be required to follow the full registration process and pay the full registration fee.
    5. Reasonable Adjustments
      1. The ifs recognises two major categories that may lead to provision of reasonable adjustments:
        • Permanent or long-standing disability, illness or special educational need eg blindness, diabetes, dyslexia;
        • Temporary disability, illness or indisposition, eg broken arm, chronic pain.
          A list of standard adjustments is set out at Appendix 1.
      2. Students should inform the ifs in accordance with the Reasonable Adjustments policy either at registration or when they become aware of their need for consideration under the policy.
      3. The ifs can only consider students under its Reasonable Adjustments policy if advised before the student has sat the objective test (but see paragraph 10 - Special Considerations).
  3. Structure
    1. Certificate for Financial Advisers (CeFA®)
      The Certificate for Financial Advisers (CeFA®) comprises four modules.
      The ifs recommends that they are studied in the following order: UK financial regulation; Investment and risks; Retirement planning and protection; Assessment of investment advice knowledge.
      1. Module 1 - UK financial regulation comprises 2 units - Introduction to financial services environment and products and Financial services and regulation.
      2. Module 2 - Investments and risks comprises 2 units - Principles of investment and Investment products.
      3. Module 3 - Retirement planning and protection comprises 2 units - Protection and Retirement planning.
      4. Module 4 - Assessment of investment advice knowledge is a single unit.
    2. Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP®)
      The Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP®) comprises three modules.
      The ifs recommends that they are studied in the following order: - UK financial regulation; Mortgages; Assessment of mortgage advice knowledge.
      1. Module 1 - UK financial regulations comprises 2 units - Introduction to financial services environment and products and Financial services and regulation.
      2. Module 2 - Mortgages comprises 4 units - Mortgage law, policy, practice and markets; Mortgage applications; Mortgage payment methods and products and Mortgage arrears and post-completion issues.
      3. Module 3 - Assessment of mortgage advice knowledge is a single unit.
      4. The Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP®) is available for assessment under either English or Scottish law.
    3. Certificate in Regulated Equity Release (CeRER)
      The Certificate in Regulated Equity Release (CeRER®) consists of four modules.
      The ifs recommends that they are studied in the following order: - UK financial regulations; Mortgages; Assessment of mortgage advice knowledge; Lifetime mortgages.
      1. Module 1 - UK financial regulations comprises 2 units - Introduction to financial services environment and products and UK financial services and regulations.
      2. Module 2 - Mortgages comprises 4 units - Mortgage law, policy, practice and markets; Mortgage applications; Mortgage payment methods and products and Mortgage arrears and post-completion issues.
      3. Module 3 - Assessment of mortgage advice knowledge is a single unit.
      4. Module 4 - Lifetime mortgages comprises 2 units - Fundamentals of lifetime mortgage advice and Lifetime mortgage solutions.
      5. Modules 2 and 3 are available for assessment under either English or Scottish law.
    4. Certificate of Regulated General Insurance (CeRGI®)
      The Certificate of Regulated General Insurance (CeRGI®) is a single unit module.
    5. Certificate in Regulated Customer Care (CeRCC)
      The Certificate in Regulated Customer Care (CeRCC) is a single unit module.
    6. Customer Service Professional (CSP)
      The Customer Service Professional (CSP) is structured around ten modules. The ifs recommends that Module 1 be completed prior to studying two further modules.
      1. Module 1 - UK financial regulation comprises 2 units - Introduction to the financial services environment and products and Financial services and regulation.
      2. Module 2 - An introduction to marketing, sales and customer service is a single unit module.
      3. Module 3 - Personal development and team management is a single unit module.
      4. Module 4 - Mortgages comprises 4 units - Mortgage law, policy, practice and markets; Mortgage applications; Mortgage payment methods and products and Mortgage arrears and post-completion issues issues.
      5. Module 5 - Regulated general insurance is a single unit module.
      6. Module 6 - Understanding the contact centre environment is a single unit module.
      7. Module 7 – Introduction to Banking and Personal Lending comprises two untis - The Banking environment and Personal lending: process and principles
      8. Module 8 – Investments and Risk comprises two units - Principles of investment and Investment products
      9. Module 9 – Retirement Planning and Protection comprises two units - Protection and Retirement planning.
      10. Module 10 – Supervising in a regulated environment
    7. Advanced Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (Adv CeMAP®)
      The Advanced Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (Adv CeMAP®) is structured around nine modules. The ifs recommends that Modules 1 to 4 are studied prior to either two modules from Modules 5 to 7 or one module from Modules 5 to 7 and one module from Modules 8 and 9.
      1. Module 1 - UK financial regulations comprises 2 units - Introduction to financial services environment and products and Financial services and regulations.
      2. Module 2 - Mortgages comprises 4 units - Mortgage law, policy, practice and markets; Mortgage applications; Mortgage payment methods and products and Mortgage arrears and post-completion issues.
      3. Module 3 - Assessment of mortgage advice knowledge is a single unit.
      4. Module 4 - Certificate in regulated customer care (CeRCC) is a single unit module.
      5. Module 5 - Alternative residential lending comprises 2 units - Fundamentals of alternative residential lending and Alternative residential lending solutions.
      6. Module 6 - Regulated Equity Release comprises 2 units - Fundamentals of equity release and Equity release solutions.
      7. Module 7 - Commercial Mortgages comprises 2 units - Fundamentals of commercial mortgage advice and Commercial mortgage solutions.
      8. Module 8 - Supervising in a regulated environment is a single unit module.
      9. Module 9 – Regulated complaints handling
      10. Modules 2 and 3 are available for assessment under either English or Scottish law.
    8. Certificate in Regulated Complaints Handling (CeRCH)
      The Certificate in Regulated Complaints Handling (CeRCH) is a single unit module.
    9. Certificate in Supervising in a Regulated Environment (CeSRE)
      The Certificate in Supervising in a Regulated Environment (CeSRE) is structured around two modules. The ifs recommends that Module 1 is studied before Module 2.
      1. Module 1 - UK financial regulations comprises 2 units - Introduction to financial services environment and products and Financial services and regulations
      2. Module 2 – Supervising in a Regulated Environment
    10. Certificate in Commercial Mortgages
      1. The Certificate in Commercial Mortgages is structured around one module comprising two units: - Fundamentals of Commercial Mortgages and Commercial mortgage solutions.
    11. Delivery and Access
      1. Each unit is assessed by an electronically delivered objective test. The ifs recommends that they be completed in the order listed.
      2. Students do not have to pass all assessment units for a module within the Registration Period, however an additional fee will be payable outside this period.
      3. The electronically delivered objective test must be taken at an ifs approved test centre. A list of centres can be found at www.vue.com/ifs.
      4. There is no limit on the number of attempts allowed to pass the electronically delivered objective test. The initial unit registration fee includes one attempt within the Registration Period each further attempt will attract a re-sit fee.
      5. Once a student has passed an assessment unit (s)he is not allowed to re-sit that assessment unit to improve his/her result.
      6. The ifs reserves the right not to accept a student's registration.
    12. Unit Content
      1. The unit content is detailed in the syllabuses.
      2. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they have the most up-to-date syllabus and study materials.
      3. Units are subject to change or withdrawal without notice. Please refer to the syllabuses for the latest information.
  4. Credits and Exemptions
    1. Transitional Regulations
      There are no transitional arrangements for these qualifications.
    2. Exemptions
      1. A list of potential exemptions can be found at Appendix 2.
      2. Students wishing to apply for these or any other exemption should do so in accordance with the ifs Exemptions policy that can be found at www.ifslearning.ac.uk.
  5. Tuition

    6. Learning materials are provided for home study and enable you to tailor your study to suit your personal circumstances and study needs.
    There is no tuition provided for these awards.

  6. Assessment and Grading
    1. All units for the awards are assessed by an electronically delivered objective test.
    2. With the exception of the Customer Service Professional and the Advanced Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice, the awards require students to pass all units/modules.
    3. For the Customer Service Professional, students must pass the compulsory Module 1 and two further modules to complete the award.
    4. For the Advanced Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (Adv CeMAP®), students must pass the compulsory Modules 1 to 5 and one further module to be awarded the qualification.
    5. Awards are graded in accordance with Appendix 3.
  7. Student Conduct
    1. Objective Testing Regulations
      1. The ifs regulations pertaining to examination conduct for assessment by objective test can be found at the Exam Conduct page.
      2. Any behaviour that is deemed to be inappropriate or in breach of these regulations will be dealt with in accordance with the Malpractice Policy set out at and may lead to the objective test attempt being considered invalid and/or exclusion from the programme.
  8. Results
    1. Issue of Results
      1. Any results of an objective test made available to the student at the end of the assessment are considered provisional and will be confirmed by the ifs by publication to the website at www.myifslearning.com or in writing.
      2. Results will not be issued by any other means in advance of publication on the website.
      3. The ifs reserves the right to withdraw results.
    2. Enquiries on Results

      3. The enquiries procedure can be found in the Enquiry and Appeals policy.

    3. Appeals against Results

      4. The appeals procedure can be found in the Enquiry and Appeals policy.

  9. Time Limits
    1. There are no time limits for completion of the awards.
    2. Students may study at their own pace sitting the objective test for each unit at a time of their choice within the Registration Period.
  10. Special Considerations
    1. The ifs policy for dealing with potential cases of disadvantage that occur immediately before or during the objective test process can be found in the Special Considerations policy.
    2. Students are able to re-schedule their objective test up to two working days before the booked date. Therefore consideration will only be given to unforseeable events that occur after that time.
  11. Attempts
    1. If a student fails the objective test and wishes to re-sit that unit they must register for a re-sit of that unit and submit the appropriate fee.
    2. The ifs reserves the right not to accept student registrations.
  12. Policy
    1. Data Protection

      2. The ifs ifs data protection policy can be viewed here.

    2. ifs Rights
      1. Every effort is taken to ensure that publications are accurate at the time of going to press but the ifs is not liable for any errors or omissions in its publications.
      2. The ifs reserves the right at any time and without notice:
        • to vary the content of its courses and syllabuses;
        • to cancel courses and syllabuses previously announced; and
        • to modify as it seems appropriate the facilities and arrangements for students.
      3. The ifs further reserves the right to make alterations to published rules and regulations in accordance with guidelines and requirements set by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Financial Services Authority (FSA), and other external parties, as appropriate.
    3. Equal Opportunities

      4. The ifs operates an Equal Opportunities Policy.

    4. Disability and Discrimination Act compliance

      5. The ifs recognises the need to ensure that disabled people are not treated less favorably than other people for a reason related to their disability. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way they access our materials and assessments.

      Policy on Reasonable Adjustments

      Policy on Special Considerations

    5. Disclaimer on materials.

      6. Learning materials have been designed by the ifs to support students in their studies and in particular to help them prepare for their assessment(s).

      The assessments are based upon the content and learning outcomes documented in the award/module/unit syllabus which is printed in full in the learning material. A copy of each syllabus can also be found at Certificate Syllabus or obtained on request from the ifs Customer and Student Services Team on +44 (0) 1227 818609.

      The learning materials have been prepared to cover the requirements of the syllabus and a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the content of the learning materials should allow students to be successful in the assessment(s).

      However, whilst both the learning materials and the assessment(s) are based upon the same syllabus, the ifs does not guarantee that direct answers to all of the questions in the assessment can always be found in the learning materials.

      The ifs therefore encourages every student to ensure that (s)he keeps up to date with developments within Financial Services related to the syllabus by reading more broadly and in particular keeping abreast of any advice from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and other bodies that regulate the industry.

    6. Copyright

      7. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, the content of the learning materials may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the ifs, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms and licenses issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.

      Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be addressed to the publishers at:

      ifs School of Finance
      IFS House
      4-9 Burgate Lane
      Canterbury
      Kent
      CT1 2XJ

      Publications of the ifs School of Finance are published by the ifs School of Finance, a non-profit-making registered educational charity, and are distributed by ifs Mail Order and The Trade Counter, Mendlesham, Suffolk.

      The ifs School of Finance believes that the sources of information upon which the materials are based are reliable and has made every effort to ensure the complete accuracy of the text. However, neither the ifs School of Finance, the author nor any contributor can accept any legal responsibility whatsoever for consequences that may arise from any errors or omissions or any opinion or advice given.

  13. Fees

    Details on current fees are available:

    1. On the ifs website
    2. On application to the ifs

Appendix 1 - Reasonable Adjustments
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Appendix 2 - Potential exemption through other qualifications
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Appendix 3 - Qualification Grading
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