Certificate for Introduction to Securities & Investment

The Certificate for Introduction to Securities & Investment is designed to provide students in full time education with a basic introduction to the financial services industry with a focus on investments. It aims to help develop their awareness of career opportunities, as well as their own personal financial knowledge.

The Certificate can be taken as a standalone qualification or combined with the Certificate in Finance, Risk & Decision Making to form the full Level 3 Diploma in Finance, Risk & Investment. The Diploma is equivalent to an A level and is recognised by Universities and employers in the financial services industry.



Introduction to Securities & Investment

This unit offers students a valuable understanding of the language used within the financial services industry and is the first step towards completing a globally recognised qualification, acknowledged widely by firms in the sector.

Information on the syllabus


Unit Requirements

To complete this unit, students are required to take a one hour, 50 question multiple choice exam via computer based testing. This exam can be taken at your school or college.

Resources

To help students to prepare for the exam, they can purchase a workbook at the beginning of the course which contains:
  • a syllabus learning map
  • end of chapter revision questions
  • sample multiple choice exam questions
  • clear explanations, graphics and tables
  • a comprehensive glossary
  • a free pocket prompt
  • students will also be given free access to the associated eLearning

The Extended Project is available for students who wish to consolidate their knowledge and develop their understanding gained from completing Introduction to Securities & Investment exam. Upon completion of the Extended Project students should be able to:
  • plan and produce an investigation
  • undertake research, collect evidence and select information using appropriate methodologies
  • analyse and interpret evidence, draw conclusions and write up results in the form of a report
  • produce an evaluation


Unit Requirements

Students are required to produce a 3,000 – 4,000 word project report plus a 500 word evaluation. The report will be based on project titles provided by the CISI, or one agreed upon by the Institute.

During the course of the project, students must keep a record of their progress, the activities they have undertaken and the decision-making process in the form of a project log.

ResourcExtended Project Titles 2012 - 2013es

PDFExtended Project Titles 2012-2013   PDFExtended Project Title Form (editable pdf)
This form can be submitted online or downloaded, completed, saved and submitted via email.
PDFSpecimen Project: Hedge Funds
Student Evaluation  |  Marking Commentary
  PDFSpecimen Project: Insider Dealing
Student Evaluation Marking Commentary
PDFCandidate Record Sheet   PDFTeacher-Assessor Guide - new and updated 2012
PDFPrincipal Moderator Report - Summer 2012   PDFExtended Project FAQs
PDFMarking Checklist    


Referencing

It is a requirement of the Extended Project that all reference sources and their annotation in the project report should follow a consistent referencing format for texts, journals, website pages etc.

Students from our recognised centres receive a 50% discount on the qualification registration fee, exam fee and workbook price. Student membership and the associated elearning product for the course are also included free of charge and students receive one free exam re-sit for Unit 1, if required.The break down of costs (including the 50% discount) is as follows:

  
Qualification Registration Fee       £25
Interactive Learning Manual £40
Exam Entry Fee £48
Subtotal £113
   
Unit 2 Registration £50
Total £163


Government Funding

The course is listed on Section 96 of the DFE and is therefore eligible for funding through your school or colleges’ Young Peoples Learning Agency (YPLA) budget if your students are 16-18 years of age.

The learning aim reference is  500/6267/0

If your students are taking the Certificate for Introduction to Securities & Investment as the Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) component of the BAF Diploma, then the course is fully funded through this program. 

Funding and sponsorship opportunities from financial services firms are often available for eligible schools and colleges. For further information please email educationdevelopment@cisi.org



CISI Extended Project Key Dates 2012 / 2013

Activity Date Send to
Unit Registration Wednesday 31 October 2012 c-sit@cisi.org
Extended Project Title Form Submission to CISI Friday 23 November 2012 projectsubmission@cisi.org
Extended Project Marks Submission to CISI Friday 10 May 2013 projectmarkssubmission@cisi.org
Extended Project Submission to CISI Thursday 16 May 2013 projectsubmission@cisi.org
Extended Project Results released Friday 16 August 2013 N/A



PDF Submission, Moderation and Results Timeline

Introduction to Securities & Investment

The examination consists of 50 multiple choice questions assessed via Computer Based testing.

Grades available in the unit are: 

Pass with Merit (70% and over) 35-50 Marks
Pass (60% and over) 30-34 marks
Fail (under 60%) 0-29 marks

Those candidates achieving the Pass with Merit grade will not only have passed the unit but will also receive the stand-alone Award for Introduction to Investment.


Extended Project

This consists of the extended project and the following grades are available:

Pass with Distinction (70% and over) 38-54 marks
Pass with Merit (60% and over) 32-37 marks
Pass (50% and over) 27-36 marks
Fail (under 50%) 0-26 marks


Certificate for Introduction to Securities & Investment

Candidates achieving both units  will be awarded the Certificate for Introduction to Securities & Investment and an overall grade as follows:
UCAS
Unit 1 Unit 2 Overall Grade UCAS Tariff
Pass Pass Pass 20
Pass Pass with Merit Pass with Merit 40
Pass Pass with Distinction Pass with Distinction 60
Pass with Merit Pass Pass 20
Pass with Merit Pass with Merit Pass with Merit 40
Pass with Merit Pass with Distinction Pass with Distinction 60



Getting Started 

Find out how to offer this qualification in your school or college.




educationiconPlease ensure that you read through the policies and exam regulations if you are conducting the Introduction to Securities & Investment exam at your school or college.

View our Exam Policies for assessments delivered by CBT (Computer Based Testing).


Centre Policies

1. CSIT Centre Malpractice / Maladministration Policy

This policy relates to inappropriate Centre behaviour before, during or after the delivery of a CSIT CBT (Computer Based Testing) examination.

2. Extended Project Centre Malpractice / Maladministration Policy

This policy relates to inappropriate Centre behaviour before, during or after any Extended Project submission.

3. Extended Project Policy on Plagiarism and Collusion

This policy relates to candidate plagiarism and / or collusion during the production of the Extended Project report.

4. Extended Project Moderation Guidance

This guidance relates to both centre internal assessment and the external moderation process undertaken by the CISI.
 
5. Extended Project Moderation Review and Appeals

This policy relates to the review of the external moderation process conducted by the CISI and any resulting Appeals.

6. Extended Project Special Consideration

This policy relates to candidates requesting special consideration due to adverse circumstances beyond their control during the production and submission of the CISI Extended Project.  

7. Centre Sanctions Policy

This policy relates to those sanctions available to the CISI should a Centre fail to meet any aspects of the CISI's delivery requirements or where a case of malpractice / maladministration has been established.


Should you have any specific queries relating to these documents, then please email the Educational Development Team educationdevelopment@cisi.org