Why work with the CISI? Our partnerships with education centres enable educators and industry to work together to disseminate knowledge and offer real world learning experiences to encourage and develop the next generation of financial services talent. Our qualifications, approved for delivery at GCSE (level 2) and A level (level 3) can be seamlessly embedded into your curriculum and aim to develop students’ knowledge of the financial services industry and its functions and challenge them to think about implications for their own personal finance decisions.
Apprenticeships
Higher level CISI qualifications can be taken as part of an Advanced Apprenticeship in Providing Financial Services.
Universities
Many universities are accredited to offer CISI qualifications and exemptions for CISI qualifications are available to students studying finance bases degrees.
Higher CISI Professional Qualifications
Students can choose to self-study for higher level CISI qualifications using our learning manuals & elearning.
The first step in the CISI qualifications pathway for recent university graduates and new entrants to the financial services industry is the Introduction to Investment. The schools/colleges qualification, Certificate for Introduction to Securities & Investment has been modelled on this exam.
Recognition & Employability
- Our qualifications are recognised by banks and organisations as the preferred professional qualifications for industry practitioners.
- Up to 120 UCAS points can be gained and our qualifications will be recognised on the DfE Performance Tables from 2016.
- Work experience placements via our Investing in Futures scheme will enable your students to combine learning with on the job, real world experience.
- Annual prizes are available to the best performing student undertaking CISI qualifications at your school/college.
- Recognition for the overall highest achieving student(s) each year at our prestigious Annual Awards Ceremony, hosted by a representative of the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
Accessible & Affordable
- Flexible teaching structure and the functionality to hold exam testing at your school/college.
- Free teacher training, the services of a peripatetic teacher and provision of teaching materials.
- Educational bursaries of up to £900 are available, as well as Government funding opportunities.
Connections & Opportunities
- Our connections with financial services organisations, our 40,000 members and our branches in your local area can offer you added value and the opportunity to build partnerships, via practitioners to support classroom teaching, career presentations or mentoring.
- Links with over 40 UK universities which we’ve recognised as leading institutions in financial services education.
Connect your students to a career in financial services If your school is interested in joining our network please contact our Educational Development team:
+44 20 7645 0714
educationdevelopment@cisi.org Our team will help you through the registration process, arrange a site visit to discuss your application and approve your test centre so you can get started. Once your school/college is registered you will be recognised as a centre accredited to teach and test CISI qualifications.
Diploma in Finance, Risk & Investment (DipFRI) (A Level Equivalent) 
Learning Objective To provide an understanding of the key characteristics, mechanisms and influences on financial markets and institutions. Students will gain an insight in to data analysis, investment appraisal and accounting and the role and responsibility of financial services in society.
Declared Purpose The CISI Level 3 Diploma in Finance, Risk & Investment is an Applied General Qualification within the area of financial services (Accounting & Finance). It has been specifically designed to be taught in schools and colleges to equip learners with a broad range of transferable knowledge and skills gained through applied learning to enable progression into Higher Education or employment.
The qualification will give candidates an understanding of the key characteristics, mechanisms and influences on financial markets and institutions, and includes a grounding in data analysis, investment appraisal, accounting and the role and responsibility of financial services in society as a whole.
The Diploma is regulated by Ofqual as a level 3 qualification on the Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF)
Qualification Structure The Diploma is gained by achieving two certificates and each certificate has two teaching modules.
Certificate in Finance, Risk & Decision Making (A/S Level Equivalent)
Money, Economies & Uncertainty
Investment Decision Making, Accounting & Governance
Certificate in Finance, Risk & Decision Making
Certificate for Introduction to Securities & Investment (A/S Level Equivalent)
Introduction to Securities & Investment
Extended Project
Certificate for Introduction to Securities & Investment
View the factsheet View the specification 
CISI Award Winner 2014 Lewis Young, former Student at Hautlieu School and currently studying a BSc in Economics at the University of York I chose the Certificate in Introduction to Securities & Investment as I wanted to align myself with an organisation that actively promotes integrity within the financial services industry, especially in light of the recent bouts of dishonourable conduct exposed within the sector.
How has it helped you? This qualification has opened the door to a plethora of exciting opportunities offered by CISI which I can utilise to benefit both myself and my future employer. It also delivered a comprehensive introduction to the workings of the financial services industry.
How different did you find it to your other A Level subjects? The Extended Project aspect of the course was unique. An aptitude for research and academic writing wasn’t required from any of my other science based A Levels. Being taught this skill as part of the CISI qualification was, in hindsight, invaluable. Particularly as independent research and report writing is necessary both at university and in the workplace.
Progression to Higher Education The Diploma in Finance, Risk & Investment is recognised by higher education institutions as fulfilling entry requirements to a range of finance and business related higher education courses when combined with other qualifications, including:
Teaching Resources and Support for Student Learning
For Schools Classroom Resources
Teacher Portal
- Online teacher portal providing teaching materials and CISI updates
Teacher Training
Peripatetic Teacher
- We can facilitate sessions with our peripatetic teacher on more challenging areas of the syllabus
Financial Services Practitioner Presentations
- We can contact CISI members in your local area to arrange for them to come in and talk to your students about working in the industry
For Students
- CISI textbook
- Financial Services Jargon Buster – a glossary of industry words and terminology
- Work Experience opportunities and Insight days through our ‘Investing in Futures’ initiative, which partners financial services firms with CISI schools/colleges
- Free access to member only areas of the CISI website, as well as free Student membership of the CISI, including member benefits
Career Insight Get into Finance Get into Finance is a who, what, why and how introduction to financial services. The guide includes case studies as well as CV and interview advice.
Personal Finance Books #yourmoney provides a comprehensive introduction to the world of money for 16 to 25 year olds, meeting a pressing need to provide straightforward information on key financial facts for young adults as they take on responsibility for their personal finances.
A community partnership is developing the next generation of finance professionals in Liverpool 
An initiative between the CISI, Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College, Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool Learning Partnership is encouraging young people to aspire to careers in financial services.
Through a two year teaching post sponsored by the CISI, sixth form students at six local colleges are completing our Diploma in Finance, Risk & Investment qualification and the benefits of financial education are being shared to other schools linked to the Liverpool Learning Partnership.
The initiative is being backed by Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby. He said: “The financial crisis not only hurt us economically, it also damaged trust throughout many areas of society. This damage may take a generation to repair, so it’s wonderful that young people are being given the opportunity to learn about finance within a solid framework of ethics, integrity and social awareness.
Costs and Funding Qualification Costs The CISI is committed to making its courses accessible, we provide students in full-time education with a 50% discount. The breakdown of costs (including the discount) per student for the 2014/15 academic year is as follows:
| Unit |
Registration fee (one-off) |
Workbook and exam |
Additional registration fee |
| Certificate in Fundamentals of Business & Finance |
£25 |
£45 |
|
| Money, Economies & Uncertainty |
£93 |
|
| Investment Decision Making, Accounting & Governance |
£93 |
|
| Introduction to Securities & Investment |
£93 |
|
| Extended Project |
|
£53 |
Students benefit from one free exam resit for the Introduction to Securities & Investment. Government Funding The qualifications are listed as eligible for funding as defined under Section 96 of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Learning and Skills Act 2000. Search for these qualifications on the Learning Aim Reference Application:
- Award for Introduction to Investment - 50107823
- Certificate for Introduction to Securities & Investment - 50062670
- Certificate in Finance, Risk & decision Making - 60079782
- Diploma in Finance, Risk & Investment - 60078339
CISI Educational Bursary The CISI’s Educational Trust sponsors a bursary scheme for students aged 16-19 year in schools or colleges undertaking CISI qualifications. An award can be made for a maximum of two pupils at each centre teaching CISI qualifications per academic year, a maximum of 30 weeks at £30 per week, per student, a total of £900.
