This pathway is open to school leavers with 96-128 UCAS points, those progressing from Level 3, early-career professionals and office staff already working in financial services. Over 24 months, you will study towards the Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA®) - a nationally recognised qualification that gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support clients and progress your career.

With a blend of workplace learning, one day a week of structured study, and mentoring from industry experts, you’ll develop the technical expertise and professional behaviours needed to thrive.  

Qualification criteria:

• Must be 16 or over, living in England, and not in full-time education.
• Must have the right to work in the UK.

Education:

• Individuals with 96-128+ UCAS points (roughly BBB–ABB).
• Completion of Level 3 apprenticeship or equivalent experience in financial services.
• GCSEs in English and Maths at grades 9 - 4 (A–C) or willingness to complete Functional Skills alongside the programme.
• Or you already have a Level 6 degree qualification and are just looking to get Diploma for Financial Advisors (DipFA®) qualified.

What you will learn:

• Financial Services Regulation and Ethics (FSRE).
• Advanced Financial Advice across taxation, investments, protection, and retirement planning.
• Advanced Financial Advice – Coursework (AFAC).
• Client-centred financial planning – identifying, prioritising, and meeting client needs.
• Research and analysis skills to prepare compliant recommendations.
• Use of financial planning software and digital tools, with a focus on data and cyber security.

What will you earn:

Typically, a salary of £20,000-£30,000 per year, depending on your employer and role.

Where will you work:

You will have a full-time job in a financial advisory firm.

What is your job role:

At Level 4, you will typically move beyond pure administration into more professional

responsibilities. Depending on your pathway and your employer’s needs, you might:

• Work as a Trainee Financial Adviser, taking on supervised advisory work and beginning to support clients directly.
• Develop as a Trainee Paraplanner, focusing on research, technical analysis, and preparing recommendations for advisers.
• Continue in an administrative role, but with enhanced skills and responsibilities, supporting compliance, client service, and technical functions.
• Whichever route you take, Level 4 equips you with the knowledge and practical experience to progress confidently within financial services.

How will you study:

Through a mixture of online delivery sessions, one-to-one personal tutor sessions, self-guided study and workplace mentoring.

Skills you will gain:

• You will learn to use software packages and digital tools to deliver financial advice in line with data and cyber security requirements.
• You will prepare financial recommendations in accordance with risk, regulatory and governance requirements.
• You will establish overall risk profiles for clients through an understanding of the clients’ financial needs and objectives.
• You will Identify, prioritise and address clients’ needs in line with regulatory requirements.

What makes you right for this role:

• Honesty and integrity in all client and workplace interactions.
• Commitment to professional development, building your knowledge and skills as you grow in the role.
• Fairness and respect, ensuring clients and colleagues are treated with openness and equality.
• Support for inclusive cultures, contributing positively to a collaborative and diverse workplace.

How will you be assessed:

Your Walbrook Personal Tutor will support you through your journey, giving developmental feedback on all aspects of the knowledge, skills and behaviour you develop along the way. At the end of your programme, once it is agreed that you are displaying all the required aspects you will enter a period of End Point Assessment that usually lasts around three months.

End Point Assessment:

You will be independently assessed on a case study, a portfolio of evidence and via a
panel interview. Your personal tutor will be on hand to support throughout.

What next?

Completing your Level 4 apprenticeship and the Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA®) marks a major milestone in your career. You will now have the qualifications and skills to work in more advanced roles, and a clear pathway to take your expertise further.

Your next step could be progressing to Level 6, where you’ll gain a recognised BSc (Hons) in Financial Services, along with achieving chartered status - the gold standard in financial advice.

Become a member of Future Financial Adviser and follow the Apprenticeships room for notifications of new apprenticeship opportunities click here