Level
Level 6
Credits
120
Guided Learning
480
Total Qualification Time
1200
Qualification overview
A simple summary of who this qualification is for and what learners can expect.
About this qualification
The Level 6 Diploma in Banking & Finance is an IQ Awards qualification at Level 6. It supports learners in developing knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours in banking & finance.
The qualification is structured for clear delivery, assessment and quality assurance through approved centres.
Who is it for?
- Experienced practitioners, supervisors, managers and graduates seeking advanced professional development.
- Learners who want to develop strategic, analytical and leadership skills.
- Professionals preparing for senior roles or postgraduate progression.
Entry and assessment guidance
Centres should check learner suitability before registration.
Entry requirements
- Entry is at the discretion of the approved centre.
- Learners will normally hold a relevant qualification at the previous level or have substantial professional experience.
- Learners should be able to work independently, evaluate evidence and apply strategic thinking.
- Centres should confirm that learners have sufficient English language ability for advanced study.
Assessment approach
Assessment may include assignments, projects, practical evidence, workplace evidence, portfolios, presentations or other centre-devised assessment methods approved under IQ Awards quality assurance.
Language requirements
Centres should ensure learners have sufficient language competency to complete learning and assessment.
Qualification units
Jump to any unit below. Each unit opens with its own learning outcomes, criteria and content where available.
Unit 1 of 6
Strategic Financial Management
IQA-L6-BF-01
Learning outcomes
Understand strategic financial management, funding decisions and long-term financial performance in banking.
Assessment criteria
Analyse strategic finance concepts. Evaluate capital and funding decisions. Recommend financial strategies.
Unit aim
This unit aims to develop strategic financial management skills for banking and finance contexts.
Indicative content
Capital structure, funding strategy, financial planning, value creation, cost of capital, performance management and strategic finance.
Assignment brief
Learners must produce a strategic financial management report for a banking or financial services organisation.
Unit 2 of 6
Advanced Banking Operations and Regulation
IQA-L6-BF-02
Learning outcomes
Understand advanced banking operations, regulatory supervision and operational resilience.
Assessment criteria
Critically analyse banking operations. Evaluate regulatory requirements. Recommend operational improvements.
Unit aim
This unit aims to develop advanced understanding of banking operations and regulatory frameworks.
Indicative content
Prudential regulation, operational resilience, regulatory supervision, banking controls, governance and service continuity.
Assignment brief
Learners must evaluate operational and regulatory challenges in a banking institution.
Unit 3 of 6
Treasury Management and Capital Markets
IQA-L6-BF-03
Learning outcomes
Understand treasury management, liquidity planning and capital market operations.
Assessment criteria
Analyse treasury functions. Evaluate capital market instruments. Assess liquidity and funding strategies.
Unit aim
This unit aims to develop understanding of treasury management and capital markets in banking.
Indicative content
Treasury operations, liquidity management, money markets, securities, funding sources, interest rate risk and market instruments.
Assignment brief
Learners must prepare a treasury and liquidity management analysis for a financial institution.
Unit 4 of 6
Corporate Finance and Investment Appraisal
IQA-L6-BF-04
Learning outcomes
Understand corporate finance and investment appraisal techniques used in financial decision-making.
Assessment criteria
Apply investment appraisal methods. Analyse corporate finance decisions. Evaluate investment proposals.
Unit aim
This unit aims to develop skills in corporate finance and investment appraisal.
Indicative content
NPV, IRR, payback, cost of capital, capital budgeting, financing decisions, project risk and shareholder value.
Assignment brief
Learners must evaluate an investment proposal using appropriate appraisal techniques.
Unit 5 of 6
Financial Risk Modelling and Control
IQA-L6-BF-05
Learning outcomes
Understand financial risk measurement, modelling and control techniques.
Assessment criteria
Analyse financial risk categories. Apply risk measurement techniques. Evaluate risk control systems.
Unit aim
This unit aims to develop knowledge of financial risk modelling and control in banking.
Indicative content
Credit risk, market risk, operational risk, liquidity risk, stress testing, risk indicators and reporting.
Assignment brief
Learners must analyse a risk scenario and recommend suitable measurement and control methods.
Unit 6 of 6
Research Methods for Banking and Finance
IQA-L6-BF-06
Learning outcomes
Understand research methods used to investigate banking and finance issues.
Assessment criteria
Develop a research proposal. Justify methods and data sources. Analyse findings to support conclusions.
Unit aim
This unit aims to develop applied research skills in banking and finance.
Indicative content
Research design, literature review, data collection, questionnaires, interviews, ethics, data analysis and report writing.
Assignment brief
Learners must prepare a research proposal and mini research report on a banking or finance issue.
Progression routes
Typical routes after completing this qualification.
Progression
Progression to Level 7 postgraduate study or senior professional roles.
Learning outcomes summary
- Understand strategic financial management, funding decisions and long-term financial performance in banking.
- Understand advanced banking operations, regulatory supervision and operational resilience.
- Understand treasury management, liquidity planning and capital market operations.
- Understand corporate finance and investment appraisal techniques used in financial decision-making.
- Understand financial risk measurement, modelling and control techniques.
- Understand research methods used to investigate banking and finance issues.