Expectations of Independent Study Students are expected to undertake one hour of additional study for every two hours studied in the classroom. Students are expected to prepare for lessons in advance by extensive reading of the set topics, as well as making notes outside of the classroom. They will also be expected to complete end of topic quizzes and all topics/activities available online. This will enable all students to fully engage in lessons. Students are also required to keep a close eye on the national and international business, personal finance and economics news, preferably on a daily basis. Why is it interesting? Financial Services are the variety of products, services and facilities provided by the finance industry, covering a huge spread of organisations that manage money including credit card and insurance companies. These range from providing bank accounts to individuals, to developing complex computer models to help governments trade and raise money. However, there is no mistaking the impact of the industry in the UK, as it contributed £127bn in gross value to the UK economy in 2018. 2.3m people are employed in financial services and related sectors in the UK, of which 751,000 are employed in London. This course will give students an insight into how the industry works as well as giving them invaluable information on how to manage their own personal finances. What skills and knowledge will I develop by studying this subject? The purpose of the course is to prepare students for further study through the development of core skills including independent thinking, critical analysis and evaluation, synthesis, verbal and written communication. It will encourage students to: • Visits to Art Galleries and Museums. • Practical work refining and modifying using a wide range of materials and processes • Planning, development and completion of final practical pieces reflecting a high standard of skill in using the formal elements of art. Through this, a greater understanding will be gained of the impact that global events can have upon consumers and the wider financial services industry. LIBF’s aim is to ensure that young people leave school with the skills and understanding to manage their own finances. We seek to inspire the next generation of finance and banking professionals through these courses and the Student Investor Challenge, our annual stocks and shares trading game. This course would be suitable for students who have the following skills and interests: Students should have an interest in the Financial Services industry in the UK and global markets. There are opportunities to take part in the Student Investor Challenge for those wishing to gain an insight into trading stocks and shares; as well as a Young Financial Journalist competition for those keen on writing about the latest news on the UK economy. Students do not need advanced mathematical skills, but should be competent in the basics of real-world application of maths, through understanding charts, graphs and indexes. An understanding of basic economics is helpful but not essential. What career pathways are open to me if I study this subject? The financially related content of this qualification serves as an excellent grounding for undergraduate study within finance and business-related disciplines, with many students going on to study accounting, business, finance and banking. The skills developed and enhanced during the course provide valuable study skills appropriate for these disciplines and others, and students have pursued a wide range of undergraduate courses following this qualification. The transferable skills developed are also valuable for further study in unrelated disciplines. The LIBF itself also offers undergraduate degree courses of BSc (Hons) Banking & Finance or BSc (Hons) Finance, Investment & Risk, and those students gaining an A or higher at the Diploma can gain scholarships to these courses. They also offer a BSc (Hons) Apprenticeship route in Banking Practice and management.