United Kingdom · QualificationWhich CII Advanced Diploma is yours?
Pick by profession. The Advanced Diploma in Insurance is for insurance managers and technical specialists, and its designation is ACII. The Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning is for retail investment advisers, paraplanners and technical consultants qualified at Level 4, and its designation is APFS.
Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning requirements
There are no entry requirements to start, but you must hold the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning or the Diploma in Financial Planning before the Advanced Diploma can be awarded. You need 290 CII credits:
- at least 120 at Level 6: AF5 Financial planning process plus optional AF units worth at least 90 credits
- a further 40 at Diploma level (Level 4) or above
- the rest from any personal finance unit except LF1
AF5 tests skills from the other Advanced Diploma units, so the CII says you must complete it last. The Total Qualification Time for moving up from Level 4 is 600 hours.
The AF units and how they’re assessed
| Unit | Credits | Assessed by |
|---|---|---|
| AF1 Personal tax and trust planning | 30 | Written exam |
| AF4 Investment planning | 30 | Written exam on paper |
| AF5 Financial planning process | 30 | Written exam |
| AF6 Senior management and supervision | 30 | Coursework |
| AF7 Pension transfers | 20 | Written exam |
| AF8 Retirement income planning | 30 | Coursework |
The standard pass mark is 55% for the written exams, except 60% for AF7, and 50% for each AF6 and AF8 assignment. Written exam results come on a published date, normally 6 to 8 weeks after the sitting.
AF exam sittings in 2027
| Unit | Spring | Autumn |
|---|---|---|
| AF1 | 23 February | 7 September |
| AF4 | 9 February | 28 September |
| AF5 | 16 February | 21 September |
| AF7 | 4 March | 9 September |
Booking closes about two weeks before each sitting, or four weeks for AF4, so spring AF4 bookings close in January. The CII’s deadlines page gives each closing date and results date.
APFS and Chartered Financial Planner
Members who complete the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning can use APFS. With five years’ experience in the profession, including time before you qualified, you can apply for Chartered Financial Planner status, and Fellowship of the Personal Finance Society is the step after that.
Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard qualification fee (assessments) | £1,198 |
| Package fee (study materials) | £232 |
| CII membership, per year (optional) | £205 |
| Extra units: assessments | £1,876 |
| Extra units: study materials | £83 |
Figures from the March 2026 specification, for a UK non-member on a typical route, digital where possible. Membership is priced for a member qualified at Diploma level. The extra-units rows apply if you need credits for the additional completion rules.
Sources: CII and 6 more. Checked November 2026.
- CII: Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning ↗
- CII: Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning qualification specification (March 2026) ↗
- CII: Advanced Diploma in Insurance ↗
- CII: Important exam deadlines ↗
- CII: Results information ↗
- CII: Assessment information ↗
- CII: 2027 qualifications brochure ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.