Level
The Award in Credit Union Practice is benchmarked at Level 3.
Duration
The Award in Credit Union Practice (Award CUP) comprises 1 module with a 12-month registration period. As the Award CUP is a self-study qualification it is up to you how quickly you progress through it. You can register for the Award CUP at any time.
Cost
The registration fee for the Award in Credit Union Practice module is £135.00. This fee includes the learning manual and initial examination entry.
In collaboration with the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL), the ifs School of Finance has developed the new Award in Credit Union Practice (Award CUP) which combines study of the technical skills and knowledge needed to work in the credit union market with the principles of providing excellent customer service.
Career relevance
Credit unions are financial co-operatives owned and controlled by their members. Many now offer a range of services including current accounts, ISAs and Child Trust Funds. The Award CUP has been developed to offer those who are working in the credit union movement a formal qualification that affirms their expertise in the field.
Qualification details
The Award in Credit Union Practice (Award CUP) consists of 1 core module:
Credit Union Practice
Study time
It is recommended that you spend 40-60 hours’ study time on the Award in Credit Union Practice (Award CUP).
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for the ifs School of Finance’s Level 3 Award in Credit Union Practice.
Studying for this qualification
How do I study?
The Award in Credit Union Practice has been designed as a self-study qualification. Upon registration you are sent study materials that you study from at your own pace.
Learning resources
A comprehensive set of learning materials is provided at the time of registration. Upon registration, the ifs also provides a comprehensive learning support package for you, including access to extensive online student resources via the information gateway my ifslearning.
Please note that in order to reflect any changes to syllabuses, including matters arising from the annual Budget, the study materials for some (though not all) modules are updated annually. It is your responsibility to ensure you are studying from the most up-to-date materials. The most up-to-date learning materials, updates and amendments can be found on the ifs’ secure website and we suggest that you log in to my ifslearning regularly to gain access to these.
Due to the Emergency Budget, held on 22 June 2010, materials for modules requiring new versions of the text in 2010 will be available online week commencing 2 August 2010, and in print from week commencing 16 August, for assessment from 1 October 2010.
Additional resources
The following additional study support materials, designed to complement the learning manual, are available to purchase:
- specimen examination papers
View the complete list of additional study support materials.
Assessment
The Award in Credit Union Practice is assessed by a 2-hour, 100 question, multiple-choice examination. The pass mark for the Award in Credit Union Practice is as follows:
Pass 70%
Merit 80%
Distinction 90%
This examination is delivered electronically with results given immediately.
Assessment venues
The ifs School of Finance works in partnership with Pearson VUE, a leading international electronic delivery provider, to offer electronic multiple-choice examinations held daily Monday to Friday across the UK and overseas (please contact Pearson VUE on 0870 6081915 to find your nearest centre, or go online at: www.vue.com/ifs). You study for the qualification at your own pace and take the examination when you feel ready.
You can also sit your examination at the ifs’ own London Test Centre located at Peninsular House, which is in the heart of London’s financial district, near Monument. Once you are ready to take your examination please contact us on +44 (0) 20 7337 6299 to book your examination session. Please view our location map.
You can book as little as 2 working days in advance of the date you wish to sit the examination, subject to availability. There are over 150 examination centres throughout the UK for you to choose from.
Further details
Price list
Registration fee £135.00
Resit fee £105.00
Specimen papers £17.00 each
Registering
Online - complete the online registration and payment form.
By post/fax - download and complete the registration form. To view this file you need to have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This is free and available from the Adobe website. When you have completed the form either send it to the address stated on the form or fax it to +44 (0) 1227 784331.
By phone - call Further Education Customer and Student Enquiries on +44 (0) 1227 818609 (option 1). Please have your VISA/MasterCard/debit card to hand when you call.
Regulations applicable to this qualification
View the regulations for Award CUP.
Additional information
View additional information about studying with the ifs.
Contact us
Call Further Education Customer and Student Enquiries on +44 (0) 1227 818609 (option 1) or email customerservices@ifslearning.ac.uk