Q. What is the maximum number of credits available via prior learning?
Q. I have already claimed 200 prior learning credits for qualifications with the same awarding body. I have passed another exam with the same awarding body and the award is 25 credits, which would take me above the 210 credit limit for a single awarding body. Can I claim just ten of these credits?
Q. I made a telephone or email enquiry and was informed of the likely exemptions available. Now I have applied and have received a different award. Why?
Q. I passed my degree with First Class honours. Does this entitle me to a higher credit award?
Q. I have been awarded different exemptions from my colleagues with the same qualification. Why?
Q. Is it possible to complete a CII qualification solely on the basis of recognition of prior learning?
Q. I have a degree that is eligible for the standard prior learning award. How does CII calculate the number of exemptions / sets of non unit-specific credits to offer me?
Q. What does 'Non-unit specific credits' mean?
Q. What does it mean to be exempted from a CII unit via recognition of prior learning?
Q. I have a Fellowship from another professional body. Will I be eligible for Fellowship from the CII?
Q. I am considering studying for an MBA as the major achievement towards my CII Fellowship (Insurance), but firstly I need to complete my Advanced Diploma in Insurance. Could I use the MBA towards both? 
Q. The recognition of prior learning award for my qualification is a CII qualification unit that I have already passed. Would I be eligible for additional credits?
Q. I have identified the units that I require to complete my desired qualification but I don't need all of my potential prior learning award. Can I apply for only some of my exemptions? I do not wish to pay for prior learning that doesn't contribute to my target qualification.

 

Q. What is the maximum number of credits available via prior learning?

A. The maximum award on the basis of any single awarding body is 210 credits. However, the usual level of awards is 25 to 60 credits. Only when exceptional similarities and specialisation at the appropriate technical levels are identified will the CII award the maximum number of credits.

Please note that the overall maximum award for prior learning is 260 credits (i.e. from a combination of awarding bodies) and to complete a CII qualification it is necessary to meet the CII qualification completion requirements in full. You can view these in the qualifications section of our website. Please read this section prior to your application and claiming your credits.

 Q. I have already claimed 200 prior learning credits for qualifications with the same awarding body. I have passed another exam / qualification with the same awarding body and the prior learning award is 25 CII credits, which would take me above the 210 credit limit for a single awarding body. Can I claim just ten of these credits?

A. No, the exemptions and sets of non units-specific credits carry a fixed credit allocation which we do not sub-divide. In this case, because the 25 credits would take you over the 210 credit threshold, you would not be able to claim any of the 25 credits for this additional qualification / module.

Q. I made a telephone or email enquiry and was informed of the likely exemptions available. Now I have applied and have received a different award. Why?

A. Recognition of prior learning is awarded in accordance with the standards in place at the time of the application. The advice given is based on the standards at that time and the information you provided. The CII takes into account the fact that academic and professional qualifications naturally evolve and their parity with the CII qualifications may change as a consequence. This is monitored through regular quality assurance reviews. For those reasons, it is advisable that applicants submit their application shortly after the initial contact.

Q. I passed my degree with First Class honours. Does this entitle me to a higher credit award?

A. In the same way as CII exams don't award higher credits for distinctions we don't differentiate between higher grade thresholds for recognition of prior learning

Q. I have been awarded different exemptions from my colleagues with the same qualification. Why?

A. Recognition of prior learning is awarded in accordance with the standards in place at the time of the application. The CII conducts regular quality assurance reviews on all qualifications that attract awards. As a consequence, any award may be modified or discontinued.

Q. Is it possible to complete a CII qualification solely on the basis of recognition of prior learning?

A. No. In addition to prior learning, at least one CII unit must be passed via examination, mixed assessment or coursework at the level(s) specified within the CII qualification completion rules, which it must fully meet. These are available to view in the qualifications section of our website.

Q. I have a degree that is eligible for the standard prior learning award. How does CII calculate the number of exemptions / sets of non unit-specific credits to offer me?

A. The standard prior learning awards recognise business, management, economics, accounting, finance, financial services, law, maths, actuarial science, investment analysis and/or marketing content within university degrees. The prior learning awards are discretionary and, as a general rule, to be eligible for an exemption or set of non unit-specific credits, the degree results transcript must contain a minimum 60 FHEQ credits for that area of the syllabus (UK degrees), subject to the maximum allowed under the prior learning scheme rules. Where degree transcripts don't contain (UK) FHEQ credits, CII will identify the equivalent scope of learning based on the information available.

 Q. What does 'Non-unit specific credits' mean?

A. At times the CII may decide to recognise learning that is not a direct match to a particular CII unit. 'Non-unit specific credits' will count towards the required number of credits to complete the CII qualification, but will not prevent the candidate from sitting any specific CII units. Non unit specific credits are awarded where, for example, a degree partially matches a range of CII units. They cannot be traded for specific qualification unit exemptions.

Non unit-specific credits may count towards CII qualifications that are based on credit accumulation but not for other qualifications that have a fixed route, for example, the Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning whose learning outcomes match the (UK) Financial Conduct Authority requirements. Instead of replacing these six units, the non unit-specific credits build on the 100 credits that count towards the CII level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning.

Q. What does it mean to be exempted from a CII unit via recognition of prior learning?

A. Upon successful award of an exemption, this will be added to the CII Learning Statement with the unit marked as 'completed'. The candidate will not be eligible for duplicate credits as a result of subsequently passing this unit through direct CII assessment.

Q. I have a Fellowship from another professional body. Will I be eligible for Fellowship from the CII?

A. It is not possible to complete CII qualifications solely on the basis of recognition of prior learning. Recognition of prior learning is awarded based on qualifications. If you are applying for prior learning based on a professional designation or membership level, we will require details of your qualification successes before confirming any entitlement to an award. Candidates are required to complete at least one unit at the appropriate level of the qualification sought via direct CII assessment.

Q. I am considering studying for an MBA as the major achievement towards my CII Fellowship (Insurance), but firstly I need to complete my Advanced Diploma in Insurance. Could I use the MBA towards both?

A. No. You can only use a non-CII qualification towards either the Advanced Diploma qualification or the CII Fellowship (Insurance) programme. Please consult the rules for Fellowship as time restrictions apply. There is no major achievement contribution to the Fellowship of the Personal Finance Society.

 Q. The recognition of prior learning award for my qualification is a CII qualification unit that I have already passed. Would I be eligible for additional credits?

A. No. The CII doesn't recognise the same learning twice, nor can non unit specific credits be offered as an alternative.

Q. I have identified the units that I require to complete my desired qualification but I don't need all of my potential prior learning award. Can I apply for only some of my exemptions? I do not wish to pay for prior learning that doesn't contribute to my target qualification.

A. Yes, we encourage you to determine your qualification pathway before you apply for prior learning so that you only claim for the exemptions / sets of non unit-specific credits that contribute to your target qualification(s).