Subjects & Courses

Financial Studies

Structure and Content 

Students develop key financial capability skills that are relevant to everyday life situations, as well as developing core personal skills including communication, numeracy, IT and the ability to analyse and evaluate.

Students become more confident, informed and responsible financial services consumers and have the opportunity to take ownership of the planning of their own personal finances. You will learn to understand how external factors and the financial services industry impact on individuals’ personal financial management as part of the course.

Year 1

Financial Capability for the Immediate and Short Term Unit 1
Financial Capability for the Medium and Long Term Unit 2

Year 2

Sustainability of an Individual’s Finances Unit 3
Sustainability of the Financial Services System Unit 4

Assessment 

100% exam: Each unit is assessed through a combination of multiple choice questions (Part A) and a written paper (Part B). To pass a unit, students must achieve the minimum pass mark for both part A and part B.

Undergraduate degree options 

A diploma in financial studies serves as an excellent grounding for undergraduate study within finance and business-related disciplines. Many students go on to study for a degree in Accounting, Engineering, Business, Finance, Technology or Banking.

The qualification is also suitable for anyone wanting to pursue an apprenticeship within any of the above sectors.

Possible Career Options

Accountancy 

Financial adviser

Financial analyst 

Auditor 

Banking 

Education

Entry requirements

To secure your place at Aston Manor Sixth Form, you must achieve five GCSEs at grades 4-9 (including English and maths at grade 4).

Certain courses have additional specific requirements, as shown below.

A-LEVEL ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS

Sociology
GCSE grade 5 English

Psychology
GCSE grade 5 English and maths

Biology
GCSE grade 6 science and maths

Chemistry
GCSE grade 6 science and maths

Maths
GCSE grade 6 maths

English Literature
GCSE grade 6 English

French
GCSE grade 6 French
and English grade 5

Religious Education
GCSE grade 6 RE

VOCATIONAL COURSE
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

IT
OCR Digital Media

Law
GCSE grade 4 English

Health and Social Care
GCSE grade 4 maths

Business Studies
GCSE grade 4 English and maths

Financial Studies
GCSE grade 4 maths

Sport
Merit at KS4 and GCSE grade 4 English

Applied Science

GCSE grade 4 English, maths
and science

How to Apply

External Applicants only

Please complete the application form and return to the sixth form office. You can find the application form here or, alternatively, request an application form from the main office.

Already a student at Aston Manor Academy?

Sixth form staff will arrange a presentation for all Year 11 Aston Manor Academy students to tell them more about progressing to sixth form and how to apply.