VTCT Level 5 & 7 Diploma in Financial Trading
A professional qualification preparing you for real-world trading careers in global financial markets.
VTCT Level 7 Diploma in Applied Financial Trading
Who is this qualification for?
The VTCT Skills Level 7 Diploma in Applied Financial Trading is a financial qualification aimed at learners aged 19+, who wish to pursue a career as a financial trader, or a career within the financial sector.
What does this qualification cover?
This qualification is based on attaining professional competence within financial trading and includes the required elements to work effectively as a futures or options trader. Learners must achieve all mandatory units:
- Global financial markets and operations
- Financial derivatives – Futures and Options
- Applied financial trading techniques
Throughout this qualification, learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of trading, management and supervision of futures and options within financial markets. They will also develop the ability to apply practically the knowledge, understanding and required skills to trade futures and options actively within the financial markets through the use of professional conduct and time management skills, which are valued highly by employers. Research skills will also be highly developed.
Within the mandatory units, learners are required to complete set research tasks based on current economic activity and complete a diary of their learning activity, showing how this has been implemented into real trading situations. Alongside this, a portfolio of evidence is a mandatory requirement to track the learner’s progress and determine the learner’s understanding and implementation of the knowledge required to attain professional competence.
The following transferable skills are developed and assessed throughout this qualification:
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Research
What could this qualification lead to?
The primary purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners for employment in a range of financial services roles, for example:
- Futures Trader
- Options Trader
- Market Maker
- Financial Markets Analyst
- Risk Manager
Qualification Structure
Mandatory Units
| Unit Ref | Unit Code | Unit Title | Level | Credits | GLH |
| UBU154 | T/618/7069 | Global financial markets and operations | 7 | 5 | 20 |
| UBU155 | K/618/7070 | Financial derivatives – futures and options | 7 | 10 | 60 |
| UBU156 | M/618/7071 | Applied financial trading techniques | 7 | 15 | 80 |
Total Qualification Time (TQT)
TQT is defined under the Ofqual General Conditions of Recognition, General Condition J1.8, as the number of notional hours which represents an estimate of the total amount of time that could reasonably be expected to be required in order for a learner to achieve and demonstrate achievement of the level of attainment necessary for the award of a qualification.
- the number of hours which an awarding organisation has assigned to a qualification for Guided Learning, and
- an estimate of the number of hours a learner will reasonably be likely to spend in preparation, study or any other form of participation in education or training, including assessment, which takes place as directed – but, unlike Guided Learning, not under the immediate guidance or supervision of – a lecturer, supervisor, tutor or other appropriate provider of education or training.
Assessment Methods
Learners must produce a portfolio of evidence which contains assessed evidence covering all the
assessment criteria in each unit.
| Mandatory units | Internal |
|---|---|
| Unit product code | Portfolio of evidence |
| UBU154 Global financial markets and operations | ✓ |
| UBU155 Financial derivatives – Futures and Options | ✓ |
| UBU156 Applied financial trading techniques | ✓ |
Internal assessment
Portfolio of evidence
As part of this qualification learners are required to produce a portfolio of evidence which contains
assessed evidence covering all the assessment criteria and range (where appropriate) in each unit
specification, these can be found on the VTCT Skills website. A portfolio of evidence will confirm the
knowledge, understanding and skills the learner must achieve.
The portfolio of evidence will be marked pass or fail by the centre lecturer/assessor and sampled by
the IQA and EQA.
Evidence in the portfolio may take the following forms (this list is not exhaustive):
- Observed work
- Witness statements
- Written questions
- Professional discussion
- Assignments
- Case studies
All evidence should be documented in the portfolio and cross-referenced to unit outcomes. Oral
questions and professional discussions should be recorded and only used for assessments outlined in
specific unit specifications.
Simulation
Learners will apply knowledge within a simulated environment. Data may be on a 15 minute delayed
basis with learners being able to view and apply their knowledge to a variety of products.
VTCT Skills Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Financial Trading.
A regulated qualification designed to develop the knowledge and practical skills required for financial trading. This is a VTCT Skills regulated qualification, awarded by VTCT Skills, a recognised awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual.
OVERVIEW
The VTCT Skills Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Financial Trading is a regulated qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). It is designed to provide learners with the knowledge and practical understanding required to operate within financial trading environments.
This qualification supports the development of trading knowledge, risk management, and market analysis skills relevant to the financial services sector.
Who is this qualification for?
The VTCT Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Financial Trading is a financial qualification aimed at 16+ learners, who wish to pursue a career as a financial trader, or a career within the financial sector.
What does this qualification cover?
This qualification is based on attaining professional competence within financial trading and includes the required elements to work effectively as a financial trader. Learners must achieve all mandatory units:
- Financial markets and operations
- Financial products and associated risk
- Financial trading techniques
Throughout this qualification, learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of trading the financial markets. They will also develop the ability to apply practically the knowledge, understanding and skills to actively trade the financial markets through the use of a professional trading platform. In parallel, learners will develop their communication skills, professional conduct skills and time management skills, all of which are valued highly by employers. Research skills will also be highly developed.
Within the mandatory units, learners are required to complete set research tasks based on current economic activity and complete a daily diary of their learning activity, showing how this has been implemented into real time trading decisions. Alongside this, a real time portfolio of activity is a mandatory requirement to track the learner’s progress and determine the learner’s understanding and implementation of the knowledge required to attain professional competence.
Transferable skills are those generic ‘soft’ skills that are valued by employers. The following transferable skills are developed and assessed throughout this qualification:
- Communication
- Customer service
- Commercialism
- Problem solving
- Research
What could this qualification lead to?
The primary purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners for employment in a range of financial services roles, for example, Financial Trader, Compliance officer, Investment administrator.
Qualification Details
- Qualification Title: VTCT Skills Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Financial Trading
- Qualification Number: 601/8650/1
- Awarding Organisation: VTCT Skills
- Regulation: Regulated on the RQF (Ofqual framework)
- Minimum Credits: 32
- Age Restriction: 16
Qualification Structure
- Total Qualification Time (TQT): 309 hours
- Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 270 hours
Mandatory Units
| Unit Ref | Unit Code | Unit Title | Level | Credits | GLH |
| UBU120 | R/508/3176 | Financial products and associated risks | 5 | 12 | 108 |
| UBU122 | T/508/3218 | Financial Trading Techniques | 5 | 7 | 54 |
| UBU123 | Y/508/3793 | Financial markets and operations | 5 | 13 | 108 |
The Total Qualification Time represents the overall time a learner is expected to invest to achieve the qualification, including teaching, self-study, and assessment.
Delivery & Duration
The Total Qualification Time for this qualification is 309 hours.
Delivery duration may vary depending on the mode of study and individual learner pace.
Example delivery formats may include intensive or extended programmes; however, all learners are required to complete the full qualification requirements.
What You Will Learn
This qualification covers key areas such as:
- Financial markets and instruments
- Trading strategies and analysis
- Risk management principles
- Practical application of trading techniques
Assessment Method
Assessment is carried out through an internally assessed portfolio of evidence.
Learners are required to demonstrate achievement across all mandatory units of the qualification. Assessment is quality assured in line with VTCT Skills requirements.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements set by VTCT Skills.
Centres are responsible for ensuring that learners are suitably prepared and capable of achieving the required standard.
Awarding Organisation
This qualification is awarded by VTCT Skills, a recognised awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual.
Important Information
This qualification is regulated and must be delivered and assessed in accordance with VTCT Skills requirements. Learners should ensure they understand the qualification structure, assessment process, and time commitment before enrolling.
Ready To Get Started?
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