Entry Requirements for STEP courses

Find out what you need to be eligible to enrol on a STEP course here

What are the entry requirements to study for a STEP Advanced Certificate?

What are the entry requirements to study for an Advanced Certificate? 

To study for a STEP Advanced Certificate you need to have minimum of 60 entry-level credits

OR

Be a STEP Member at Affiliate, Associate or Full Member level. 

What are Entry Level credits?

Entry Level credits are credits which can be demonstrated or achieved through a combination of:

  • Completion of a STEP Certificate/s (Worth 30 credits each) 
  • Accreditation of a relevant prior qualification (APCL, worth a maximum of 30 credits) 
  • Accreditation of relevant prior experiential learning through work experience (APEL - worth a maximum of 30 credits) 

How 60 credits can be secured

Examples:

STEP Certificate (30) + STEP Certificate (30) = 60 Entry Level credits

STEP Certificate (30) + Prior Qualification (APCL) (30) = 60 Entry Level credits

STEP Certificate (30) + Prior Work experience (APEL) (30) = 60 Entry Level credits

Prior Qualification (APCL) (30) + Prior Work experience (APEL) = 60 Entry Level credits

 

Do I need APEL or APCL?

You need 60 entry level credits or be a STEP Member to be eligible for an Advanced Certificate.

Look at which of these statements apply to you to find out what you need to do to enrol: 
 

I have completed two STEP Certificates (60 Credits)  - Enrol for your STEP Advanced Certificate

I am a STEP Member at Affiliate, Associate or Full level -  Enrol for your STEP Advanced Certificate

I have already had APL approved  - Enrol for your STEP Advanced Certificate

I have completed one STEP Certificate (30 credits) and have relevant experience in specified professions - Apply for APEL

I have relevant experience in specified professions - Apply for APEL

I have acquired other relevant training - Apply for APCL

I have combination of relevant experience/training - Apply for APCL and APEL

How to I apply for APCL or APEL?

To apply for Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

  1. Click the Book Now button above,
  2. Select your country from the drop down menu
  3. Add: APCL or APEL or Both to your cart. A non-refundable fee of £50 (+ VAT if UK based) will be applied for each
  4. Go back to the webpage of your chosen course
  5. Select your country from the drop down menu 
  6. Add your course to your cart
  7. Checkout and pay
  8. A form will be emailed to you within 48 hours of your booking 
  9. Once you have submitted your application form(s), you will be notified of the outcome (approved, rejected or further information required) within three to five working days.

 

Apply for APCL or APEL

STEP Diploma

What do I need to enrol?

The STEP Diploma is made up of 4 x Advanced Certificates therefore you will need to follow the guidance on Advanced Certificates if you plan to study for a STEP Diploma.

Fees

It costs £50 (+ UK VAT, if applicable) for each APCL or APEL application to be considered by the Admissions Team. The combined fee for applying for both APCL and APEL is therefore £100 (+ UK VAT, if applicable). The fees are non-refundable; however, payment will only be taken for successful applications.

Timescale for consideration of applications

Receipt of applications will be confirmed by email. A decision as to whether an application has been successful will be communicated to the applicant within 3-5 working days of the confirmation of receipt. If further information or supporting evidence is requested, the 3-5 working day timeframe will restart from the date the further information or supporting evidence is received.

FAQ's

There are two different categories of Accreditation of Prior Learning which, when combined, can lead to the 60 Entry Level credits required to become a STEP Affiliate member and enrol onto STEP Advanced Certificates

 

Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL)

This application is for those with a prior qualification set at Level 4 or above which has been formally assessed and certified by an educational institution (e.g. a University), a recognised training provider or a professional body. The qualification must cover financial, legal or wealth related content and should equip the individual to:

  • undertake further, higher level, professional study
  • work within the profession of wealth management and administration.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

This application is for those with at least 12 months’ work experience in a practical position within a relevant industry, undertaking work relevant to STEP (i.e. trusts, estates, taxation, accounting, private client or wealth management).

If you only have the relevant qualifications/experience to apply for either APCL or APEL, you will need to complete a STEP Certificate to supplement the 30 EL credits obtained through your application (STEP Certificates are also worth 30 EL credits).

APCL Time frame

The qualification on which an APCL application is based must have been completed no more than five years from the date of the APCL application, unless the applicant is able to demonstrate that their learning has remained current by way of regular CPD.

APEL Time frame

The work experience on which an APEL application is based should have taken place no longer than 12 months prior to the date of the APEL application. Exceptions will only be made in exceptional circumstances, with due regard to the Equality Act 2010.

APL Application time frame

CLT International are not required to accept an enrolment onto an Advanced Certificate where the relevant APL application(s) were made more than 12 months earlier. In this instance, a new APL application(s) may need to be submitted. However, a successful APL application will remain current for the duration of the candidate’s Entry Level studies should they be enrolled onto a STEP Certificate (even if this exceeds 12 months).