Banking and Finance Apprenticeships | LIBF

A clear pathway into financial services

Our apprenticeship pathways make starting, or progressing a career in financial advice, easier. Whether you’re bringing new talent into the profession or upskilling existing employees, learners gain a recognised Level 3, Level 4 or Level 6 qualification and a structured route to progress.

From entry-level roles through to paraplanning and fully qualified adviser status, each pathway is designed to give learners the confidence, skills, and technical knowledge they need to thrive in the sector.

Fully supported from day one

Everything you need for a seamless apprenticeship journey

Up to 95% training funded (100% for eligible employers)
Day one tool kits and structured support
Qualifications included in pathways
Progression built into paraplanning and advisory careers

Financial services apprenticeships

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Level 3 Mortgage Adviser Apprenticeship Pathway
Our Level 3 pathway develops qualified mortgage advisers from the ground up, building regulatory knowledge, affordability and suitability judgement, and confident customer conversations alongside CeMAP. It produces advisers who can handle the end-to-end mortgage process and meet Consumer Duty expectations growing your own talent rather than competing for it.

If you are an employer click the button below to find out more.

Explore the Level 3 pathway
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Level 3 Financial Services Administrator Apprenticeship Pathway
Develop your future advisers with a structured Level 3 pathway that builds core regulatory, customer and technical skills. Apprentices contribute immediately and can progress to Level 4 and DipFA, creating a pipeline of paraplanners, advisers, and compliance professionals to strengthen your long-term workforce.

If you are an employer click the button below to find out more.

Explore the Level 3 pathway

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Level 4 Financial Planner – Adviser or Paraplanner Apprenticeship Pathway
This Level 4 pathway builds strong analytical, regulatory and client-facing skills while employees gain DipFA. It creates highly capable team members who can support advisers, take on supervised advice or move into specialist roles – strengthening operational capacity and long-term talent pipelines.

If you are an employer click the button below to find out more.

Explore the Level 4 pathway
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Level 6 Chartered Financial Professional Apprenticeship Pathway
Our Level 6 pathway equips staff with chartered-level competence across risk, regulation, investment, and wealth management. It develops confident professionals who can lead teams, support high-value client relationships, and contribute to firm-wide compliance, operations, and long-term resilience.

If you are an employer click the button below to find out more.

Explore the Level 6 pathway

Banking and finance apprenticeships

Level 6 Commercial Banking, Retail Banking and Operations
Ideal for school or college leavers as an alternative to university, this programme leads to a BSc (Hons) Financial Services Management and chartered status.

More experienced staff can opt for an accelerated pathway that you can tailor to fit your learning and development requirements.

See this Level 6 programme
Level 6 Investment Banking and Investment Management
This programme leads to a BSc (Hons) Finance & Investment as well as chartered status. It's perfect for school or college leavers as an alternative to university.

The accelerated pathway for more experienced staff can be tailored to suit individual requirements.

See this Level 6 programme

Apprenticeships FAQ

Choosing a programme

Employers can choose from level 3, 4 and 6 financial services apprenticeships to recruit new talent or upskill existing employees. Walbrook Institute London offers three employer apprenticeship pathways:
- Level 3 Financial Services Administrator Apprenticeship – develops core regulatory, customer service and technical skills, creating a pathway into financial services.
- Level 3 Mortgage Adviser Apprenticeship – a 15-month programme that develops the knowledge and skills needed to become a mortgage adviser and includes the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP®).
- Level 4 Financial Planner – Adviser or Paraplanner Apprenticeship (DipFA®) – develops the knowledge and practical skills needed for financial planning and paraplanning while leading to the Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA®).
- Level 6 Chartered Financial Professional Apprenticeship – develops advanced financial services expertise and leads to a BSc (Hons) Financial Services and Chartered Associate of The London Foundation for Banking & Finance.
These apprenticeships allow employers to build a long-term talent pipeline, whether they are recruiting new employees or developing existing teams.
Yes. Our Level 6 apprenticeships are degree apprenticeships – apprentices earn a degree while working, with training funded through the levy.

Walbrook Institute London offers three Level 6 pathways:
- Level 6 Chartered Financial Professional Apprenticeship – for advice, risk, regulation and wealth management roles
- Level 6 Commercial Banking, Retail Banking and Operations – leads to a BSc (Hons) Financial Services Management
- Level 6 Investment Banking and Investment Management – leads to a BSc (Hons) Finance & Investment
All three can lead to chartered status alongside the degree. Apprentices typically spend around one day a week on learning and the rest in their role, so employers develop senior specialists – analysts, advisers and relationship managers, without losing them to full-time study.
The Level 4 Financial Planner – Adviser or Paraplanner Apprenticeship (DipFA®) covers both roles, so employers can develop paraplanners and advisers through one programme leading to the Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA®).

The two roles work differently but need the same foundation:
- Paraplanners carry out research, technical analysis and suitability reports to support advisers
- Advisers hold the client relationship and make recommendations
Both need the same regulatory knowledge and analytical skill, which is why the Level 4 pathway builds towards either destination and lets employers decide as an apprentice develops.

For employers starting earlier, the Level 3 Financial Services Administrator Apprenticeship builds core regulatory, customer and technical skills first, then progresses to Level 4 and DipFA.
Financial services apprenticeships help employers address skills gaps by creating a structured way to develop qualified and capable employees from within their organisation.

Apprenticeships support employers by helping them:
- Build a pipeline of future talent
- Develop employees with sector-specific knowledge and skills
- Improve retention by providing clear career progression routes
- Reduce reliance on external recruitment for specialist roles
From administrator-level roles through to chartered professional pathways, apprenticeships provide a long-term approach to developing financial services capability.

Who it's for

Yes. Existing employees can complete a financial services apprenticeship to develop new skills, gain recognised qualifications and progress their careers.

Financial services apprenticeships are not only for new recruits or school leavers. Employers can also use them to upskill current employees, support career progression and develop future advisers, paraplanners and financial services professionals.

Walbrook Institute London offers apprenticeship pathways for employees at different stages of their careers, from Level 3 through to Level 6.
No. Previous experience is not always required to start a financial services apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships are available for school leavers, career changers and existing employees looking to gain professional qualifications or develop new skills. Entry requirements vary depending on the apprenticeship, and Walbrook Institute London carries out eligibility checks before enrolment to ensure learners join the most suitable pathway.
No. To study a financial services apprenticeship with Walbrook Institute London, you’ll need to be employed by an organisation offering the apprenticeship. You can’t apply for an apprenticeship directly with us.

However, if you’re interested in an apprenticeship, you can register your interest and we’ll keep you updated on relevant opportunities.

Alternatively, if you’d like to start studying independently, you can register for professional qualifications such as CeMAP or DipFA directly with LIBF, without completing an apprenticeship.

How it works

Employees typically spend around one day a week completing apprenticeship learning activities alongside their normal role.

Learning includes online teaching, self-directed study, workplace mentoring and support from a personal tutor. This allows employees to develop new knowledge and skills while continuing to contribute to their role.

The exact study model may vary slightly depending on the apprenticeship pathway.
Walbrook Institute London provides employers with support throughout the apprenticeship journey, from onboarding through to learner progress and completion.

Employer support includes:
- Guidance on apprenticeship pathways and funding options
- Recruitment support through the government’s Find an Apprenticeship service
- Structured programme delivery managed by Walbrook Institute London
- Personal tutor and apprenticeship coach support
- Regular progress reviews and reporting
- Visibility of learner progress through the learning platform
- Support with setting up and managing apprenticeship service accounts
This allows employers to focus on supporting their apprentice while Walbrook Institute London manages the wider apprenticeship process.
Employers can contact Walbrook Institute London to discuss their workforce needs, apprenticeship options and available funding.

The apprenticeship team will help identify the most suitable pathway, explain the enrolment process and provide guidance on funding and eligibility.

Register your interest
Discuss your talent strategy

Funding

Financial services apprenticeships are funded through the Growth and Skills Levy (formerly called the Apprenticeships Levy) or government co-investment, depending on the employer’s circumstances.

Employers that pay into the Apprenticeship Levy can use funds from their levy account to support apprenticeship training. Smaller employers that do not pay the levy may be eligible for government funding support, with eligible employers able to access up to 100% funding.

Funding covers the cost of apprenticeship training and assessment but does not cover the apprentice’s salary during their working hours.
The Growth and Skills Levy or as it’s sometimes known – Apprenticeships Levy, is a government funding system that allows eligible employers to invest in apprenticeship training.

Large employers can use funds from their levy account to pay for approved apprenticeship training. Government co-investment support can also be available to smaller employers

Employers of all sizes can use apprenticeship funding to recruit new talent, develop existing employees and create structured career pathways within financial services.

Organisations we're supporting

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