FINANCIAL SERVICES
WELCOME TO OPEN POLYTECHNIC
Whether you are looking to improve your
career prospects or learn something new,
we can help you achieve your goal. We
specialise in open learning – learning that
gives you more freedom to decide what
you study and where you study.
Our courses are specifically designed for
delivery by distance, which means you can fit
your study around your life. And just because
you are learning by distance, this doesn’t
mean you have to do it alone. You will have
access to your tutors and lecturers by email
or phone.
It is our goal to make sure that you enjoy
your study and that you succeed. So
welcome to learning for today’s world, and
congratulations on taking up the challenge of
further education.
Please note that information contained in this brochure may be subject to
change without notice.
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN FINANCIAL SERVICES
Qualification code: NC1476
Level: 5
Credits: 50
This certificate is a nationally recognised qualification for
people in the financial services sector who are working or
seeking work as financial advisers, and who specialise in
investment advice, insurance advice or residential property
lending advice. The National Certificate in Financial Services
will give you the knowledge and skills you need to meet the
legal requirements to provide financial advice.
Further information on whether these legal requirements
apply to you can be found at financialadvisercode.govt.nz
We also recommend you visit The Skills Organisation
website, skills.org.nz to find out more about the
competency requirements. The Skills Organisation manages
training for the financial services industry.
Skills you will learn
Once you have completed the certificate you will be able to
demonstrate the knowledge and application of:
· professional practice, requirements of regulations,
professional practice standards and operational guidelines
as a financial adviser
· an understanding of the stages of financial advice and
products
· an understanding of the relationships between economic
environments and the financial market
· the steps in giving financial advice.
In addition, depending on which elective set you study, you
will be able to demonstrate competence in:
· the principles of investment, investment risk and return,
investment products and investment advice
OR
· the principles of risk, risk management and underwriting,
and specialist knowledge in at least one area of insurance
OR
· the principles of lending, home loan products, the loan
application process, and external factors that impact on
the residential property market.
1
Structure
This qualification is delivered in five sets of unit standards
with each set covering a different area of study. To complete
the qualification you need to complete at least 50 credits.
Sets A, B and C are compulsory and provide 38 credits. The
remaining credits must come from one specialist elective set,
either D: Investment, E: Insurance or E: Residential Property
Lending.
COURSE
NUMBER
COURSE/UNIT
STANDARD
LEVEL CREDIT DELIVERY
COMPULSORY SETS
SET A: CORE KNOWLEDGE
24755
Demonstrate
knowledge of
the industry and
apply professional
practice in a
financial services
organisation.
4
5
Online
25642
Demonstrate
understanding
of relationships
between economic
environments,
financial markets
and their
participants.
5
5
Print
25643
Demonstrate
understanding
of the stages of
financial advice
and the products
used by financial
advisers.
5
5
Print
SET B: CAPSTONE KNOWLEDGE OF FINANCIAL ADVISER
LEGISLATION AND THE CODE
26360
2
Demonstrate
understanding
of the legislative
framework for
financial advisers.
5
5
Print
COURSE
NUMBER
COURSE/UNIT
STANDARD
LEVEL CREDIT DELIVERY
SET C: CAPSTONE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
(ASSESSED BY THE SKILLS ORGANISATION OR
DELEGATED ASSESSMENT ORGANISATION (DAO)
FIN01
Professional
Practice and the
Financial Advice
Process.
5
18
Online and
print
This course contains the following four unit standards:
25650
Demonstrate the steps in the financial advice process relating to
client relationships and gathering information.
25651
Demonstrate the steps in the financial advice process relating to
the development and presentation of recommendations.
25652
Demonstrate the steps in the financial advice process relating to
the implementation and review process.
25653
Apply requirements of regulations, professional practice
standards, and operational guidelines as a financial adviser.
ELECTIVE SETS – CHOOSE ONE
SET D: INVESTMENT
25648*
Demonstrate
understanding
of investment
concepts used by
financial advisers.
5
10
Print
25649
Apply principles of
investment advice.
5
7
Online
5
5
Online
SET E: INSURANCE
25644*
Demonstrate
understanding
of insurance
structures,
principles,
products; and risk
principles used by
financial advisers.
* Please see next page for details.
3
COURSE
NUMBER
COURSE/UNIT
STANDARD
LEVEL CREDIT DELIVERY
PLUS TWO OF:
25645
Demonstrate
understanding of
the life insurance
market and life
insurance.
5
5
Online
25646
Demonstrate
understanding
of the health
insurance market
and health
insurance.
5
5
Online
25647
Demonstrate
understanding
of the fire and
general insurance
market and fire
and general
insurance.
5
5
Online
SET E: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY LENDING
26286*
Demonstrate
knowledge of the
mortgage industry,
lending principles,
home loan
products and apply
the application
process.
4
5
Online
26287
Demonstrate
understanding
of the residential
property market
and residential
property lending as
a financial adviser.
5
8
Online
* This course is a prerequisite for other unit standards in the
same elective set. You must complete this unit standard
before completing any other unit standards in the same
elective set.
Delivery definition
Print = Some learning materials are provided in paper format
and some are provided online.
Online = All learning materials are provided online.
4
General information
Assessment
Sets A, D and E
You will be assessed by the Open Polytechnic through paper
based and/or online tests.
Sets B and C
Although the Open Polytechnic provides learning
materials for the courses, these sets are assessed either
by The Skills Organisation or a delegated assessment
organisation. Please visit skills.org.nz for more information
and to register for assessment.
Note: Assessment for unit standards in sets B and C
will incur an additional fee payable directly to The Skills
Organisation or a delegated assessment organisation.
Level of study
Courses and qualifications registered on the National
Qualifications Framework are assigned Levels which show
you what level of study will be required for that course. For
example, courses set at Levels 1 to 4 are the equivalent of
senior secondary school and basic trades training. Level 5 is
about the equivalent of first year university study.
Study time
You should allow about 10 hours of study per credit;
however, if you have extensive knowledge of, or experience
in the financial services sector, you may need less
study time.
Computer requirements
To enrol in this qualification you will need access to a
computer with internet access.
Enrolment
This qualification is open for admission throughout the year
and each course officially starts on the first Monday of the
month you choose for enrolment. You need to enrol online
from our website. Visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz/howtoenrol
for more information. You will be advised if additional
information is needed to progress your application, and
you can usually complete this online during the application
process. When your enrolment is confirmed, we will send
you a letter with your course start and end dates.
5
This qualification is open to New Zealand and international
students (subject to approval) living in New Zealand. It is not
open to international students living overseas. If you are a
New Zealand student living overseas, please contact us to
discuss your enrolment options.
International students
International students who are residing in New Zealand and
studying part-time must have a verified work permit/visa.
Please note the expiry date must be after the end date of
your course. You will also need one of the following.
· A Variation of Conditions allowing study at
Open Polytechnic.
· A letter of authorisation from your employer (on letterhead)
confirming that you need to undertake this training as part
of your job.
International fees must be paid in full at the time of
enrolment.
Enrolment options
There are two enrolment options for each course:
the learning material and assessment option, or the
assessment only option. Note that these options do
not apply to:
· Set B: Capstone Knowledge of Financial Adviser
Legislation and the Code
· Set C: Capstone Professional Practice.
Learning material and assessment option
If you choose this enrolment option you will be provided
with the learning material you need to study and pass
the assessments. In addition you will have access to our
lecturers and Learning Centre for help and support, written
study materials, and our library service.
Assessment only option
If you think you already have the knowledge needed to pass
these courses you can enrol in the assessment only option.
If you choose this option you will be given three attempts to
pass the assessment.
Fees
Fees are displayed on each course and qualification page on
our website. Visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz and browse our
subjects and courses to find the fee information you need.
6
Loans, allowances and other funding
Student loans and allowances are administered by
StudyLink. We recommend that you apply for a student
loan at least four weeks before the commencement of your
study. We cannot confirm your enrolment or send your
course materials until your fees have been paid. For more
information, or to find out if you’re eligible for a student loan,
visit studylink.govt.nz or give StudyLink a call on
0800 88 99 00.
Financial assistance
We have a fund to help students who are in financial need
and have no other option for financial support. This fund is
available for course fees and/or set textbooks. Conditions
apply. Contact us for more information. See the last page of
this brochure for contact details.
Scholarships
We also offer a range of scholarships to support students.
Visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz/scholarships for more
information.
Set texts
There are no set texts for these courses.
Your lecturer
You will have a lecturer for each course you study. They are
there to help you through the course work, make sure you
have understood the work and to check your progress. You
can contact them on our freephone or by email, fax or letter.
Their contact details will be in the information we send you
when you enrol.
My Open Polytechnic
My Open Polytechnic is our online portal for our students.
With My Open Polytechnic you can:
· update your details
· view your study information
· track the status of your materials
· access your assessment submission deadlines, marks
and final grades for each course
· check your account balance
· access Online Campus and the library.
7
Once you’re enrolled, you can also keep track of your
study information on the go with the My Open Polytechnic
smartphone app called My OP.
To download the app, search for ‘My OP’ on the App Store
(Apple iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android smartphone).
These come pre-installed on your smartphone.
Online Campus
Online Campus is the area of our website where you can:
· access course materials for some courses
· access and submit assessments
· link to web pages specific to your course, including
frequently asked questions (FAQ), assessment hints, web
resources, staff information and sometimes online quizzes
and tutorials
· access the library.
Student information
You can find current enrolment and study information on our
website including details of our systems and processes and
the services we offer. Visit
openpolytechnic.ac.nz/studywithus to find out more.
Te Wähanga Whakapakari Ako (the Learning Centre)
Te Wähanga Whakapakari Ako (the Learning Centre) can
help you with a wide range of learning support services and
resources. These include:
· tips and techniques to help you succeed in online and
distance learning
· one-to-one consultations with a learning advisor
(telephone or email)
· StudyWise and ExamWise which are free online study and
exam preparation workshops
· disability services
· a student mentoring programme.
For more information visit
openpolytechnic.ac.nz/learningsupport
8
Te Kura Wänanga (the Mäori Office)
Te Kura Wänanga (the Mäori Office) can help you with your
learning and cultural needs in a kaupapa Mäori context. We
use Mäori values and principles to enhance your learning
journey.
For more information visit
openpolytechnic.ac.nz/maorisupport
Library
We provide a library service for students. There is no
additional fee for using it. The library service provides:
· online resources
· guides on how to search for information
· a distance lending service with free and fast delivery
· information about study techniques.
For more information about the library visit
openpolytechnic.ac.nz/oplibrary
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) – Record
of Achievement
If you are already registered on the NZQA database, please
provide us with your Record of Achievement number or your
National Student Number when you apply to enrol online.
If you are not registered, we will arrange this when you
have finished your first unit standard. Any unit standards
you gain through the year will be added to your record of
achievement.
You can access your Record of Achievement online or you
can phone NZQA and ask for a copy. To find out more,
visit the NZQA website at nzqa.govt.nz or call them on
04 463 3000.
Further study
For information on other courses and qualfications available
at the Open Polytechnic visit our website or contact us. See
the last page of this brochure for details.
9
Notes
10
Notes
11
Notes
12
Contact us
Website: openpolytechnic.ac.nz
Freephone: 0508 650 200
Overseas phone: +64 4 913 5300
Email: customerservices@openpolytechnic.ac.nz
Private Bag 31914
Lower Hutt 5040
New Zealand
OTHER USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS
NZQA
Website: nzqa.govt.nz
Email: helpdesk@nzqa.govt.nz
Phone: 04 463 3000
PO Box 160
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
THE SKILLS ORGANISATION
Website: skills.org.nz
Email: helpdesk@skills.org.nz
Phone: 04 931 0007
Join us
youtube.com/openpolytechnic
twitter.com/openpolytechnic
facebook.com/openpolytechnic
FS
0714
301
Freephone 0508 650 200
Overseas phone +64 4 913 5300
openpolytechnic.ac.nz
Private Bag 31914 · Lower Hutt 5040
New Zealand