New blood fears allayed as more kids study finance

More than 25,000 pupils in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are studying for ifs School of Finance qualifications, potentially laying the foundations for a new crop of advisers.

The teenagers are studying optional GCSE, AS and A-level equivalent courses designed as ‘stand-alone' qualifications, and delivered by the ifs School of Finance educational charity.

Approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), schools can choose whether or not to offer the additional subjects to students, based on demand.

The GCSE equivalent courses were launched a year ago to teach students basic financial concepts such as: budgeting, opening and maintaining accounts and using different payment methods. They have already attracted 5,700 students.

This follows on from the launch of the AS and A-level equivalent courses which have attracted 4,500 pupils to enrol since 2005. They offer a far more in-depth foundation for students wishing to work in the financial services sector.

ifs School of Finance vice principal Anne Kiem says: "The fact that more than 10,000 14-19 year olds are now gaining the skills necessary to manage their own finances and make informed financial decisions is clearly great news."