What you will study
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- An introduction to the English legal system for finance professionals
- Common law concepts, methods and perspectives
- Contract and commercial law
- Law of tort
- Public law, public international law and human rights
- Company law and law of employment
- Competition and antitrust law
- Intellectual property law
- Law for tax practitioners
- Laws of equity, trusts, land and property
- Banking and financial market law
- Offshore financial centres and the law
- The criminal justice system, criminal law and practice
- The law relating to financial crime and corporate misconduct
- Developing functioning legal knowledge and skills: legal services, legal practice, pro bono, legal research and drafting, dispute resolution, etc.
- Legal writing: developing legal linguistic skills for administrative and legal task performance
- Professional ethics for finance and law practitioners
- Conducting a small-scale research project on a legal topic applicable to finance
You will be able to select any two optional courses* from the following LSFL course list to complete your qualification:
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- Economic History
- Business Economics
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Accounting
- Management Accounting
- Audit and Assurance
- Forensic Accounting
- Financial Management
- International Taxation
- Personal Financial Planning
- Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates
- Financial Markets and Institutions
- Behavioural Economics and Finance
- Economics for Investment Decision-Making
- Sustainable Finance: Major Issues in ESG and SR Investing
- Learning and Training for Personal Effectiveness at Work
- Human Resource Management in Professional Service Firms
* The optional courses are free if taken as part of this qualification. You will be sent details about registration for the optional courses after you start your studies with us.
If English is not your native or second language, we recommend you complete Legal English before enrolling in this course. Legal English is aimed at people who regularly deal with legal documents written in English and need to use clear, accurate English in everyday legal and business situations.
If you are new to law, you can also enrol first in our university preparation course Law and Legal Studies, which introduces you to law and the English legal system at the equivalent of A Level in the UK. Legal English forms part of the Law and Legal Studies programme.
Key features of the course
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- Flexibility to suit your needs – allowing you to study anytime, anywhere
- An emphasis on personal and professional development through independent learning
- Relevance of topics and practical examples to the context of your own professional practice
- Illustrative practice activities with solutions, “test your understanding” activities and tutor-marked assignments, including a final report, to reinforce learning
- Advanced diploma from London School of Finance and Law upon course completion
This non-credit advanced diploma is intended for students or professionals who want to gain general knowledge, learn a new skill, upgrade existing skills or develop personal interests in subjects related to business management, finance and legal studies. A unique feature of the course is its coverage of financial law besides core areas of law as well as examination of cases relevant to financial practice.
This course can be taken alongside your degree or professional qualification studies elsewhere or as part of your informal career development programme. It is particularly suitable for those professionals who work in an investment fund or lead a management consultancy, accountancy and tax advisory practice as it equips them with the knowledge of legal terminology and procedures as well as critical, analytical and legal research skills necessary to successfully administer their businesses, analyse and compose legal texts, provide competent client advice and communicate with lawyers and tax authorities.
Please note that Foundations of Law for Professional Practice in Finance is a continuing professional development course, primarily aimed at experienced professionals who wish to develop additional legal competences to complement their professional skills in finance. It is also suitable for paralegals drafting legal documents for clients working in the financial industry. If you intend to practise as a solicitor, however, you must obtain a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) at an institution that provides the first academic stage of training for solicitors as well as obtain Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) (more information about training and work placement requirements for solicitors is provided by the Solicitors Regulation Authority).
Please also note that all law and financial planning courses at LSFL, except for International Taxation, relate to the UK legal framework.
Awards
The Advanced Diploma in Foundations of Law for Professional Practice in Finance is awarded by London School of Finance and Law, allowing you to work as a secretary in a company or a paralegal in a law firm in the UK.
You will also be awarded certificates of completion for the optional courses you will take as part of this qualification.
Learning outcomes
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- Knowledge and understanding of core subject areas
- Independent and critical thinking
- Problem-solving and reasoning
- Practical and professional skills
- Data handling, analytical skills and overall research literacy
- Communication, team working and time management skills
Career relevance
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- Business administration
- Human resource management
- Management consultancy
- Accounting professions
- Tax advisory
- Investment management
- Professional bodies
- Professional training
- Coaching, mentoring and counselling in finance, tax advisory and business management
- Government offices and NGOs
Study method
Online learning with tutor guidance and support
How long it takes
12 months (576 hours)
You need to be able to spend approximately 12 hours per week on studying this module.
Teaching and assessment
A tutor will guide you throughout the study process and mark and comment on your written work. You and your tutor will primarily communicate with each other through email.
The course work includes online practice tests, tutor-marked assignments and end-of-course assessment. The end-of-course assessment includes a 20-30 page report on a legal topic applicable to finance.
You must use the online VLE-system to submit your tutor-marked assignments and end-of-course assessment.
The Pass mark for the module is 50%.
Study materials
All study materials are provided on the module website.
Microsoft Office presentations and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of study material are available.
A computer with a browser and broadband internet access is required for this module. Functionality may be limited on mobile or tablet devices.
If you have a disability or particular study requirements, please tell us as soon as possible.
Fees and funding
Course fees for the 2024/2025 academic year: £3,120
Course fees cover registration, course materials, tuition and assessment.
LSFL course fees depend on the level and duration of courses: check all tuition fee rates for the current academic year here.
You may be eligible for tuition funding.
Registration
Applications for this course are now open for May 2025 start.
The module website will be available to registered students three days in advance of the module start. Module sessions will be opened every week or every two weeks to enable tutor-led, gradual progression through the study materials and continuous assessment.
Course registration is open, but please be aware that due to the increased demand it may take us longer to respond than usual.
Registration closes 10 May 2025 (places subject to availability)
Registration for current students:
Registration for new students:
You have to register as an LSFL student to study this course.
Future availability
Foundations of Law for Professional Practice in Finance starts three times a year – in January, May and September.
You might also be interested in
Business Administration, Finance and Law (Professional Diploma)
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Business Psychology and Organisational Behaviour
Investment and Wealth Management
Financial Crime Risk Management, Regulation and Compliance
Business and Financial Journalism (Professional Diploma)
Researching a Project in Finance/Law/Management/Education
Advanced courses in finance, business management and business law
English language requirements
There is no formal requirement to prove your English language proficiency to study our courses. If English is not your native or second language, or you would like to improve specialist language skills necessary for your profession, you may complete one of the following English language courses:
A full range of our English language courses can be viewed here.