Empower students to confidently manage their money and build their futures!

Our Level 3 Award in Personal Finance is designed for students aged 16 and over who are enrolled in a full-time post-16 study programme. It helps build their confidence and knowledge to manage their money and finances - now and in the future.

From choosing the right bank account to understanding loans, savings, and budgeting, this course gives students the tools to tale control of their finances, make smart financial decisions at every stage of life and feel confident about their financial future.

For first teaching from September 2026. 

Content covered by the qualification includes:

  • Good debt’ and ‘bad debt’
  • The range of bank accounts available
  • How to build a budget
  • Finances for every stage of life, at university or at work
  • How to make informed decisions 

Interested in teaching this qualification?

Let us know at: customerdevelopment@cambridge.org

 

Level 3 Award in
Personal Finance

Level 3 Award in Personal Finance

Download the specification and Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) below

Why Personal Finance is important for students

Personal finance skills are vital to living a successful and happy life. Young peoples’ ability to manage their money well and feel in control of it will impact the things they can do, their relationships, their mental health and more. The age of 16 and above is the perfect time to reach young people with the vital financial education included in this course, as they are at a key life stage, becoming more independent, and making important financial decisions for the first time.

Stephanie Fitzgerald, Director of Financial Education (Children and Young People), The Money Charity

Qualification at a glance

Who should take it:

  • Students aged 16 and over on a full-time post-16 study programme who want to develop their personal finance skills to support progression.
  • Students who want to learn the necessary critical thinking and reasoning skills to make effective financial decisions in higher education and employment.
  • Students who want to learn specialist subject knowledge and transferable skills that complement their Level 3 post-16 study programme in a similar way to an EPQ.

Assessment:

  • Our Level 3 Award in Personal Finance is 30 guided learning hours (GLH)
  • It is externally assessed
  • The qualification is graded Pass/Merit/Distinction
  • As a regulated Level 3 qualification, the qualification attracts UCAS Tariff points (in relation to level and size)

Why choose Level 3 Personal Finance?

Plan your finances for every life stage

Personal Finance can help you learn to manage your money effectively - from buying your first car to planning for retirement. 

Master budgeting skills

Understand income and expenditure to create budgets whether you're saving to buy a car, a flat, saving for university or life.

Prepare for major life milestones

Personal Finance helps you gain financial confidence for university, starting work, moving out or buying your first home.

Understand your financial options

Explore different financial products and services that can help you each your goals and protect your money.

Access trusted financial guidance

Learn where to find reliable help and advice for any financial situation you may face

Building lifelong financial resilience

Personal Finance will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and stay financially secure - whatever your future holds

Teaching and Assessment Resources

We'll provide you with comprehensive support to empower you in delivering this exciting new qualification. Make sure you've signed up for updates to keep you up to date with additional support and resources that become available. Resources include:

Assessment Resources:

  • Candidate-style answers
  • Assessment story
  • Practice paper
  • Annotated Sample Assessment Materials

Teaching and learning resources

  • Scheme of Work
  • Textbook or teacher resource pack*
  • 'Talking about...' guide

Resources available from Spring/Summer 2026.

Full planning and teaching materials are available on Teach Cambridge, our secure website for teachers, so it’s essential you access and explore it.

 

Teach Cambridge

 

Our secure teacher website is where you’ll find the essential information you need to teach OCR qualifications. Teach Cambridge is a key service for teachers, as this is where you'll find set assignments and sample assessment materials, as well as planning support like curriculum planners and schemes of work.

If you don’t already have access, please speak to your exams officer.

 GettyImages-1201405865-Teach Cambridge

 

Professional Development

Our range of courses are designed to support you from day one and throughout your teaching journey. Our range of programmes include:

Course Description Available Frequency
Starting to teach Learn about the specification content, structure, question format and assessment requirements​, as well as practical guidance on getting started in the classroom.

From Summer term 26​

2 per year
Enhance your teaching Guidance and support with subject knowledge and pedagogy – could be combined with Ask the SA sessions.

From Autumn term 26​

2 per year
Preparing for the exam Gain the knowledge and understanding to optimise preparation for the assessment

From Autumn term 26​

1 per year
Exploring the exam Post-exam review and tips

From Autumn 27​

1 per year

Upcoming professional development and training courses will appear here when they are available to book. Sign up for email updates to keep informed of upcoming webinars.

Showcase Webinars

Our showcase webinars dive into the details of this new enrichment qualification and give you the chance to chat and ask questions to our product and subject experts.

Our showcase webinars dive into the details of this new enrichment qualification and give you the chance to chat and ask questions to our product and subject experts.

Our current series of webinars have concluded. Sign up for email updates to keep informed of upcoming webinars.

Missed a webinar?

You can watch the recording and download the presentation from our previous webinar, by clicking on the buttons below.

Introducing Level 3 Award in Personal Finance

Level 3 Award in Personal Finance - supporting delivery