STEP Advanced Certificate in Administration of Trusts (England and Wales)

This course aims to provide practitioners with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to deliver advice in England and Wales relating to administering trusts.

This Advanced Certificate can be taken as part of the STEP Diploma.

Expert-led learning

Practical and relevant

Flexible online learning

Recognised worldwide

Solutions for teams

Flexible ways to pay

Course overview

This course provides practitioners with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to deliver holistic advice in England and Wales relating to administering trusts. 

  • Gain in-depth expertise: Improve your technical knowledge of the issues arising in trust practice and the law and procedures involved.
  • Practical focus: Practical advice and guidance written by practitioners, for practitioners.
  • Build valuable connections: Network with like-minded professionals in varied roles and firms.
  • Industry recognition: A recognised ‘gold-standard’ professional qualification for those working in the industry. Successful completion provides 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership, enhancing your professional standing, and is awarded in association with Alliance Manchester Business School, a School of the University of Manchester.
Awarded in association with AMBS

Want to know more?

Book a call with one of our friendly advisors.

Course details

Price£1200+ local taxes if applicable
MembershipTo take this course you need to be a member of STEP at Affiliate level or higher.
Set1 - Private Wealth Administration and Governance.
Recommended CombinationTrusts and Estates in England & Wales.
DeliveryAccess to an online learning platform with full study materials, three live virtual workshops, and a final examination.
CertificateAwarded in association with Alliance Manchester Business School, the University of Manchester.
Next Course Start Date(s)11 January 2027
28 June 2027
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Course dates

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Are you a STEP member?

You need to be a member of STEP at Affiliate level to take this course.
If you are not a member yet, you can join STEP directly via their website. Please allow five working days for your membership application to be approved by STEP.

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Applicable local taxes and discounts will be added to your basket on checkout for this course.

  • Internationally recognised
  • Progress towards TEP status
  • Connect with STEP's international professional network
Group booking discounts

Tailored pricing plans and group rate cards are available for firms seeking to train multiple team members or larger groups of employees. We are happy to work with you to design a cost-effective solution that aligns with your training goals and budget. Ask about group bookings.

Instalment Plans

You can pay for your course fees in instalments if you choose the interest-free instalment plans available for certain courses. Specifically, you can opt for three equal monthly instalments for Certificate and Advanced Certificate level courses that total over £800 (excluding VAT), or six equal monthly instalments for the Professional Postgraduate Diploma. Payments can be made using a credit or debit card.

What will I learn?

  1. Defining and classifying trusts8 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  2. The requirements for the creation of a valid trust2 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  3. The rules against perpetuities and accumulations1 topic (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  4. Fixed interest trusts7 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  5. Discretionary trusts4 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  6. Vulnerable beneficiary trusts2 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  7. Resulting trusts2 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  8. Constructive trusts3 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  9. Purpose trusts2 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  10. Charitable trusts2 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  11. Principles of the taxation of trusts1 topic (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  12. The office of trustee5 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  13. Fiduciary and general duties of trustees3 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  14. Powers of a trustee3 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  15. Breach of trust2 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  16. Variation of trusts, remedies for mistake and setting trusts aside4 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  17. Remedies for mistake and setting trusts aside2 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
  18. Trust administration: registration, GDPR, FATCA and other reporting requirements, practicalities on changing trustees5 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Information Session: The STEP Diploma – Trusts & Estates in England & Wales Pathway

Join course tutor Rebecca Roscoe on Tuesday 24th November at 13:00-14:00 for a virtual information session exploring the Trust and Estates in England & Wales pathway to gaining the STEP Diploma.

Course format

This course is available for study twice a year and takes four months to complete. It is delivered online.

Enrolment onto this course will include access to an online learning platform containing:

  • bespoke course reading
  • self-assessment tools
  • supporting material

The course fee includes attendance at three online workshops led by a subject matter expert. 

The course is assessed by way of a five-hour open-book examination.

Once you have successfully completed this course, you will be awarded the STEP Advanced Certificate in Administration of Trusts (England and Wales).

Is this course right for me?

This course is ideal for practitioners looking for professional accreditation, moving into or already working within the trusts and estates profession.  

Students typically include: 

  • legal and trust professionals
  • support staff and paralegals
  • accountants and banking professionals
  • charity specialists
  • tax advisers
  • independent financial advisers
  • executorship administrators  

STEP Diploma - Recommended combination

Trusts and Estates in England & Wales

The STEP Diploma is the benchmark qualification for those working in the field of trusts and estates. Comprised from four STEP Advanced Certificates, you choose from a range of over 20 papers to build a STEP Diploma that really works for you and your career ambitions, or from the STEP recommended pathways.

FAQs

Do I need to be a STEP member to enrol?

Yes, in order to enrol on a STEP Advanced Certificate, you will need to be an Affiliate Member or higher. STEP qualifications require students to hold the correct level of membership before enrolment. This ensures students are part of the STEP professional framework, have access to resources, and meet eligibility criteria.

You can apply for membership directly from the STEP website.

If all required information is submitted correctly, STEP typically processes membership applications within 5 working days.

How long does this qualification take to complete?

Most STEP Qualifications take around 4 months to complete, with online workshops every month and a final exam around 4 weeks after the final workshop. We recommend study time of 4-6 hours per week for the duration of the course.

Can I take this course standalone?

Yes, this qualification can be taken as a standalone qualification if you wish, or as part of the STEP Diploma, which comprises of 4 STEP Advanced Certificates from applicable sets. This qualification is part of the Trusts and Estates in England and Wales recommended route.

How is this qualification assessed?

This qualification is assessed by way of a five-hour final examination comprising long-answer essay style questions. You will receive an assessment guidance video and self-assessment questions as part of your course materials.

What jobs or career opportunities can this qualification support?

The qualification is particularly relevant for legal and trust professionals, support staff, paralegals, accountants, banking professionals, charity specialists, tax advisers, independent financial advisers & executorship administrators.

What is the difference between this course and the STEP Certificate in Trusts and Estates (England and Wales)?

The STEP Certificate provides introductory knowledge, while the Advanced Certificate is a higher-level qualification designed for experienced practitioners and forms part of the STEP Diploma.

Successful completion of a STEP qualification (England and Wales) does not by itself lead to a licence to practice probate or other reserved activities. Some STEP qualifications are recognised by ICAEW and CLC for those applying to be a Licensed Probate Practitioner.

For further information please see the following links:

  1. The Mazur Guidance Note
  2. STEP Membership Benefits
  3. ICAEW
  4. CLC