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 Scotland relating to wills and executries.
- Gain in-depth expertise: Improve your technical knowledge of the issues arising in relation to the administration of wills and executries and the laws 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, enhancing your professional standing, and is awarded in association with Alliance Manchester Business School, a School of the University of Manchester.
Want to know more?
Book a call with one of our friendly advisors.
Course details
Price£1050+ 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 Scotland.
DeliveryAccess to an online learning platform with full study materials, two 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
28 June 2027
Course dates
Enrol now
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.
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?
- The requirements for making a valid will5 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Rules for will drafting6 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Clauses in will drafting3 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- How to draft an appropriate will5 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Powers of attorney and guardianship4 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- The procedure from death to close of an executry4 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- The IHT4002 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Intestate succession3 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Inheritance tax5 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Post-death variations4 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Executry accounts3 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
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 two 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 Wills and Executries: Law and Practice (Scotland).
Is this course right for me?
This course is suitable for:
- legal and trust professionals
- support staff and paralegals
- accountants and banking professionals
- tax advisers
- independent financial advisers
- executorship administrators
STEP Diploma - Recommended combination
Trusts and Estates in Scotland
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.
STEP Advanced Certificate in Wills and Executries: Law and Practice (Scotland)
Set 1 | Private Wealth Administration and Governance
This courseSTEP Advanced Certificate in Trust and Executry Accounting (Scotland)
Set 1 | Private Wealth Administration and Governance
View courseSTEP Advanced Certificate in Trusts: Law and Practice (Scotland)
Set 1 | Private Wealth Administration and Governance
View courseSTEP Advanced Certificate in Taxation of Trusts and Estates (Scotland)
Set 2 | Tax and Compliance
View course
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 Scotland recommended route.
How is this qualification assessed?
This qualification is assessed by way of a five-hour open-book examination.
What jobs or career opportunities can this qualification support?
The qualification is particularly relevant for trust administrators, trust managers, fiduciary professionals, private client lawyers, wealth managers, compliance professionals, accountants and estate planners working with private wealth structures.
