STEP Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Private Wealth Advice

An executive programme for experienced practitioners ready to strengthen their strategic thinking, risk assessment and business strategy, and gain an accelerated route to full TEP status.

Course details

The STEP Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Private Wealth Advice is built for senior practitioners who already have the technical grounding in wealth management and estate planning, and now want to operate at leadership level.  

The highest-level qualification in the STEP framework, this innovative qualification delivers immediate practical benefit in the workplace. 

Eight technical masterclasses cover the specialist areas where clients and firms face the greatest risk, alongside dedicated sessions on sales, marketing and leadership judgement for those moving into senior and strategic roles. 

What the programme offers: 

  • Real-world application: technical content on the areas of private wealth advice where you and your organisation face the most risk, built to be applied directly in practice.
  • Global perspective: international best practice and trends, preparing you to advise clients across jurisdictions including the UK and Crown Dependencies, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Caribbean, the US and Canada.
  • Peer network: connect with practitioners in comparable roles and firms from around the world.
  • Recognised outcome: successful completion fulfils the educational requirement for Full STEP membership and the TEP designation. The programme carries 90 Masters Level credits, accredited by the University of Law. 

For STEP Affiliate members with five years' proven experience in trusts and estates, this qualification doubles as an accelerated route to TEP status, no need to complete the STEP Diploma first.

Course date: 7 September 2026

STEP Postgraduate Diploma
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Limited places. Enrol early to avoid missing out. All times are UK times in 24 hour clock.

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If you are not already a member of STEP, you need to join before enrolling onto this course as you will need your STEP membership number to hand when booking. Find out more here. 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.

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.

Entry requirements and guidance

To join the STEP Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Private Wealth Advice, applicants must:

  • Be a member of STEP at Affiliate level or higher, or have a relevant professional qualification at level 6 or higher or relevant vocational degree, and
  • At least five years industry experience.

If you do not meet these criteria, we recommend completing the STEP Diploma first or contacting our team to discuss your individual circumstances and suitability to study at this level. 

Become a member of STEP

To take this course you need to be a member of STEP at Affiliate level or higher.

What will I learn?

Build your technical knowledge and expertise with masterclasses on emerging, specialist areas of practice, plus exclusive sessions on leadership and commercial skills for aspiring senior and strategic leaders. 

Technical masterclasses: 

  • Strategic Risk Management for Leaders
  • Family Business Advising
  • Trust Disputes
  • Cross-Border Succession 
  • Strategic Philanthropy
  • Digital Assets
  • Compliance for Trustees
  • International Tax 

Enhancement sessions 

  • Sales and Marketing Considerations
  • Leadership and Judgement 

Is this course right for me?

Students typically include:  

  • private client advisers  
  • financial planners  
  • wealth managers  
  • international tax advisers  
  • private bankers  
  • family office executives  
  • trust officers  
  • family business advisers 
  • senior lawyers

See entry requirements above. 

Course format

This is a six month programme delivered fully online through a blend of self-study, practical research, and attendance at monthly weekend sessions.  

Upon registration students are given access to an online learning platform, which contains bespoke course reading and workbooks for the eight masterclass topics, further reading (in the form of the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates and STEP Diploma in International Trust Management course manuals) and a range of additional resources. Students will also receive access to a discussion forum to facilitate networking. 

The programme is assessed through the creation of a reflective journal consisting of eight masterclass commentaries (1,000–1,500 words) and a two-hour oral assessment based on course competencies and content knowledge.

Digital Certificates from April 2026

From April 6th 2026, printed certificates will no longer be issued. All certificates will be provided digitally via Diplomasafe.

This change supports our commitment to sustainability and modernisation. Digital certificates are:

  • Eco-friendly – reducing paper use and our carbon footprint
  • Secure – each certificate includes a QR code for instant verification
  • Convenient – easy to access, store, and share

Certificates are issued by our credentials partner, Diplomasafe. CLTI will securely share data with Diplomasafe in line with GDPR to enable digital credentialing. Learn more: https://diplomasafe.com

What past learners say:

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The workshops were useful, and the speakers were very approachable and knowledgeable.

Past student

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It is a great gateway to joining STEP, a professional body that is dedicated to supporting growth in trusts and estate planning; a much needed competence. I recommend it to anyone interested in this area of practice.

Mary W K

Family Law Practitioner

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It was an intensive 5-6 months, but definitely worth it. I am already using my new network and have referred clients to Australia, which wasn't something I would have been able to do before.

Adam Hildred

Chartered Financial Planner

Any questions?