Find out what you need to be eligible to enrol on a STEP course here.
From 1 October 2025 you will need to join STEP directly as a member before enrolling onto any STEP courses. Please allow five working days for your application to be approved. Once approved you can progress your course registration.
What are the entry requirements to study for an Advanced Certificate?
To study for a STEP Advanced Certificate you need to have minimum of 60 entry-level credits
OR
Be a STEP Member at Affiliate, Associate or Full Member level.
Entry Level credits are credits which can be demonstrated or achieved through a combination of:
Examples:
STEP Certificate (30) + STEP Certificate (30) = 60 Entry Level credits
STEP Certificate (30) + Prior Qualification (APCL) (30) = 60 Entry Level credits
STEP Certificate (30) + Prior Work experience (APEL) (30) = 60 Entry Level credits
Prior Qualification (APCL) (30) + Prior Work experience (APEL) = 60 Entry Level credits
You need 60 entry level credits or be a STEP Member to be eligible for an Advanced Certificate.
Look at which of these statements apply to you to find out what you need to do to enrol:
I have completed two STEP Certificates (60 Credits) - Enrol for your STEP Advanced Certificate
I am a STEP Member at Affiliate, Associate or Full level - Enrol for your STEP Advanced Certificate
I have already had APL approved - Enrol for your STEP Advanced Certificate
I have completed one STEP Certificate (30 credits) and have relevant experience in specified professions - Apply for APEL
I have relevant experience in specified professions - Apply for APEL
I have acquired other relevant training - Apply for APCL
I have combination of relevant experience/training - Apply for APCL and APEL
To apply for Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
What do I need to enrol?
The STEP Diploma is made up of 4 x Advanced Certificates therefore you will need to follow the guidance on Advanced Certificates if you plan to study for a STEP Diploma.
It costs £50 (+ UK VAT, if applicable) for each APCL or APEL application to be considered by the Admissions Team. The combined fee for applying for both APCL and APEL is therefore £100 (+ UK VAT, if applicable). The fees are non-refundable.
Receipt of applications will be confirmed by email. A decision as to whether an application has been successful will be communicated to the applicant within 3-5 working days of the confirmation of receipt. If further information or supporting evidence is requested, the 3-5 working day timeframe will restart from the date the further information or supporting evidence is received.
There are two different categories of Accreditation of Prior Learning which, when combined, can lead to the 60 Entry Level credits required to become a STEP Affiliate member and enrol onto STEP Advanced Certificates
This application is for those with a prior qualification set at Level 4 or above which has been formally assessed and certified by an educational institution (e.g. a University), a recognised training provider or a professional body. The qualification must cover financial, legal or wealth related content and should equip the individual to:
This application is for those with at least 12 months’ work experience in a practical position within a relevant industry, undertaking work relevant to STEP (i.e. trusts, estates, taxation, accounting, private client or wealth management).
If you only have the relevant qualifications/experience to apply for either APCL or APEL, you will need to complete a STEP Certificate to supplement the 30 EL credits obtained through your application (STEP Certificates are also worth 30 EL credits).
The qualification on which an APCL application is based must have been completed no more than five years from the date of the APCL application, unless the applicant is able to demonstrate that their learning has remained current by way of regular CPD.
The work experience on which an APEL application is based should have taken place no longer than 12 months prior to the date of the APEL application. Exceptions will only be made in exceptional circumstances, with due regard to the Equality Act 2010.
CLT International are not required to accept an enrolment onto an Advanced Certificate where the relevant APL application(s) were made more than 12 months earlier. In this instance, a new APL application(s) may need to be submitted. However, a successful APL application will remain current for the duration of the candidate’s Entry Level studies should they be enrolled onto a STEP Certificate (even if this exceeds 12 months).
Please click here to download and view the APEL/APCL policy
