Module 8 - Financial Education

The aim of this module is to gain an understanding of the fundamental issues of finances in life planning.

By the end of the module the students will be able to:

describe the socio-economic environment and understand the relevant economic principles for the background to financial planning in the UK
understand the significance of Government policies on financial planning, including saving for retirement
understand the relationships between different life stages, and the impact of those on financial planning issues
appreciate the nature of peoples individual financial attitudes, behaviour and their origins
understand the overlapping role of the individual, the employer and the State in personal financial planning
understand the principles underpinning savings and investments, investor's considerations, and tools for decision making
understand fundamental principles in the application of personal financial management
understand the benefits of financial education for individuals; in enabling them to understand their choices and make decisions
understand recent financial legislation and its impact on financial services and individuals decision making
discuss diversity and the ways in which the State, employers, financial services and the individuals themselves are addressing the needs of different groups.

The economic environment, the global economy and consideration of their effect on the financial life of individuals.
The psychological and social influences on how individuals approach financial planning including gender and other differences.
The role of the State, employers and individuals in financial planning.
Financial needs as they develop throughout the different stages of life.
The tools available for personal saving and how they can be used to meet individual lifestyle needs.
Financial provision in the context of current world trends.
The impact of regulation as a safeguard of and barrier to effective planning.
Application of the available tools, within the socio-economic context, to individual lifestyle planning.