Course overview

Kaplan Professional’s Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance provides you with essential foundation knowledge and skills to launch your career in finance. 

You’ll gain practical knowledge and expertise you can immediately apply to your career, plus an understanding of the ethical standards relevant to the finance sector. This qualification is ideal if you’re:

• Working in finance and need specialist skills to fill knowledge gaps
• A professional considering a career change
• A graduate embarking on a career in finance

Who is this course for?

• Those looking to enter the finance industry and forge a new career
• Individuals working in non-finance professions who need to understand the sector

Potential career paths:

• Finance dealer
• Risk manager
• Financial analyst
• Compliance manager
• Corporate finance manager
• Advisory professional
• Economist
• Portfolio manager
• Broker
• Banker

Key information

*The course durations outlined above provide an indication of how long it may take an individual to complete this course. Actual completion times may vary depending on individual study patterns.

The recommended study hours for each subject can be found in the relevant subject outline listed under the ‘Program structure and subjects’ tab.

For information regarding course completion timeframes, please refer to our Progression Policy.

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Program structure and subjects

2 Core subjects:

• FIN101 Financial Markets and Economic Principles
• FIN103 Financial Analysis and Valuation

2 Elective subjects:

• FIN102 Regulation Ethics and Risk Management
• FIN201 Quantitative Applications in Finance
• FIN202 Fundamentals of Asset Valuation
• FIN203 Fundamentals of Equity Markets
• FIN204 Fundamentals of Financial Risk
• FIN205 Business Valuation
• FIN206 Investment Management
• FIN231 Technical Analysis*
• FIN251 Fixed Income Securities
• FIN254 Risk Management Frameworks*
• FIN280 Financial Modelling
• FIN290 Business Valuation Application
• FIN306 Applied Portfolio Management*
• FIN304 Applied Risk Management*
• FIN322 Industrial Equity Analysis*
• FIN327 Applied Resource Sector Analysis*
• FIN328 Real Estate Analysis and Funding*
• FIN330 Mergers and Acquisitions
• FIN338 Project Finance
• FIN342 Applied Corporate Finance
• FIN351 The Derivatives Market
• FIN352 Contemporary Issues in Finance

*Subject is discontinued from SP6 2023, last study period for enrollment is SP5 2023.

Single subject study is also available.  Click here for full subject availability. 

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Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

On completion of this qualification, individuals will be able to:

• Explain and analyse key economic principles, market concepts and global influences in the finance industry
• Identify the role of relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and ethical behaviour within the financial services industry
• Develop a range of skills to analyse economic and financial data, assess the value of an organisation, and make appropriate financial decisions
• Communicate important financial information to key stakeholders

Graduate attributes

Kaplan Professional defines the philosophy underpinning our qualifications through the graduate attributes.  These are the qualities we’d like individuals to develop as they progress through their academic studies; they reflect what individuals will know (knowledge) or be able to do (capabilities), when they finish their qualifications.

The attributes are built into Kaplan Professional course learning outcomes, content and assessments:

• Deep discipline knowledge
• Ethical conduct and values
• Communication
• Digital literacy
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Independence and initiative

Please click here to learn more about our graduate attributes.

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Why choose us

Latest digital learning – 100% online

You have access to KapLearn – your interactive and state-of-the-art online learning environment – anytime and anywhere. The convenience and flexibility will empower you to plan your study time around the rest of your day, instead of the other way around. Engage with the latest in 100% online digital learning, including discussion forums, interactive notes, online research journals, real-world case studies and diverse multimedia content.

One-on-one tutor support

You can book a call to speak with a tutor using Zoom. This can be used to seek more clarification on assessments, ask questions, or discuss certain theories and concepts in more detail. Sessions can be booked in your KapLearn subject room.

Group Zoom study sessions

To encourage a stronger sense of mutual support and collaboration among our student community, you can participate in tutor-facilitated group study sessions. Hosted over one hour, you can discuss your studies with your peers in the industry, while connecting on a personal level.

Regular tutor posts in discussion forums

To encourage as much interaction as possible between students and faculty, tutors regularly post in the discussion forum. This includes focus points from the week’s topics, as well as tips on study scheduling and how to approach assessment tasks.

Online proctored exams

By being able to sit your exams at home or in your office, this provides freedom and flexibility if you’re a full-time working professional, while eliminating factors that heighten anxiety and nervousness such as travel and crowded exam venues.

Proactive and personalised guidance

You can count on diligent and prompt support from a dedicated Student Advice team who are always a phone call or email away. The team is experienced, knowledgeable and specifically in place to support those who are studying at the postgraduate level.

Practical and relevant learning instead of just academic theory

Your qualification is designed and delivered by industry experts and leading practitioners, ensuring learning can be immediately applied to your professional practice. Content is designed to be practical and relevant, based on contemporary case studies and the latest industry insights and trends.

Australia’s longest-standing provider

We’re Australia’s longest-standing provider of postgraduate applied finance qualifications and have over 40 years’ experience (The Securities Institute, FINSIA and Kaplan Professional) in setting the standard for applied finance education in the country.

CFA® pathways available

Pathways and advanced standing are available if you’ve completed or are looking to gain the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation, including up to six subject credits in the Master of Applied Finance.

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Key dates

Six intakes every year

With six intakes every year, you can plan ahead and study when it suits you. A new study period commences every two months, overlapping slightly from the previous, so you can pace your studies to achieve your goals within your desired timeframe.

Extra time each study period

Take advantage of our complimentary early access period to make a head start on your next subject. Gain an extra four weeks of access to your online subject room, learning materials, support resources and assessments in advance of the study period commencement date to give you more time to prepare yourself and balance your learning.

Next available intake

For a full list of annual study period dates, click here >

Entry requirements

Below are the minimum education requirements for entry into our postgraduate courses.

Alternative entry pathways may be available to you if you do not meet the minimum education requirements. In addition, other entry requirements, such as English language proficiency, may apply to you depending on your academic background.

The qualifications listed as minimum education requirements must be from a recognised Institute of Higher Education. Overseas qualifications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis using the Country Education Profiles (CEPs) qualification recognition tool provided by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

Minimum education requirements for entry

• Completion of a Bachelor degree or higher qualification, or
• Completion of an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in a related discipline* with a minimum of one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
• At least three years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
• Academic and/or professional qualifications demonstrating potential to undertake study at this level

You’ll be required to provide Kaplan Professional with documents supporting your application as evidence that you meet the requirements for entry into the course. Please review the Provision of Entry Requirement Documents (PDF) for more information.

*Related disciplines include:

• Finance
• Accounting
• Actuarial Studies
• Banking
• Business
• Commerce
• Investments
• Economics

**Related industry/work experience includes:

• Working in a finance-related role
• Self-employed in a related area

Don’t meet the above entry requirements?

You may be eligible for entry into this course based on your work expertise and/or if you hold an academic and/or professional qualification that is deemed appropriate to Kaplan Professional. Please refer to alternative entry pathways for further information.

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Recognition of prior learning

Advanced standing may be awarded in recognition of prior learning (RPL) or industry experience, which is directly related to this course.

We recognise various types of prior learning towards our postgraduate courses:

• Advanced standing based on an industry designation
• Advanced standing based on prior postgraduate study
• Advanced standing based on industry experience

Further information can be found on our Advanced Standing ‘Precedent List’.

 Click here for further information about how to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Have questions about your next steps?

How to apply

1. Check entry requirements

Each Kaplan Professional postgraduate qualification has minimum entry requirements that you must meet to qualify for admission.

In order to complete your studies with Kaplan Professional, you’re assumed to have the following skills and access relating to technology. Please click here to view our minimum technology requirements.

2. Submit your application

You can apply to study with Kaplan Professional by completing our online application form. Alternatively, you can submit a hard copy of the application form below.

Download a new student application form>

You can apply now and supply documentation later to support your application for admission (within three weeks of your initial application to the qualification). Please click here for details on what documentation you may need to provide to support your application.

3. Apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

You may be able to obtain advanced standing for a Kaplan Professional subject based on your previous study, professional membership status and/or work experience.

4. Enrol into subjects

All subjects are offered online for each study period, giving you the flexibility of choosing when and where you wish study. You pay tuition fees for the subject(s) you’re enrolled in within an individual study period. Check the fee schedule for more information about fees.

FEE-HELP is available to eligible students. Click here to find out if you’re eligible for FEE-HELP.

You should also check the individual subject outlines to understand the recommended study time commitments for the subject, along with any recommended assumed knowledge. Click here to view a list of financial planning subjects.

Make sure you also check the assessment timetable to ensure you are available to sit the assessment pieces.

Need help?

Talk to a Student Adviser on 1300 135 798.

Student Polices and forms

Click here to access student polices and forms.

Fees

Locked-in pricing and FEE-HELP

To safeguard against any future price increases, you can lock in the price of your subject enrolment fees for the duration of your qualification. Many eligible students use FEE-HELP, which is a Commonwealth Government loan. This means you don’t need to pay to study upfront, helping you to reduce some of your financial burden.

Tuition fees

When you apply to study with Kaplan Professional, you pay for the subjects you’ve enrolled in for each study period.

The tuition fee listed below applies to all postgraduate subjects:

If you’re paying by cheque, utilising a deferral, or have a preferred client code, you’ll need to download and submit a hard copy of the form below.

Download a new student application form>

Other fees

Further fees may apply. Click here for a full list of fees and allowances.

FEE-HELP is also available to eligible students. Click here to find out if you’re eligible for FEE-HELP.

You may find our Payment FAQs useful. Click here to learn more.

Support and wellbeing services

Studying at Kaplan Professional

Student support and wellbeing services

We understand studying isn’t always easy; you may not have studied for some time or perhaps you haven’t studied online previously.  Kaplan Professional recognises juggling study with work and family commitments, while trying to find the balance can be demanding.

Your wellbeing and safety is paramount to Kaplan Professional. We want to ensure your experience is well-rounded and balanced to help you attain the most from your studies, so we encourage you to take advantage of the services available to you.

If you have a disability or ongoing health condition, which may impact on your ability to study or complete assessments, we can provide additional support to ensure you have an equal opportunity to complete your studies

Our support teams are here to assist you when you encounter these challenges. They can work with you to overcome any difficulties, so you can achieve your study goals.

Further information on student support and wellbeing services can be found here.