Course overview

This leading online Master of Applied Finance (MAF) is designed for ambitious and savvy individuals who are looking for advanced academic rigour, but thrive on practical and relevant learning immediately applicable in the workplace, and directly relevant to future career roles.

It provides you with the specialist technical knowledge and critical skills necessary to operate effectively in ever-changing local and global markets. You’ll also add quantitative analysis to your skill set, giving you a competitive edge when applying for senior management positions.

In addition to your core units, you can choose to major in a particular knowledge area, tailoring your study to specialise in a particular area of interest or to align with your career aspirations.

• Corporate Finance
• Financial Risk Management
• Investment Analysis

This qualification caters to your ability to work domestically and globally. In addition, the MAF encapsulates CFA^® learning outcomes, and pathways and advanced standing is also available for those who have completed or are looking to gain the CFA^® designation. Please see the ‘CFA^® Exam Preparation’ tab for more information.

Who is this course for?

• Finance professionals seeking advanced technical and specialist knowledge
• Candidates with CA, CPA, CFP, GAA, or other accreditations now looking to develop further capacity to work in finance (recognition of prior learning may apply)
• Professionals from other fields looking to move into finance

Potential career paths:

• Managerial positions including portfolio manager, risk manager, compliance manager, funds manager and investment manager
• Analytical analyst roles including investment analyst, financial risk analyst, business analyst and compliance analyst
• Adviser or consultant including corporate finance adviser and investment consultant

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.

Program structure and subjects

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

Program structure

Progress your qualification

If you have graduated with a Kaplan Professional or Finsia postgraduate qualification, you may wish to progress to a higher qualification. Learn more >

Exit qualifications 

Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance
Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance

Learning outcomes and Graduate attributes

Course learning outcomes

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

• Explain key economic principles and financial market concepts in a global concept
• Integrate relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and ethical behaviour in a variety of scenarios in the financial services industry
• Appraise specific financial and management context of organisations
• Create solutions in a financial context using critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Recommend risk management strategies to inform financial decision making
• Recommend appropriate analytical techniques necessary for financial decision-making
• Integrate multiple information sources to address finance issues and challenges

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.

Why choose us

I selected Kaplan Professional as my education provider because I wanted practical, relevant and recent learnings that I could apply to my future career roles. I analysed universities and Kaplan Professional’s Master of Applied Finance, and concluded that Kaplan Professional’s program was better suited to my aspirations.

– Mick O’Donoghue

I selected Kaplan Professional as my education provider because of the local Australian-specific industry knowledge, convenience of online study and reputation. My study with Kaplan Professional has allowed me credibility in the workplace, confidence with peer teams and an excellent working knowledge of the industry. Additionally, I’ve gained practical information in management of my own assets and pension.

– Bernard Perchman

Deep understanding

We’ve been providing practical and relevant qualifications designed from the industry perspective for over 40 years (The Securities Institute, FINSIA and Kaplan Professional). In addition, we were the first industry-specific provider in Australia, and have since set the standard for applied finance education.

Unmatched insight

Learn from the best. The MAF is enriched by the experience and knowledge of an internal team of subject matter experts and academics, and a large pool of approximately 200 industry practitioners, many of whom hold senior positions at some of Australia’s leading financial institutions. This ensures the knowledge they impart is current, practical, relevant, and centred on best industry practice. Not only does this provide you with both the theory and knowledge of how things really work, the interaction between students and faculty encourages informed debate on current and topical affairs.

Six annual intakes

Study all-year round. Have the freedom to schedule your timetable around important deadlines to accommodate your personal and work commitments with your own personalised study plan.

100% online

Access to learning hub and first-class resources anywhere, anytime.

Unrivalled support

From enrolment to graduation, count on the guidance and support from our experienced and knowledgeable team of Student Advisers every step of the way.

Digital networking

Engage with like-minded professionals in a supportive peer-to-peer environment, to create a richer, more immersive learning experience. 

Esteemed alumni

Expand your professional network and join a global community of over 21,000 alumni.

Key dates

Kaplan Professional’s six study period model provides you the freedom to study all year round. It also enables you to plan ahead and choose study periods that accommodate your professional and personal commitments. With a new study period commencing approximately every two months, overlapping slightly from the previous, you can accelerate your study or ‘take a break’ depending on your circumstances.

Study Period 4-6 2020

Study Period 1-3 2021

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 Higher Education provider (including the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition).

Minimum education requirement for entry

• A related* Undergraduate Degree or Graduate Diploma, or
• An unrelated Undergraduate Degree or Graduate Diploma plus 2 years related industry experience

*Download examples of related degrees

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

Don’t meet the above entry requirements?

You may be eligible for a pathway into the Master of Applied Finance by enrolling in the Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance or the Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance. Please visit the Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance or Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance pages and refer to the ‘Entry requirements’ tab. Alternatively, feel free to contact 1300 135 798 or studentadvice@kaplan.edu.au to discuss your options.

Related industry experience

Related industry experience can include, but is not limited to:

• working for financial institution(s) in position(s) with exposure to aspects of the industry
• managing a business for at least 2 years
• self-employed roles in trading or related areas.

Download the Related Industry Experience Form

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).

How to apply

1. Check entry requirements

Each Kaplan Professional postgraduate qualification has minimum entry requirements 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 applied finance 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

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 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.