This leading online Master of Applied Finance is designed for ambitious and savvy individuals who are looking for advanced academic rigour, but thrive on practical and real-world 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 skillset, 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.
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.
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.
*It is recommended that this subject is studied as the second last subject in your Masters program.
**It is recommended that this subject is studied as the final subject in your Masters program.
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
| Principal dates | Study Period 4 | Study Period 5 | Study Period 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolments open | 30-Apr-18 | 25-Jun-1 | 3-Sep-18 |
| Study period commences | 9-Jul-18 | 3-Sep-18 | 12-Nov-18 |
| Census | 25-Jul-18 | 19-Sep-18 | 28-Nov-18 |
| Study period ends | 28-Sep-18 | 23-Nov-18 | 29-Jan-19 |
Download a PDF of the 2018 timetable.
| Principal dates | Study Period 1 | Study Period 2 | Study Period 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolments open | 29-Oct-18 | 17-Dec-18 | 25-Feb-19 |
| Study period commences | 07-Jan-19 | 11-Mar-19 | 06-May-19 |
| Census | 23-Jan-19 | 27-Mar-19 | 22-May-19 |
| Study period ends | 29-Mar-19 | 31-May-19 | 26-Jul-19 |
| Principal dates | Study Period 4 | Study Period 5 | Study Period 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolments open | 29-Apr-19 | 24-Jun-19 | 02-Sep-19 |
| Study period commences | 08-Jul-19 | 02-Sep-19 | 11-Nov-19 |
| Census | 24-Jul-19 | 18-Sep-19 | 27-Nov-19 |
| Study period ends | 27-Sep-19 | 22-Nov-19 | 31-Jan-20 |
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).
| Course | Minimum education requirement for entry |
|---|---|
| Master of Applied Finance | – A related* Undergraduate Degree or Graduate Diploma, or – An unrelated Undergraduate Degree or Graduate Diploma plus 2 years related industry experience |
| Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance | – An Undergraduate Degree or Graduate Certificate, or – A related* Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or – An unrelated Advanced Diploma or Diploma plus 2 years’ related industry experience, or – Academic and/or professional qualifications demonstrating potential to undertake study at this level |
| Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance | – An Undergraduate Degree, or – A related* Advanced Diploma or Diploma – An unrelated Advanced Diploma or Diploma plus 2 years’ related industry experience, or – Academic and/or professional qualifications demonstrating potential to undertake study at this level |
| Graduate Certificate in Corporate Finance | – An Undergraduate Degree, or – A related Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or – An unrelated Advanced Diploma or Diploma plus 2 years related industry experience, or – Academic and/or professional qualifications demonstrating potential to undertake study at this level. |
| Graduate Certificate in Mining Finance | – An Undergraduate Degree, or – A related Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or – An unrelated Advanced Diploma or Diploma plus 2 years related industry experience, or – Academic and/or professional qualifications demonstrating potential to undertake study at this level. |
*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.
Related industry experience
Related industry experience can include, but is not limited to:
Each Kaplan Professional postgraduate qualification has minimum entry requirements. Please ensure you meet the eligibility requirements required to enrol.
In order to complete your studies with Kaplan Professional, you are assumed to have the following skills and access relating to technology. Please click here to view our minimum technology requirements.
You may be able to obtain advanced standing for a Kaplan Professional subject based on your previous study, professional membership status and work experience.
Not all subjects are available in every study period so make sure you check your preferred subject is offered. Refer to the subject outline to understand hours of commitment and prerequisites.
Make sure you check the assessment timetable to ensure you are available to sit the assessment pieces.
You only pay fees for subject(s) in which you enrol each study period. Check the fee schedule for more information about fees.
FEE-HELP is also available. Click here to find out if you’re eligible.
You can enrol now and supply documentation to support your application for enrolment at a later date, within three weeks of your initial enrolment into the qualification.
On enrolment, new postgraduate students will be required to post an original certified copy of their previous studies.
If you are paying by cheque, utilising a deferral or have a preferred client code, you will need to download a copy of our paper-based enrolment form below.
Download a new student enrolment form >
Download a continuing student enrolment form >
Talk to a Student Adviser on 1300 135 798.
When you study at Kaplan Professional, you pay as you go. So you only need to pay for the subjects you intend to study each study period.
The fees listed below apply to all postgraduate subjects:
Subject Fees
| Enrolment fees | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017/2018 | AUD $2,325 |
Click here for a full list of fees and allowances.
FEE-HELP is also available. Click here to find out if you’re eligible.
Master of Applied Finance Pathway
Utilising advanced standing*, CFA® charterholders are eligible to receive six (6) exemptions from Kaplan Professional’s Master of Applied Finance.
In order to complete Kaplan’s Master of Applied Finance, CFA charterholders are required to complete five (5) subjects and one (1) research project.
Students may also opt to maximise their study efforts by completing the CFA program and Kaplan Professional’s Master of Applied Finance concurrently, and take advantage of up to six (6) subject exemptions from Kaplan Professional’s Master of Applied Finance. For example:
There are a number of CFA-MAF pathways and study plans available to suit your individual needs. Click here to learn more.
Click here to find out more about Kaplan Schweser’s CFA® Exam Preparation.
*Please refer to Kaplan Professional’s Advanced Standing Precedent list for more information.
Throughout your studies, you’ll be able to count on the helping hand of our knowledgeable and experienced Student Advice team, who are always a phone call or email away.
The Student Advice team will be in regular contact to keep you up to date with important information, as well as being able to assist with decisions about subject enrolments, completion pathways and general study advice.
If you have a condition or special learning need which impacts on your ability to study or to complete assessments, the following application processes are available to you:
Please make us aware of your circumstances at the time of your enrolment, or as soon as possible thereafter. Refer to the Assessment Policy for further information on both of these processes.
KapLearn is your virtual classroom where you can access your learning resources and activities. This enables you to connect to your course materials, industry experts and your fellow students. Contained within KapLearn are the following resources:
E-books are advanced digital versions of traditional subject notes, and use some of the latest technology to give you greater interactivity and accessibility throughout your studies.
E-books allow you to search for key words, highlight important content and write comments or calculations on the pages which you can print out and use for study purposes. You also have instant access to online learning resources such as online lectures, required readings and discussion forums.
In order to enhance the learning experience, students can access a number of presentations within their subject rooms. Depending on the learning resources required, subjects may incorporate the following:
Delivered by industry experts from Australia’s leading financial institutions they can be viewed online or downloaded as an MP3 allowing you to listen anytime, anywhere.
Each subject has an interactive discussion forum which gives you the opportunity to stimulate conversation, debate issues and share knowledge with other students. Each forum is facilitated by an industry practitioner who is a subject matter specialist who will guide you with your learning.
The Kaplan Library and Resource Centre provides a range of information and learning support resources, and research services to assist you in your studies. This includes access to online databases which contain full-text journal, magazine and newspaper articles, Australian company information and e-books.
Our library catalogue contains descriptive information about our book and e-book collections. The Library and Resource Centre also contains learning support materials to assist you with referencing including e-tutorials and quizzes; guides to using the databases; library policies; contact details for our preferred bookshops; and other useful resources.
Subjects require approximately 120 hours of student effort (11-12 hours per week). This includes time spent on activities, such as reading and review of subject materials, participating in e-learning activities, and assessment preparation and review.
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
