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Course overview


STUDY MODE

100% online

NUMBER OF SUBJECTS

8

NEXT INTAKE

28 Oct 2024

COURSE FEE

$20,800.00

AVAILABLE LOANS

FEE-HELP

AQF LEVEL

8

COURSE DURATION

1.25 years full-time
2.5 years part-time
10 months accelerated full-time

PROVIDER ID

PRV12030


The Graduate Diploma of Financial Services (and nested courses) are the first higher education qualifications in Australia dedicated solely to the financial services industry. This 8-subject qualification is designed to give you the opportunity to begin focusing on a particular area of financial services relevant to you and your career. It provides a uniquely flexible learning experience, enabling you to structure your learning to suit your individual needs and career path, both immediately and into the future.

The two core subjects are designed to encourage you to explore and further understand the contemporary financial services industry. For the remaining six elective subjects, you have the freedom to choose from a broad elective pool spanning the following areas:

  • Financial advice (including specialist areas such as Self-Managed Superannuation Funds, Debt Strategies and Aged Care)
  • Corporate Finance
  • Investment Analysis
  • Project Management
  • Business Intelligence

Who is this course for?

  • Existing financial services professionals seeking to differentiate themselves and advance their career
  • Professionals from other fields looking to jumpstart their entry into a financial services career
  • Existing financial services professionals seeking to move beyond technical knowledge to develop a unique understanding of the complexities of this sector to drive change and lead effectively
  • Corporate cohorts, as it can be tailored to address specific business priorities

Course structure

Subjects

Single subject study is also availableClick here for full subject availability. 

Program structure

CourseNumber of SubjectsSubjects required to completeMaximum time frame to complete
Graduate Certificate in
Financial Services
42 core subjects
+
2 elective subjects
3 years
(18 Study Periods)
Graduate Diploma of
Financial Services
82 core subjects
+
6 elective subjects
4 years
(24 Study Periods)
Master of Financial Services123 core subjects
+
9 elective subjects
(Maximum 4 from AQF level 8 subjects, minimum 5 from AQF level 9 subjects)
5 years
(30 Study Periods)

Progress your qualification

If you have graduated with a Kaplan Professional postgraduate qualification, you may wish to progress to a higher qualification.

 

Exit qualifications

Graduate Certificate in Financial Services

Learning outcomes

Course learning outcomes

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

  • Analyse professional roles and responsibilities in the context of the financial services industry
  • Evaluate the ethical and regulatory frameworks within the financial services industry
  • Explore the current and future state of the financial services industry by drawing on relevant theories, models and case studies
  • Evaluate the advantages, disadvantages and risks posed by financial services innovation in a workplace context

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.

Potential career paths

  • Managerial positions including client services manager, relationship manager, portfolio manager, risk manager, compliance/governance manager, claims manager, underwriting manager, branch manager, funds manager and investment manager
  • Adviser or consultant including financial adviser, corporate finance adviser and investment consultant
  • Analytical roles including investment analyst, financial risk analyst, business analyst and compliance analyst
  • Specialist roles including home lending specialist, customer engagement specialist, risk specialist, insurance specialist
  • Support roles in financial services or financial advice (such as human resources or IT)
Potential career paths

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

  • Analyse professional roles and responsibilities in the context of the financial services industry
  • Evaluate the ethical and regulatory frameworks within the financial services industry
  • Explore the current and future state of the financial services industry by drawing on relevant theories, models and case studies
  • Evaluate the advantages, disadvantages and risks posed by financial services innovation in a workplace context

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.

  • Managerial positions including client services manager, relationship manager, portfolio manager, risk manager, compliance/governance manager, claims manager, underwriting manager, branch manager, funds manager and investment manager
  • Adviser or consultant including financial adviser, corporate finance adviser and investment consultant
  • Analytical roles including investment analyst, financial risk analyst, business analyst and compliance analyst
  • Specialist roles including home lending specialist, customer engagement specialist, risk specialist, insurance specialist
  • Support roles in financial services or financial advice (such as human resources or IT)
Potential career paths

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.

Study Period 5 2024

29 Jul 2024 - 15 Nov 2024

❌ Enrolments now closed

Early access opens 29 July 2024

Early access to assessments 12 August 2024

Study period commences 26 August 2024

Enrolments close/census 11 September 2024

Study period ends 15 November 2024

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 6 2024

30 Sep 2024 - 17 Jan 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 30 September 2024

Early access to assessments 14 October 2024

Study period commences 28 October 2024

Enrolments close/census 13 November 2024

Study period ends 17 January 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 1 2025

16 Dec 2024 - 4 Apr 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 16 December 2024

Early access to assessments 30 December 2024

Study period commences 13 January 2025

Enrolments close/census 29 January 2025

Study period ends 4 April 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 2 2025

10 Feb 2025 - 30 May 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 10 February 2025

Early access to assessments 24 February 2025

Study period commences 10 March 2025

Enrolments close/census 26 March 2025

Study period ends 30 May 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 3 2025

7 Apr 2025 - 25 Jul 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 7 April 2025

Early access to assessments 21 April 2025

Study period commences 5 May 2025

Enrolments close/census 21 May 2025

Study period ends 25 July 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 4 2025

2 Jun 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 2 June 2025

Early access to assessments 16 June 2025

Study period commences 30 June 2025

Enrolments close/census 16 July 2025

Study period ends 19 September 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

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

Entry requirements

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.

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.

Minimum education requirement 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 two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
  • At least four 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 certified documents supporting that you have met the requirements for entry into the course.

*Related disciplines include:

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

Don’t meet the above entry requirements?

You may be eligible to pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Financial Services by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Services. Please refer to the ‘Entry requirements’ section on the Graduate Certification in Financial services page.

You may also 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, or feel free to contact 1300 135 798 (option 1) or courseadvice@kaplan.edu.au to discuss your options.

Related industry experience

Related industry/work experience includes:

  • Working in a financial services-related role
  • Self-employed in the financial services industry

Recognition of Prior Learning

Advanced standing may be awarded in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for your prior studies that are directly related to the qualification.

We recognise various types of prior learning towards this qualification:

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

Recognition of prior learning for the following Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) subjects will only be granted if your prior studies are listed within Schedule 2 – Courses and units of study of the Corporations (Relevant Providers Degrees, Qualifications and Courses Standard) Determination 2021. Industry experience is not eligible for recognition of prior learning for these subjects.

  • FPC001B Economic and Legal Context for Financial Planning
  • FPC002B Ethics and Professionalism in Financial Advice
  • FPC007B Client Engagement Skills

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), review the advanced standing ‘Precedent list,’ and get detailed guidance on the application process here.

  • 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 two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
  • At least four 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 certified documents supporting that you have met the requirements for entry into the course.

*Related disciplines include:

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

You may be eligible to pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Financial Services by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Services. Please refer to the ‘Entry requirements’ section on the Graduate Certification in Financial services page.

You may also 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, or feel free to contact 1300 135 798 (option 1) or courseadvice@kaplan.edu.au to discuss your options.

Related industry/work experience includes:

  • Working in a financial services-related role
  • Self-employed in the financial services industry

Advanced standing may be awarded in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for your prior studies that are directly related to the qualification.

We recognise various types of prior learning towards this qualification:

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

Recognition of prior learning for the following Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) subjects will only be granted if your prior studies are listed within Schedule 2 – Courses and units of study of the Corporations (Relevant Providers Degrees, Qualifications and Courses Standard) Determination 2021. Industry experience is not eligible for recognition of prior learning for these subjects.

  • FPC001B Economic and Legal Context for Financial Planning
  • FPC002B Ethics and Professionalism in Financial Advice
  • FPC007B Client Engagement Skills

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), review the advanced standing ‘Precedent list,’ and get detailed guidance on the application process here.

How to apply

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.

Find out more

You can apply to study with Kaplan Professional by completing our online application (enrolment) form.

Alternatively, you can submit a hard copy of the application (enrolment) 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.

Apply (enrol) now

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

Find out more

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.

You should also check the individual subject outlines to understand the recommended study time commitments for the subject, along with any recommended assumed knowledge. View a list of applied finance subjects here.

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

Why choose us

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kaplan Professional is evolving how subjects are being assessed. We are reducing our use of exams in favour of including more practical, workplace assessments.

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.

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.

Fees and FEE-HELP

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:

Enrolment feesFee
Subject fee 2024$2,600 (GST free)

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 (enrolment) form>

Other fees

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

Support and wellbeing

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.

Support and wellbeing

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.

Programs you might be interested in

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Master of Applied Finance

Leading online degree 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 caters to experienced finance professionals and those transitioning into the field, integrating learning outcomes with pathways for further accreditation such as a CFA®.
CRS1200368

Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning

An eight-subject postgraduate qualification set at AQF Level 8 and FAS approved. Includes the first eight subjects of the FAS-approved Master of Financial Planning.

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