Master of Finance
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Master of Finance is a forward-looking, specialist program designed to boost your career prospects in the finance, investment and banking sector.
Be challenged with real-world issues, applied projects, robust discussions with practising professionals, and learn how fintech is transforming the financial world.
Prepare for the new financial frontier with an understanding of how to embrace the lightning-fast technological advances in areas such as AI, big data, blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
Develop the skills and knowledge required to be a proficient analyst. One with strong abilities in data analysis and visualisation. This course will also equip you with a strong sense of ethics and social responsibilities within the finance and investment sector as well as and legal and regulatory compliance.
The curriculum in this course covers seventy percent of the Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) needed to sit the Chartered Financial Analyst and CAIA accreditation exams.
Our finance master program is highly flexible with blended online and on-campus options and a wide range of specialisations and electives.
Depending on prior learning and experience, you may complete the Master of Finance in one year, 18 months or two years.
Duration
1 year, 1.5 years or 2 years full-time or equivalent part-time (dependent on prior qualifications and experience)
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Part-time
2023 Start Dates
2024 Start Dates
Professionally accredited by

Course industry partners include

Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Swinburne’s Master of Finance is a forward-looking and industry relevant program. Our graduates will be proficient analysts, who are respectful of ethical values and their social responsibilities and able to demonstrate expertise in financial technology. This program will include units about Financial Technology, Data Analysis and Visualisation to address industry demand for finance graduates who have skills in technology and data analysis. The program will embed ethics and/or social responsibility discussions in all of its units. In addition, the unit of Ethics and Behavioural Finance will be specifically dedicated to ethical and compliance responsibilities of financial experts. This course will allow students to choose from 11 specialisations, this includes Accounting, Financial Planning, Financial Technologies, Business Information Systems, Digital Marketing, Human Resource Management, Research, Project Management, Supply Chain Innovation, Data Analytics and Corporate Governance.
- Graduate Certificate of Finance (GC-FIN) ^
- Graduate Diploma of Finance (GD-FIN) ^
Course structure
- 4 foundation units (50 credit points)
- 8 core units (100 credit points)
- 4 units comprising one specialisation or four (4) elective units (50 credit points)
Students with a previous relevant qualification from a recognised institution and/or relevant work experience may be eligible for exemptions from the foundation units or core block of units. If found eligible students may either complete a total of 100cps (8 units) or 150cps (12 units), please refer to the course entrance requirements for more information. Exemptions for the core block of units will only be evaluated and awarded at the discretion of the Course Director and Post Graduate Director
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Master of Marketing is 100 credit points (normally 8 units).
Units of study
Students to complete ACC60008 as core and select any three from the remaining list of units.
Students must complete any four units from the list below.
Students must complete FIN60006 as core and select any three from the remaining list of units.
FIN60006 Frontiers in FinTech
Students must select up to four units from the list below. NOTE: some units are equal to 25cps.
Students to complete INF70005 as core and select any three from the remaining list of units.
Students must complete any four units from the list below.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- Apply coherent and advanced knowledge of finance and financial technology concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking
- Exercise judgement and creativity and apply problem solving, design and decision making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex financial problems with intellectual independence
- Communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences and convey complex financial information and recommendations
- Exhibit professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, professional accountability and a deep awareness of professional practices in a global and sustainable context
- Function as an effective member of a team
- Apply finance and financial technology applications to the analysis, design and operation of business models using advanced quantitative finance theories and methods in an ethical manner
- Apply knowledge of research principles to plan and execute a piece of research independently

Graduate skills
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas and an ability to engage in critical enquiry
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- effective and ethical in work, community situations and reasoning skills
- adaptable and able to manage change, and
- aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. social-cultural, economic and natural).
Professional recognition
Master of Finance is recognised under the CFA Institute Affiliated University. The course covers at least 70% of all three topic levels of the CFA program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) placing emphasis on the CFA Institute Codes of Ethics and Standards of Practice. This recognition signals to students, employers and the marketplace that that Swinburne’s curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well suited to preparing you for employment in the finance and investment industry, and for sitting the CFA examination. Students in the Master of Finance may be eligible for CFA Program Student Scholarships.
Pathways and scholarships
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.

AACSB Accreditation
Swinburne business degrees are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. The alumni of AACSB accredited business schools are among the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs impacting business, government, and non-profit sectors. Only five per cent of business schools worldwide are AACSB accredited.

Begin your path to Chartered Financial Analyst®
Swinburne's Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business (Professional) with major in Finance together with Master of Finance incorporates at least 70 percent of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) and emphasises CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Students of these programs have a head start to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and selected students of these programs may receive CFA scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
Entry requirements
- completed a bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent OR
- completed the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to International applicants only)
- the Graduate Certificate of Finance; or
- an honours bachelor degree in a related discipline
- a bachelor degree in a related discipline; or
- a graduate certificate in a related discipline; or
- a bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline and have two years relevant work experience* or
- the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to International applicants only) PLUS either previous related discipline Higher Education Study, OR a minimum of two years relevant work experience*