Master of Financial Planning | International Student Courses | Swinburne University

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MA-FINPL Postgraduate Hawthorn Send me a link to this course

Join Australia’s fast-growing financial planning industry with our FASEA-approved Masters.

Designed for both aspiring and early-career financial planners, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to provide tailored, professional financial advice in accordance to professional standards and the FASEA code of ethics. Credits for prior study and experience are available.

Develop the life skills needed to work well with clients while navigating complex financial matters in estate planning, investment, taxation, insurance, financial markets, money and asset management.

You’ll become adept at using industry software (XPLAN) and build your awareness of the industry through site visits, industry annual roadshows and specialist guest speakers.

Swinburne’s partnership with the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), allows you to combine your Master of Financial Planning with the CFP® Certification Program. Complete the final CFP® Certification Unit as your elective choice and, on graduation, you’ll meet the educational requirements of the CFP® Certification Program. You can then apply for the CFP® designation once you’ve also met industry experience requirements.

This course is approved by the Financial Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) and professionally accredited by the Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC). Students are eligible to apply for membership to the FPA. Existing financial advisers may also meet the Tax Financial Advisor registration requirements.

Information sessions

Find out how you can meet us in your home country or in Australia.

Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 75% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.

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Duration

18 Month/s

Intakes

Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates

CRICOS code

098548J

Fees

A$36480 (annual for 2021)*

The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Course information in detail

- Course detail, course structure and units of study.

Course description

This Master of Financial Planning offers participants the opportunity to specialise in Financial Planning for professional recognition. A career in Financial Planning is about helping clients to manage their risks, grow their wealth and plan for their retirements that requires gaining substantial knowledge in fields of investment, insurance, taxation, superannuation and estate planning. This course also introduces students to the regulations and ethical principles that are required for a successful career in this industry. The course builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma. It further develops the analytical and creative skills necessary when dealing with Financial Planning issues within planning and decision-making

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Master of Financial Planning, students must complete 150 credit points comprising:

11 core units of study (137.5 credit points)
1 elective unit of study (12.5)

It is recommended that students pursuing a CPA accreditation undertake ACC80008 as an elective. Students seeking CFP accreditation are advised to undertake and complete the CFP Certification Capstone unit (CFP C) with FPA and apply for an exemption towards the elective.

Students progressing from the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning or Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning will be given full credit for the units completed.

Units of study

Core units

Students must complete 11 core units listed below

ACC60008 Accounting Systems and Reporting

ACC80012 Taxation Principles and Planning *

ECO80001 Economics
FIN60010 Elements of Financial Planning and Regulation
FIN60011 Behavioural Finance and Investment *
FIN60012 Ethics and Client Management *

FIN80005 Corporate Financial Management *

FIN80022 Insurance and Estate Planning

FIN80023 Superannuation and Retirement Planning *

FIN80025 Financial Advice Technology Project *
LAW60003 Corporations and Contract Law

Elective Unit
Students who wish to pursue CPA accreditation must complete this unit. Students may wish to complete the external FPA CFP Certification Capstone unit (CFP C) and apply for an exemption towards this unit.
ACC80008 Managerial Accounting

*Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.

Career opportunities

This Master of Financial Planning offers participants the opportunity to specialise in Financial Planning for professional recognition. A career in Financial Planning is about helping clients to manage their risks, grow their wealth and plan for their retirements. That requires gaining substantial knowledge in fields of investment, insurance, taxation, superannuation and estate planning. This course also introduces students to the regulations and ethical principles that are required for a successful career in this industry. The course builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma. It further develops the analytical and creative skills necessary when dealing with Financial Planning issues within planning and decision-making. Students will have the opportunity to join the financial advice industry in a managerial role as a financial planner in the fields of investment, insurance, superannuation and estate planning.

Aims and objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

apply coherent and advanced knowledge of financial planning and business concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking
apply problem solving, design and decision making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
communicate proficiently with clients, gather and interpret appropriate data and use advanced tools and practices to produce a financial plan
demonstrate integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect and a broad awareness of the professional code of conduct and cultural norms
critically analyse and evaluate a range of complex information to produce systematic strategies for wealth creation and risk minimisation in preparing financial advice
apply knowledge of research principles to plan and execute a piece of research independently
function as an effective member of a diverse team and take responsibility for continuing professional development.

Professional recognition

The Master of Financial Planning is approved by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA). Students may also be eligible for recognition as a Tax Financial Advisor with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). Registration with TPB also depends on students’ previous work experience being assessed and final confirmation of eligibility will be provided by TPB.

A FASEA approved degree is mandatory in order to practice as a financial planner or advisor in Australia.

Pathways and scholarships

- Scholarships.

Scholarships

At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. Find out more about scholarships.

Course fees and requirements

- Fees, entry requirements and English language requirements.

Course fees

A$36480 (annual for 2021)*

Entry requirements

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.

a recognised bachelor degree in a related discipline or
a recognised bachelor degree in any discipline PLUS a minimum of two year equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* or
a Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning ** or
completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program PLUS either previous Higher Education Study in a related discipline OR a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* (International applicants only)

*Relevant professional/managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to Faculty determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application. Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.

**Students entering under this admission requirement will be given full credit for the units completed.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65%
Or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

How to apply

Find out more about how to apply.

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry
Tel: +613 9214 8444 (outside Australia)
Free call: 1300 794 628 (within Australia)
Email: international@swinburne.edu.au