Undergraduate SWI-BFP-DEG-2023
Bachelor of Business with a Major in Financial Planning
Change more than your clients’ money habits—change their lives
Work with clients to secure their financial futures. Under the guidance of experienced professionals, you’ll study taxation, retirement planning, and personal financial risk. Gain valuable industry connections and launch your career with confidence.
Available loans
Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Total subjects
24
Price
From
$45,426
Study method
100% Online
Assessments
100% online
CSP Available
Yes
Credit available
Yes
Applications Close
- 13 Aug 23
- 12 Nov 23
Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.
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QS Ranking 2023
18
Times Higher Education Ranking 2023
22
Degree details
Taxation:
Understand the major principles of tax planning issues and concepts.
Principles of Financial Planning:
Examines the management of financial planning practices and develop a Statement of Advice based on the unique characteristics and requirements of clients.
Ethical client relationships:
Learn about the fundamental ethical principles, the main ethical issues encountered, and the ethical behaviour support resources available, in professional financial planning services practice.
Investment planning:
Gain knowledge of the financial system, various regulatory bodies, key participants and potential risks in the financial markets.
Retirement and estate planning:
Learn about retirement planning with a particular focus on the superannuation industry and estate planning.
Management of Personal Financial Risk:
Gain understanding of the pervasive nature of pure risk on individual and society.
On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:
- define and integrate theoretical principles applicable to a business discipline and apply those principles in a range of practices
- systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources in order to make informed judgements on options for innovatively solving a range of problems that arise in business contexts
- formulate creative solutions that are fit for purpose and demonstrate cognisance of the impact of business decisions on the environment, economy and society
- coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas
- communicate a range of business arguments by evaluating and implementing alternative communication strategies as appropriate to the audience
- build on and continuously develop the intellectual independence to be critical and reflective learners, cognisant of new technologies
- work collaboratively in diverse groups.
Financial Planner
Assist individuals and companies to reach their long-term financial goals. Provide expert advice on investing, retirement planning, superannuation and other key financial aspects of people's lives.
Financial Adviser
Create tailored advice and education to help individuals reach their financial goals. Use your expert knowledge to help develop plans for investments as well as savings, budget, insurance, and tax strategies.
Paraplanner
Work with financial planners to prepare documents and data for clients. You'll use financial management software, such as Xplan, to keep track and play an important role in the financial planning process.
Business Analyst
In this dynamic role, you'll use data analytics to assess processes, determine requirements and deliver data-driven recommendations and reports to key stakeholders.
Business Development Manager
Your role is all about the future - new customers, new markets, new products and new processes. You'll plan and strategise development, helping your company to reach their business goals.
Commercial Analyst
Working within the finance team of a company, you'll prepare budgets, forecasts and use financial data to guide decision making.
Accountant
Help clients manage their finances and give expert advice on financial reporting, forecasting and analysis.
Finance Manager
Play a crucial role in supporting organisations to make informed financial decisions. You'll be able to find ways to improve profitability, a key aspect of financial leadership.
Professional recognition
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
Swinburne business degrees are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, and are a part of the five per cent of business schools worldwide accredited by AACSB. 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.
Financial Adviser Standards (FAS)
From January 2022, the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS), which forms part of the Treasury Department of the Australian Government, sets the education and training standards and the Code of Ethics for licensed financial advisers in Australia. Prior to FAS, this was managed by the Financial Advisers Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA).
FAS has approved Swinburne Online’s undergraduate and post graduate courses in Financial Planning. This includes the Bachelor of Business – Financial Planning and the Bachelor of Business – Accounting and Financial Planning. It also includes the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning.
Graduates of a FAS approved Swinburne course will satisfy the education standards and requirements prescribed by FAS to provide financial advice in Australia.
Financial Planning Australia's CFP Certified Program
Graduates are eligible for entry into the Financial Planning Association of Australia’s CFP (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER) certified program. Students who hold a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning from Swinburne Online will receive recognised prior learning for CFP1 – 4, and will only need to complete the CFP Capstone unit to become a CFP.
Higher education
Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.
Diploma entry pathways
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and provides advanced standing to the second.
Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree but in most instances you may receive up to 8 unit credits.
Our Course Consultants will step you through the process of entry and credit using previous study.
Secondary education
2022 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 60
Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
VCE prerequisites:
Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in English (or equivalent) or 30 in English (EAL).
Work and Life
Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for credit.
Applicants who have completed a Diploma in a related discipline may be eligible for credit of up to 8 units; the equivalent of a third of the course. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.
With a degree in Financial Planning, you’ll become the trusted expert people turn to for important advice throughout their lives. By sharing your expertise, you’ll enable your clients to reach their financial goals and make a real difference by doing so.
Taught by experienced professionals, you’ll use the latest financial software and collaborate with your peers on a consulting project for a live client, meaning you’ll be able to step into the workplace with confidence.
This course meets the educational requirements of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA). It is approved by the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS), ensuring you’ll learn the skills necessary to enter the financial planning industry with confidence.
Recommended Study Pattern
A total of 24 units are taken to complete the Bachelor of Business with a major in Financial Planning, including six core business units, two capstone units, eight financial planning major units and eight electives. In capstone units you combine the skills you'll learn throughout your degree and apply them to practical scenarios to solidify your knowledge. You'll collaborate with your peers and solve real business problems, giving you the confidence to step into the workforce with practical experience.
Core Business units
Learning and Communicating for Innovative Business Practice (COM10011)
Financial Information for Decision Making (ACC10007)
Economic Principles (ECO10004)
Introduction to Business Information Systems (INF10003)
Introduction to Management (MGT10001)
Fundamentals of Marketing (MKT10007)
Capstone units
Industry Consulting Project (BUS30009)
Advanced Innovative Business Practice (BUS30024)
Financial Planning major units
Taxation (ACC30005)
Principles of Financial Planning (FIN10003)
Ethics and Client Relationships (FIN20015)
Investment and Financial Planning Project (FIN30017)
Law of Commerce (LAW20019)
Finance and Behavioural Bias (FIN20017)
Retirement Planning (FIN30023)
Personal Financial Risk and Estate Planning (FIN30022)
Elective options can be viewed on the Swinburne Online website.
Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:
- eight core Bachelor of Business units of study (100 credit points);
- eight units of study from a Business discipline major (100 credit points) or
- sixteen units from the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major (200 credit points)
- four units of study from the Professional Placement co-major (100 credit points) and
- six units of study comprising an advanced minor, minor or electives (75 credit points) Note: not required if you have completed the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major
Please note: if a student completes the Accounting and Finance Professional Program they would complete 400 credit points.
Students who elect to undertake a six-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5-350 credit points comprising:
- eight core Bachelor of Business units of study (100 credit points)
- eight units of study from a Business discipline major (100 credit points) or
- sixteen [16] units from the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major (200 credit points)
- two units of study from the Professional Placement minor (50 credit points); and
- seven units of study comprising an advanced minor, minor or electives (87.5 credit points) Note: not required if you have completed the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major.
Award Requirements
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Business students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:
- eight prescribed Bachelor of Business core units (100 credit points)
- eight units of study from a business discipline major in one of the following: Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Financial Planning, Health Management and Communication, Human Resource Management, International Business, Information Systems, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Management, Marketing or Sports Management (Swinburne Online) (100 credit points)
OR sixteen units from the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major (200 credit points)
- eight units of Secondary studies (100 credit points) comprising of a second major, minor/s, or electives (NOTE: Students undertaking the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major will not need to undertake secondary studies).
Students also have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning professional placement. Students complete no more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level (i.e. Stage 1). A unit of study can only be counted once. Where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative unit.