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Master of Finance
PostgraduateRMI-MFC-MAS2018
Course information for 2018 intake
Gain high level technical expertise to practise finance at an elite level
Gain technical expertise in finance by studying core subjects including financial statement analysis, risk management, research design and portfolio management. Graduates develop a broad understanding of contemporary issues and business practices.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 12
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Finance
About this degree
On successful completion of this degree you will be able to:
- demonstrate a broad, critical and practical understanding of contemporary issues and practices in business
- apply concepts, principles, theories and methods in the area of finance, risk management, legal practice and corporate governance to contribute to the implementation of the financial goals of an organisation
- critically analyse and evaluate financial models to resolve problems using various solutions drawn from theories
- pursue continuous personal development and knowledge and skills relating to a business career
- engage with business activities in a socially responsible and ethical manner
- communicate ideas, intentions and outcomes clearly, and negotiate issues and resolve conflicts in bilateral and team settings using appropriate communication modes for specialists and non-specialist audiences
- collaborate with others effectively, including in teams, in the workplace, and in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts
- apply research principles and methods to design innovative options and solutions for, and make reasoned judgements about, problems and issues in contemporary business practice
- apply and integrate professional theory with practice in authentic Work Integrated Learning (WIL) contexts, professional contexts and industry settings.
The Master of Finance will provide you with practical and theoretical foundations in finance. This program integrates work and learning, and aims to develop specific knowledge and skills in finance, and more generic capabilities in research, analysis and problem-solving, to meet the current and future expectations of finance and related industries.
The program prepares students for financial problems they will encounter in business, equipping them with the skills to identify and explore complex elements and develop innovative solutions. Over the duration of the course you will experience a variety of learning experiences which are designed to assist in developing skills as a finance professional and an independent and lifelong learner. Teaching and learning approaches for this course include: lectures and tutorials, problem-based learning, assignments, projects, the use of assessment and feedback tools. The types of assessment used in the course may take the form of formal examinations, assignments, case studies, projects, and online tests.
In the first year of the program, the aim of the courses is to provide students with the fundamental theoretical aspects of finance. This allows students to develop a solid foundation for later studies in finance and will enable them to provide discipline-based solutions within a business, professional or public context. In the second year of the program, students will develop a sound knowledge base and acquire a thorough understanding across specific areas of finance. Most units involve a research project component where students must demonstrate their ability to interact with industry, complete an activity in a work context and work in a multidisciplinary team.
The range of occupations available for graduates of this course is varied, but includes banking, stockbroking, funds management, insurance and superannuation industries or in other private sector or government organisations which have a requirement for a high level, technical expertise in finance.
The capstone unit Portfolio Management will give you the opportunity to critically reflect on this program’s curriculum. The course will promote the integration and synthesis of a range of knowledge and skills gained in the program and the application of these in discipline related real-world scenarios leading to work readiness or entry to graduate studies.
Recommended study pattern
The Master of Finance is comprised of twelve (12) core subjects as follows:
Stage A:- MFIN1070 Financial Statement Analysis
- MFIN1113 Principles of Finance
- MFIN1095 Quantitative Methods in Finance
- MPAC60 Economic Analysis for Business
Stage B:
- MFIN1059 Corporate Finance
- MFIN2081 Options, Futures and Risk Management
- MFIN2077 Investment Analysis
- MFIN1075 International Finance
Stage C:
- BUSM4449 Business Research Design
- MFIN1065 Fixed Income Securities and Credit Analysis
- MFIN3180 Alternative Securities
- MFIN3178 Portfolio Management
Award requirements
To meet the requirements of the Master of Finance award, students must satisfactorily complete 12 core subjects.
Exit points
The Master of Finance has two early exit points.
Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Finance after the successful completion of the first four (4) subjects:
- MFIN1070 Financial Statement Analysis
- MFIN1113 Principles of Finance
- MFIN1095 Quantitative Methods in Finance
- MPAC60 Economic Analysis for Business
Students may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Finance after the successful completion of the first eight (8) subjects:
- MFIN1070 Financial Statement Analysis
- MFIN1113 Principles of Finance
- MFIN1095 Quantitative Methods in Finance
- MPAC60 Economic Analysis for Business
- MFIN1059 Corporate Finance
- MFIN2081 Options, Futures and Risk Management
- MFIN2077 Investment Analysis
- MFIN1075 International Finance
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
The Master of Finance/Graduate Certificate in Finance has undergone a major change in 2017. Please refer to the information below for Transition Arrangements.
- If you have completed Stage A in the old program structure, plus MFIN1059 Corporate Finance and MFIN1065 Money Markets and Fixed Income Securities, you must complete MFIN1070 Financial Statement Analysis, MFIN1113 Principles of Finance, MFIN1095 Quantitative Methods in Finance and MPAC60 Economic, Analysis for Business before completing the remaining courses in the new program structure
- If you have completed Stages A and B in the old program structure, you must complete MFIN1113 Principles of Finance, MPAC60 Economic Analysis for Business, MFIN2077 Investment Analysis and MFIN2081 Options, Futures and Risk Management before completing the remaining courses in the new program structure
- If you have completed Stages A and B in the old program structure, plus MFIN1075 International Finance and MFIN2081 Risk Management and Financial Engineering, you are required to complete MFIN1113 Principles of Finance and MPAC60 Economic Analysis for Business in your next semester. You will also need to complete MFIN2077 Investment Analysis, BUSM4449 Business Research Design, MFIN3180 Alternative Securities and MFIN3178 Portfolio Management
- If you have completed Stages A, B and C in the old program structure, You are not required to complete MFIN1113 Principles of Economics and MPAC60 Economic Analysis for Business. You are now required to complete MFIN2077 Investment Analysis, BUSM4449 Business Research Design, MFIN3180 Alternative Securities and MFIN3178 Portfolio Management
- If you have not yet completed BAFI3222 Research Project in Finance, you are no longer required to and should complete MFIN3180 Alternative Securities AND MFIN3178 Portfolio Management instead
- For students who have completed one or more optional courses in in the old program structure that are now core courses in the new structure, individual transition plans will be developed
- For students who are not progressing in the normal sequence, individual transition plans will be developed.
For further information about this change, students can contact Business Central via email to business-student@rmit.edu.au.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $50,400
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
One of Australia's largest dual-sector institutes, offering both TAFE and higher education, RMIT University proudly delivers work-related education and practical research relevant to current business and community needs. More than 96,000 students study with RMIT, and many of their degrees are available through Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about RMIT University.
Explore RMIT courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 16
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
You must meet one of the following requirements:
- Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent in Business (or a related discipline) that includes quantitative studies; or
- Successful completion of the RMIT Graduate Certificate in Finance; or
- Australian Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters degree or equivalent in Business (or a related discipline) that includes quantitative studies.
All non-Australian residents and overseas full-fee paying students are required to meet RMIT English language requirements. For more information on these requirements and acceptable English Language tests please see:
Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Finance will articulate to the Master of Finance with advanced standing of the following four (4) Business enabling subjects:
- Management 1 - Managing People
- Business and Government in the Global Context
- Global Business and Social Technology: A Case Study Approach
- Accounting for Management Decisions
Credits will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT University's Credit Policy.
If you wish to apply for RPL or Credit, please complete the below PDF form and attach it to your degree application.
If you have already submitted your degree application, please send your RPL/Credit application directly to RMIT via RMIT Connect
RMIT Credit RPL Application Form (661 KB)
Career opportunities
Professional recognition
This program is not accredited by professional bodies. However, some professional bodies may offer qualification recognition on a case by case basis. Students and/or graduates should contact the professional body of interest directly to seek advice on recognition of their qualification.
The information below lists the professional bodies who may offer membership to students and/or graduates as a career enabler which could include opportunities for networking and access to discipline specific resources. Application for membership is the student/graduate's responsibility.
Financial Services Institute of Australia [FINSIA]
- Students eligible for membership category: Student
- Graduates eligible for membership category: Affiliate
- Graduates eligible for membership category: Associate (require 3+ years experience)
- Graduates eligible for membership category: Senior Associate (require 5+ years experience)
Finance and Treasury Association [FTA]
Graduates eligible for membership category: Certified Finance and Treasury Professional
An extensive network of industry connections supports this program. Business practitioners, lecturers from industry, guest speakers and industry-relevant projects underpin the work integrated learning components of this program. An industry advisory board ensures current standards and practice are reflected in this program.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Finance Managers | Over $120K | Up 24.7% |
| Financial Brokers | Over $120K | Up 47.5% |
| Financial Dealers | Over $120K | Up 4.8% |
| Financial Investment Advisers and Managers | Over $120K | Up 25.4% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
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Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
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