Master of Financial Planning

Graduates of the Master of Financial Planning will have:

1. Advanced theoretical and technical financial planning knowledge in the areas such as financial markets, investments, taxation, risk management, retirement and estate planning and behavioural finance
2. Understanding of the principles and methods that underpin research within the financial planning field
3. Sound understanding of ethical principles, standards and practices in the financial planning profession.

The Master of Financial Planning provides the high level knowledge and skills required of the modern financial adviser to start and progress their career. This includes coverage of the practice and theory of financial planning including financial markets, investments, risk management, taxation, retirement and estate planning, and behavioural finance.

You will graduate with a degree accredited under the standards set out by the Financial Adviser Standards and Conduct Unit (FASCU).

The program has a foundation component which allows those without a prior degree in financial planning who are looking for a career change to participate. Those with experience in the field can also enter the program and progress to the advanced level study.

Griffith University offers a range of flexible delivery modes online. Find out more about our Financial Planning programs.

Recommended study pattern

This program is offered full-time and part-time online in Trimester 1 and Trimester 2. It is only offered as part time online in Trimester 3.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Financial Planning (MFinPlan), you must successfully Complete 120 credit points for one of the following:

• 80 credit points for all Pathway 1 - duration 1 year (80CP of study and 40CP for prior learning), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 2 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 3 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study)

Exit points

To be eligible to exit with the 3322 - Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning award, you must successfully complete the 40 credit points of courses.

To exit, you should apply for a program transfer.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $48,750

The amounts shown here are 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.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University.

Explore Griffith courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Financial Planning, you must have one of: 

Pathway 1 - 1 year program (80CP):

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a *related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; AND a minimum 5 years full-time (or equivalent) relevant ^professional experience OR hold the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) designation completed through coursework.

Pathway 2 - 1.5 year program (120CP - Dissertation OR Integrated Master Pathway):

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a *related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; OR
• A recognized Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale AND hold the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) designation completed through coursework.

Pathway 3 - 1.5 year program (120CP):  

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale AND a minimum 2 years full-time (or equivalent) relevant ^professional experience. 

*Related Discipline: Accounting, economics, financial planning, finance.  

^5 years full-time Relevant Professional Experience: Relevant Professional Experience is defined as employment in financial advice including Financial Planner, Adviser or Paraplanner or meet the definition of an 'existing provider' as detailed in the Professional Standards legislation.

*2 years full-time Relevant Professional Experience: Relevant Professional Experience is defined as employment in a position in financial services. For example: banking, superannuation, accounting, financial analyst, insurance.

A higher qualification refers to a qualification at a higher level than a Bachelor qualification, which includes any of the following: a Bachelor Honours Degree; Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree, MPhil or PhD.  

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.