- Program summary
- Program overview
- Admission requirements
- Program requirements
- Program structure
- Enquiries
Program summary
Award abbreviation: GDFinPlan
Degree type: postgraduate coursework program
Mode of study: online
Duration: ⅔ year minimum, 2 years maximum full-time; 1⅓ years minimum, 4 years maximum part-time
Fee type 2009: international online fee-paying places, online postgraduate coursework places
Total courses: 8
Commencement: online coursework programs run on a session basis, three times a year, commencing in February, June and October (Session 1, 2 and 3)
Program code: BU611
CRICOS code: this program is delivered online only. International students please note the online mode is not available for study in Australia on a student visa.
Program overview
The Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning provides graduates with fundamental skills in financial planning, investment, risk management, and superannuation and taxation planning. In addition, the structure of the program allows you to select two courses according to your interest.
As a financial planner, on completion of this Graduate Diploma, you will have the skills to advise clients.
The Graduate Diploma is an eight-course program that builds on the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning and articulates into the Master of Financial Planning. The eight courses in the Graduate Diploma consist of six financial planning courses and two electives, which is equivalent to two-thirds of the Master of Financial Planning.
Professional membership
The University of the Sunshine Coast's courses are on the ASIC register of compliant training for financial advisors and the Financial Planning Association of Australia Ltd has approved the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning as a pathway to the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
Admission requirements
Applicants who possess a Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution or other formal qualifications acceptable to the Postgraduate Studies Financial Planning Committee, are able to apply.
Qualifications and experience and/or professional memberships may be approved as a suitable admission requirement into the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.
Applicants whose first language is other than English must demonstrate an appropriate level of English proficiency by providing evidence of one of the required qualifications.
Advanced standing
Course(s) completed elsewhere may count towards a student's qualification with the University of the Sunshine Coast. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Program requirements
Students are required to successfully complete 8 courses as specified in the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning structure. Refer to the Academic Rules for further information.
Program structure
The Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning program comprises 6 required courses plus any 2 elective courses.
Required courses
Session 1, early March – mid June
FIN710 Superannuation and Retirement Planning
FIN720 Financial and Investment Planning
Session 2, late June – mid October
BUS704 Corporate Finance
FIN721 Risk Management and Insurance Planning
Session 3, late October – mid February
FIN712 Taxation Planning and Estate Planning
FIN711 Financial Plan Development, Consulting and Negotiation *
Elective courses
Session 1, early March – mid June
ACC701 Accounting for Managers
BUS703 Managing Research
BUS705 Innovation and Entrepreneurship ^
BUS706 International Business Law and Ethics
INF701 Information Systems for Managers
MKG701 Marketing Management
FIN714 Financial Planning Project **
Session 2, late June – mid October
MGT702 Managing People
MGT703 Strategic Management ^
MGT704 Global Business Management
FIN714 Financial Planning Project **
Session 3, late October – mid February
ACC701 Accounting for Managers
BUS702 Economics for Managers
MGT701 Managing Organisations
MKG701 Marketing Management
FIN714 Financial Planning Project **
^ BUS705 Innovation and Entrepreneurship and MGT703 Strategic Management are integrative courses which draw on a wide range of theories and practices covered in other courses in the program. Where possible, BUS705 and MGT703 should be undertaken towards the end of the MFinPlan program.
Enquiries
Faculty of Business
Tel: +61 7 5430 1221
Fax: +61 7 5430 1231
Email: businessfaculty@usc.edu.au