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Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance

SPECIAL OFFER for Trimester 3. Enrol in the Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance before 31 August and get 10% off the normal subject fee (subject fees: standard - $1,200 $1,080 and Finsia members - $1,075 $967.50).

The Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance sets the benchmark for practical learning in financial services education. The Graduate Diploma is recognised by industry and will ensure you meet your career goals. You can choose to specialise in a particular finance area by following an elective stream or you can select a generalist pathway and study subjects that suit you. Either way, Kaplan Professional’s Graduate Diploma will help you build a solid foundation to make sure you achieve your next career move. The Graduate Diploma consists of:

• Four core subjects that provide you with essential knowledge for a career in finance.
• The choice of four elective subjects from a diverse range of subjects that meet your career aspirations.

This page contains:

• Course Structure and Subject Outlines
• Who Should Enrol
• Course Information
• Recognition & Exemptions
• Pathways – FPA
• ASIC Compliance
• Industry Recognition
• Course Fees
• Enrolment and Further Information
• Study Information

Course structure and subject outlines

Follow the link to find out more about each subject to help you structure your studies to suit your interests. 

4 compulsory core subjects

4 elective subjects

Note: For equivalent Finsia education postgraduate subjects, please refer to the Transition Table. Students may enrol in an equivalent Finsia Education subject if the Kaplan subject is not yet available.

Who Should Enrol

This practical and flexible course suits a variety of career ambitions. The Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance is ideal for:

• graduates embarking on a career in finance
• professionals seeking a career change
• individuals working in finance who need specialist skills to expand their career prospects.

What would you achieve upon completion?

Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance, you’ll be able to:

• discuss and apply key financial theories and practices relevant to specific financial contexts
• analyse and anticipate financial positions using financial calculations and analysis tools
• identify, analyse and anticipate the impact of global influences on local financial conditions and circumstances
• demonstrate advanced knowledge through the analysis, evaluation and application of relevant concepts, theories and techniques
• apply problem-solving techniques to a range of financial situations
• identify and apply risk management techniques to a range of financial situations
• discuss and apply relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice to a variety of scenarios in the financial services industry. 

Course Information

Course admission requirements

Students wishing to gain entry into the Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance must meet one of the following entry requirements:

• a related Undergraduate Degree or Graduate Certificate from a recognised Higher Education provider (including National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition), or
• an unrelated Undergraduate Degree or Graduate Certificate from a recognised Higher Education provider (including National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition), plus 2 years of related industry experience, or
• other academic and/or professional qualifications.

Note: Applicants whose undergraduate degree was not completed in English, or whose work in the finance industry was not carried out in English must demonstrate English proficiency to the overall band score of 6.5 in the IELTS test, and with a minimum score of 6.0 for each section of the IELTS.

For further details including information on non-degree entry, refer to Postgraduate Entry Requirements for more detail.

Non-degree Entry may be granted to applicants with appropriate industry experience and/or academic or professional qualifications. Refer to the Student Handbook for more information.

Recommended and prerequisite knowledge

• a general understanding of the characteristics and operation of the financial services industry.
• the four (4) core subjects are prerequisite knowledge for the elective subjects.
• individual elective subjects may have other elective subjects as prerequisite knowledge. These requirements are set out in the subject outlines.

Want to specialise? How do I choose subjects?

Choose from the recommended subjects in the following streams to gain a major in a specialist area and achieve your career ambitions:

• Investment Management 
• Wealth Management
• Corporate Finance/Advisory
• Financial Planning
• Banking 
• Financial Markets

Download the Table of elective stream options (PDF)

Course completion requirements

Students must successfully complete four core subjects and four electives (48 credit points) within four (4) years of the initial date of enrolment in the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma to take out the Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance award. It is possible to achieve this qualification in four trimesters or just over one year.

Refer to the Postgraduate Progression Policy for further details.

Course delivery modes

A blended solution linking:

• paper-based study materials and textbooks
• a comprehensive manual which guides students through activities related to their learning of the subject
• internet-based teaching and learning activities 
• face-to-face lectures and/or audio lectures
• online learning community interactions through facilitated discussion forums, chat rooms and Web-casting
• a secure e-learning environment known as 'Subject Rooms' which host a wide range of self-assessment and interactive learning resources and 'helpline' functions.

Assessment

The course assessment strategy is designed to provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their advanced knowledge and technical skills and apply them to a range of authentic industry situations. The emphasis is on assessing the higher order skills of critical reasoning, analysis, evaluation and problem solving. The assessment methodology for each subject aims to foster deep learning and is concerned with issues of the professional application of relevant conceptual and theoretical frameworks and practical techniques.

A minimum of two assessment tasks are completed for each subject. Assessment tasks may involve one or more of the following:

• case studies
• multiple-choice questions
• simulations
• critiques
• reports
• essays
• problem sets/exercises
• reflective journals
• evidence portfolios
• project work.

Weighting

Maximum weighting of 60% and minimum weighting of 20% per assessment event.

Exit points

Students who are enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance but are unable to complete the course may exit from the qualification within the prescribed timeframes with the following postgraduate award:

• Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance (4 compulsory core subjects totalling 24 points completed within three years of initial enrolment in the Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance). 

Refer to the Postgraduate Progression Policy for further details.

Recognition & Exemptions

Methods available:

• Higher Education Subject Exemption
• Automatic Exemption
• Assessment Only

 Refer to the Recognition & Exemptions page for further information.

Pathways - FPA

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance (GDAF) who complete the Financial Planning Major are eligible for advanced standing for the following units from the Financial Planning Association's (FPA) CFP® Certification Program, CFP2, CFP3 and CFP4.

Graduates of the Kaplan Professional Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance, Financial Planning Major must also have an under graduate or masters degree to be eligible for admission as a CFP practitioner.

ASIC Compliance

The Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance, Financial Planning Major is listed on the ASIC register as meeting the RG146 requirements for:

• generic knowledge
• specialist knowledge and skills in
  • financial planning
  • general insurance
  • personal insurance
  • insurance broking
  • superannuation
  • managed investments
  • securities.

Industry Recognition

Graduates of this course who have at least 5 years industry experience are eligible to become a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (F Fin).

Course fees for 2008

Registration fee (new students only)

• Fee paid upon enrolment as a new student - $250

Subject Fees

• Standard: $1,200
• Finsia Member: $1,075

Trimester 3 early bird rate (available until 31/8/08)

• Standard: $1,080
• Finsia Member: $967.50

Download the Postgraduate Fees (PDF) for supplementary services which attract additional fees

All prices are valid until 31 December 2008.

Enrolment and further information

Become highly qualified and respected. Boost your career now by enrolling in Kaplan Professional's Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance.

Enrol Online or download the Enrolment Form

This course is offered via trimester-based study through lectures or distance education.

Study Information

Refer to the following links for further information, or visit Study Information:

Timetables and Dates for Subject Offerings, Lecture Timetables and Exam Timetables
Forms and Kits for all study related forms
Exam Information
Recognition & Exemptions

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