Master of Financial Services

Why study the Master of Financial Services at UNE?

This course is carefully designed to provide a comprehensive study and analysis of the knowledge and skills applicable to a career in the financial services industry, in particular, the focus is on financial planning. Thus the course will give students the skills to understand and apply wealth creation principles to assist clients in achieving individual or family financial objectives through the financial planning process. The course is intended to equip students with the expertise, awareness and knowledge required to operate in an increasingly competitive environment.

Students will have the opportunity to systematically study a multifaceted and comprehensive selection of themes including financial planning, managing wealth, estate planning, risk management, the stock market, investment and portfolio management, modern portfolio theory, financial analysis, taxation, superannuation, mutual funds, applied economics, social benefits, insurance, selling and sales techniques, and relevant private and corporate law.

This course has been approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and is listed on the ASIC Training Register.

Career Opportunities

Financial Planner, and careers associated with Wealth Management, Estate Planning, Taxation, Superannuation, Mutual Funds, Risk Management and Insurance, Capital markets, Investment, Risk and return, Diversification, Portfolio Management.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

Up to 6 years Part-time

FEES

Full Fee
International

2015 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

Trimester 1, Off Campus
Trimester 2, Off Campus
Trimester 3, Off Campus

Official Abbreviation MFinServ
Course Type Postgraduate
Commencing
Location Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 3 Off Campus
Course Duration
  • Up to 6 years Part-time
Fees Full Fee / International
Total Credit Points 72
Intensive Schools

Optional weekend schools are available for some units undertaken by off campus students.
Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a non-relevant discipline and at least two years of management experience*; or

(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a relevant discipline** and have at least two years of work experience*; or

(c) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Financial Services or equivalent and have at least five years of work experience including three years in management. All applicants must submit a personal statement (approximately 500 words) outlining:

(i) their most significant experiences or professional achievements to date;

(ii) their long-term objectives and their expectations of this degree in fulfilling those objectives;

(iii) where they see themselves in five years from now; and

(iv) any other information they believe is relevant to their application.

*Management can refer to management of resources and/or people in an area of Financial Planning and approved areas of experience include: Financial Planning.

**Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to: Finance and Accounting
Practical, Clinical or Work Experience

Work related components will be included in the course, particularly as they relate to simulated client interviews and writing reports based on the interviews; analysing simulated clients' financial needs, preparing risk profiles and writing Financial Plans.
Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) may be granted a maximum of 36 credit points of Advanced Standing for units which are deemed to be equivalent to units offered by the University and approved for the course and were not part of the degree on which admission was based.

Candidates admitted under Rule (c) may be granted 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing. Up to a further 12 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based.
Academic Colours

Spectrum Orange (BCC 57)
Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Master of Financial Services in 2015.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a non-relevant discipline and at least two years of management experience*; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a relevant discipline** and have at least two years of work experience*; or
(c) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Financial Services or equivalent and have at least five years of work experience including three years in management.

All applicants must submit a personal statement (approximately 500 words) outlining:
(i) their most significant experiences or professional achievements to date;
(ii) their long-term objectives and their expectations of this degree in fulfilling those objectives;
(iii) where they see themselves in five years from now; and
(iv) any other information they believe is relevant to their application.

*Management can refer to management of resources and/or people in an area of Financial Planning, and approved areas of experience include: Financial Planning.

**Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to: Finance and Accounting.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Candidates admitted under Rule (a) may be granted a maximum of 36 credit points of Advanced Standing for units which are deemed to be equivalent to units offered by the University and approved for the course and were not part of the degree on which admission was based.
Candidates admitted under Rule (c) may be granted 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing. Up to a further 12 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be up to six years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 72 credit points including at least 36 credit points at 500-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rule (a) and (b)
Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 48 cps
Listed Units 24 cps
Total 72 cps

To view the complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (c)
Course Structure Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing 24 cps
Core Units 24 cps
Listed Units 24 cps
Total 72 cps

To view the complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Financial Services.

Exit Pathways

Subject to Advanced Standing rules, candidates admitted under Rule (a) or (b) who apply to discontinue their studies may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Financial Services on completion of 24 credit points,comprising AFM466, AFM467, AFM468 and AFM565. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Certificate in Financial Services must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Master of Financial Services. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Subject to Advanced Standing rules, candidates admitted under Rule (a) or (b) who apply to discontinue their studies may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma in Financial Services on completion of 48 credit points, comprising AFM466, AFM467, AFM468, AFM565, AFM569, 12 credit points listed units at 400 level and 6 credit points listed units at 400/500 level. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Diploma in Financial Services must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Master of Financial Services. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Student Appeals.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Rules.

Course Aims

This course is intended to provide the knowledge and skills applicable to a career in the financial services industry; in particular, the focus is on financial planning. Thus the course will give students the skills to understand and apply wealth creation principles to assist clients in achieving individual or family financial objectives through the financial planning process. The course is intended to equip students with the skills required to operate in an increasingly competitive environment.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of areas such as managing wealth, estate planning, risk management, the stock market, investment and portfolio management, modern portfolio theory, financial analysis, taxation, superannuation, mutual funds, applied economics, social benefits, insurance, selling and sales techniques, and relevant private and corporate law.
Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. summarise major concepts of the contemporary financial planning arena, especially the role of a financial planner and the process of financial planning;
  2. understand and apply investment, portfolio and financial and insurance risk management theories and strategies in the Australian and international contexts;
  3. understand the Australian regulatory, legal, taxation, superannuation, estate planning, social security and wealth management framework in which financial planners operate;
  4. understand and identify taxation implications for individuals from the financial planners perspective;
  5. prepare oral and written reports and financial plans as required in the financial services area;
  6. conduct client interviews and incorporate the gained information and financial planning components to structure a financial plan;
  7. evaluate and discuss contemporary social and ethical issues related to the financial planning sector;
  8. demonstrate skills that will provide the foundation for lifelong learning and career development in the financial services sector. Solve problems, evaluate data and communicate information to both clients and the wider public; and
  9. demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of financial planning by conducting a research project to; critically analyse a complex problem, identify research questions, and apply established theories to their research question; justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences and analyse, interpret and critically evaluate research findings.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

The Master of Financial Services students develop a more sophisticated knowledge of the discipline at postgraduate level through the learning and teaching activities associated within each unit and interaction with the unit coordinators, lecturers and tutors, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, online activities and discussion board. Students will also develop this from the assessment tasks set, especially from those outlined above: completing simulated client interviews; writing reports based on the interviews; analysing a simulated client's financial needs; preparing a risk profile; and writing a Financial Plan. Knowledge will be assessed in examinations in most units, and in the various assessment methods as outlined above.

Communication Skills

Communication skills may include written and oral assignments, essays, discussion board participation, simulated client interviews and practical reports. In some units, they will also present oral reports and presentations on topics or projects and students will be given some advice on how to prepare these and they will be assessed.

Global Perspectives

Many characteristics of finance provide students with a global perspective of financial and economic considerations. Such aspects as international finance, foreign exchange, international markets, in conjunction with aspects of international economics will be covered. However, a specific regulatory requirement of this course is that it has an Australian focus.

Information Literacy

Practised through use of internet, assignment preparation, the use of the Learning Management System, etc. students will use web-based tools, search for financial information online and seek market and firm data online. Students are also taught how to use spreadsheets and industry applications. Students are assessed on their skills in obtaining appropriate information for the written assignments. Instructions and assistance will be provided with regard to referencing and citation using the appropriate system.

Life-Long Learning

Lifelong learning academic skills are taught and practised through assignment and examination preparation. Furthermore, students learn life skills in the area of finance and finance planning such as how to interpret communications, reports and media assertions with regard to the finance discipline. It will allow students to continue learning about the finance discipline from their own observations, reading and other media. Students will develop a range of life-long learning skills such as how to seek out new information and critically analyse such information. This course will stimulate students' intellectual curiosity and creativity.

Problem Solving

Assessments are typically focused on problem solving skills. A large part of the course is devoted to instructing students on obtaining relevant skills in approaching problems, determining what information is necessary, seeking the required information, analysing it and employing it properly. There is also often a focus on mathematical finance problem solving in finance units. Problem solving skills will be assessed in the written assignments and discussions.

Social Responsibility

Examples of good and bad social responsibility practices are provided in the course content. In particular, issues of corporate social responsibility and ethics are taught, practised and assessed.

Team Work

Students engage in teamwork, eg in online discussions and class participation, particularly in answering tutorial questions.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply directly to Graduate School of Business

For more information, click here

International Students

All international students should apply directly to the Graduate School of Business. This course is only available off-campus (distance education).

For more information, click here

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