Griffith University
Master of Finance
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
You will build a solid foundation in finance and gain an in-depth understanding of investment principles with a strong appreciation of ethical and professional standards focusing on the curriculum of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level II and III and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) examinations.

Course overview
The Master of Finance offers comprehensive preparation for those wishing to pursue or advance their career in the finance and investments industry.
You will build a solid foundation in finance and gain an in-depth understanding of investment principles with a strong appreciation of ethical and professional standards focusing on the curriculum of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level II and III and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) examinations.
Develop the skills to critically analyse issues in the investment profession relating to stock markets, fixed-income and alternative instruments, derivatives and portfolio or wealth management. This will prepare you to take on new challenges in the increasingly globalised and competitive financial sector.
Key facts
What you will study
To be eligible for the award of Master of Finance, you must acquire 160 credit points (CP). Each course is valued at 10 CP, unless otherwise indicated.
There are three pathways available. Your eligibility for a particular option depends on your previous qualifications and relevant work experience.
- Standard pathway (160 CP)
- Advanced standing pathway (120 CP)
- Dissertation pathway with advanced standing (120 CP)
Complete the following courses:
- Corporate Finance
- Economics
- Business Data Analytics
- Financial Markets
- Investments
- Accounting and Governance
- Econometric Methods
- Applied Finance OR Applied Financial Planning
- Equity Investments
- Fixed Income Investments
- Derivatives and Risk Management
- Behavioural Finance and Wealth Management
- Portfolio Management
- Ethics and Alternative Investments OR Ethics and Professionalism
- Listed electives (20 CP)
Students with relevant prior study may apply to the Program Director for approval to substitute up to 20 CP of foundation courses with elective courses.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Finance, a student must have one of the following:
- Any bachelor's degree (or higher) from a recognised university (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale).
- A bachelor's degree in finance (or equivalent) from a recognised university (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale) - students will receive 40 CP of advanced standing.
- Any bachelor's degree from a recognised university (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0; and have successfully passed the Level I examination for the Chartered Financial Analyst Program administered by the CFA Institute - students will receive 40 CP of advanced standing.
From 2025:
Pathway 1: 1-year program (80 CP)
- A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in a *related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; and a minimum of five years of full-time (or equivalent) relevant **professional experience OR passed the Level I examination for the Chartered Financial Analyst Program administered by the CFA Institute.
Pathway 2: 1.5-year program (120 CP)
- A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; and a minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) relevant professional experience.
Pathway 3: 1.5-year program (120 CP)
- A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in a related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale.
- A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; and passed the Level I examination for the Chartered Financial Analyst Program administered by the CFA Institute.
Pathway 4: 2-year program (160 CP)
- A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale.
- A combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to either of the above.
English language requirements
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.
- A minimum score of 575 on TOEFL.
- An internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19).
- No score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only).
- 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).
- 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.
If you do not meet the university's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. The university's Credit Precedent Database allows you to find out what credit decisions have been made in the past. These precedents will give you an idea of what you can expect. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
You will be well prepared for career opportunities in mutual funds, superannuation funds, banks, insurance companies, and treasury. Other careers might include foreign exchange dealers, futures and options traders, portfolio managers and risk analysts.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative fee in 2025: $32,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The indicative annual tuition fee is calculated based on a standard full-time study load which is usually 80 CP.
The indicative annual tuition fee is based on current conditions and available data and should only be used as a guide. These fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.