Master of Finance

What you will study

To earn the Master of Finance, you must successfully complete units totalling 96 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.

Students entering through Pathway 1 complete 48 credit points of Stage 1 study before progressing to the 48-credit-point Stage 2. Students entering through Pathway 2 receive 48 credit points of block credit and proceed directly to Stage 2. 

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

The Master of Finance has two entry points, which require varying qualifications.

Pathway 1 | Two-year program

Applicants must meet the following entry requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in any field with a credit average (65% or higher) as determined by UNSW.

Pathway 2 | One-year accelerated program

Applicants must meet the following entry requirements:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) with a credit average (65% or higher) as determined by the UNSW.
• A major (at least seven courses) in finance within the bachelor’s degree.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• English language tests and university English courses.
• Prior study in the medium of English.
• Other qualifications.

Contact the university or visit its website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have successfully completed the CFA program by passing all three levels of the CFA exam, you may be granted an exemption for 12 credit points. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Business knowledge: Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and global business.
• Problem solving: Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.
• Business communication: Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.
• Teamwork: Students will interact and collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose or fulfil a common business project, and reflect critically on the process and the outcomes.
• Responsible business practice: Students will develop and be committed to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.
• Global and cultural competence: Students will be aware of business systems in the wider world and actively committed to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others, and will apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse environments.
• Leadership development: Students will develop the capacity to take initiative, encourage forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.

Career outcomes

Potential roles:

• Banking professional
• Corporate treasury
• Financial advisor
• Financial broker
• Funds management
• International finance
• Investment banking

Accreditation

You may be eligible for Associate membership with the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) upon completion of this degree.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $42,000 (Full-fee paying place)

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

• The number of units studied.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.