Master of Finance

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Master of Finance
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Length	The time and cost can be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 2 years down to 1.5 years, or even 1 year duration. See entry requirements below for more information.
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$48,000 for 1 yr full-time AUD
Level	Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
CRICOS code	111194F Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course code	M750
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Study at a university ranked in the top 150 worldwide for finance* and delve into the modern financial theories and techniques underpinning investment, financing and risk management decisions of multinational corporations with Deakin’s Master of Finance. Learn about financial markets, corporate governance, corporate finance, derivative securities, and portfolio management. You will also be exposed to new knowledge areas such as FinTech, Business Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence.

Want to expand your career options with a versatile skill set in finance?

The coursework and research components have been designed to enhance professional practice in a range of financial domains, which may be of particular interest to you if you are currently working as a finance professional.

Develop analytical skills for making key financial management decisions, incorporating the time-value of money and risk-return analysis, plus learn how to apply financial knowledge to solve real-world financial decision problems. Through practice, you will become adept at various digital technologies used to process complex financial data, information, and ideas.

As a graduate, you will also have the option to complement your primary studies in finance with a specialisation in a wide range of business-related fields. Designed to meet industry demand for skilled professionals with a breadth of transferable skills, a specialisation can help deepen your knowledge in a particular business field and benefit your future career.

This course aims to provide a high-level education in finance issues and research methodologies. Depending on your unit of choice, you may be eligible for membership in the Finance and Treasury Association and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

* QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Professional recognition

Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide.

By completing the Master of Finance, you may gain membership or eligibility to apply for membership at the Australian Corporate Treasury Association (ACTA) and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA), two leading professional bodies for Finance professionals.

The Master of Finance program is recognised through the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.

Fees and charges

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook. Learn more about fees and available payment options.

Career opportunities

The Master of Finance prepares you for leadership roles across the financial sector, with advanced skills in investment analysis, financial modelling, corporate finance, and risk management. You will be equipped to work in diverse settings – from global banks and asset management firms to government agencies and fintech companies.

Career opportunities include:

financial analyst
finance manager
investment analyst
risk management specialist
fund manager
credit risk analyst
corporate finance adviser
treasury analyst
fintech product manager
portfolio analyst
compliance and risk officer
business strategy consultant

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of finance theory, financial models and demonstrate how this specialised knowledge can be applied in financial markets (especially in the digitalised markets) to optimise financial outcomes
Communication	Convey complex financial information and recommendations in writing and orally for both financial specialists and non-financial audiences
Digital literacy	Apply appropriate digital technologies to find, use, manage and disseminate complex financial data, information and ideas.
Critical thinking	Conduct research to critically analyse a range of complex finance related information to make informed investing and financing decisions for corporates, the investing community and business at large.
Problem solving	Apply a range of techniques, including research and analytical skills, from finance, accounting and business to create solutions to real-world and complex finance issues.
Self-management	Evidence the ability to work and learn independently and show personal responsibility
Teamwork	Foster a constructive environment through ongoing academic collaboration
Global citizenship	Reflect on different international, ethical and regulatory perspectives in addressing issues faced by finance professionals

Course rules

To complete the Master of Finance, you must pass 8, 12 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.

A 16-credit point Master of Finance includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
11 credit points of core units
1 credit point of course elective units
4 credit points of open elective units.

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Core units

MAF702

Financial Markets and Digital Innovations

MAF752

Principles of Finance

MAF759

Financial Data Analytics

MPP710

Environmental Sustainability for Business

MAF718

Financial Institutions and Investment Banking

MAF703

Applied Corporate Finance

MAF707

Investments and Portfolio Management

MAF716

Fintech Foundations and Cryptocurrencies

MAF713

Derivatives and Financial Risk Management

MAF760

International Finance

MAF770

Finance in Practice ^(Capstone)

Course electives

Select one credit point from:

MAF767

Securities Trading in Practice

MWL705

Business for Social Impact

MWL716

Consultancy Experience

MWL717

Entrepreneurship Experience

MWL718

Internship

MWL719

International Consultancy Experience

Open electives

The remaining 4 credit points of electives may be selected from:

postgraduate business specialisation^{^^}

postgraduate units offered by the University (subject to availability)^{^}

Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials)

^{^}recommended elective list:

MPE781

Economics for Managers ^#

MAA702

Accounts, Accountability and Governance ^#

MIS712

Managing Digital Transformation

MIS716

Artificial Intelligence Strategies and Enterprise Applications

MIS741

Ethics of Digital Transformation

MPE711

Global Trade and Supply Chains

^#Students who do not have prior business background are recommended to take MPE781 and MAA702 in their first trimester of study

^{^^}recommended specialisation:

Stackable short courses

Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 credit point microcredentials) to earn up to 1 credit point of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. For more information, visit the Deakin stackable short course options.

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, you may commence this course with admission credit and complete your course in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent).

Academic requirements

1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 8 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (with 8 credit points of admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree (honours) (AQF 8) or higher in a related discipline
completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline, and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
completion of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or higher in a related discipline.

1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline
completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline, and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent).

2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 16 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline.

Examples of related disciplines include, but not limited to: a Bachelor degree in Finance, or a Bachelor degree in Commerce or Management or Business with a major sequence in Finance.

Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: business experience in either a finance role or a managerial position with business oversight responsibilities in a finance related field, such as financial consulting, financial analysis, treasury management, corporate finance, fund management and banking.

*Recognition of prior learning will still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
Other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

Credit for prior learning - general

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning.

You can refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Finance (M530)
Graduate Diploma of Finance (M630)

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Work experience

This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more work integrated learning units.

Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.

International Students:

This course includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) formally registered as part of the course on the CRICOS register. The total work integrated learning hours will differ depending on the WIL unit you choose. For more information about WIL hours, please check the unit information in the handbook or the unit guide.

For information about how WIL units may impact student visa holder work rights, please visit Home Affairs. See 8105 Work limitation.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other checks. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.