Please select a field which you have completed your bachelor.
As little as 2 years
12 courses
March, May, July, September, October, January
100% Online
8436
Completion time dependent on individual study path, RPL, leave and course availability. Please speak to a Student Advisor for more information.
What you will study
UNSW’s Master of Applied Finance is designed to ensure you can confidently apply, manage and lead financial functions at all business levels - both in Australia and around the world - and be an asset to any forward-thinking financial organisation.
The Master of Applied Finance offers eight core courses and four electives. Select from key areas including analytics, financial technology and business management – and learn how financial knowledge areas such as financial technology and international finance can be applied in any business to achieve success. You can also select a study pathway that is closely aligned with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) curriculum, giving you a strong grounding to pursue the CFA designation. Whatever your interests, this program delivers access to the latest thinking and current research in finance.
There is also the option to study the Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance, which combined create the master’s program.
Career pathways
With real-world application and contemporary finance embedded into the Master of Applied Finance, you’ll graduate with the confidence and skills needed to thrive in your career.
Download your program guide to find out more about how the Master of Applied Finance will prepare you for a successful career in domestic and global contexts.
- Portfolio Management
- International Finance*
- Corporate Finance*
- Private Equity and Venture Capital*
- Equity Valuation*
- Fixed Income*
- Derivatives*
- Ethics and Professional Standards*
A Master of Applied Finance opens you up to a range of career opportunities. You’ll have the skills to work across a range of settings, including:
The UNSW Online experience
We are here to support you, every step of the way, to graduate from one of the world’s leading universities. Our online learning environment has been designed to seamlessly fit into your already busy schedule and you’ll be able to access course resources on any device, at any time.
Our academics are some of the best in the world and, even though you’re studying online, you can expect your learning experience to be the same high standard as that of our on-campus students.
Throughout your study journey, you will be able to turn to your Student Success Advisor, who is committed to assisting you from enrolment through to graduation. They are on-hand for all non-academic queries by phone or email.
You will also have access to Career Success – a curated, self-paced module that provides a framework for thinking about, and taking action to implement, an effective career plan. Through Career Success, you will have access to tools like Career AI (powered by VMock) and CaseCoach, and guides on crafting the perfect LinkedIn profile, resume, and cover letter.
“Well-structured and set out course content. It was easy to navigate the online portal and access the readings, lectures and assessment items. Excellent content delivery as well and the feedback from the lecturer was swift and helpful.”
- Master of Applied Finance student
Plus, four electives from the following courses:
- Financial Management*
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Business Economics*
- Law Regulation and Ethics
- Technical Tools for FinTech
- FinTech Ecosystems and Industry Insights
- Decentralised Finance
- Tech Disruption in Payments and Transfers
- Tech Disruption in Funding and Lending
- Data Management for FinTech^
- Robo-Advice^
- Principles of Programming
- Introductory Data Analysis*
Available elective courses will vary per program and study period. *Course designed in line with the CFA examination curriculum. The CFA-aligned Master of Applied Finance pathway provides students with a strong grounding to pursue the CFA designation. ^Prerequisite: Technical Tools for Fintech.
Entry requirements
Cognate entry
To be eligible for the Master of Applied Finance through cognate entry, you must have a recognised bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in business, banking or finance-related area with a credit average (65% or higher) as determined by the UNSW Admissions Entry Calculator.
If you have completed similar courses in previous study, you can gain up to four courses of RPL/advanced standing.*
Non-cognate entry
Students with a recognised bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) and no finance knowledge should apply for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance with a credit average (65% or higher), students will be eligible to articulate into the master’s degree with full credit for the courses completed as part of the graduate certificate.
An articulation pathway also exists for this master’s program for students who complete the Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance with a credit average (65% or higher).
*Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your online postgraduate Applied Finance studies provided that they meet relevant course requirements. If you receive a UNSW offer of enrolment and you have undertaken previous studies at another institution, you may be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning. UNSW does not determine recognition of prior learning until an offer of enrolment is accepted. To see if you are eligible to receive RPL, speak with a Student Advisor today. Courses with a successful completion date of up to 10 years can be used for credit transfer within a program as provided within the program rules and the University rules on credit.
"The Applied Finance program is designed for ambitious individuals looking not only for advanced financial knowledge, but also for hands-on and relevant applications of such knowledge. It’s designed for professionals who want to gain the specialised skills for a career in the finance industry. The program is aligned with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) curriculum, allowing graduates to position themselves well to pursue the CFA designation – a globally respected and recognised investment credential."
- Associate Professor Luis Filipe Goncalves-Pinto
Related program
Are you interested in graduating sooner? Perhaps the Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance or Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance is more suited for you.
Applied finance involves financial systems that drive our economy and our society. Whether you're interested in financial technology, data analytics, entrepreneurship or corporate finance, there are so many paths a career in finance offers.
The online Master of Applied Finance at UNSW involves gaining the contemporary and holistic knowledge to solve corporate financial problems, managing the financial functions of firms across the globe, and making effective investment decisions that align with organisational objectives.
You will learn to confidently apply financial practices to overcome market challenges and enhance your professional performance, giving you the competitive edge to thrive in the modern financial world.
The Master of Applied Finance has been designed to ensure you can confidently apply, manage and lead financial functions in all business levels and be an asset to forward-thinking financial organisations and industry. This program is suitable for students who are looking to upskill or switch to a role in finance.
Job roles can include:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Finance Manager
- Finance Analyst
- Director of Finance
- Financial Planner
- Portfolio Risk Analyst
- Financial Investment Analyst
- Hedge Fund Manager
- Private Banker
Learn more about careers in applied finance.
Financial systems are central to everything – and strong financial skills are an invaluable mechanism to drive change and create success for our economy, society, and future.
With a world of financial knowledge, you can:
- make a world of difference
- overcome market challenges
- lead in global businesses
- build professional performance
When you have a holistic understanding of finance, you can solve problems, make decisions and lead financial functions in businesses anywhere. The Master of Applied Finance has been designed to ensure you can confidently apply key concepts, critical thinking and rigorous analysis to evidence-based solutions. When you have globally recognised credentials, you can make a difference in every sector of the finance industry, in any market.
Find out more about the top financial career jobs and evolution of finance industry .
If you are looking to enter into a career in finance and study the online Master of Applied Finance at UNSW, but you don't have a background in finance, you can apply through the non-cognate entry pathway.
If you have a recognised bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) but no finance knowledge, you should apply for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance (7430).
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance with a credit average (65 per cent or higher), you will be eligible to articulate into the Master of Applied Finance with full credit for all courses completed as part of the graduate certificate.
The total indicative cost of completing a Master of Applied Finance depends on the elective courses you choose to complete and any recognition of prior learning before the commencement of your studies. The 2024 indicative Domestic tuition fee for the Master of Applied Finance is $58,000*. Find more information on the indicative program fees.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program. This Government loan scheme helps to pay for all or part of their tuition.
*All prices are listed in Australian dollars. Go to our Fees page for up-to-date information inclusive of 2024 indicative International program fees. Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. Study plans and completion times might vary depending on the choice of elective courses, RPL, leave and course availability. For more information, please speak with a Student Advisor.
UNSW Online advises a minimum of 15-20 hours of study per week for the Master of Applied Finance. The study mode is 100% online so there are no on-campus requirements.
Discover some tips on how to maximise your study.
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) credential is the professional standard of choice for more than 31,000 investment firms worldwide. It is a highly valued and world leading association of investment professionals.
Becoming a CFA charterholder is a defining moment for many investment professionals and exemplifies a strong understanding of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills. In order to become a CFA charterholder you must pass three levels of CFA exams, achieve qualified work experience, submit reference letters and apply to become a regular member of the CFA institute.
The Master of Applied Finance at UNSW offers the opportunity for you to select a study pathway that is closely aligned with the CFA curriculum, giving you a strong grounding to pursue the CFA designation, and helping you achieve your financial ambitions sooner.
The online Master of Applied Finance at UNSW has been designed in line with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) curriculum, a highly valued and globally-recognised investment credential. The program gives students a strong grounding to pursue the CFA designation so that graduates can become an asset in every sector of the global finance industry. The program offers advanced disciplinary depth, giving you access to the latest thinking and current research in finance.
The online Master of Applied Finance gives students the financial knowledge to confidently apply, manage and lead financial functions at all business levels in both domestic and global contexts. Students will learn how to apply theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as financial practices, to overcome market challenges and enhance your professional performance, which will give you the competitive edge to thrive.
A common practice for universities is to design exam-based programs, however the Master of Applied Finance focuses on applied projects to equip students with the skills to understand and handle real-world industry challenges, making them invaluable to employers with real-world value.
In contrast, the online Master of Financial Technology at UNSW is a program for ambitious working professionals who wish to apply the latest technology, build innovative products & seize opportunities in the growing FinTech sector. Discover more about Financial Technology at UNSW.
Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your online postgraduate studies provided that they meet relevant course requirements. If you are eligible for admission and you have undertaken previous studies at another institution, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Students can apply for RPL during the program application process and must ensure all relevant supporting documents are submitted for assessment if requested by Admissions, including course outlines from the same year they completed the relevant course/s as content may change over time. Courses successfully completed within the past ten years can be used for credit transfer within a program as provided within the program rules and the University rules on credit.
On completion of similar courses in previous study, Master of Applied Finance and Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance students can gain up to 4 courses (24 units of credit) of RPL advanced standing. However RPL advanced standing is not permitted for Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance students.
Find out more about RPL and credit transfer at UNSW.
