Handbook

Overview

Accepting applications from 2026 The Master of Finance is a specialist degree to develop your finance skills by studying more advanced finance topics. The program has been developed and is managed in close consultation with the finance sector. The program offers advanced disciplinary depth, exposing you to latest thinking and … For more content click the Read More button below. If you are a graduate who has completed a finance major in your undergraduate degree program, you can complete this program in 1 year. If not, it will take you 2 years to complete as a full-time student. Part-time study is available, but the duration of the program will be lengthened proportionally to the reduction of your study load in each term.

Accepting applications from 2026

The Master of Finance is a specialist degree to develop your finance skills by studying more advanced finance topics. The program has been developed and is managed in close consultation with the finance sector. The program offers advanced disciplinary depth, exposing you to latest thinking and current research in finance. Applied learning activities, both in and out of classroom, ensure you are familiar with and can undertake critical analysis of the latest theories, techniques and practices in a chosen area.

If you are a graduate who has completed a finance major in your undergraduate degree program, you can complete this program in 1 year. If not, it will take you 2 years to complete as a full-time student. Part-time study is available, but the duration of the program will be lengthened proportionally to the reduction of your study load in each term.

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.

Professionals
Scholars
Leaders
Global citizens

Problem solving: Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.

Professionals
Scholars
Leaders
Global citizens

Business communication: Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.

Professionals
Scholars
Leaders
Global citizens

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.

Leaders
Global citizens
Scholars

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.

Professionals
Global citizens

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.

Global citizens
Leaders

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.

Leaders
Scholars

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure

Students must complete 96 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Students who enter the program via Pathway 1 must do 48 UOC Stage 1 courses in addition to Stage 2 courses.

Students who enter the program via Pathway 2, and therefore have MFIN0001 48 UOC block credit, don’t have to do Stage 1 courses and can proceed directly to the program's Stage 2 courses.

Stage 1 – 48 credit points48 Units of Credit:

Students who enter the program via Pathway 1 must do 48 UOC stage 1 courses in addition to Stage 2 courses. Students who enter the program via Pathway 2, and therefore have MFIN0001 48 UOC block credit, don’t have to do Stage 1 courses and proceed directly to the program's Stage 2 courses.

Foundation Data Analysis Courses6 Units of Credit:

Foundation Core Courses18 Units of Credit:

Foundation Prescribed Elective Courses6 Units of Credit:

Students must take 6 UOC of the following courses.

Students who choose the FINSJS Corporate Finance and Investment Banking specialisation may count FINS5530 towards their Foundation Prescribed Elective requirement and take an additional elective in the specialisation.

Additional Foundation Electives18 Units of Credit:

Stage 248 Units of Credit:

Students who enter the program via Pathway 1 must do 48 UOC Stage 1 courses in addition to Stage 2 courses. Students who enter the program via Pathway 2, and therefore have MFIN0001 48 UOC block credit, don’t have to do Stage 1 courses and can proceed directly to the program's Stage 2 courses.

Core Courses24 Units of Credit:

Optional Specialisation or Finance Electives

Students may choose to complete a specialisation. Alternatively, students may take up to a maximum of 24 UOC of Finance Electives to complete Stage 2, and thereby the program.

Note: Students who entered the program via Pathway 1 must complete a further 18 UOC to complete Stage 1 from the Finance Electives list. These 18 UOC may include the second Foundation Prescribed Elective.

Specialisation24 Units of Credit:

Finance Electives24 Units of Credit:

Electives from this list can be counted towards Specialisation Prescribed Electives, but students must take further electives to take up the minimum 96 UOC requirement for the degree.

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

Entry Pathway 1 Requirements

To be eligible for this program, you must have:

A recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a credit average (65% or higher) as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Calculator.

Entry Pathway 2 Requirements

To be eligible for this program, you must have:

A recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a credit average (65% or higher) as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Calculator; and
A major in finance within the bachelor degree.

Students who are not graduates of Australian or NZ universities

For students who have studied at overseas universities, the normal minimum academic requirement is the equivalent of a credit average grade (65%) from an Australian university, as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Calculator. Details on assessment will be determined by your grading system so it is important that this is attached with your transcript when you apply.

Note: Applicants from non-211 universities in China wishing to study Postgraduate Coursework in the UNSW Business School, must achieve a minimum overall average of 88 in their current university’s grading system. This is equivalent to an 85% Australian scaled average.

Limitations on Recognition of Prior Learning

Pathway 1

Students matriculating via Pathway 1 (i.e. completed an undergraduate degree and 65 WAM) may apply for recognition of prior learning from prior study, up to a maximum of 48 UOC. If a student has successfully completed the CFA program by passing all three levels of CFA exam, students may apply for recognition of prior learning for 12 UOC.

Pathway 2

Students matriculating via Pathway 2 (i.e. completed an undergraduate degree with a Finance cognate major and 65 WAM) will be granted a standard block of 48 UOC (MFIN0001 Foundation Core waiver) will be granted to waive all Foundation courses. Selective credit is not permitted, meaning students cannot choose specific courses to apply for credit. No further RPL (outside the 48 UOC block) is available.

All credits will be assessed upon application and students will be notified (in the offer letter) of the credit/s awarded.

It is recommended students contact the UNSW Business School Student Services Team for guidance on options available to increase depth of learning.

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):

Program Requirements

Internship, Placement and Exchange Opportunities

All students have the opportunity to complete the following WIL courses in this program:

COMM5008 Enterprise Skills
COMM5020 Global Business Practicum
COMM5022 Industry Experience Program
COMM5044 Future of Work Project

Progression Requirements

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Similar Program

Master of Commerce - MCom8404 - Commerce

Master of Financial Analysis - MFinAn8413 - Financial Analysis

Master of Commerce (Extension) - MCom(Extn)8417 - Commerce (Extension)

Professional Outcomes

Accreditations

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible to apply for Senior Associate membership with the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) after five years of work experience in financial services. The Master of Finance is accredited by the University Affiliation Program of the CFA Institute. The Master of Finance curricula is closely tied to professional practice and can help students prepare for the CFA examinations. Students may apply for CFA Scholarship via the CFA Institute platform.

Career Opportunities

You will gain a competitive advantage in your financial career, by acquiring knowledge in theories and practical techniques allowing you to specialise in an area based on your professional development needs and chosen career path.

Recognition of Achievement

Award with Excellence

For more information, please visit the link above.

The Award with Excellence is awarded in coursework masters programs, including Masters (Extension) but with the exception of Masters (Extended) such as JD and MD, when a Weighted Average Mean (WAM) of at least 80% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award are completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award 'with Excellence' except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)

Faculty
Faculty: The primary academic unit in which related disciplines of teaching and research are conducted.

Campus

Sydney

Study Level
Study Level refers to the academic level of a program, specialisation or course.

Postgraduate

Typical duration:

1-2 Year(s)

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face (includes blended)

Intake Period

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Academic Calendar

Minimum Units of Credit

AQF Level

Level 9

Award Type

Masters (Coursework)

Award(s)
Award(s): Qualification upon completion (all awards offered by UNSW are accredited by UNSW and align with the Australian Qualifications Framework).

Master of Finance - MFin

CRICOS Code

116979K

Finance

8476

96 Units of Credit