Top 150 worldwide for finance
#2 business school in Melbourne for career impact
110+ hours of industry-based learning
Why choose finance at Deakin
Advance your career with postgraduate study at Deakin, ranked in the world’s top 200 for accounting and finance. Develop expertise across financial markets, corporate finance, derivatives, portfolio management and international finance, alongside essential capabilities in fintech, financial data analytics and sustainable finance.
Learn in Deakin’s industry-standard Trading Room, where you will work with live trading data focusing on decision-making and implementation of trading and risk management strategies. Tailor your studies with recommended electives or a business specialisation aligned to your career goals. You will build the ability to make informed investment decisions, manage risk and create value in a changing global finance sector.
Complete your degree with a final-year capstone unit that applies your learning in corporate finance and portfolio management and graduate with advanced finance expertise, ready to contribute to strategic decisions and progress your career.
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Globally recognised finance degree
Study at a university ranked in the top 150 worldwide for finance, supporting your international career goals.
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Industry-informed curriculum
Your Master of Finance is shaped by professional bodies to reflect current finance practice and global employer needs.
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Practical market experience
Use the Deakin Trading Room to work with live data, foreign exchange trading tools and risk simulations in a real-world setting.
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Pathways to professional recognition
The Master of Finance provides a pathway to CFA accreditation, and you gain global recognition as a graduate of a AACSB and EQUIS accredited business school.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build advanced financial expertise, preparing you for leadership roles across banking, investment, corporate finance and fintech.
Finance manager
Oversee an organisation's financial performance by managing budgets, forecasting, reporting and compliance. Provide strategic advice to support growth, profitability and informed decision-making.
- $140k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 11.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 3.9/5
Job satisfaction
Investment analyst
Investment analysts research markets, companies and asset classes to evaluate investment opportunities and support portfolio and asset allocation decisions.
- $120k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 6.1%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.3/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Financial analyst
- Fund manager
- Treasury analyst
- Risk management specialist
- Corporate finance advisor
- Fintech product manager
FAQs
Yes. The Master of Finance explores how technology is reshaping the financial sector, with opportunities to study areas including financial technology (FinTech), business analytics and artificial intelligence alongside advanced finance topics. You'll develop the analytical skills to evaluate investment, financing and risk management decisions in modern financial markets, preparing you for roles across banking, investment, corporate finance and fintech.
A Master of Finance usually takes one to two years full time, depending on your entry pathway, study load and whether you received credit for prior study.
Yes. You may be able to complete Deakin's Master of Finance in one year (8 credit points) if you hold either: a bachelor honours in finance or a business-related field; a bachelor in a related discipline plus at least two years of relevant work experience; a graduate certificate or diploma in a related area. Find out more about recognition of prior learning and check the course page for complete entry requirements before applying.
As a Deakin student, you'll have access to dedicated career support throughout your studies and after you graduate. Deakin offers one-on-one career coaching, resume and job application feedback, interview preparation, networking opportunities, employer events, career workshops and access to an exclusive jobs and internships board. You can also access guidance on career planning, work-integrated learning and building your professional skills to help you transition confidently into employment.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Finance?
Build your financial knowledge into advanced, career-ready expertise. You will develop capabilities in financial markets, analysis and decision-making before progressing to advanced finance topics and innovations, specialisation and applied practice.
Build core finance knowledge
Understand key finance concepts
Build knowledge of financial markets, corporate finance and investment fundamentals.
Develop analytical capability
Learn to interpret financial data and apply quantitative methods to support decision-making.
Explore risk and financial systems
Examine how financial institutions operate and how risk is managed in global contexts.
Advance and apply your expertise
Build finance expertise
Extend your knowledge into complex areas such as global finance, derivatives, fintech and financial innovation.
Tailor your learning
Choose electives or specialisations to align your studies with your career goals.
Apply learning in practice
Gain experience through real or simulated projects, consultancies and applied finance experiences.
Course structure
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.
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.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
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.
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:
#Students who do not have prior business background are recommended to take MPE781 and MAA702 in their first trimester of study
^^recommended specialisation:
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.
What to expect while studying
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| 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 |
| Convey complex financial information and recommendations in writing and orally for both financial specialists and non-financial audiences |
| Apply appropriate digital technologies to find, use, manage and disseminate complex financial data, information and ideas. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Evidence the ability to work and learn independently and show personal responsibility |
| Foster a constructive environment through ongoing academic collaboration |
| Reflect on different international, ethical and regulatory perspectives in addressing issues faced by finance professionals |
- Award granted
- Master of Finance
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- M750
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 111194F Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$48,000
for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Alternate exits
- Graduate Certificate of Finance (M530)
- Graduate Diploma of Finance (M630)