Graduate Diploma in Finance

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Finance should have the capacity to work in professional practice by applying the specialist financial knowledge that this course aims to provide. The course is designed for students with a pre-existing Bachelor of Commerce (or equivalent) to undertake a broader and more comprehensive training in finance than is feasible within an undergraduate degree.

1. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable of contemporary accounting issues.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe contemporary accounting issues, practices and methods as reflected in accounting research, national and international accounting regulator activities and pronouncements; and
• Explain developments of contemporary accounting issues.

2. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be capable of selecting and applying appropriate methods to resolve accounting issues and problems.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Apply theories and tools developed from the discipline of accounting and fields relating closely to accounting such as finance and economics to critically evaluate accounting issues and problems; and
• Analyse, evaluate and communicate the implications of applying accounting theory, tools, techniques and approaches in a variety of management decision settings.

The degree is designed to be completed in one year of full time study and requires completion of 100 points comprising five core subjects and three elective subjects.

Core Subjects: Students must take a total of five core subjects

Choose all four of the following core subjects:

Choose one of the following two core subjects:

Elective Subjects

Three elective subjects selected from:

Other Honours or Masters subjects as approved by the Academic Director of the program.

Students who are planning to transfer to the Master of Commerce (Finance) and who have satisfied all other entry requirements for the Master of Commerce (Finance), including GMAT requirements, but who have not already fulfilled the requirement to take Calculus and Linear Algebra, may apply for permission to take MAST10005 Calculus 1 or MAST10007 Linear Algebra as an elective in their second semester of study. Permission will only be granted where a student’s academic performance in their current program indicates a strong likelihood that they may be granted entry into the Master of Commerce (Finance) if their performance were to be maintained at that same level in subsequent semesters of study.

Please note:

If FNCE90056 Investment Management and FNCE90018 Corporate Financial Policy or equivalent subjects have not previously been taken, these must be included in the course of study (and preferably taken in the first semester).

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent, with studies in Business Finance, Investments and Corporate Finance (37.5 points), or their equivalents;
• a personal statement outlining why they wish to be considered for the course; and
• the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) unless the applicant has completed an undergraduate degree in Australia or New Zealand or met one of the approved conditions for GMAT or GRE exemption.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• the GMAT or GRE score unless the applicant has completed an undergraduate degree in Australia or New Zealand or met one of the approved conditions for GMAT or GRE exemption; and
• the personal statement.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. The minimum English language requirements for this course are Band 6.5.

Notes:

1. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Finance may be eligible to progress to the Master of Finance with 100 points credit.
2. Students who discontinue from the Master of Finance but have successfully completed the requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Finance will be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma in Finance as an exit award.

The Faculty of Business and Economics welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the Faculty’s programs.

The BCom and Masters degrees of the Faculty of Business and Economics equip graduates with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business world. The degrees include the following academic requirements for study:

(1) The ability to explain and evaluate concepts, theories, institutional arrangements and operations of modern mixed economies; (2) The ability to critically evaluate the economy, commerce and business in the broader social and political context; (3) The ability to explain and apply concepts across a range of commerce and business disciplines in solving business and policy problems; and (4) The ability to contribute positively to the development of organisations and society in relation to business, government and the commercial professions.

All students of the Faculty’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the Faculty. Candidates for the BCom degree and for FBE Masters degrees must have abilities and skills in communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

I. Communication: The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and/or written form. A student must have the ability to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of a discipline, principles or practices during assessment tasks, and in some discipline streams.

II. Intellectual‐Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem‐solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish study plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities. Students should also have the ability to comprehend complex disciplinary and cross disciplinary information related to the BCom and Masters degrees.

III. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A student must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment and the emotional health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students. Integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are deemed necessary for students enrolled in FBE courses.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving the inherent academic requirements of the BCom and FBE Masters courses are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit. Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, but students should participate in the course in an independent manner.

On successful completion of this course, students will be:

• Knowledgeable in a range of financial fields including, corporate finance and investment management;
• Skilled in utilising financial modelling to solve complex financial decisions;
• Critical thinkers in the field of modern finance theory who are aware of the way in which theory contributes to sound financial decision making in practice ;
• Financial problem solvers who have the skills necessary to resolve valuation issues in the presence of limited information sets;
• Proficient at communicating financial ideas in a clear and concise manner;
• Effective team members through participation in collaborative exercises; and
• Adept at retrieval of relevant financial information from a variety of sources.

On successful completion of this degree students should have enhanced their skills in:

• Applying financial theory and methods to knowledgably discuss the importance of a wide range of financial issues;
• Financial problem solving through the application of the necessary analytical skills and techniques; and
• Communicating financial ideas in a clear and concise manner.

Students wishing to progress to the Master of Finance must apply for progression in writing (addressed to Melbourne Business School) towards the end of their last semester of enrolment in the Graduate Diploma in Finance.

Students must pass all eight subjects to qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Finance.