Build a career helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals. Advance your job prospects by learning to craft visionary financial plans for your clients.
If you already have a degree and want to help others build and manage their personal wealth, tax, financial risk and spending – our Master of Financial Planning is for you.
Gain foundational knowledge across economics, accounting and finance before tackling specialised topics on advanced investment management, risk management and insurance and estate planning. At the end of your studies, you’ll be prepared to meet current educational requirements needed to progress into a career in financial planning. Please note, further study and training is required to meet requirements to become a certified financial planner or advisor.
Our Master of Financial Planning will give you the educational requirements needed to progress into a career as a financial planner. By completing this program, you’ll widen your career prospects and join an in-demand industry.
Learn the basics of business, covering quantitative methods, economic principles, accounting concepts and methods, and principles of finance. Then, you’ll get into more advanced topics such as commercial and business law, advanced investment management, risk management and insurance, estate planning, taxation law and applied financial planning. Tailor your studies with elective courses so you can go deeper into topics that interest you.
Emerge a confident professional, ready to take the next step towards becoming a financial planner. You might find work in financial institutions, investment banks, superannuation and insurance funds or financial advisory firms.
Build foundational knowledge in economics, accounting and finance. Learn from top financial planning academics. Study a degree developed in consultation with industry. Graduate with the educational requirements to progress into a career in financial planning. Upskill and widen your job prospects by developing expertise in financial planning. Study specialised topics on advanced investment management, risk management and insurance and estate planning. This degree starts with foundational business topics, before moving into advanced financial planning concepts and methods.
In your first year, sharpen your foundational business knowledge, with topics on quantitative methods, economic principles, accounting concepts and methods, and principles of finance. You’ll also be introduced to key concepts in financial planning, ethics and professionalism and superannuation. Analyse financial decisions and limitations in personal finance, including areas such as personal spending, saving, income tax, insurance cover, credit and debt management, and investments.
Explore the legal and ethical requirements of giving financial advice to clients. Gain an understanding of the importance of professional ethics and conduct, including legislative and regulatory requirements. Develop in-depth knowledge of superannuation, focusing on how it can be used as a tool for saving and creating wealth, along with specific investment strategies.
In second year, cover topics on commercial and business law, advanced investment management, risk management and insurance, estate planning, taxation law and applied financial planning. Build an awareness of commercial, business and taxation laws and regulations. Explore investment portfolios and apply theoretical knowledge to manage mutual funds in the Australian and US markets.
Learn the role of insurance to protect income and wealth for individuals, households or small businesses during catastrophic events. Understand estate planning legislation and policy, including its implications in managing retirement funds, estate management and succession. Investigate key issues and factors that can impact selecting financial and investment strategies when developing a comprehensive Statement of Advice (SOA). You’ll also get to choose two elective courses, allowing you to tailor your studies to your career goals.
Complete 96 units comprising:
Complete 84 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Accounting Concepts and Methods
|
Course code
ACCT5001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Principles of Finance
|
Course code
BAFI5000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Quantitative Methods M
|
Course code
BAFI5015
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Economic Principles
|
Course code
ECON5001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Personal Finance
|
Course code
BAFI5008
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ethics and Professionalism (Financial Planning)
|
Course code
BAFI5009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Superannuation
|
Course code
BAFI5010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Financial Planning
|
Course code
BAFI5012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Risk Management and Insurance
|
Course code
BAFI6008
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Estate Planning
|
Course code
BAFI6009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Investment Management
|
Course code
BAFI6010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Applied Financial Planning M
|
Course code
BAFI6014
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Commercial and Business Law
|
Course code
BUSI5097
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Taxation Law M
|
Course code
BUSI6055
|
Units
6
|
As a graduate, use your advanced financial knowledge and consulting skills to work in a variety of roles. With further study and training, you could become a qualified financial planner, providing advice on investments, retirement planning, tax strategies and estate planning to individuals and families. Maybe you’ll work as a tax consultant, advising your clients on how to minimise tax liabilities. You might even start up your own practice – offering a range of financial services and building your reputation as a trusted professional.
Other careers to consider include:
Australia is currently facing a shortage of financial planners, as acknowledged by the Australian Government's inclusion of this role on the Skills Priority List. This shortage is driven by new minimum education and training requirements to legally work as a financial planner, along with an ageing workforce (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024). With our Master of Financial Planning, you’ll have the educational requirements needed to progress into a career as a financial planner and join an in-demand industry.
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Explore answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
