Master of Finance

The Master of Finance at Curtin University is a one-year postgraduate degree for people who want to work in finance and need the technical grounding to do it properly. You'll study corporate finance, investments, financial markets and institutions, and quantitative methods. The exact unit list is published by the university, so check the official course page before you apply. This is a coursework master's, not a research degree, so the focus is on applying finance theory to real decisions: valuing a company, pricing risk, reading a balance sheet, building a portfolio, and understanding how Australian and global markets actually operate.

Australian master's degrees by coursework are usually one to two years depending on whether you've studied the field before. This one runs for one year full time. You'll complete units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, across trimesters or semesters as Curtin schedules them. Some master's programmes include a capstone unit or a professional placement; confirm the structure on the official page. Assessment is typically a mix of exams, assignments, case studies and group work. If you're coming from a non-finance background, check the entry requirements carefully, as some master's programmes assume prior study in a related area.

What you gain is practical. You learn to analyse financial statements, apply valuation models, manage investment risk, and use the tools finance professionals use every day. You also build the communication skills to explain a recommendation to a client or a board. Curtin has links with industry and professional bodies, and Perth is a base for banking, resources finance and wealth management. If you're an international student, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work after you finish, and while you study your visa generally allows 48 hours of work per fortnight. Always confirm visa conditions with the Department of Home Affairs.

This degree suits recent graduates in finance, accounting, economics or business who want to specialise, and professionals already working in banking, financial planning or corporate roles who need a formal qualification to move up. It also suits people from other fields who are prepared to do the quantitative work. English proficiency is required for international applicants; IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common coursework-postgraduate standard, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and Curtin's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Student visa has its own English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 103293C. Check the official course page for the current unit list, entry requirements and fees.

• Financial analyst or investment analyst in banks, funds management and stockbroking firms
• Corporate finance or treasury roles in large Australian companies and government agencies
• Risk analyst or compliance officer in banking and insurance
• Financial adviser or planner in wealth management practices
• Credit analyst in commercial lending
• Consultant in accounting and advisory firms
• Roles in superannuation funds and financial regulators