Master of Finance
Specialising in Research
Choose your specialisation
Accounting
With strong links to industry partners and professional bodies, the accounting specialisation provides a strong theoretical and practical foundation.
Business Analytics
This specialisation focuses on machine learning in business and the skills used to deliver insights from data through visualisation techniques.
Business Information Systems
The Business Information Systems specialisation teaches students how businesses can exploit technology to improve their decision making.
Digital Marketing
Learn to build businesses with confidence by understanding how to use traditional and data-led marketing strategies with this Digital Marketing specialisation.
Entrepreneurship
This specialisation gives you the tools to develop the mindset needed to lead and manage high-growth organisations through innovation.
Financial Technologies
This cutting edge FinTech specialisation blends theory with practical applications, giving you the expertise to accelerate your career.
Human Resource Management
This specialisation is designed to give you the essential theoretical skills and practical experience to create dynamic workplace cultures.
Project Management
This specialisation equips you with real-world experience, and the tools, knowledge, and innovation, to manage diverse, complex projects.
Research
Become familiar with writing a research plan and then using this knowledge to conduct practical research and write a business research thesis.
Supply Chain Innovation
This specialisation is co-designed with industry partners and uniquely combines supply chain management, design thinking and data analytics.
Social impact
Create and lead positive social change with a Swinburne postgraduate course in Social Impact - for professionals seeking deeper skills and a more meaningful future.
Overview
Become an expert in financial technology, banking, analysis and investment with our Master of Finance. Learn how fintech is transforming the financial world and understand how to embrace technological advances in areas such as AI, big data, blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Graduate with a strong sense of ethics and an understanding of the social responsibilities needed to succeed in the sector.
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Your specialisation
Research
This research specialisation is comprised of two core subjects that give you the knowledge to develop a research plan and conduct a business research thesis. You’ll use the skills learned throughout this specialisation to choose a topic, review existing literature, set the research questions, analyse data, and present a final report.
Upgrade your skills
- Problem-Solving
- Analytical thinking
- Critical Thinking
- Digital literacy
- Leadership
- Communication
Stretch your career further
Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in a today’s complex and changing business environment. The below examples demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.
- Financial Analyst
- Finance Manager
- Investment Banker
- Stockbroker
- Corporate Finance Analyst
- Portfolio Manager
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Strong industry connections and co-creation
Entrepreneurs often need to draw on the expertise of others, so access to Swinburne’s vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem can be invaluable. The Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship connects you to the wider university through Swinburne’s Innovation Hub, Digital Innovation Lab, as well as our Business Incubator and Entrepreneur-in-Residence programs
The curriculum in this course covers seventy percent of the Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) needed to sit the Chartered Financial Analyst and CAIA accreditation exams.
Professional accreditations
Why Swinburne?
Top 5% of the world’s higher education business schools
91.1% of graduates found employment within 4 months of finishing.
The median income for PG graduates one year out is $79.5K
Business graduate employers include Telstra, NAB, ANZ and IBM
Fast track your course*
A fast-track course gives you the same qualifications as a ‘regular course’, but is completed in a shorter amount of time. Designed for those who already have business or industry experience, you’ll participate in workshops, with assessments based on the workplace.
*Example fast-tracked durations:
Qualifications
Applicants are required to have completed one of the following:
- a bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent or
- the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to International applicants only)
Applicants who have additional qualifications are eligible to enter the program with Advanced Standing and may be able to complete the program in less than two years.
1 year duration (full-time, or equivalent part-time)
Applicants who have completed one of the following may be able to complete the program in 1 year of full-time study (or equivalent part-time study):
- the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration; or
- an honours bachelor degree in a related discipline
1.5 year duration (full-time, or equivalent part-time)
Applicants who have completed one of the following may be able to complete the program in 1.5 years of full-time study (or equivalent part-time study):
- a bachelor degree in a related discipline; or
- a graduate certificate in a related discipline; or
- a bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline and have two years relevant work experience* or
- the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to International applicants only) PLUS either previous related discipline Higher Education Study, OR a minimum of two years relevant work experience*
Applicants are required to have completed one of the following:
- a bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent or
- the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to International applicants only)
Applicants who have additional qualifications are eligible to enter the program with Advanced Standing and may be able to complete the program in less than two years.
1 year duration (full-time, or equivalent part-time)
Applicants who have completed one of the following may be able to complete the program in 1 year of full-time study (or equivalent part-time study):
- the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration; or
- an honours bachelor degree in a related discipline
1.5 year duration (full-time, or equivalent part-time)
Applicants who have completed one of the following may be able to complete the program in 1.5 years of full-time study (or equivalent part-time study):
- a bachelor degree in a related discipline; or
- a graduate certificate in a related discipline; or
- a bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline and have two years relevant work experience* or
- the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to International applicants only) PLUS either previous related discipline Higher Education Study, OR a minimum of two years relevant work experience*
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
Other requirements
*Relevant managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to faculty-determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.
Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.
**Students entering under this admission requirement will be given full credit for the units completed.
*Relevant managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to faculty-determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.
Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.
**Students entering under this admission requirement will be given full credit for the units completed.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Master of Business Administration
-
Master of Business Information Systems
How credit points work
To qualify for the award of Master of Finance students must complete 16 units of study (200 credit points) comprising of:
- 4 foundation units (50 credit points)
- 8 core units (100 credit points)
- 4 units comprising one specialisation or four (4) elective units (50 credit points).
Your units
Graduate Certificate
Completing 4 core units entitles you to the graduate certificate.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Capital Markets
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN80004 |
|
Derivatives and Risk Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN80018 |
|
Portfolio Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN80019 |
|
Ethics and Behavioural Finance Research
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN80027 |
Graduate Diploma
Completing an additional 2 core units and 4 specialisation or elective units entitles you to the graduate diploma.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Modern Finance Issues
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN80001 |
|
Data Analytics and Valuation Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN80002 |
|
Alternative Investments
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN80026 |
|
Fixed Income Securities
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN80028 |
Masters degree
Completing an additional 4 foundation units, 2 core units, 2 specialisation or elective units entitles you to the masters.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Foundation units | |
|
Accounting Systems and Reporting
Foundation unit, 12.5 credit points |
ACC60008 |
|
Economics
Foundation unit, 12.5 credit points |
ECO80001 |
|
Business Statistical Modelling
Foundation unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN60003 |
|
Corporate Financial Management
Foundation unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN80005 |
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
Research specialisation units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Research Methodology
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
BUS80003 |
|
Business Research Thesis
Specialisation unit, 25.0 credit points |
BUS80021 |
|
Quantitative Research Methods
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
BUS80017 |
|
Qualitative Research Methods
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
BUS80018 |
|
Advanced Microeconometrics
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
ECO80002 |
|
Economics of Innovation
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
ECO80003 |
|
Data Science Fundamentals
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
INF80054 |
|
Social Network Analysis
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
INF80055 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$35,120
Total fee* ($AUD)
$70,240
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$46,560.00
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Finances
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for FEE-HELP
You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:
- are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
- are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
- have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.