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Home > Courses > Graduate Diploma of Financial Services
Kaplan Professional’s Graduate Diploma of Financial Services (and nested courses) are the only higher education qualifications in Australia dedicated solely to the financial services industry, and is designed for ambitious individuals seeking to progress a career in this sector.
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STUDY MODE
100% online
NUMBER OF SUBJECTS
8
NEXT INTAKE
13 Jan 2025
COURSE FEE
$20,800.00
AVAILABLE LOANS
FEE-HELP
AQF LEVEL
COURSE DURATION
1.25 years full-time2.5 years part-time10 months accelerated full-time
ACCREDITATION
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
PROVIDER ID
PRV12030
The Graduate Diploma of Financial Services (and nested courses) are the first higher education qualifications in Australia dedicated solely to the financial services industry. This 8-subject qualification is designed to give you the opportunity to begin focusing on a particular area of financial services relevant to you and your career. It provides a uniquely flexible learning experience, enabling you to structure your learning to suit your individual needs and career path, both immediately and into the future.
The two core subjects are designed to encourage you to explore and further understand the contemporary financial services industry. For the remaining six elective subjects, you have the freedom to choose from a broad elective pool spanning the following areas:
Single subject study is also available. Click here for full subject availability.
If you have graduated with a Kaplan Professional postgraduate qualification, you may wish to progress to a higher qualification.
Graduate Certificate in Financial Services
On completion of this course, individuals will be able to:
Kaplan Professional defines the philosophy underpinning our qualifications through the graduate attributes. These are the qualities we’d like individuals to develop as they progress through their academic studies; they reflect what individuals will know (knowledge) or be able to do (capabilities), when they finish their qualifications.
The attributes are built into Kaplan Professional course learning outcomes, content and assessments:
Please click here to learn more about our graduate attributes.
Six intakes every year
With six intakes every year, you can plan ahead and study when it suits you. A new study period commences every two months, overlapping slightly from the previous, so you can pace your studies to achieve your goals within your desired timeframe.
Extra time each study period
Take advantage of our complimentary early access period to make a head start on your next subject. Gain an extra four weeks of access to your online subject room, learning materials, support resources and assessments in advance of the study period commencement date to give you more time to prepare yourself and balance your learning.
30 Sep 2024 - 17 Jan 2025
❌ Enrolments now closed
Early access opens 30 September 2024
Early access to assessments 14 October 2024
Study period commences 28 October 2024
Enrolments close/census 13 November 2024
Study period ends 17 January 2025
Assessment dates See assessment information
16 Dec 2024 - 4 Apr 2025
✓ Enrolments open now
Early access opens 16 December 2024
Early access to assessments 30 December 2024
Study period commences 13 January 2025
Enrolments close/census 29 January 2025
Study period ends 4 April 2025
10 Feb 2025 - 30 May 2025
Early access opens 10 February 2025
Early access to assessments 24 February 2025
Study period commences 10 March 2025
Enrolments close/census 26 March 2025
Study period ends 30 May 2025
7 Apr 2025 - 25 Jul 2025
Early access opens 7 April 2025
Early access to assessments 21 April 2025
Study period commences 5 May 2025
Enrolments close/census 21 May 2025
Study period ends 25 July 2025
2 Jun 2025 - 19 Sep 2025
Early access opens 2 June 2025
Early access to assessments 16 June 2025
Study period commences 30 June 2025
Enrolments close/census 16 July 2025
Study period ends 19 September 2025
25 Aug 2025 - 14 Nov 2025
Early access opens 28 July 2025
Early access to assessments 11 August 2025
Study period commences 25 August 2025
Enrolments close/census 10 September 2025
Study period ends 14 November 2025
27 Oct 2025 - 16 Jan 2026
Early access opens 29 September 2025
Early access to assessments 13 October 2025
Study period commences 27 October 2025
Enrolments close/census 12 November 2025
Study period ends 16 January 2026
For a full list of annual study period dates, click here.
The qualifications listed as minimum education requirements must be from a recognised Institute of Higher Education. Overseas qualifications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis using the Country Education Profiles (CEPs) qualification recognition tool provided by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
Alternative entry pathways may be available to you if you do not meet the minimum education requirements. In addition, other entry requirements, such as English language proficiency, may apply to you depending on your academic background.
You’ll be required to provide Kaplan Professional with certified documents supporting that you have met the requirements for entry into the course.
*Related disciplines include:
You may be eligible to pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Financial Services by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Services. Please refer to the ‘Entry requirements’ section on the Graduate Certification in Financial services page.
You may also be eligible for entry into this course based on your work expertise and/or if you hold an academic and/or professional qualification that is deemed appropriate to Kaplan Professional. Please refer to alternative entry pathways for further information, or feel free to contact 1300 135 798 (option 1) or courseadvice@kaplan.edu.au to discuss your options.
Related industry/work experience includes:
Advanced standing may be awarded in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for your prior studies that are directly related to the qualification.
We recognise various types of prior learning towards this qualification:
Recognition of prior learning for the following Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) subjects will only be granted if your prior studies are listed within Schedule 2 – Courses and units of study of the Corporations (Relevant Providers Degrees, Qualifications and Courses Standard) Determination 2021. Industry experience is not eligible for recognition of prior learning for these subjects.
Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), review the advanced standing ‘Precedent list,’ and get detailed guidance on the application process here.
Each Kaplan Professional postgraduate qualification has minimum entry requirements that you must meet to qualify for admission.
In order to complete your studies with Kaplan Professional, you’re assumed to have the following skills and access relating to technology.
You can apply to study with Kaplan Professional by completing our online application (enrolment) form.
Alternatively, you can submit a hard copy of the application (enrolment) form.
You can apply now and supply documentation later to support your application for admission (within three weeks of your initial application to the qualification). Please click here for details on what documentation you may need to provide to support your application.
You may be able to obtain advanced standing or recognition of prior learning for a Kaplan Professional subject based on your previous study, professional membership status and/or work experience.
All subjects are offered online for each study period, giving you the flexibility of choosing when and where you wish study. You pay tuition fees for the subject(s) you’re enrolled in within an individual study period. Check the fee schedule for more information about fees.
FEE-HELP is available to eligible students. Click here to find out if you’re eligible.
You should also check the individual subject outlines to understand the recommended study time commitments for the subject, along with any recommended assumed knowledge. View a list of applied finance subjects here.
Make sure you also check the assessment timetable to ensure you are available to sit the assessment pieces.
You have access to KapLearn – your interactive and state-of-the-art online learning environment – anytime and anywhere. The convenience and flexibility will empower you to plan your study time around the rest of your day, instead of the other way around. Engage with the latest in 100% online digital learning, including discussion forums, interactive notes, online research journals, real-world case studies and diverse multimedia content.
You can book a call to speak with a tutor using Zoom. This can be used to seek more clarification on assessments, ask questions, or discuss certain theories and concepts in more detail. Sessions can be booked in your KapLearn subject room.
To encourage a stronger sense of mutual support and collaboration among our student community, you can participate in tutor-facilitated group study sessions. Hosted over one hour, you can discuss your studies with your peers in the industry, while connecting on a personal level.
To encourage as much interaction as possible between students and faculty, tutors regularly post in the discussion forum. This includes focus points from the week’s topics, as well as tips on study scheduling and how to approach assessment tasks.
Kaplan Professional is evolving how subjects are being assessed. We are reducing our use of exams in favour of including more practical, workplace assessments.
You can count on diligent and prompt support from a dedicated Student Advice team who are always a phone call or email away. The team is experienced, knowledgeable and specifically in place to support those who are studying at the postgraduate level.
Your qualification is designed and delivered by industry experts and leading practitioners, ensuring learning can be immediately applied to your professional practice. Content is designed to be practical and relevant, based on contemporary case studies and the latest industry insights and trends.
Locked-in pricing and FEE-HELP
To safeguard against any future price increases, you can lock in the price of your subject enrolment fees for the duration of your qualification. Many eligible students use FEE-HELP, which is a Commonwealth Government loan. This means you don’t need to pay to study upfront, helping you to reduce some of your financial burden.
Tuition fees
When you apply to study with Kaplan Professional, you pay for the subjects you’ve enrolled in for each study period.
The tuition fee listed below applies to all postgraduate subjects:
If you’re paying by cheque, utilising a deferral, or have a preferred client code, you’ll need to download and submit a hard copy of the form below.
Download a new student application (enrolment) form>
Other fees
Further fees may apply. Click here for a full list of fees and allowances.
Further fees
Click here for a full list of fees and allowances.
Click here to find out if you’re eligible for FEE-HELP.
Payment FAQs
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We prioritise our students' mental and physical health, creating a supportive environment for learning success.
Our dedicated support teams are here to support you throughout your studies.
Our engaging and interactive learning resources support flexible and self-paced learning experiences for our students.
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