Master of Financial Planning

The Master of Financial Planning provides the high level knowledge and skills required of the modern financial adviser to start and progress their career. This includes coverage of the practice and theory of financial planning including financial markets, investments, risk management, taxation, retirement and estate planning, and behavioural finance.

You will graduate with a degree accredited under the standards set out by the Financial Adviser Standards and Conduct Unit (FASCU).

The program has a foundation component which allows those without a prior degree in financial planning who are looking for a career change to participate. Those with experience in the field can also enter the program and progress to the advanced level study.

Griffith University offers a range of flexible delivery modes online. Find out more about our Financial Planning programs.

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Financial Planning, a student must:

• hold a related Bachelor degree (or equivalent) from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale), OR
• hold any Bachelor degree (or higher) from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale), and a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant work experience, OR
• hold a Griffith Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale). Students with a Griffith Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning will receive 40 credit points of advanced standing, OR
• hold a Griffith Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale). Students with a Griffith Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning will receive 80 credit points of advanced standing towards the program under a structured upgrading program arrangement. Further credit in addition to that awarded on the basis of advanced standing is not available.

From 2025:

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Financial Planning, you must have one of:

Pathway 1 - 1 year program (80CP):

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a *related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; AND a minimum 5 years full-time (or equivalent) relevant ^professional experience OR hold the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) designation completed through coursework.

Pathway 2 - 1.5 year program (120CP - Dissertation OR Integrated Master Pathway):

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a *related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; OR
• A recognized Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale AND hold the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) designation completed through coursework.

Pathway 3 - 1.5 year program (120CP):

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale AND a minimum 2 years full-time (or equivalent) relevant ^professional experience.

*Related Discipline: Accounting, economics, financial planning, finance.

^5 years full-time Relevant Professional Experience: Relevant Professional Experience is defined as employment in financial advice including Financial Planner, Adviser or Paraplanner or meet the definition of an 'existing provider' as detailed in the Professional Standards legislation.

*2 years full-time Relevant Professional Experience: Relevant Professional Experience is defined as employment in a position in financial services. For example: banking, superannuation, accounting, financial analyst, insurance.

A higher qualification refers to a qualification at a higher level than a Bachelor qualification, which includes any of the following: a Bachelor Honours Degree; Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree, MPhil or PhD.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

If you do not meet the University's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This Institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

• Griffith English Language Institute

Upon completion of the program, you may find career opportunities in the financial services industry (namely, banks, funds management and financial planning practices) in various roles such as client services officers, authorised representatives, para-planners and financial advisers.