Duration
Study one unit across a seven-week study period, allowing you to complete your Graduate Certificate in Finance within 8 months. It's recommended that you spend approximately 20 hours per week on your postgraduate study. Our 100% online Graduate Certificate in Finance program allows you to study when it suits you and you are not required to be online at a specific time.
Fees
$17,284 for all 4 units. FEE-HELP is a Commonwealth Government loan scheme that helps eligible full-fee paying students pay all or part of their tuition fees. FEE-HELP is available for this program.
Units
Study one unit each seven-week study period with our multi-award-winning Block Model. Assessments are delivered at the same time each study period, allowing for deep and focused learning.
Study intakes
There are six study periods each year, allowing you to begin your Graduate Certificate in Finance at the start of any study period. You will study one unit at a time over the seven-week study period. If required, you are able to skip a study period.
July, Aug, Oct
Why study the Graduate Certificate in Finance Online?
Know what to expect from each unit
Highly consistent unit design helps you to anticipate assessment due dates, online office hours/seminars.
Learn from industry leaders
You will benefit from the unique industry connections of our academics and facilitators, as well as VU’s strong reputation in the business community.
Gain enterprise skills
All course content is written with a strong and consistent emphasis on employability, ensuring it meets industry standards and delivers the enterprise skills employers demand.
Overview
More than ever, businesses need strong financial foundations to grow, to defend market positions and survive in the long run. With VU Online's Graduate Certificate in Finance, you can build on your current financial skill set or gain new financial skills to expand your horizons and be prepared for the next stage in your career.
This course helps you to develop a toolkit for making sound financial decisions and to acquire the enterprise skills that are highly sought after by employers. It also serves as a solid foundation for pursuing further postgraduate studies. After completing this course, you will have the option to continue your studies and earn a Master of Business Administration (Finance) degree.
VU Online's Graduate Certificate in Finance covers four core areas of finance and financial management, equipping you with the necessary industry knowledge to add provable value to organisations of all sizes.
Step up to a middle or senior management role in finance with an online Graduate Certificate in Finance.
- Senior Payroll Officer
- Office Manager
- Head of Finance
- General Manager
- Practice Manager
- Hospital Administrator
Why choose VU Online?
Flexible study
Study 100% online, accessing experiential academic content in text and video form when it suits you. Study one subject at a time with VU’s award-winning Block Model®.
Support 7 days, including evenings
Get the support you need, when you need it. Connect with your academics, facilitators and peers in each unit and benefit from 1:1 personalised support from specialist academics via email, phone or video call.
Pathway to a top-tier MBA
A Graduate Certificate is your stepping-stone to the world’s most in-demand business qualification. VU’s MBA course is highly regarded and was ranked a tier-one MBA in CEO Magazine’s 2023 Global Rankings.
What you will study
This course covers four core areas of finance and financial management:
Financial acumen is an important skill for managers in the complex local and global business environment. The unit takes a multidisciplinary approach to develop advanced analytical, planning and decision making skills. This unit proposes a theoretical framework for effective and efficient use of financial statement information for business analysis. It identifies and evaluates: financial statements, business strategies, financial data, and growth of the business. This framework is then applied to a variety of complex decision making contexts including security analysis, credit analysis, merger and acquisition analysis, and management communications analysis.
This unit focuses on the understanding and use of financial information and the composition and meaning of financial statements. It is designed from a user-perspective for those who use accounting information, rather than those whose task it is to prepare information. The unit covers accounting reports prepared for external users, as well as accounting reports used by managers to plan, control and make decisions. Students will demonstrate skills in accounting techniques used to gain intelligence to plan and control business operations and plan future business activity.
This unit provides students with an understanding of how organisations make investment and financing decisions. Students will demonstrate how to apply various valuation methods and theories to real-world settings. Students will also learn to appreciate the limitations of tools in practical settings. Specific topics include capital budgeting, investment decision rules, discounted cash flow, real options valuation, cost of capital, capital structure, dividend policy and evaluation methods such as WACC and APV. Students will demonstrate the necessary skills for making value-changing financial decisions to maximise an organisation’s value.
This unit provides students with an understanding of how organisations make investment and financing decisions. Students will demonstrate how to apply various valuation methods and theories to real-world settings. Students will also learn to appreciate the limitations of tools in practical settings. Specific topics include capital budgeting, investment decision rules, discounted cash flow, real options valuation, cost of capital, capital structure, dividend policy and evaluation methods such as WACC and APV. Students will demonstrate the necessary skills for making value-changing financial decisions to maximise an organisation’s value.
Entry requirements
When you apply to study with VU, we’ll take into consideration your prior study, work experience and current skills. If eligible, you can also apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), so you can make your next career move even sooner.
- Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a similar discipline; OR
- Applicants with a minimum five (5) years approved work experience will be considered for admission to this course.
Advanced Standing
- If you've previously successfully completed any of the units in the course you have enrolled in, or their equivalent, you may be eligible for credit transfer.
- If you've otherwise gained skills and knowledge that are relevant to your course, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.
Fees & FEE-HELP
A Graduate Certificate in Finance from VU Online costs $4,321 per unit*, taking the total for 4 units to $17,284*.
This depends on the number of units you study and whether you are eligible for Advanced Standing, which is assessed after you submit your application.
10% discount for alumni
If you’ve previously completed a qualification with us (and didn't apply through an agent), you may be eligible for a 10% discount.
Note that you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s loan scheme, FEE-HELP. The loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying students with the cost of a university program. It can be used for all or part of the tuition. To determine your eligibility, visit the FEE-HELP website.
*2027 student fees are shown and are subject to change.
For more information on fees and student support, download a brochure.
Want to learn more about this course?
What our students say
I was promoted and subsequently found a more senior role at another company all as a result of my increased business acumen thanks to VU.
What our students say
I am receiving a lot of support from my facilitators and my Student Success Advisor, who boosts my confidence and self-esteem.
What our students say
It was personally satisfying connecting and collaborating with a range of industry professionals. Many have become valuable work contacts, some even lifelong friends and career mentors.
What our students say
The flexibility, relevance and opportunity that VU Online brings to higher education are testaments to excellence in teaching and learning.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, upon graduation your testamur will specify that you have gained your Master of Business Administration (Finance).
It is recommended that you have some experience in the field of finance before you begin your MBA (Finance) but it is not essential. However, if you do not have prior finance experience, it is essential that you do have managerial or leadership experience. If you would like to know more, please reach out to one of our Student Enrolment Advisors.
Yes, after completing the four specialised units, you will receive a certificate of completion for the Graduate Certificate in Finance. In these units, you will build on your financial skillset, which can be applied in a variety of corporate finance positions.
First, you must apply for a Master of Business Administration. Once you have received an offer, you can choose the specialisation in Finance during the enrolment process.
No, our online postgraduate degrees do not include exams. You’ll focus on experiential learning through case studies, self-determined assessments and unit content that is highly relevant to your future role.
With opportunities ranging from financial planning to risk management, the ever-evolving field of finance offers diverse career paths for those with the right skills and qualifications. Learn about the careers in finance you can consider here.
With a generalist MBA, you will build a broad business and leadership skillset, studying leadership, business strategy, entrepreneurship and more. Elevate your career as an effective, authentic leader. With an MBA (Finance) you will build on your financial skillset, studying financial analysis and financial management to excel as a leader in the finance world. Learn more about MBA specialisations and how to choose the right one for you and your career goals here.
The best certificate for finance depends on your career goals and level of experience. Professionals looking to build finance capability often choose a postgraduate qualification that balances financial theory with practical application. A finance certificate at postgraduate level can help develop skills in financial analysis, decision-making, and commercial awareness, making it suitable for roles across corporate finance, government, consulting, and business management. An online graduate certificate in finance also offers flexibility for working professionals who want to upskill without committing to a full Master’s degree.
The Graduate Certificate in Finance at VU Online is designed to provide a strong foundation in finance while supporting career development across a range of business and finance-related roles. It is well suited to professionals seeking a recognised postgraduate pathway into postgrad finance or further study.
Yes, a graduate certificate can be a valuable way to strengthen your professional profile, particularly if you’re looking to upskill, pivot career direction, or prepare for more advanced study. Graduate certificates are recognised postgraduate qualifications that demonstrate your ability to engage with higher-level coursework and apply knowledge in a professional context. For those working in or moving towards finance roles, completing a graduate certificate of finance can help build confidence, credibility, and practical capability.
The Graduate Certificate in Finance at Victoria University Online helps students develop core finance knowledge that can be applied immediately in the workplace, while also providing a pathway into further postgraduate study in finance or business if desired.
Most graduate certificates in Australia are made up of four postgraduate subjects, allowing students to complete the qualification in a relatively short period of time while still gaining substantial academic and practical knowledge. This structure makes graduate certificates a popular option for professionals who want focused learning without the longer commitment of a Master's degree.
The Graduate Certificate in Finance at VU Online, comprises four units of study delivered fully online. Students complete one unit at a time, making it easier to balance study with work and other responsibilities while building strong foundations in graduate finance and financial decision-making.
Still have questions?
Our Student Enrolment Advisors are just a click away. They can answer any questions you have about this course or VU Online.
Ready to take the next step?
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