Finance

Postgraduate Certificate in Finance
This qualification is designed to support professional development and practice in a wide range of roles in finance - whether you are developing in your career or aspiring to enter the sector. It is applicable to roles in areas such as investment banking, portfolio management, corporate finance, treasury, law and consultancy. It provides a thorough grounding in corporate finance, financial decision-making, financial reporting and governance. You will learn to undertake company and project valuations, and to estimate the cost of capital; and you will be introduced to Islamic finance and behavioural finance.

Key features of the course
• Provides an up-to-date perspective on both theory and practice in national and international contexts
• Learn and apply the most important tools for financial analysis and decision support
• Develop expertise in key areas of finance such as securities and company valuation, project appraisal, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and Islamic finance
• Develops your digital literacy skills and critical thinking.

This certificate is the first stage of a study programme that progresses to a postgraduate diploma and finally a masters degree.

Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits from the following:
Compulsory modules
• Financial markets and the financing of organisations (B815) NEW 30
Next start: 05 Nov 2022
• Financial strategy: valuation, governance and ethics (B859) 30
Next start: 07 May 2022

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module B858.

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 20 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

You must hold a bachelors degree awarded by a recognised UK university, or equivalent. Please contact us if you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK degree to ensure that it meets the requirements for admission.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.

You should possess a good working knowledge of maths and be confident with spreadsheets. It would be advisable to self-assess your level of maths before registering for this qualification. To help you decide whether you are ready, you may want to try this diagnostic quiz.

1 - 2 years.

How long it takes
Most students study this qualification in one year by studying 60 credits in the year. This is the minimum time to complete. The maximum time to complete is four years.

Career relevance
Financial decision making is fundamental to all organisations. This qualification aims to equip learners with an understanding of how the finances of an organisation work and apply their knowledge in a variety of ways. It will enhance their employability by equipping them with skills and knowledge that span from the ability to analyse and interpret financial statements, through to the comprehension of company valuation, mergers and acquisition and knowledge of models of corporate governance, and Islamic finance.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.