Finance

This qualification is designed to support professional development and practice in a wide range of roles in finance, whether you are advancing in your career or aspiring to enter the sector, such as investment banking, portfolio management, corporate finance, treasury, law and consultancy. It provides a thorough grounding in the financing of companies and other organisations, instruments and structures of financial markets, financial decision-making, mergers and acquisitions, and financial reporting. You'll learn to undertake company and project valuations, and to estimate the cost of capital. You'll also be introduced to the key principles and instruments of Islamic finance, business ethics, as well as corporate financial strategy and governance.

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits from the following:



Compulsory modules/Credits

• Financial markets and the financing of organisations (B815) 30

• Financial strategy and governance (B816) 30



Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B858, B859.



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 a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details (https://www.ielts.org/).



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.

2 years part-time study.



How long it takes

Most students study the Postgraduate Certificate in Finance part-time, completing 30 credits a year over two years. Typically, this means 12–14 study hours each week. The minimum time to complete this qualification is one year.



You must complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Finance within four years.

See Course Web Page link for next start date.

Career relevance

Financial decision making is fundamental to all organisations. This qualification aims to equip learners with an understanding of how an organisation’s finances work and to apply their knowledge in various ways. It will enhance their employability by providing them with skills and knowledge that range from the ability to analyse and interpret financial statements to understand company valuation, mergers and acquisitions, models of corporate governance, business ethics, and Islamic finance.