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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, and consultancy. It provides a thorough grounding in areas such as corporate finance, financial decision-making, financial reporting and governance. It develops competences in applying statistical and econometric techniques, and equips you with knowledge of the fundamentals of Islamic and behavioural finance. You can choose to specialise either in derivatives and financial risk management, or in investment and portfolio management.

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

• Acquire competencies in statistical and econometric analysis

• Develop your digital literacy skills, research capabilities and critical thinking

• Opens up the opportunity to top up to the MSc in Finance in just one more yearby completing a dissertation module.

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

On completion
On successful completion of the required modules, you will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Finance entitling you to use the letters PG Dip Fin (Open) after your name.

Recognition in your country
If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Read recognition in my country.

Credit transfer
If you've successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study or elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

Entry requirements

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 honours 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.

This diploma requires an aptitude for analytical and quantitative methods to engage with theories of finance and their applications. You should possess a good working knowledge of math's and be confident with spreadsheets. It would be advisable to self-assess your level of math's before registering for this qualification. To help you decide whether you are ready, you may want to try this diagnostic quiz.

Duration

1 - 2 years.

Most students study this qualification in two years by studying two 30-credit modules a year. The minimum time to complete this qualification is one year. This can be achieved by studying four modules (120 credits) in your first year, which is the equivalent of full-time study. The maximum time to complete is five years.

Number of credits

120 credits

Careers or further progression

This postgraduate qualification offers knowledge in a wide range of finance areas that include the corporate finance function, investments, banking and financial institutions and risk management. You will gain both theoretical and practical insights into the working of financial markets, valuation of securities, understanding financial statements, risk management and portfolio management. You will develop the skills and capabilities required by investment analysts, finance managers, finance directors and chief financial officers. You will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to support decision making at the higher levels of organisations by exploring issues related to ethics and corporate governance, reporting and disclosure, financing and investment in uncertain and global business environments. Prudent practice of finance is relevant across all sectors – public, private and voluntary. This qualification will therefore prepare you to work in the corporate sector, financial services, the banking industry, multinational organisations and other sectors where analytical and decision tools in treasury, investment and financing decisions are required.

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

Further enquiries

Tel: (01) 678 5399
Fax: (01) 678 5442
Email: ireland@open.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:

90 credits of compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules Credits
Introduction to corporate finance (B858) 30
Financial strategy: valuation, governance and ethics (B859) 30
Research methods for finance (B860) 30

plus

30 credits from this list:

Optional modules Credits
Investment and portfolio management (B861) 30
Derivatives and risk management (B862) 30

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time.

Course web page

Link to course fee

Key information

Qualification letters: 
PG Dip Fin (Open)
Qualifications: 
Postgraduate Diploma at UK Level 7
Attendance Types: 
Distance
Counties: 
Dublin
Apply to: 
Course provider

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