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.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
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 qualification of Postgraduate Certificate in Finance entitling you to use the letters PGCert 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 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.
Finance
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 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.
Duration
1 - 2 years.
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.
Number of credits
60 credits
Careers or further progression
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.
Further enquiries
Tel: (01) 678 5399
Fax: (01) 678 5442
Email: ireland@open.ac.uk
Subjects taught
Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits and there are two routes to achieving this.
Route 1
You should study the modules in the order shown.
Compulsory modules Credits
Introduction to corporate finance (B858) 30
Financial strategy: valuation, governance and ethics (B859) 30
Route 2
Compulsory module Credits
Corporate finance (BXM850) 60
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.
We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time.