Personal Financial Planning – Graduate Diploma in Business Studies

Keen for a career in financial planning? By studying Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Personal Financial Planning) you can change the direction of your career.

Where you can study

Auckland campus
Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Specialise in Personal Financial Planning for your Graduate Diploma in Business Studies at Massey

The Graduate Diploma in Business Studies endorsed in Personal Financial Planning provides a university-level education in financial planning. This qualification satisfies the education requirements for becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM Professional with the professional body Financial Advice New Zealand (other non-educational requirements are required).

Please note that this qualification does not satisfy the educational requisite established by the Financial Markets Authority under the current Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services. A student seeking to be licenced as a financial adviser in New Zealand should consider taking the Certificate in Financial Advice, which does grant such status.

The Graduate Diploma in Business Studies is useful if you wish to keep up with professional developments in your field. Or you may have found yourself working in a different field of business to that in which you hold a qualification.

This is an undergraduate diploma, designed for those who do not have a degree in the subject you wish to pursue. The graduate diploma is a bridging tool to gain the equivalent of an undergraduate major in a specific area. You can then go on to postgraduate study.

You need to be a university graduate to enrol in this qualification.

Certified Financial Planner

CFPCM and its logo are registered certification marks and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM  is a common law certification mark owned outside the U.S. by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. Financial Advice New Zealand is the marks licensing authority for the CFP Marks in New Zealand, through agreement with FPSB. 

Further study

The graduate diploma is a bridging tool. You can gain the equivalent of an undergraduate major in a specific area so you can go on to postgraduate study in that area if you wish. Massey offers a wide range of postgraduate qualifications, from master’s to postgraduate diplomas.

A Graduate Diploma in Business Studies in Personal Financial Planning is a good fit if you:

  • would like to change from the major of your first degree to study a different business subject
  • want to update your knowledge with the latest developments in your field.

Planning information

If you wish to study the Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Personal Financial Planning) full-time, you will need to start in Semester One. You’ll take eight 15 credit courses in one year, making a total of 120 credits.

If you start in Semester Two you will study part-time due to sequencing of courses. 

Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.

All courses are offered via distance learning in either the first or second semester, or in Summer School. 125211 The Financial Planning Process should be studied first as it is the introductory course.

No 100-level credits can be included in the Graduate Diploma. Any 100-level prerequisite course that you need to pass before you start the Graduate Diploma in Business Studies should be taken under the Certificate of Proficiency Undergraduate.

Meeting requirements for industry membership

You will be eligible to become a CFPCM CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM1after successfully completing the diploma and completing the following professional requirements:

  • Membership of the professional body Financial Advice NZ (Association)
  • approved Supervised Experience as an Association Member, and
  • the final assessment – currently a Financial Plan from a case study set by the Association.  

All of these professional requirements may be concurrent with study towards the diploma.

1CFPCMand Certified Financial Planner CM are registered certification marks and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM is a common law certification mark owned outside the U.S. by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. Financial Advice New Zealand Inc is the marks licensing authority for the CFP Marks in New Zealand, through agreement with FPSB.

Notes

  • If you are studying in financial service and not currently an adviser in the sector you may apply for free Student Associate status with Financial Advice New Zealand.
  • This qualification is not designed to map to the content required in the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services as set out by the NZ Financial Markets Authority. A student seeking to be licenced as a financial adviser in NZ should consider taking the Certificate in Business Studies (Financial Services pathway), which does grant such status.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Compulsory courses

Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 110380 Estate and Tax Planning 15 credits

Practical issues arising in estate and tax planning for investors and small business in New Zealand.

Prerequisites: 110274 or 110289 or 125211 Corequisites: 125211

View full course details
Course code: 125211 The Financial Planning Process 15 credits

This course introduces students to the theories and processes relating to Financial Planning and Advice.

View full course details
Course code: 125220 Financial Institutions and Markets 15 credits

An overview of the operation of institutions, products and markets which make up the financial system and discusses the role of governments, both domestically and internationally, in the management of our financial system.

Prerequisites: 115114

View full course details
Course code: 125241 Introduction to Investments 15 credits

An introduction to the fundamental and practical concepts of the investment process. Investment products, including equity, debt instruments, and derivatives are discussed as well as basic portfolio concepts.

Prerequisites: 115114 Restrictions: 125240

View full course details
Course code: 125310 Financial Advice Implementation 15 credits

This capstone course deals with the implementation of the financial planning process, including the formation of a comprehensive financial plan.

Prerequisites: 125351 and either 125240 or 125241 Corequisites: One of 110380, 125340, 125342

View full course details
Course code: 125312 Applied Personal Financial Management 15 credits

An examination of the issues and potential solutions pertaining to individual personal financial management decisions.

Prerequisites: 125211 Restrictions: 125212

View full course details
Course code: 125340 Investment Analysis 15 credits

The application of analytical techniques to investment decision-making.

Prerequisites: 125241 Restrictions: 125342

View full course details
Course code: 125351 Personal Risk Management 15 credits

This course provides an overview of personal risk management, and the methods of mitigating potential impact including the role of insurance.

Prerequisites: 125211 Corequisites: 125211

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Personal Financial Planning) you will:

  • have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent; or
  • have demonstrated equivalent practical, professional and/or scholarly experience.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

If you are applying for admission with equivalent practical, professional and/or scholarly experience you will need to provide a current CV containing details of academic and work history.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

For those already working in the field, the diploma will give you additional skills and bring you up-to-date on theory and practice. It may also be useful if you have found yourself in a role outside of your key area of specialty and wish to upskill. Further professional certification may be required in New Zealand and other countries.

Careers may include:

Financial Planner
  • Advises clients about cash management, risk management, investments, retirement planning, tax and estate planning
  • Develops comprehensive financial plans to meet clients' objectives
Retail Banker
  • For anyone working in a bank who is required to give advice on financial products
Insurance Advisor

Brokerage firms

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

Accreditations and rankings

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Massey Business School is rated in the top 5% of global business colleges by AACSB International.

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Financial Advice New Zealand

This qualification satisfies the education requirements for becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER CM professional with the professional body Financial Advice New Zealand (other non-educational requirements are required).

Learn more

QS Ranking – Accounting and Finance

Massey is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 250 universities for accounting and finance.

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QS Ranking - Business Management Studies

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for business and management.

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ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration

Massey University is ranked #2 in New Zealand for business administration by ShanghaiRanking.

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