- Where you can study
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Distance and online
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International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Not open to international students
Specialise in Financial Advice for your Diploma in Business Studies at Massey
The Massey University Diploma in Business Studies (Financial Advice) is delivered in conjunction with Kaplan Professional, Australia’s leading and largest provider of financial services education. It combines introductory specialist knowledge with financial advice skills to prepare you for entry into the financial advice industry.
You will have completed the Certificate in Financial Advice and be ready to staircase into this diploma.
In addition to the core subject, Introduction to Financial Advice, you will have completed a course in a specific area of interest or in an area aligned with your career aspirations. The diploma will extend your knowledge into other aspects of the Financial Advice sector:
- Client Engagement Skills
- Ethics in financial advice
Investment - Life, disability, and health insurance
- General insurance
- Residential property lending
You will credit your two Certificate in Financial Advice courses to the diploma and then complete a further 60 credits in order to successfully meet the requirements of this qualification.
Soft skill electives
Client Engagement Skills (30 credits)
This course focuses on behavioural finance concepts to understand different types of behavioural biases that may impact an individual’s financial decision-making. It examines portfolio and prospect theories and the application of behavioural finance to the outcomes of client engagements. It explains how emotional intelligence and critical thinking can assist a financial adviser to understand their client’s perspectives.
Ethics in Financial Advice (30 credits)
This course focuses on the ethical and professional obligations of financial advisers through the broad lens of philosophical approaches to ethics; conduct expected in the Financial Advice Code and the Financial Markets Authority. Students will examine the ethically complex situations encountered by financial advisers when engaging clients in the advice process.
Planning information
Planning information
If you study full-time you’ll take 60 credits per semester, making a total of 120 credits. The first 60 credits will be studied within the Certificate in Financial Advice.
If you wish to study part-time, you should take 30 credits per semester over two years.
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
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 course
Course code: 125179 Introduction to Financial Advice 30 credits
Providing knowledge of the financial advice industry, including regulatory requirements, and the application of professional practice.
View full course details90 credits from
Course code: 125115 Client Engagement Skills 30 credits
This course focuses on behavioural finance concepts to understand different types of behavioural biases that may impact an individual's financial decision-making. It explains how emotional intelligence and critical thinking can assist a financial advisor to understand their client's decisions.
View full course detailsCourse code: 125116 Ethics in Financial Advice 30 credits
This course focuses on the ethical and professional obligations of financial advisors through the broad lens of philosophical approaches to ethics; conduct expected in the Financial Advice Code and the Financial Markets Authority.
View full course detailsCourse code: 125143 Essentials of Investment Advice 30 credits
Providing essential knowledge of the principles and practice of the provision of investment advice
View full course detailsCourse code: 125155 Essentials of Insurance Advice - Life, Disability, and Health 30 credits
Providing essential knowledge of the principles and practice of the provision of insurance (life, disability and health) advice
View full course detailsCourse code: 125156 Essentials of Insurance Advice - General 30 credits
Providing essential knowledge of the principles and practice of the provision of insurance (general) advice
View full course detailsCourse code: 125163 Essentials of Residential Property Lending Advice 30 credits
Providing essential knowledge of the principles and practice of the provision of residential property lending advice
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
For entry to the Diploma in Business Studies (Financial Advice) you will have been awarded or qualified for the Certificate in Financial Advice.
Start dates
| Semester | Closing date | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| S1B1: Semester One (early) | 18 Jan 2026 | 26 Jan 2026 |
| S1B2: Semester One (late) | 29 March | 6 April |
| S2B1: Semester Two (early) | 24 May | 1 June |
| S2B2: Semester Two (late) | 26 July | 3 Aug |
| SSB1: Summer School (early) | 27 Sept | 5 Oct |
| SSB2: Summer School (late) | 29 Nov | 7 Dec |
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
2026 tuition fees
- Domestic students: $3,816
- International students: Not applicable
Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 credits). For more information about this fee and other fees you may need to pay, see non-tuition fees.
There may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Course fees
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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees 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.
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