Are you considering taking a postgraduate course in financial planning and want to know what will be covered? Maybe you want to learn about financial planning but are concerned about the assessments on a postgraduate course? Whatever brought you here, we have the answers for you!
Today, we have a brief guide that outlines what you should know about taking a postgraduate course in financial planning, preparing you for the course before it begins.
What Is Financial Planning?
Financial planning involves examining a business’s finances and offering advice on how it can achieve its financial goals. Both short-term and long-term financial goals are considered here, and financial plans are revised when needed depending on the business’s success and any changes in the market.
Financial planning is often offered as part of business management courses, but you can specialise entirely in financial planning, especially at a postgraduate level. These courses are taught at postgraduate levels, including graduate certificates, diplomas, and master’s degrees. The course level, along with entry requirements, will be stated on the course so you can see which is best suited to you.
What Do Postgraduate Courses In Financial Planning Cover?
Courses in financial planning cover various topics that will allow you to progress in your career as a financial planner or better understand your business’s finances. Typically, postgraduate financial planning courses will cover the following topics:
- Risk management and estate planning
- Taxation laws
- Business consulting
- Accounting and financial management
- Corporate finance
- Art and practice of leadership
- Behavioural finance for financial advisers
- Financial plan construction and client management
- Professionalism and ethics
A postgraduate financial planning course aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to begin or progress in your career in financial planning with a holistic view of the requirements of accredited financial planners. The courses will help you understand how financial planners can work with small businesses, big corporations, the taxation laws they must follow, and how to manage clients as a self-employed financial planner.
Some courses offer additional modules that will allow you to specialise as a financial planner. These include topics like retirement and wealth planning, commercial law, and cash flow maintenance. When choosing the right course for you, check the course catalogue to see what modules and units are offered to ensure they will help you achieve your goals.
How Will I Learn On A Postgraduate Financial Planning Course?
How you learn in a postgraduate financial planning course varies depending on your chosen course. Most financial planning courses are taught through a mixture of lectures, workshops, and seminars. These will involve independent and group work, allowing you to gain knowledge about topics and apply it to case studies and questions provided by the course leader.
Some financial planning courses are taught online, focusing more on independent work. You will be given access to lectures and all your reading materials to work through at your own pace. There might also be collaborative sessions where you can work with other students, ask course leaders questions, and receive feedback.
When applying for your postgraduate financial planning course, check the catalogue to see how the course runs. Here, you will find out how long the course takes, how many hours of classes you will attend weekly, and how many hours of independent study you are expected to complete.
How Will I Be Assessed On A Postgraduate Financial Planning Course?
Assessments on postgraduate financial planning courses vary depending on the course you choose. Typically, exams, essays, and case studies are used to assess your knowledge and understanding. These will be spread across your course, usually after you complete a module. In-person courses sometimes feature group projects or presentations as part of your assessments.
Online postgraduate financial planning courses focus on independent assessments. Depending on how the course runs, there might be essays, reports, or case studies at the end of each unit. You might also be asked to give individual presentations or complete small exams to prove you have understood the knowledge and can apply it to real-life situations.
Most course catalogues tell you what types of assessments are included in each course.
Final Thoughts
A postgraduate course in financial planning is an excellent stepping stone, whether you are looking to change careers or embark on a new one. The course will cover the basics of financial planning and offer real-life situations where you can put your knowledge to the test, helping you become the best financial planner possible.
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