Program Overview

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Introduction to the Online Postgraduate Diploma in Finance

The Online Postgraduate Diploma in Finance offers a practical and theoretical program in the two core pillars of investment and corporate finance. This unique program, offered by the University of the Witwatersrand, equips candidates with the technical and analytical skills applicable to disciplines such as security analysis, portfolio management, data analysis, and financial modeling.

Overview of the Program

The program presents an alternative route for non-research-minded candidates who wish to strengthen and deepen their knowledge in the field of finance. It also provides an opportunity for individuals with a quantitative background who may not have majored in finance in their undergraduate studies but wish to specialize in the field of finance. The study mode for this program is fully online, with options for one-year full-time or two-year part-time diploma.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Online Postgraduate Diploma in Finance can pursue various career opportunities, including:

• Investment banker
• Stockbroker
• Portfolio Manager
• Investment Analyst
• Consultant
• Merger & Acquisition Transactor

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Online Postgraduate Diploma in Finance includes the following compulsory courses:

• Principles of Corporate Finance
• Principles of Investment
• Financial Modelling
• Introduction to Statistics with Applications in R
• Portfolio Management
• International Finance Candidates must also choose two elective courses from the following options:
  • Applications of Derivatives
  • Data Analysis, Back-testing and Optimisation
  • Fintech and Big Data Analysis

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for the Online Postgraduate Diploma in Finance include a Bachelors degree or the equivalent of a South African NQF 7 qualification in the fields of finance, accounting, economics, mathematics, or engineering.

Course Application Process

To apply for the PGDip Finance program, candidates need to select Distance Mode Postgraduate at the start of the application. The token for PGDip Finance is CXOPDFN24.

University Fees and Funding

The current average tuition fees for the program can be found on the university's fees website. The university also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once candidates have applied, they will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal. Additionally, the university offers various postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award.

Programme Details

• Programme Code: CXO06
• Faculty: Commerce, Law and Management
• School: Economics and Finance
• Qualification: PGDip
• Duration: 1-2 years
• Study Mode: Full-time; Part-time

Closing Date

Applications for January 2026 entry open on 1 May 2025 and close on 30 November 2025.

Course Coordinator

The course coordinator for the Online Postgraduate Diploma in Finance is James Britten.