Postgraduate Diploma Financial Planning

Yes. Please consult the programme brochure for our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) criteria. You must have an Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF6) and relevant work experience. We don’t prescribe a minimum number of years of work – each case is considered on individual merit.

Yes, we offer blended learning, so you can do the programme from any internet-linked device. Each of the four modules has one examination. The examinations are done online in Excel. RPNow will be switched on for proctoring.

Essentially, you need a good support structure and the ‘buy-in’ of your employer. We share the whole year’s lecturing schedule and assessment dates on Orientation Day (January each year), so you can negotiate study leave with your employer well in advance.

The lectures are recorded and uploaded to our online platform within a couple of days. This means students can catch up over the weekend. Also, the lecturing notes are uploaded at least a day prior to each lecture, so you can prepare in advance. We recommend that students form smaller study groups and help each other stay up to date. We also have two class representatives whom you can contact for additional help. We also use various online resources and train you to optimally use fintech solutions.

Do not fall behind – we cover a large volume of work in a relatively short space of time. Use weekends to revise the previous week’s lectures. Work through all the tutorials and read the corresponding textbook chapter thoroughly. A selection of the previous year’s tests and exams are uploaded to our online platform. The lecturers conduct a special Review session prior to the first test of each module. Thereafter, the suggested solutions to the past papers are also uploaded. Practice, practice, practice.

Our student body comes from diverse backgrounds, both academically and professionally. Some have been in the financial services for many decades, others are fresh graduates. Although the majority of students have a BCom background, many are Law or BA graduates with the relevant work experience. Law students typically find the trust and estate planning sections easier (where court cases are discussed), but struggle with the investment planning section. We do provide a list of additional reading material, some of which are housed in the library on the campus. We also recommend students to do extra prep work and, in some cases, do the program over two years. Ultimately, though, we have excellent internal pass rates, so our students adapt very well.

For RPL candidates: Yes. For other candidates, no. But we do find that those with some work experience in financial planning perform better.

Stellenbosch Business School is an accredited education provider of the FPI. Our graduates are therefore automatically eligible to write the FPI exam. After the December graduation, you have to attend the FPI’s workshops in preparation for the FPI exam in February (or if you prefer, August). The Business School also offers an additional Saturday workshop exclusively for our own graduates at no extra charge. During the workshop, our experienced lecturers will take you through a past Case Study exam of the FPI. Note: Our PGDip Financial Planning also allows you to apply for our MBA, should you wish to further your studies. For any other questions,e-mail us.

Once you are registered as a student at Stellenbosch Business School, you automatically have access to our alumni and Career Leadership Office. Our graduates are also in high demand with leading financial services companies, who recruit from us. We regularly post job ads on our electronic platform.