Admission requirements

The admission requirements for this programme will adhere to the University of Johannesburg’s Admission and Selection Policy which is current at the time of the registration for this programme.

You should have one of the following:

New/Old NQF Level 6 qualification with three years’ relevant work experience in financial markets OR

New/Old NQF Level 6 qualification in Finance OR

Five years’ relevant work experience in financial markets

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not assure acceptance into the programme, as you will undergo a selection process as determined by the Department of Finance and Investment Management. If you have an NQF Level 6 qualification with three years’ relevant work experience or only relevant work experience, you will write an entrance exam to determine if you have the necessary foundational knowledge to proceed with the Advanced Diploma. If you do not pass the exam, you will be able to do certain short learning programmes (which are in development) so that your knowledge is at the correct level before doing the Advanced Diploma.

The decision to recommend admission is made by the programme coordinator who will evaluate you (via Skype or by other appropriate means). During the selection process, the programme coordinator will consider your career history. The programme coordinator may also request you to perform certain discipline-related writing or practical skills tasks as a means of assessing the breadth and depth of your knowledge and skills before making a final admission decision.

You further need to have strong general computer skills and reliable access to the internet, as the programme is offered fully online. If you do not have reliable internet access you will not be able to participate fully in the learning activities for each module.

The international equivalence of qualifications will be specified in the Prospectus.

Have a question? Email [email protected] or phone 0800 233 723 (toll-free)

Technical requirements

We recommend the following in order to successfully complete your 100% online degree:

Basic computer skills:

• Be able to operate your computer and perform common tasks.
• Email and file management (access, create, edit, save, upload and download documents).
• Be able to use a word processing program to create and edit documents.
• Basic web-browsing skills.

Computer requirements:

• Laptop or PC
• A high-speed internet connection (3G, 4G, LTE, ADSL or Fibre)
• E-book storage and reading
• Study notes storage and reading (PDF, MS Office)
• Video storage and playback
• Video recording
• Audio storage and playback
• Audio recording
• Web browsing
• Document creation
• Access to social networking

Module interruption and scheduled maintenance:

In the event of unexpected module interruption on the due date for an activity, the online facilitator will notify students of a new due date.

Modules & credits

Modules are undertaken over a seven week period. The programme is split over 20 months and consists of compulsory modules.

Compulsory modules – 130 Credits

Exemption exam*

The exemption component will be available for students to write. If they fail the exam they will need to complete the applied financial mathematics module and pass it. If they pass the exemption exam they will not need to do the applied financial mathematics module.

Applied Financial Mathematics (Includes Exemption Exam*) (10 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to develop a student’s financial mathematics skills, which are required in the other modules related to finance to ensure students can cope with the mathematical calculations that are covered in these modules.

Introduction to Financial Markets 1 (12 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to cover the basic concepts of financial markets and the characteristics and relevance of the different financial markets present both locally and internationally. The module relates knowledge of interpreting information present in the interest-bearing markets in order to utilise the information in a financial market environment for the purposes of decision making within the context of the financial system, the economy, time value of money as well as risk and return.

Introduction to Financial Markets 2 (13 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to cover the basic concepts of financial markets and the characteristics and relevance of the different financial markets present both locally and internationally. The module relates knowledge of interpreting information present in the equity markets in order to utilise the information in a financial market environment for the purposes of decision making within the context of financial statements, cash flows, corporate finance, working capital and portfolio management.

Client Service and Financial Advice 1 (12 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to provide students with a framework for dealing with clients and the appropriate processes for providing financial advice, as well as a framework for sourcing information from a client in order to meet the requirements of setting up a client portfolio, and assisting clients with any questions related to the portfolio with a focus on financial planning.

Client Service and Financial Advice 2 (13 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to provide students with a framework for dealing with clients and the appropriate processes for providing financial advice, as well as a framework for sourcing information from a client in order to meet the requirements of setting up a client portfolio, and assisting clients with any questions related to the portfolio with a focus on taxation.

Trading in Financial Markets 1 (12 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to relate knowledge of the trading systems and processes used in the financial market trading environment, as well as to provide the framework necessary to implement client market orders in the foreign exchange and alternative investment markets.

Trading in Financial Markets 2 (13 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to relate knowledge of the trading systems and processes used in the financial market organisation, structure and trading environment, as well as to provide the framework necessary to implement client market orders in the derivatives and overall market trading.

Financial Markets Transactions 1 (12 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to familiarise the student with the function of regulation in South Africa, as well as the roles of the various regulators. Specific pieces of legislation will be discussed in detail, such as the Credit Ratings Services Act and The Financial Advisors and other Intermediary Services Act. The role of corporate governance and ethics in relation to King III will also be covered in the module. 

Financial Markets Transactions 2 (13 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to familiarise the student with the function of regulation in South Africa, as well as the roles of the various regulators. The Financial Markets Act will be covered in detail as well as conflicts of interest and the enforcement of financial regulations.

Application of Corporate Events 1 (10 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to provide students with a clear understanding of corporate events and the implications thereof, as well as a practical understanding of corporate events and how they are used within the financial market environment, with a focus on corporate finance which includes capital, dividends, earnings and payments.

Application of Corporate Events 2 (10 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to provide students with a clear understanding of corporate events and the implications thereof, as well as a practical understanding of corporate events and how they are used within the financial market environment, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions as well as redemptions and repurchases.

Programme Fees

UJ online programmes are designed to be affordable, saving time and money compared to other formats. Tuition fees are calculated per seven-week module. You can enrol in and pay for each consecutive session as your studies progress. Payment is accepted through the online student portal and must meet the payment deadline.

Number of modules: 10 (Pass with Maths Exemption)

Number of modules: 11 (If Maths module requires completion)*

Programme credits: 120

Programme credits: *130

Fees per programme credit: ± R323

Total tuition fees: R38,790*

Total tuition fees: ±R42,050**

* The Applied Financial Mathematics module includes an exemption exam.

* *Fees quoted are 2023 fees. Fees are subject to an annual increase.

The module will be exempted on the academic record if the exemption exam is passed.

Payment methods

Important: total tuition fees due for the module should be paid in full before registration will be allowed.

Credit card – recommended payment option

Credit card (e-payments) will reflect on your UJ student account immediately.

For online e-payments please use the following link:

https://www.uj.ac.za/studyatUJ/Student-Finance/Pages/E-Payments.aspx

Bank deposit

If you make payment at an FNB branch, you must ensure that your names and student number are clearly written in block letters on the deposit slip.

Please file the deposit documentation in a safe place.

Should you have any queries regarding the payment not reflecting on your UJ student account, therefore preventing you from registering, you can email [email protected] to submit an enquiry – insert your student number as the email subject.

Visit any FNB branch to make a payment into the UJ Tuition Fee account.

The teller should select the UJ tuition fees account for payment.

Use your valid UJ student number as the reference.

Electronic fund transfers (EFT)

EFT must be made 72 hours before the registration period closes to ensure that the payment reflects on your UJ student account.

EFT made from outside the country’s borders may take even longer. It is recommended that foreign students effect payment at least ten days before the registration period closes.

The ‘UJ FNB Tuition Fee’ account is available as a predefined beneficiary on the electronic platforms of all the major South African banks.  Search for the predefined beneficiaries on your own electronic banking platform.

Select UJ FNB Tuition Fee account and save that as a beneficiary to make payment.

Use your valid UJ student number as reference.

ATM

ATM payments will reflect on your UJ student account within 15 minutes.

Use any FNB ATM that can accept cash.

Select the cardless services option on the ATM.

Deposit the cash.

FNB Recipient Name – key in UJ and then space.

Select UJ Tuition Fee account.

Debit cards

Debit cards (cards requiring a pin for the processing of your payment) cannot be used for online payments.

Cancellation & refund policy

You can cancel your studies in a particular programme or module by official notification thereof before dates determined by the University.

Students are able to cancel their studies in a particular programme or module via their student portal or by submitting official notification to the relevant faculty officer before dates determined by the University.

If you cancel your registration before the end of the first week of the module (by midnight on Sunday, South African time), you will be entitled to a refund of 90% of the module fee OR to a credit of 90% of the module fee.

If you cancel your registration before the end of the second week of the module (by midnight on Sunday, South African time), you will be entitled to a refund of 50% of the module fee OR to a credit or 50% of the module fee.

A credit will be allocated to your student account automatically, on receipt of your cancellation. Credit into the student account will be given automatically on cancellation HOWEVER a refund will only be paid out to the student on receipt of a completed refund application via the following link. If you fail to notify the university officially of your cancellation of a module after the end of the second week, you will not be entitled to any reimbursement or credit of the module fee, resulting in no refund or credit for any cancellations in weeks three to seven of any running module.