Postgraduate Diploma in Finance | Open University

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This qualification will support your professional development and practice across a range of finance roles, including investment banking, portfolio management, corporate finance, treasury, and consultancy. It provides a solid grounding in key areas, such as corporate financing, the instruments and structures of financial markets, financial decision-making, valuation, mergers and acquisitions, and financial reporting. The programme also develops competencies in applying statistical and econometric techniques, and equips you with knowledge of the fundamentals of Islamic finance, business ethics, corporate financial strategy, and governance. You'll choose between specialising in either derivatives and financial risk management or investment and portfolio management.

You'll be learning from experts at a top triple-accredited business school:

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits. You'll study three compulsory 30-credit finance modules and 30 credits from a choice of option modules.

Modules	Credits	Next start
You'll study the following:
Financial markets and the financing of organisations (B815) This module covers the core areas of corporate finance and investments, providing a basis for developing specialist financial expertise. Next start date: 07 Nov 2026 See full description	30	07 Nov 2026
Financial strategy and governance (B816) Acquire the theoretical and analytical expertise necessary to guide financial strategy and make governance decisions within an organisation. Next start date: 02 May 2026 See full description	30	02 May 2026
You'll study the following:
Research methods for finance (B817) This module aims to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge relevant to understanding and planning empirical research in finance. Next start date: 07 Nov 2026 See full description	30	07 Nov 2026
You'll choose one from:
Investment and portfolio management (B818) This module explores the main participants and their objectives in the major investment markets, covering topics such as bonds, equities, derivatives, portfolio optimisation, ethical investment, taxation, and behavioural biases. Next start date: 02 May 2026 See full description	30	02 May 2026
Derivatives and risk management (B819) This module explores financial risks, including interest rate and foreign exchange risk, and how they are managed by using derivatives like futures, swaps and options. Next start date: 02 May 2026 See full description	30	02 May 2026

By studying the Postgraduate Diploma in Finance, you’ll:

You’ll study through tutor-supported online learning, real-world case studies and practical analytical activities.

You’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance upon successful completion. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Dip Fin (Open) after your name.

Your postgraduate diploma may be awarded with a distinction or a merit. The qualification regulations explain the criteria you’ll need to meet to earn one of these classifications.

If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our

Academic Regulations

contact us

Most students study the Postgraduate Diploma in Finance part-time, completing 60 credits per year over a two-year period. Typically, this translates to 12–14 hours of study per week.

You can also complete this qualification in one year by studying two modules concurrently. If you wish to stay at this faster rate, you’ll need to devote 24–28 hours each week to your studies.

The recommended hours include time to work through that week’s online study planner, complete recommended reading, and attend tutorials.

You must complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Finance within five years.

At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.

As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.

Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:

Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.

Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.

For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.

See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.

Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:

The Open University provides advice and guidance to help students who have disabilities, long-term health conditions, specific learning difficulties or mental health difficulties.

For more information, visit our Disability support page.

Discover how the OU’s Disability Support Team helps students with advice, adjustments and resources.

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:

Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.

You must hold a bachelors degree awarded by a recognised UK university or equivalent. Please contact us if you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK degree to ensure that it meets the requirements for admission.

This diploma requires an aptitude for analytical and quantitative methods to engage with theories of finance and their applications. You should possess a good working knowledge of maths and be confident with spreadsheets. It would be advisable to self-assess your level of maths before registering for this qualification.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.

If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.

You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.

For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

The fees and the funding information shown below relate to the 2025/26 academic year.

Modules starting in the 2026/27 academic year are open for pre-booking, which means you can reserve your place ahead of the fees being confirmed.

We’ll publish updated 2026/27 fees and funding information on the 25th of March.

You’ll pay for your qualification one module at a time, rather than the full cost upfront. The fee for each module is listed in its description.

£7,840*

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

There are some additional costs that aren’t included.

Further information is available in the module descriptions.

*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Learn more about spreading the costs with monthly instalments and our other funding options below.

Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.

More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.

We’ll show you how you can pay by bank transfer or combine payment methods.

You may be eligible for:

This postgraduate qualification provides knowledge across a wide range of finance areas, including corporate finance, investments, banking and financial institutions, and risk management. You will gain both theoretical and practical insights into the workings of financial markets, securities valuation, financial statement, risk management, and portfolio management. You will develop the skills and capabilities required by investment analysts, finance managers, finance directors, and chief financial officers. You will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to support decision-making at higher levels of organisations by exploring issues related to ethics and corporate governance, reporting and disclosure, financing, and investment in uncertain and global business environments.

Prudent practice in finance is relevant across all sectors – public, private and voluntary. This qualification will therefore prepare you for roles in the corporate sector, financial services, banking, multinational organisations, and other fields where analytical and decision-making skills for treasury, investment, and financing decisions are required.

The Open University Business School is also one of the few institutions worldwide that is triple-accredited by AMBA, EQUIS and the AACSB. These internationally recognised quality standards independently validate the quality of the School's teaching, research, and operations. The School undergoes regular reviews to ensure that standards are maintained and has successfully retained its triple-accredited status since 2004. This qualification is accredited through inclusion in these reviews.

Association of MBAs (AMBA)

European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

This qualification is open for prebooking. Select the module you will study first, read its full description, and follow the instructions to reserve your place. We’ll contact you when you can complete your registration.

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