Graduate Diploma in Finance

University of London

Programme Overview

Academic Level
Academic Level

Postgraduate/Masters,

Awarded by
Awarded by

University of London, UK

Programme type
Programme type

Full-time & Part-time, (Full-time, 1 year | Part-time, 1 year)

Campus location
Campus location

SIM Campus

Application Dates
Application Dates

Applications are open till 2 Feb 2025 (local and international applicants)

Estimated Fees (incl. GST)
Estimated Fees

(incl. GST)*

S$13,160 to S$13,990

* All fees inclusive of current 9% GST (exclude textbooks / course materials, SIM application fee, preparatory / bridging course fee, and other fees). Refer to GST Notes under Fees Tab for more information.

Programme Outline

Awarded by University of London, UK and Developed by federation member, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.

This programme provides you with an understanding of the ways in which financial intermediaries and institutions operate, how they interplay with the structure and functioning of financial markets. It increases your chance of making it in the financial world.

learning-outcome

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this programme, you will:

  1. Understand financial management, risk and the operation of financial markets, based on critical evaluation of theories and empirical evidence.
  2. Understand the major contexts within which banking operates.
  3. Be able to evaluate the current and major alternative technical languages and practices of banking and finance.

Further Studies & Career Prospects

Graduates of the programme may progress to postgraduate studies either locally or overseas.

With this qualification, you can look forward to employment opportunities in banking, business development, corporate investment, marketing and public service.

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Why study at SIM x University of London

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SIM is the leading private education institution in Singapore.
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Excellent value with lower tuition costs in SIM.
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Curriculum is by LSE, ranked 1st in the UK based on the Complete University Guide 2025 league table for Accounting and Finance.
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LSE is one of the foremost social science universities in the world with a worldwide reputation for the quality of its reasearch.
Learn more about the University of London

Intake Dates

2025 Sep intake

PROGRAMME DURATION

Sep 2025 to Aug 2026

APPLICATION PERIOD

Applications are open till 2 Feb 2025 (local and international applicants)

Early submission of application is strongly recommended.

Minimum / Maximum period: 

1 year / 5 years 
No refund or recourse should the student fail to complete within the maximum period.

Curriculum

Structure

  • Blended lectures, group discussions, workshops and online study.
  • Duration of each lesson is 3 hours.
  • Students will attend classes with those pursuing a Bachelor’s programme at SIM campus.
  • Classes are taught by local faculty, supplemented by webinars by the London School of Economics on the Virtual Learning Environment.
  • Academic materials include Virtual Learning Environment, SIMConnect portal, subject guides, past exam papers and exam commentaries, reading lists and handbooks on good study strategies.
  • Learning support include intensive revision, classes on study skills, academic writing and the Peer-Assisted Learning sessions.
  • Minimum class size to commence is 25 students. Students will be informed within 30 days after the application period.
 

For Full-time Programme:

  • Full time classes are held in three-hour blocks between Monday and Friday, starting at 8.30am, 12pm, or 3.30pm. There are occasional classes on weeknights at 7pm and weekends.
  • Average teacher-student ratio: 1:79

View sample of full-time class schedule (PDF 67 KB)

For Part-time Programme:

  • Classes for part-time programmes are held from 7pm to 10pm on weeknights or 8.30am, 12pm, or 3.30pm on Saturdays. There are occasional classes on Sundays and public holidays.
  • Average teacher-student ratio: 1:46
View a list of lecturers (PDF 95.2KB)

View sample of part-time class schedule (PDF 120 KB)

Assessment & Attendance

  • Assessment by the University is made up of examinations and coursework (for selected modules).
  • Attendance and Coursework are part of the University's requirements to sit for the examinations every May/June. SIM students may take resits in the Oct/Nov sitting.
  • Students may have a maximum of 3 attempts for each paper prior to classification.
  • Key dates:
    • University Exams: May – Jun 2025
    • Results released: Mid-Aug 2025
  • Attendance requirement
    • Local: 75%
    • International (Dependent Pass holders/ Long-term Visit Pass holders): 90%

Requirements to Graduate

  • The award of the Graduate Diploma requires successful completion of all 4 full modules.
  • Grading Scheme:
    • 70-100: Distinction
    • 60-69: Merit
    • 40-59: Pass
    • 0-39: Fail
  • Graduates can attend the SIM ceremony held every April on campus. Alumni may also attend the University of London graduation ceremony held in end-April/ May in the UK.

Modules

The programme is made up of 4 full modules. There are no prerequisites or exemptions for each module.

Compulsory modules

  • FN2190 Asset pricing and financial markets
  • FN2191 Principles of corporate finance

AND

Two full modules chosen from:

  • AC2091 Financial reporting
  • AC3093 Auditing and assurance
  • AC3143 Valuation and securities analysis
  • FN2029 Financial intermediation
  • FN3023 Investment management
  • FN3142 Quantitative finance

View 2024-2025 modules offered at SIM

View modules information

 

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Admission Criteria

Accepted Entry Qualifications

  • A first degree completed in a minimum of three years on a full-time basis (or equivalent) from a university or other institution acceptable to the University of London

University of London graduates from the same range of degrees under the academic direction of LSE may be considered for the Graduate Diploma on a case to case basis.

View the University of London Prospectus.

Equivalent International Qualifications

For information on international qualifications, refer to SIM’s International Student Prospectus.

Other Requirements

  • You must have a minimum Grade C6 and above in GCE 'O' Level English language examinations or an equivalent qualification to apply to the University of London.

  • A level of competence in Mathematics demonstrated by at least an equivalent pass at GCSE/GCE 'O' Level in a Mathematical subject at Grade C or above.
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Fees & Financial Aid

All fees inclusive of current 9% GST (exclude textbooks / course materials). The estimated overall fees are payable in instalments. The amount of each instalment is dependent on the number of modules undertaken for each semester and based on the following components:

  • SIM Programme Fees, UOL Module Fees and Exam-related Fees - Payable and calculated on a per module basis.


GST Notes:

  • Fees published are inclusive of current GST of 9%. The parts of fees not invoiced, not paid and where services are not rendered in year 2023 are subject to the new GST rates effective on 1 Jan 2024. Refer to IRAS website here for more details.
  • For invoice generated in 2023 for services to be rendered in 2024, if payment is collected by 2023, 8% GST will apply.
  • For invoice generated in 2023, if the payment is received in 2024 and service is rendered in 2024, 9% GST will apply. Credit note against original invoice and a new invoice bearing 9% GST will be issued.
  • For invoice generated in 2023 and service is rendered in 2023, if payment is collected in 2024 (i.e. late payment), 8% still applies.


View all payment modes

Programme Fees

Additional fees apply for those who repeat/resit the coursework/exam and also for those who extend their registration with the University.

Estimated Overall Programme Fee: S$13,160

Payable to SIM
Programme Fees for Graduate Diploma (4 full modules): S$7,542.80

Payable to University of London (UOL)
UOL Application Fee (One-Time Payment): £65.40
UOL Module Fee (4 modules): £2,738.08
Exam admin fee (Per paper): S$203

*The fees above are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Services Tax.
While SIM fees do not fluctuate during a student's study period, the other fees to UOL are likely to increase each year.

Estimated Overall Programme Fee: S$13,990

Payable to SIM
Programme Fees for Graduate Diploma (4 full modules): S$8,371.20

Payable to University of London (UOL)
UOL Application Fee (One-Time Payment): £65.40
UOL Module Fee (4 modules): £2,738.08
Exam admin fee (Per paper): S$203

*The fees above are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Services Tax.
While SIM fees do not fluctuate during a student's study period, the other fees to UOL are likely to increase each year.

Mandatory Fees

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST. 

International Student Induction Fee

A one-time fee payable by new full-time international students. This fee covers pre-arrival and arrival support, including activities to enhance the international student learning experience.

As applicable, payable with the programme fee's first instalment.

S$436.00 

Application Fee

Payable for each application form that is submitted. Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The fee will be refunded fully only if the intake does not commence. Unpaid applications will not be processed. 

Local applicants: S$109.00

International applicants:
S$545.00 (not inclusive of Student’s Pass application)