Have your experience recognised
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) allows suitably experienced and qualified applicants to complete the Financial Markets Certificate in less time.
Macquarie University may recognise work experience and/or academic awards that you have previously obtained.
RPL is available for the following core units:
- Financial Markets Concepts
- Financial Markets Transactions.
Note: RPL is not available to participants in Foundations of Financial Markets.
How RPL can benefit you
If your RPL application is successful, you may be able to fast track your study plan:
Study type | Standard course | RPL for 1 unit | RPL for 2 units |
|---|---|---|---|
Study load |
|
|
|
Total study time | 4 terms (24 weeks) | 3 terms (18 weeks) | 2 terms (12 weeks) |
Each term is six weeks, and there is a two-week break between each term. Usually, the course takes eight months to complete (including term breaks), but with RPL it could take as little as four.
How to apply for RPL
Both AFMA member firm nominees and independent applicants are welcome to apply for RPL.
Term 6 2025 | Term 1 2026 | Term 2 2026 | Term 3 2026 | Term 4 2026 | Term 5 2026 | Term 6 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RPL Application close date | Tue 16 Sept | Tue 2 Dec 2025 | Tue 10 Feb 2026 | Tue 7 Apr 2026 | Tue 2 Jun 2026 | Tue 28 Jul 2026 | Tue 22 Sept 2026 |
Financial Markets Concepts RPL – access open | Fri 19 Sept | Fri 5 Dec 2025 | Fri 13 Feb 2026 | Fri 10 Apr 2026 | Fri 5 Jun 2026 | Fri 31 Jul 2026 | Fri 25 Sept 2026 |
Financial Markets Concepts RPL – finish date | Wed 24 Sept | Wed 10 Dec 2025 | Wed 18 Feb 2026 | Wed 15 Apr 2026 | Wed, 10 Jun 2026 | Wed 5 Aug 2026 | Wed 30 Sept 2026 |
Financial Markets Transactions – access open | Fri 26 Sept | Fri 12 Dec 2025 | Fri 20 Feb 2026 | Fri 17 Apr 2026 | Fri 12 Jun 2026 | Fri 7 Aug 2026 | Fri 2 Oct 2026 |
Financial Markets Transactions – finish date | Wed 1 Oct | Wed 17 Dec 2025 | Wed 25 Feb 2026 | Wed 22 Apr 2026 | Wed 17 Jun 2026 | Wed 12 Aug 2026 | Wed 7 Oct 2026 |
RPL applicants must have at least one of the following:
- a minimum of two years of professional Financial Markets experience (résumé required)
- a finance-related degree with learning outcomes that substantially align with the unit learning outcomes.
Note: RPL is not automatically granted. The Financial Markets Certificate has specific learning outcomes, so while you may have studied a similar topic before, your previous study may not be adequate to replace a core unit of this program.
To be assessed for academic RPL, in addition to your application and résumé, you will need to supply the following items:
- Official transcripts: A copy of your official transcripts for all relevant previous studies, including any units that you are currently enrolled in and intend to complete prior to commencing at Macquarie. Contact your previous institution to obtain a copy of your official transcripts.
- Enrolment advice: If any units that you are currently enrolled in and intend to complete prior to commencing at Macquarie are not listed on your transcripts, you must provide enrolment advice as well. Contact your current institution to obtain official enrolment advice.
- Unit outlines: For each unit on your transcript that you wish to have assessed for credit, you must provide detailed unit guides, unit outlines or a course syllabus. Unit guides should include information on the course content covered, learning outcomes, required readings and assessment methods.
Once your documents have been assessed, and if you are accepted, you will be invited to sit the academic RPL Challenge test.
This test is used to assess your knowledge against the learning outcomes for either the Financial Markets Concepts unit or the Financial Markets Transactions unit.
If you pass the test, RPL can be granted for that unit. If you do not pass, you will need to enrol and complete the unit as normal.
The RPL Challenge fees are:
- AFMA member firms – $756 (per unit)
- General public – $847 (per unit).
Note: these rates will be reviewed periodically.
Application process
When you enrol in the Financial Markets Concepts unit or the Financial Markets Transactions unit, indicate in your enrolment that you would like to be considered to apply for academic RPL.
Specify which unit you are seeking RPL for and provide evidence of formal learning that you believe meets the learning outcomes of that unit.
Send your completed form along with your supporting evidence, eg résumé, transcripts, unit outlines, enrolment advice to afma@mq.edu.au.
We will evaluate your submission and may request further information. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
After you apply
We will inform you whether your RPL request has been granted or denied based on your test results. The decision is final and not subject to further correspondence. We are not able to provide feedback on the decision.
If you are approved to sit the RPL Challenge test, you must:
- register and pay for the test
- complete the test by the specified date and time.
Note: if you are applying for RPL for both units, your application for Financial Markets Transactions will only be confirmed on the condition of passing the Financial Markets Concepts RPL Challenge.