Financial Modelling for International Students

Most international students worry about this at first. The technical language is actually easier than conversational English because it's specific and consistent. We had a student from Vietnam last year who was nervous about her language skills, but financial terms don't change the way slang does. She found the Excel work straightforward because formulas are universal. What helped her most was joining study groups where she could ask questions without feeling rushed. We also record all sessions so you can replay explanations at your own speed.

This program works with several visa types. Student visa holders can count this toward their course requirements if it aligns with their primary study. Temporary Graduate visa holders use it to upskill while looking for work. Partner visa holders have joined because they have work rights and want to build Australian-specific skills. We can't give immigration advice, but we work with students on various visa arrangements. The September 2025 intake will have orientation sessions covering practical visa considerations, and we connect you with migration agents if you need specific guidance.

The fundamentals of financial modelling don't change country to country, but Australian business practices have quirks you won't learn elsewhere. We use Australian company examples, follow AASB accounting standards, and discuss how the ASX works. One student from Malaysia told us the biggest difference was understanding superannuation in financial planning, something that doesn't exist the same way back home. Tax structures here affect models differently. If you're planning to work in Australia, this context matters more than you'd think when you're sitting in interviews.

We record everything, which helps, but attending live sessions makes a difference for building connections with other students and instructors. About 30 percent of our international students work part-time, so we schedule core content during times that work for most people. If you miss a session, you can watch it within 24 hours and email questions to the instructor. The autumn 2025 program will have two weekly live sessions plus optional weekend workshops. Some students batch their learning, doing intensive work on weekends when they're free from other commitments.

We can't promise anyone a job because that's not how employment works. What we see is that students who complete the program have specific examples to discuss in interviews. One student from China interviewed for an analyst role in early 2025 and talked about the retail valuation model she built here. She didn't get that particular job, but the interviewer referred her to another team that eventually made an offer. Having Australian-contexted work samples matters more than overseas qualifications alone. You're competing with local graduates, so demonstrating you understand how things work here gives you something concrete to talk about.

Our 2024 cohorts included students from India, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia, and several other countries. You probably won't be the only person from your background, but the mix changes each intake. What students tell us they value most isn't finding people from home, but rather building professional networks across different backgrounds. A student from Philippines partnered with someone from Pakistan on a mining sector project and they're still in touch professionally. The diversity actually helps because you see how different people approach the same financial problems.

Plan for 8 to 12 hours weekly outside class time, more when you're working on major projects. This isn't busywork, it's building models and practicing until things make sense. Some weeks are heavier, like when you're finishing your industry project. International students often study in groups at libraries or cafes around East Geelong, which makes the work feel less isolating. One student worked full-time at a restaurant and did most of her coursework Sunday mornings and late evenings. It wasn't easy, but she managed by being strict about her schedule.