Plot Your Path to Success with Milpark’s School of Financial Services

Academics & Programmes

20 Jan 2025

In today’s ever-changing financial services landscape, staying ahead of the educational curve is essential. Professionals wanting to deepen their expertise and position themselves as leaders in the financial planning and investment sectors need a comprehensive, flexible and respected educational foundation that keeps pace with industry demands. Milpark Education’s School of Financial Services offers just that – an up-to-the-minute, industry-relevant, accredited education that leads working professionals to success.

Milpark’s Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (PGDip FP) and Postgraduate Diploma in Investment Management (PGDip IM) are designed specifically for those aiming to elevate their careers, with many students leveraging the PGDip FP as a stepping stone to becoming Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) professionals through the Financial Planning Institute’s Capstone course.

According to Gerrie van der Merwe, lecturer for School of Financial Services, “Our PGDip in Financial Planning is our flagship programme - designed to give students not just theoretical knowledge, but also real-world insights that come from our lecturers, who have significant industry experience.”

A flexible, stepped approach to quality online education

What sets Milpark apart from its competitors is its dedication to flexibility without compromising on quality. “We understand that 95% of our students are working while studying. That’s why our online courses are structured to be both rigorous and manageable, with the added benefit that our postgraduate students can progress one module at a time,” van der Merwe explains.

This scaffolded modular structure is combined with frequent assessments and easily accessible support, which helps students fully tackle each topic before moving on to the next. This is a significant benefit for those balancing work, study and home life.

The online format also fosters unique networking opportunities. “Although the courses are largely individual, we do see valuable networking taking place as students connect through topic-based forums and share struggles around difficult assignments,” he adds.

A learning path informed by extensive practical experience

Milpark’s financial planning courses will lead you along a clear educational pathway - from the Higher Certificate in Financial Products to the sought-after Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning, providing all the necessary qualifications for those aspiring to become CFP® professionals. Students not only gain technical knowledge along the way but also learn from instructors who have worked on the frontlines of financial planning.

“Our strength lies in understanding our students and the challenges they face in the industry,” van der Merwe notes. “At Milpark, we’re not just delivering theoretical content; we’ve been in the trenches. We’ve sat in front of clients, wrestled with real-world issues, and that experience translates into better rapport with our students.”

Why you should choose Milpark

Beyond its academic rigour, Milpark boasts a reputation for exceptional student support. Whether it’s the administrative team that ‘always makes a plan’ or the lecturers who are on hand to assist, Milpark creates a culture of care and responsiveness.

“We’ve built a reputation for quality and experience,” says van der Merwe, emphasising that this personal approach is what distinguishes Milpark from other institutions. This is what underpins our ‘We’ve got you. You’ve got this.’ brand promise.

For professionals aiming to forge their professional path and stand out in financial services, Milpark’s focus on real-world application, flexible learning and comprehensive support makes it an excellent choice.

As van der Merwe concludes, “Milpark has everything you need - from foundational courses to advanced qualifications - to navigate your way through all the steps to success.”

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Gerrie van der Merwe Lecturer