Real Projects From Real Students
Look—when Ripley told me she'd built a budgeting app that tracked her coffee habit down to the cent, I laughed. Then she showed me the savings graph. Turns out our students don't just learn finance theory—they actually build stuff that works in the real world. Some projects are rough around the edges. Others? Pretty impressive for people who started knowing nothing about financial management six months ago.
View Our Programs
Finding Your Way Through Questions
Different stages, different concerns. We've organised common questions by where you are in the journey—because what matters before you start is pretty different from what you're wondering after month three.
Considering
- What background do I actually need?
- How much time weekly, honestly?
- Will this fit with my current job?
- Are the projects relevant to Australian markets?
- What if I'm terrible at spreadsheets?
Active Learning
- I'm stuck on this project—now what?
- Can I get feedback before submission?
- How do peer reviews actually work?
- What if I need to pause for two weeks?
- Are there study groups or just solo work?
Moving Forward
- Can I show these projects to employers?
- What comes after completion?
- Is there ongoing access to materials?
- Do you help with portfolio building?
- Any advanced courses later in 2025?
Navigating Your Specific Situation
Not everyone needs the same answers. Depending on your background and goals, certain questions probably matter more than others. Here's how different people typically approach things.
Career Changers
Will my experience count for anything?
Yes, actually. We've had teachers, retail managers, and warehouse supervisors bring valuable perspectives. One student applied inventory management thinking to personal finance tracking—worked brilliantly.
How long before I see practical results?
Most students complete their first usable project within 8-10 weeks. It won't be fancy, but it'll demonstrate core financial analysis skills—enough to discuss in interviews by autumn 2025.
What if I can't commit full evenings?
The program's designed for 6-8 hours weekly, split however works. Some people do weekend chunks, others grab an hour before work. Just needs consistency over several months.
Current Students
Does this complement university finance courses?
Different focus. University covers theory and frameworks. We emphasise practical application—building tools, analysing real data, creating presentations for stakeholders. Both have value.
Can I use these projects in my portfolio?
Absolutely. Several students have showcased their budgeting apps or investment analysis tools during internship applications. Just be honest about the learning context.
Is there support beyond course materials?
Weekly group sessions run through early 2026. Plus access to our discussion forum where both mentors and peers respond—usually within 24 hours for technical questions.
Student Work Example
Here's something Quillan built during the program—not perfect, but demonstrates what's possible when someone puts in consistent effort over a few months.
Personal Cash Flow Tracker
Quillan came from hospitality management—zero finance background. Started the program in February 2025, struggled with the first spreadsheet module, but kept showing up to study sessions. By May, she'd built this cash flow tracker that categories expenses automatically and flags unusual spending patterns.
"What impressed me wasn't the technical complexity—it's fairly straightforward. But Quillan identified a genuine problem and solved it methodically. That's the skillset employers actually want."
Daxton, Program Mentor
What Happens After You Finish?
The course ends, but access doesn't disappear immediately. Here's what continues and for how long—because that matters when you're planning your next steps.
First 3 Months Post-Completion
Full access to all course materials, forums, and monthly group sessions. Most graduates use this time to polish their projects or explore advanced topics they didn't have time for during the program.
3-12 Months After
Materials remain available, but live sessions end. Forum access continues—previous cohorts often help newer students, which reinforces your own understanding. It's optional, but people find it useful.
Beyond First Year
Archived access to your cohort's materials. We update course content annually, and graduates can access refreshed materials at a reduced rate if they want updated information. Some do, some don't need to.
Ongoing Community
LinkedIn group and occasional meetups in Melbourne if you're local. No pressure to participate, but the option exists. Several study groups have continued independently—we just provide the initial connection.