I’m an engineer with 1.5 years of work ex in a fintech startup and CFA Level 1 cleared. Do I have a good shot at Melbourne’s MFin program?

Question

Divakshi Arora · Accepted Answer

Plenty of engineers get into the Melbourne MFin, but they stand out when they connect the dots clearly.
&bull; With fintech experience, you&rsquo;re already halfway there. If you&rsquo;ve worked on anything like lending models, payment solutions, or financial data tools, highlight that. &bull; CFA Level 1 helps a lot. It shows you're serious about finance and can handle the academic side. &bull; What matters is how well you explain your shift&mdash;why finance, why now, and why Melbourne. Most engineering grads struggle to show intent. &bull; Bonus if you&rsquo;ve touched Excel modeling, client exposure, or had to evaluate financial outcomes. Mention it. &bull; Try to show interest beyond work&mdash;did you follow markets, take online finance courses, or do side projects?
The program doesn&rsquo;t expect banking interns. It looks for people who can learn fast and already show signs of financial thinking. You tick most of those boxes&mdash;just make sure your story reflects that.
For more details you can read this blog on "Melbourne MFin"

Hema A · Answer

Yes, an engineering background with 1.5 years of fintech experience and CFA Level 1 cleared makes a solid profile for Melbourne&rsquo;s MFin program. The school values technical skills paired with genuine interest in finance, and fintech exposure fits well within that space.
CFA Level 1 adds weight since the program itself is CFA-aligned, and they like applicants who&rsquo;ve already taken initiative. Since the MFin doesn&rsquo;t require a finance undergrad, your engineering base won&rsquo;t be a barrier as long as you&rsquo;ve shown quant readiness&mdash;through grades in math-heavy subjects or work involving analytics or financial modeling.
To improve your chances, make sure your application shows clear post-MFin goals&mdash;like aiming for roles in investment analysis, credit risk, or financial consulting. Also, a strong essay that explains how your fintech experience sparked your interest in deeper financial knowledge can set you apart from generic applicants.