McGill Personal Finance Essentials
In collaboration with RBC and The Globe and Mail
If you’re ready to take charge of your personal finances, then you’re in the right place. From budgeting to borrowing, real estate and beyond, invest a few hours in this free, online course and you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to make a lifetime of smart financial decisions. Taught by professors from McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, the course is open to everyone.1
Finish all eight core modules to receive a McGill Personal Finance Essentials attestation of completion.2
Prefer French? Enroll here. Please note that switching to French after you’ve started will require re-enrollment in the French version and restarting the course.
By clicking Register, I acknowledge I have read and agree to the McGill Personal Finance Essentials’ Terms and Conditions.
Take charge of your financial future
Learn from the best
McGill’s professors are world-class researchers and teachers who bring both passion and experience to the course.
Learn at your pace
All learning modules and tests are online, so you can complete the course when and where it’s best for you.
Learn for free
Financial literacy is key to achieving important life goals. That’s why we have made this course free for anyone ready to invest in themselves.
Course Content
Module 1: Introduction to Personal Finance
What You’ll Learn
Get an overview of the course and meet the professors from McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management who will be teaching each module.
Meet Your Professor
Benjamin Croitoru
Associate Professor, Finance
McGill University
Desautels Faculty of Management
Module Details
13 minute on-demand video
10 question test
Module 2: Budgeting and Saving
What You’ll Learn
Learn why a budget is an important tool when it comes to reaching your financial goals, and get tips to make budgeting simple, painless and effective.
Meet Your Professor
Matthew Côté, CPA auditor, CA
Faculty Lecturer, Accounting
McGill University
Desautels Faculty of Management
Module Details
16 minute on-demand video
10 question test
Module 3: Your Money: Today and Tomorrow
What You’ll Learn
Learn the concepts of compounding and discounting, and discover the important role that time plays in influencing the value of your money.
Meet Your Professor
Sujata Madan
Senior Faculty Lecturer, Finance
McGill University
Desautels Faculty of Management
Module Details
14 minute on-demand video
10 question test
Module 4: Understanding Debt and Borrowing
What You’ll Learn
Explore features of the real estate market, considerations in making a rent vs. buy decision and important factors in real estate investing.
Meet Your Professor
Amanda Abrams, CPA
Faculty Lecturer, Accounting
McGill University
Desautels Faculty of Management
Module Details
22 minute on-demand video
10 question test
Module 5: The Art of Investing
What You’ll Learn
This module covers common investment choices such as stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds and GICs while introducing you to some core investing principles.
Meet Your Professor
Benjamin Croitoru
Associate Professor, Finance
McGill University
Desautels Faculty of Management
Module Details
26 minute on-demand video
10 question test
Module 6: Retirement Planning
What You’ll Learn
Learn about the importance of early retirement planning and the different possible sources of your future retirement income, including government-sponsored pension programs, employer-sponsored pension plans and registered investment accounts.
Meet Your Professor
Sebastien Betermier
Associate Professor, Finance
McGill University
Desautels Faculty of Management
Module Details
23 minute on-demand video
10 question test
Module 7: The Realities of Real Estate
What You’ll Learn
Explore features of the real estate market, considerations in making a rent vs. buy decision and important factors in real estate investing.
Meet Your Professor
Amanda Abrams, CPA
Faculty Lecturer, Accounting
McGill University
Desautels Faculty of Management
Module Details
24 minute on-demand video
10 question test
Module 8: Behavioural Finance
What You’ll Learn
What kind of investor are you? Are you analytical and disciplined or do you make emotional investment decisions? This segment explores the role of human behaviour in investing.
Meet Your Professor
Vadim Di Pietro
Associate Professor (Teaching), Finance
McGill University
Desautels Faculty of Management
Module Details
15 minute on-demand video
10 question test
Bonus Module: Responsible Investing
What You’ll Learn
This introduction to responsible investing explores the concept of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors and provides actionable tips for making a positive social and environmental impact through your investment decisions.
Meet Your Professor
Sebastien Betermier
Associate Professor, Finance
McGill University
Desautels Faculty of Management
Module Details
13 minute on-demand video
10 question test
Bonus modules are designed solely for additional learning and are not required to obtain an attestation of course completion.
Bonus Module: Cryptocurrencies and Crypto Tokens
What You’ll Learn
Learn about the world of cryptocurrencies and crypto tokens with an introduction to Blockchain, an overview of common risks, and an explanation of how crypto assets can complement your existing financial plan.
Meet Your Professor
Katrin Tinn
Assistant Professor, Finance
McGill University
Desautels Faculty of Management
Module Details
14 minute on-demand video
10 question test
Bonus modules are designed solely for additional learning and are not required to obtain an attestation of course completion.
Register for free today!
Finish all eight core learning modules and tests to receive a McGill Personal Finance Essentials attestation of course completion.2
By clicking Register, I acknowledge I have read and agree to the McGill Personal Finance Essentials’ Terms and Conditions.
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- McGill Personal Finance Essentials in collaboration with RBC and The Globe and Mail offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect those of the individual professor and are subject to change.
- The McGill Personal Finance Essentials course is intended for personal knowledge and skills development. The course is non-credit non-transcript and does not count towards any McGill University program, degree, diploma, or certificate.
McGill University and visual symbols associated with McGill University are prohibited marks of McGill University. Used under license. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. The Globe and Mail is a registered trademark of The Globe and Mail Inc. Used under license.