BBus - Finance as a major
Be a business trailblazer and use your innovative thinking to help drive companies forward in a fast-paced world that is changing with a click.
Finance is all about achieving the best return relative to risk, and helping organisations add value for their shareholders. Studying Finance at Waikato University will prepare you for highly paid positions in the financial and business sectors anywhere in the world.
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Key information
| Entry Requirements: | University Entrance, or its equivalent, or on a case-by-case basis. |
|---|---|
| Years: | 3 |
| Points: | 360 |
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Fees (Domestic): | $6,720 per year (approx) - 2020 fees |
| Fees (International): | $29,380 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Career opportunities
- Commercial and investment banker
- Corporate banker
- Corporate financer
- Financial or business analyst
- Financial manager
- Financial planner/advisor
- Banker (commercial, investment, small business, rural, industry)
- Merger and acquisition specialist
- Sharebroker
- Stockbroker
- Treasurer
- Investment advisor
- Actuary
- Financial regulator
- Portfolio manager
- Trader/Mutual fund analyst
Degree Planner
Degree planner — BBus in Finance (single major)
Year 1
100 Level
Business Fundamentals
100 Level
Business Fundamentals
100 Level
Business Fundamentals
100 Level
Business Fundamentals
100 Level
Elective or Minor
100 Level
Elective or Minor
Year 2
100 Level or above
Elective
200 Level
Elective or Minor
200 Level
Elective or Minor
Year 3
Choose one of:
FINAN303, 304 or 306
9th Major paper**
Choose one of: FINAN303, 304 or 306
300 Level
Work-Integrated Learning paper
200 Level or above
Elective or Minor
200 Level or above
Elective or Minor
200 Level or above
Elective or Minor
- Major
- Field
- Elective
Required papers
Open this section to read more
*MATHS168 Prepatory Mathematics:
If you already have a total of 14 credits at NCEA Level 3 across any two of Mathematics, Statistics or Calculus, then MATHS168 can be replaced with any management paper (eg. Business Fundamentals paper).
Tauranga students: If you are studying for the BBus in Finance in Tauranga, please replace MATHS168 with ACCTN102 Introductory Financial Accounting.
Business Fundamentals papers:
- ACCTN101 Accounting for Management
- ECONS101 Business Economics and the New Zealand Economy
- MGSYS101 Integrated Thinking - Digital Business and Supply Chain Management
- MRKTG101 Fundamentals of Successful Marketing
- STMGT101 Introduction to Management
Finance papers:
- FINAN303 Computer Modelling in Finance
- FINAN304 Financial Risk Management
- FINAN306 Capital Markets and Financial Institutions
**Ninth major paper:
You have the option to swap the 9th major paper for the Work-Integrated Learning paper, and count it towards your Finance major instead. This would give you the flexibility to take any other Management paper at 300 level.
Work-Integrated Learning papers:
Papers
Papers available within Finance
Finance is about making better investment decisions with money, shares and other assets to generate wealth, and helping organisations add value for their shareholders. You'll develop a broad understanding of how the world's financial markets operate, and gain the analytical skills required for a well-paid career in the financial/business sectors anywhere in the world.
Finance is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Business (BBus) and Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS(Hons)). Finance may also be included as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to the approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Finance as a single major for the BBus or BMS(Hons), students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Finance, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete FINAN101, MATHS168, FINAN200, FINAN202, FINAN204, FINAN302, FINAN305, and 30 points from FINAN303, FINAN304 or FINAN306. BBus and BMS(Hons) students may count one of WSAFE396 or WSAFE399 in place of 15 points from the 30 point option list.
To complete Finance as part of a double major for the BBus, BMS(Hons) or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Finance, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete FINAN101, MATHS168, FINAN200, FINAN202, FINAN204, FINAN302, FINAN305, and 15 points from FINAN303, FINAN304 or FINAN306.
To complete a minor in Finance, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Finance major, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must complete FINAN101.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FINAN101 | Introduction to Finance | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga), 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Tauranga), 20B (Waikato Pathways College), 20S (Hamilton) & 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper introduces the three core areas of finance -- financial management, investments, and capital markets and institutions. The paper also examines applications of corporate finance concepts to personal finance. | ||
| MATHS168 | Preparatory Mathematics | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton), 20C (Waikato Pathways College) & 20X (Hamilton) |
| Basic algebraic concepts and an introduction to Calculus and Statistics. This paper provides a last chance for students to correct a weak background in mathematics. Students who meet the prerequisites of MATH165 or MATH166 should take one of those papers instead. | ||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ECONS205 | Data Analytics with Business Applications | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Tauranga), 20G (Hamilton) & 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper introduces various data analytical methods and illustrates their business and economics applications, showing how to use data to communicate more convincingly and to produce better-informed business decisions. | ||
| FINAN200 | Financial Management 1 | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga), 20B (Hamilton) & 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper deals with the principles and practice of financial management. It examines corporate capital budgeting, capital structure theory, dividend policy and net working capital management. | ||
| FINAN202 | Investments 1 | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Tauranga) & 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper deals with the principles and practice of investment analysis. Building upon the concepts of risk-return trade-offs and the efficient market hypothesis, the paper examines: modern portfolio theory and asset pricing models. | ||
| FINAN203 | Capital Markets and Financial Institutions | 20A (Tauranga) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides students with an introduction to Australasian financial markets and an evaluation of the institutions, instruments and participants involved in the industry. | ||
| FINAN204 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga) & 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper investigates the key issues relating to small business finance, especially in New Zealand. Empirical evidence, theoretical models and government policy are considered. | ||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FINAN301 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 20A (Hamilton) & 20A (Tauranga) |
| This paper investigates the key issues relating to small business finance, especially in New Zealand. Empirical evidence, theoretical models and government policy are considered. | ||
| FINAN302 | Investments 2 | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga), 20B (Hamilton) & 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper builds upon knowledge of FINAN202 Investments 1, and examines valuation of fixed income securities, equities and alternative investments, portfolio performance evaluation, and the psychology of investing. | ||
| FINAN303 | Computer Modelling in Finance | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga), 20G (Hamilton) & 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper enables students to understand financial modelling and its usefulness. It ensures that students have skills in financial problem solving from a corporate perspective using Excel and visual basic. | ||
| FINAN304 | Financial Risk Management | 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Tauranga), 20S (Online) & 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| The course deals with how risks are quantified and managed, particularly for financial institutions. | ||
| FINAN305 | Financial Management 2 | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Tauranga) & 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| As a second paper in financial management, this paper further examines a firm's capital structure policy, dividend and pay-out policy, short-term financial management, and several advanced topics. | ||
| FINAN306 | Capital Markets and Financial Institutions | 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Tauranga) & 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper provides students with an introduction to Australasian financial markets and an evaluation of the institutions, instruments and participants involved in the industry. | ||
| FINAN399 | Report of an Investigation | 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper offers students the opportunity to complete a directed investigation of an approved topic relevant to an organisation or industry and in an area related to their management discipline of study. | ||
| WSAFE396 | Management Internship | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga), 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Tauranga), 20C (Hamilton) & 20C (Tauranga) |
| The Management Internship provides students with the opportunity to apply their management discipline-based knowledge to an authentic project within an organisation. | ||
| WSAFE399 | Report of an Investigation | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga), 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Tauranga), 20C (Hamilton) & 20C (Tauranga) |
| This paper offers students the opportunity to complete a directed investigation of an approved topic relevant to an organisation or industry and in an area related to their management discipline of study. | ||
400 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FINAN495 | Industrial Experience | 20X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| No description available. | ||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ECONS543 | Applied Econometrics | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| A postgraduate paper in econometrics for students who have not included an advanced paper in econometrics in their undergraduate degree. | ||
| FINAN500 | Financial Management and Institutions | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides students with a deep understanding of banking and financial services sector, focusing on their role in the functioning and well-being of the economy. | ||
| FINAN504 | International Corporate Finance | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper deals with finance subject matters faced by multinational corporations. The course examines exchange rate determinations, currency exposure management, international investment and international capital budgeting. | ||
| FINAN506 | Corporate Finance | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper is designed to prepare students to develop the leadership skills necessary for making optimal corporate financial decisions. | ||
| FINAN508 | Investments and Financial Markets | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides an introduction to the structure and functioning of equity, bond markets, and derivative markets. | ||
| FINAN509 | Financial Modelling | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper equips students with financial modelling skills and its usefulness in financial decision making. | ||
| FINAN510 | Financial Theory and Corporate Policy | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the principles of corporate finance as in FINA311; including capital budgeting, capital structure, dividend policy, cash and liquidity management and advanced theoretical components. Prior exposure to the standard financial concepts and relevant research to this area is assumed. | ||
| FINAN511 | Advanced Corporate Finance | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper deals with the current thinking and research in corporate finance. The material covers core areas such as the cost of capital, optimal capital structure, dividend policy, leasing, agency theory, IPOs, and managerial compensation. | ||
| FINAN512 | Investments and Portfolios | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides a more advanced treatment on portfolio analysis, capital market models, efficient market hypothesis, bond portfolios, and evaluation of portfolio performance. Students are required to complete an empirical study on investments of publishable quality using real world data. | ||
| FINAN515 | International Finance | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provide students with a thorough understanding of international financial flows in today's dynamic world economy. Initially the paper will focus on the analysis of international financial environment, international financial /monetary system, foreign exchange markets, exchange rate determination, international trade, and... | ||
| FINAN517 | Investments, Portfolios and Financial Markets | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers various aspects of investments and efficient portfolios. Students will critically evaluate core financial models and apply the theoretical concepts to actual problems. | ||
| FINAN518 | Financial Risk Management | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton) & 20G (Hamilton) |
| This paper equips students with the skills of managing financial risk exposures: interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk and commodity price risk. It is an advanced paper utilising the latest research pertaining to financial risk. | ||
| FINAN519 | Derivatives | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper aims to enhance students' ability to understand and analyse derivatives beyond simple futures and options. Major topics include Black-Scholes model, delta-hedging, portfolio insurance, basic numerical procedures, value at risk, GARCH conditional volatility models, credit derivatives, interest rate derivatives and real op... | ||
| FINAN520 | Financial Econometrics | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton) & 20G (Hamilton) |
| This paper equips students with advanced tools for the analysis of financial data, including the return forecasting, volatility and econometrics of asset pricing. It is an advanced paper utilising the latest research pertaining to financial econometrics. Students will develop skills with R, Stata and other econometric software. | ||
| FINAN521 | Finance Project | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge learnt in this programme by writing a research report. | ||
| FINAN590 | Directed Study | 20X (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | ||
| FINAN591 | Finance Dissertation | 20X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| FINAN592 | Finance Dissertation | 20X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| FINAN593 | Finance Thesis | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| FINAN594 | Finance Thesis | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| MNMGT582 | Research Methods in Management Studies for Economics and Finance | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to research paradigms commonly used in research in management studies. It will develop skills in the critical evaluation of research literature, the identification of research problems, and the preparation of research proposals. Students completing the paper will develop a proposal for research in the... | ||
| WSAFE500 | A Commerce Internship: From Theory to Practice | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper will provide selected students with the opportunity to gain practical work experience and apply their theory-based knowledge in a commercial organisational setting. | ||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FINAN800 | Finance MPhil Thesis | 20X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FINAN900 | Finance PhD Thesis | 20I (Hamilton) & 20X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Options in Tauranga
You can complete all three years of the BBus in Finance at our new CBD campus in Tauranga.
For advice before you enrol, please contact a Tauranga Future Student Advisor:
Email: uwt@waikato.ac.nz
Phone: 0800 WAIKATO
Contacts
Management Student Centre (MSC)
Location: MSB.1.50, Waikato Management School, Hillcrest Road, University of Waikato, Hamilton
Phone:
Email: msc@waikato.ac.nz
Website: www.management.ac.nz/msc
Opening hours: 8.45am - 4.45pm Monday to Friday
One of the best times to pop into MSC is Open Advice Day, held every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm.