BBus - Finance as a major
Major
Unlock your potential with the new Bachelor of Business at Waikato, launching in 2024.
Real-world learning experiences, academic excellence, and flexible study options combine forces to supercharge your future career.
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.
Apply to enrol
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) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): | $7,103 per year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $34,695 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 or Double Major)
* BUSAN205 is the recommended analytics paper for the Finance major
** If you taking the BBus with a double major, choose the higher 300 Level paper indicated in the box.
Year 1
Choose one:
ACCTN101, MGSYS101, MRKTG101
100 Level
Elective
100 Level
Elective
Year 2
Choose one:
BUSAN201, BUSAN205 *, MRKTG205, DIGIB201
100 Level or above
Any WMS paper or 3 Experience Modules
200 Level
Elective
200 Level
Elective
200 Level
Elective
Year 3
Choose one:
FINAN303, FINAN304, FINAN306
WSAFE 396/399
Work-Integrated Learning
200 or 300 ** Level
Elective
200 or 300 ** Level
Elective
200 or 300 ** Level
Elective
- Major
- Field
- Elective
Experience modules (worth 5 points each) can be completed in the teaching breaks between trimesters A, B and C. If you complete three modules, you will receive credit for one 15-point paper at 200 Level.
This information is provisional and subject to change.Paper details
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 replace MATHS168 with ECONS101. Then you can take any other 100 Level WMS paper for the degree.
Tauranga students: If you are studying Finance in Tauranga, then replace MATHS168 with ACCTN102 Introductory Financial Accounting.
100 LEVEL PAPERS:
200 LEVEL PAPERS:
- BUSAN201 Practical Business Analytics
- BUSAN205 Data Analytics with Business Applications
- DIGIB201 Creating Value with Social Media Analytics
- MRKTG205 Marketing Analytics and Insights
300 LEVEL PAPERS
- FINAN303 Computer Modelling in Finance
- FINAN304 Financial Risk Management
- FINAN306 Capital Markets and Financial Institutions
WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING (WIL) 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))[1]. 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.
NOTES:
[1] There will be no new enrolments into the BMS(Hons) from 2024. Students who commenced a BMS(Hons) in 2023 or prior should contact the Waikato Management School for programme advice.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FINAN101 | Introduction to Finance | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Hamilton Waikato College), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton Waikato College), 24B (Tauranga), 24H (Hamilton), 24VB (National Economics University, Vietnam) & 24X (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 | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton), 24JS (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton Waikato College) |
| 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 MATHS165 or MATHS166 should take one of those papers instead. | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FINAN200 | Financial Management 1 | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24B (Hamilton) & 24X (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 | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga) & 24X (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. | |||
| FINAN204 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga) & 24X (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 | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FINAN302 | Investments 2 | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24B (Hamilton) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper extends student competency in the valuation of fixed income securities, equities and alternative investments, portfolio performance evaluation, and the interpretation of investment psychology. | |||
| FINAN303 | Computer Modelling in Finance | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24G (Hamilton) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper introduces the use of spreadsheets and programming in building appropriate and credible financial models useful for analysts and managers in financial decision making. | |||
| FINAN304 | Financial Risk Management | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga), 24H (Online) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper develops student understanding of risk markets and how financial institutions and firms manage risk exposure, including interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk and commodity price risk. | |||
| FINAN305 | Financial Management 2 | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga) & 24X (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 | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga) & 24X (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 | Applied Project in Finance | 15.0 | 24X (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 | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga), 24C (Hamilton), 24C (Tauranga) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| 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 | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga), 24C (Hamilton) & 24C (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. | |||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCTP570 | Accounting Systems and Processes | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24H (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the form and function of financial statements and how financial transactions are recorded through the understanding of accounting principles and concepts that underlie financial reporting. An understanding of ethical and professional values as important elements to accurate financial reporting will also be covered... | |||
| ECONS528 | Econometric Topics: Macroeconomics and Finance | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides students with theoretical and practical skills in econometrics that should enable them to carry out a wide range of applied analyses involving macroeconomics and finance. The prime focus of this paper is on the application of time-series econometrics. The topics covered include econometric estimation and testing... | |||
| ECONS543 | Applied Econometrics | 15.0 | 24B (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 | 15.0 | 24A (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 | 15.0 | 24A (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 | 15.0 | 24B (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 | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides an introduction to the structure and functioning of equity, bond markets, and derivative markets. | |||
| FINAN509 | Financial Modelling | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper develops student skills in the effective use of spreadsheets and programming in building appropriate and credible financial models useful for analysts and managers in financial decision making. | |||
| FINAN511 | Advanced Corporate Finance | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper presents advanced corporate finance theory pertaining to the cost of capital, capital structures, dividend policies, leasing, IPOs, and managerial compensation. | |||
| FINAN512 | Investments and Portfolios | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper presents advanced portfolio theory and develops student competency in portfolio analysis. Students are required to complete an empirical study on investments utilising advanced methods and credible financial data. | |||
| FINAN515 | International Finance | 15.0 | 24H (Hamilton) |
| This paper develops student understanding of foreign exchange markets within the international financial/monetary system, and examines the role, practices and performance of multinational corporations, banks and international financial institutions. | |||
| FINAN518 | Financial Risk Management | 15.0 | 24G (Hamilton) |
| This advanced paper utilising the latest research pertaining to financial risk develops student skills in managing financial risk exposure, including interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk and commodity price risk. | |||
| FINAN519 | Derivatives | 15.0 | 24B (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 | 15.0 | 24G (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 or other econometric software. | |||
| FINAN521 | Finance Project | 15.0 | 24H (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge learnt in this programme by completing a research project and writing a professional research report. | |||
| FINAN590 | Directed Study | 30.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
| FINAN591 | Finance Dissertation | 30.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
| FINAN592 | Finance Dissertation | 60.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
| FINAN593 | Finance Thesis | 90.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
| FINAN594 | Finance Thesis | 120.0 | 24X (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 | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to research paradigms commonly used in research in economics and finance. It develops 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... | |||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FINAN800 | Finance MPhil Thesis | 120.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FINAN900 | Finance PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 24I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (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: [email protected]
Phone: 0800 WAIKATO
Contacts
Management Student Centre (MSC)
Location: MSB.1.50, Waikato Management School, Hillcrest Road, University of Waikato, Hamilton
Phone:
Email: [email protected]
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.