Graduate Certificate in Finance
Finance is about achieving the best return on your money relative to risk, and helping organisations to add value for their clients and shareholders. This short course will develop your skills in financial analysis, and could lead to a career in banking, corporate finance, investments, or financial planning.

Do you get excited about watching financial investments grow over time? If you enjoy mathematics and using analytical tools to find the meaning behind numbers, than a career in finance may be right for you.
In this subject, you'll learn about banking and credit, corporate finance, the share, bond and commodity markets, investments and portfolio selection, personal financial planning, and the governance of public and private organisations.
Practical assignments will prepare you for what you'll encounter in the real world. For example, students may work on a funds simulation project, and prepare a report on a publicly listed New Zealand or Australian company, while playing the role of a trainee investment analyst.
At the Hamilton campus, you will have access to our brand-new Finance Trading Room, which opened in 2020. This high-tech simulation software allows students to experience the thrill of buying and selling shares/bonds/commodities, using real-time prices from global financial markets.
If you already have a bachelor's degree, you may like to consider our one-year Master of Applied Finance, which is ideal for students who have never majored in finance before.
Internationally recognised
Waikato is ranked in the world's top 300 universities for Accounting & Finance in the QS Subject Rankings 2021.
You'll study at our internationally recognised Waikato Management School, which is in the top 1% of business schools globally with Triple Crown Accreditation from AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB.
Key information
Duration Of Study: | 4-8 months (full-time or part-time study) |
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Points: | 60 points |
GradCert(Fin) Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
Start Dates: | March (A Trimester) and July (B Trimester) |
Estimated Fees* (International): | NZ$17,345 approx per programme |
Entry Requirements: | Postgraduate International |
Area of Study: | |
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).*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. |
Degree Planner
Degree planner — Graduate Certificate in Finance (60 points)
Students will take four papers in total (60 points), worth 15 points each. This includes one introductory paper (15 points) at either 100 or 200-level; and three advanced papers (45 points) at 300-level.
You have the option to include one elective paper at 300-level in any subject.
Please contact the Management Student Centre (email [email protected]) for advice before you enrol in any papers.
Admission to each paper is at the discretion of the subject convenor. Some papers have prerequisites, or you may need to ask for a waiver.
Introductory paper (15 points)
Choose ONE of the following papers:
Advanced papers (45 points)
Choose THREE of the following papers:
300 Level
Elective paper in any subject
- Subject
- Explanatory note
- Elective
Students also have the option of transferring into the Graduate Diploma in Finance (120 points).
This information is provisional and subject to change.
When he’s not focused on the financial markets, Matthew Osborne is enjoying the waves on Sydney’s northern beaches. The BMS(Hons) graduate works for the financial markets team at Westpac Institutional Bank, where his expertise in in foreign exchange (FX) derivatives.
Read stories from other Graduate Certificate in Finance students
Entry requirements
Expand to read entry requirements
To enrol for the Graduate Certificate in Finance, you must have:
a) completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification; OR
b) be able to demonstrate you have adequate training, experience, and ability to proceed with the programme.
Applicants who do not meet these requirements may still be considered for special admission after completing some additional qualifying papers.
Admission to each paper is at the discretion of the subject convenor.
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Graduate study options
- Graduate Diploma in Finance
- Master of Applied Finance (professional masters degree)
- Master of Management Studies in Economics (research-based degree)
Contacts
Management Student Centre (MSC)
Waikato Management School
Phone:
Email: [email protected]
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Phone: +64 7 807 9275 Email: [email protected]
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