Finance
Why study Finance?
Studying Finance at Waikato University will prepare you for highly paid positions in the financial and business sectors anywhere in the world.
Finance is focused on managing money, investments, banking and credit, the share, bond and commodity markets, and financial analysis and decision making.
You'll gain a broad understanding of how the world's financial markets operate, and develop skills for financial analysis and decision-making.
For example, you could end up running an investment fund, working for the World Bank, or structuring the finance of a major project for a corporation.
Students will learn how to interpret financial data, forecast risk and returns, conduct shares and bond valuations, and understand mergers and acquisitions. And you'll be able to make sound investment decisions for your own personal financial security.
More advanced papers cover topics such as corporate finance, portfolio selection, capital markets, and the governance of financial institutions.
Practical assignments will prepare you for exactly what you'll encounter in your financial career. For example, students get to work on a funds simulation project using real data, and prepare a report on a publicly listed New Zealand or Australian company, while playing the role of a trainee investment analyst.
Our students have access to a brand-new Finance Trading Lab in Hamilton, which is kitted out with high-tech simulation software used by the professionals. This uses real-time trading prices for global and NZX financial markets so students can experience the thrill of buying and selling shares/bonds/commodities, and compete to build the most valuable portfolios.
If you enjoy mathematics, accounting, economics, and using analytical tools to find the meaning behind numbers, than finance may be the right fit for you.
Career Opportunities
- Banker (investment or commercial)
- Banking, financial services and financial regulation
- Business analyst
- Chief financial officer
- Corporate financer
- Financial Analyst
- Financial manager
- Financial planner/advisor
- Insurance and finance
- Investment advisor
- Portfolio manager
- Sharebroker
- Stockbroker
- Treasurer
Hamilton, Tauranga
Study Finance in these qualifications
Finance papers
Internationally recognised
You'll study at Waikato Management School, which is in the top 1% of business schools globally thanks to our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA.
Waikato is also ranked in the world's top 175 universities for Business and Economics in the Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings.
Qualifications
If you wish to take Finance as your 1st Major subject, you'll need to enrol for the Bachelor of Business in either Hamilton or Tauranga.
Alternatively, check out our new specialist degree, the Bachelor of Banking, Finance and Technology (BBFinTech).
Otherwise you can take Finance as a 2nd Major (8 papers) or Minor subject (4 papers) for any other bachelor's degree offered at the University of Waikato.
If you're a graduate who wants to gain specialist expertise in finance, take a look at our Master of Management Studies in Finance.
We also offer a 12-month, highly practical Master of Applied Finance, which is ideal for students who have never majored in finance before.
Subject regulations
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships.