Finance
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.
Finance at Waikato is focused on money management, investments, banking and credit, the share, bond and commodity markets, and financial analysis and decision making. You'll learn about corporate finance, portfolio selection, capital markets, corporate finance, personal financial planning, and the governance of public and private organisations.
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.
You may also have an opportunity to do a workplace internship as part of your degree.
If you're new to Hamilton, there are plenty of social opportunities available to you – you could join the Finance division of the Waikato Management School Students’ Association, a student-run group that organises regular training workshops and events for members.
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.
Learn more about studying Finance by visiting the Waikato Management School faculty website.
Internationally recognised
Waikato is ranked in the world's top 200 universities for Accounting, Finance, and Business and Management Studies, by the prestigious QS Subject Rankings 2018.
You'll study at our internationally recognised Waikato Management School, which has Triple Crown Accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, placing it in the top 1% of all business schools worldwide.
Qualifications
If you wish to take Finance as your 1st Major subject, you'll need to enrol for either the Bachelor of Business or the Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours.
Otherwise you can normally take it 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'd like to gain specialist expertise, take a look at our Master of Management Studies in Finance.
Key information
| Study Locations: | Hamilton; Tauranga; Online |
|---|---|
| Faculty: |
Study Finance in these qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Business
- Bachelor of Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours
- Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Tourism
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Laws
- Master of Management Studies
- Master of Māori and Pacific Development
- Master of Philosophy
- Master of Science
- Master of Science (Research)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Master of Social Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
Finance as a specialisation of
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Business
- Bachelor of Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours
- Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Tourism
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Laws
- Master of Management Studies
- Master of Māori and Pacific Development
- Master of Philosophy
- Master of Science
- Master of Science (Research)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Master of Social Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
Career opportunities
- Commercial and investment banker
- Corporate banker
- Corporate finance specialist
- Financial analyst
- Financial manager
- Financial planner
- Merchant banker
- Merger and acquisition specialist
- Sharebroker
- Stockbroker
- Treasury specialist
Papers
Papers available within this subject
Available Finance papers
Prescriptions for the GradCert(Fin) and GradDip(Fin)
A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Finance at an advanced level in their first degree. The qualification regulations define the subject requirements for the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma. There are no specified subject papers that must be included for these programmes.
Prescriptions for the BBus(Hons), PGCert(Fin), PGDip(Fin) and MMS
The qualification regulations define the subject requirements for the BBus(Hons), PGCert(Fin), PGDip(Fin) and MMS. There are no specified subject papers that must be included for the BBus(Hons), and PGCert(Fin) programmes.
PGDip(Fin) students must complete FINAN511 and FINAN512.
MMS students must complete FINAN511, FINAN512, either MNMGT581 or MNMGT582, and one of FINAN590, FINAN591, FINAN592, FINAN593, or FINAN594.
MMS students taking the Applied Economics and Finance interdisciplinary programme must complete MNMGT582, FINAN510, FINAN517, and one of ECONS590, ECONS591, ECONS592, ECONS593, ECONS594, FINAN590, FINAN591, FINAN592, FINAN593 or FINAN594; one of ECONS501 or ECONS508; and one of ECONS528 or ECONS529 or ECONS543.
MMS Finance - Professional Finance specialisation will not be offered in 2019.
Prescriptions for the MPhil
The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
Prescriptions for the PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FINAN101 | Introduction to Finance | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga), 19B (Hamilton), 19B (Tauranga), 19C (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) & 19S (Hamilton) |
| 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 | 19A (Hamilton) & 19B (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 | 19B (Hamilton), 19B (Tauranga), 19C (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China), 19T (Hamilton) & 19T (Tauranga) |
| 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 | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga), 19B (Hamilton), 19B (Tauranga) & 19C (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 | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga), 19B (Hamilton), 19B (Tauranga) & 19C (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 | 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| 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 | 19A (Hamilton) & 19A (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. | ||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FINAN301 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 19A (Hamilton) & 19A (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 | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga), 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| 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 | 19A (Hamilton) & 19T (Hamilton) |
| 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 | 19B (Hamilton), 19B (Tauranga) & 19S (Online) |
| The course deals with how risks are quantified and managed, particularly for financial institutions. | ||
| FINAN305 | Financial Management 2 | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga), 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| 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 | 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| This paper provides students with an introduction to Australasian financial markets and an evaluation of the institutions, instruments and participants involved in the industry. | ||
| MNMGT395 | Industry Experience | 19C (Online) |
| The industry experience course is a NET delivered course, which runs over the summer from early November to early February. Students search for and find their own host organisation, anywhere in the world, that agrees to take them on for 4 to 13 weeks during the summer period. | ||
| MNMGT396 | Management Internship | 19C (Hamilton) |
| The Management Internship provides students with the opportunity to apply their management discipline-based knowledge to an authentic project within an organisation. | ||
| MNMGT399 | Report of an Investigation | 19C (Hamilton) |
| The Report of an Investigation offers students the opportunity to complete a secondary data based research report on an area related to their management discipline of study. Students also complete 100 hours of voluntary work co-ordinated through the University of Waikato Employability Plus Program. | ||
400 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| MNMGT495 | Industry Experience | 19C (Online) |
| The industry experience course is a NET delivered course, which runs over the summer from early November to early February. Students search for and find their own host organisation, anywhere in the world, that agrees to take them on for 4 to 13 weeks during the summer period. | ||
| MNMGT496 | Management Internship | 19C (Hamilton) |
| The Management Internship provides students with the opportunity to apply their management discipline-based knowledge to an authentic project within an organisation. | ||
| MNMGT499 | Report of an Investigation | 19C (Hamilton) |
| The Report of an Investigation offers students the opportunity to complete a secondary data based research report on an area related to their management discipline of study. Students also complete 100 hours of voluntary work co-ordinated through the University of Waikato Employability Plus Program. | ||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FINAN501 | Computer Modelling for Financial Analysis | 19A (Hamilton) |
| The objective of this paper is to equip students with financial modelling skills using a computer spreadsheet. Generic skills such as performing sensitivity analyses, running simulations and solving optimisation problems in finance are included. | ||
| FINAN504 | International Corporate Finance | 19A (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. | ||
| FINAN510 | Financial Theory and Corporate Policy | 19A (Hamilton) & 19T (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 | 19B (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 | 19A (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. | ||
| FINAN517 | Investments, Portfolios and Financial Markets | 19B (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. | ||
| FINAN519 | Derivatives | 19B (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... | ||
| FINAN590 | Directed Study | 19C (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | ||
| FINAN591 | Finance Dissertation | 19C (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| FINAN592 | Finance Dissertation | 19C (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| FINAN593 | Finance Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| FINAN594 | Finance Thesis | 19C (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 | 19A (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... | ||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FINAN800 | Finance MPhil Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FINAN900 | Finance PhD Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
Throughout my career so far I have found myself applying the skills I learned in BBA papers such as international corporate finance, portfolios and markets, and economics, law and policy.
Read stories from other students
Scholarships and prizes
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Subject requirements
Finance as a single major for the BBus, BBA or BMS(Hons) If you wish to take Finance as a single major for the Bachelor of Business (BBus), Bachelor of Business Analysis (BBA) or Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS(Hons)), you'll need to pass 135 points (9 papers) in this subject area, including at least 105 points above 100-level and 60 points above 200-level.
Finance as a single major for the BBus, BBA or BMS(Hons)
If you wish to take Finance as a single major for the Bachelor of Business (BBus), Bachelor of Business Analysis (BBA) or Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS(Hons)), you'll need to pass 135 points (9 papers) in this subject area, including at least 105 points above 100-level and 60 points above 200-level.
As all papers are 15 points, you will need to complete 2 x 100-level, 3 x 200-level and 4 x 300-level papers for your major. No more than three 200-level papers may be included in this major.
The specific requirements for a single major in Finance are that you must take the following 9 papers:
- FINAN101 Introduction to Finance
- ECONS205 Data Analytics with Business Applications or MATHS168 Preparatory Mathematics.
- FINAN200 Financial Management 1
- FINAN202 Investments 1
- FINAN302 Investments 2
- FINAN305 Financial Management 2
- Remaining papers are chosen from the following:
- FINAN203/306 Capital Markets and Institutions
- FINAN204/301 Entrepreneurial Finance
- FINAN303 Computer Modelling in Finance
- FINAN304 Financial Risk Management
- Note: No more than three 200-level papers may be included in this major.
Please note: MATHS168 should only be taken by students who do not meet the level 3 NCEA prerequisite requirements for ECONS205.
Bachelor of Business (BBus):
The BBus single major requirements state that you must include MNMGT495/6/9 Industry Experience/Internship/Report of an Investigation as part of your major in Finance
Bachelor of Business Analysis (BBA):
There are no additional requirements for the single major within the Bachelor of Business Analysis.
Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS(Hons)):
The BMS(Hons) professional and research honours streams require you to include a further 60 points at 500-level in papers that are relevant for your first major in Finance (see the degree planner for details).
Finance as a 2nd Major for any bachelor's degree
If Finance is your second major then you must pass 120 points including at least 90 points above 100-level, of which at least 45 points must be above 200-level. As all papers are 15 points, you would therefore complete two x 100-level, three x 200-level and three x 300-level for each major.
Finance as a Minor for any bachelor's degree
If you wish to take Finance as a Minor as part of any bachelor's degree at the University of Waikato, you'll need to pass 4 papers (60 points) in this subject, which includes at least 2 papers (30 points) above 100-level.
The specific requirements for a Minor in Finance are that you must include:
- FINAN101 Introduction to Finance
Bachelor of Business Analysis with Honours (BBA(Hons))
To complete the BBA(Hons), you must pass 120 points at 500-level, including at least 60 points from the subject area of Finance.
You will also need to submit a Portfolio of Achievement (see BBA(Hons) qualification information for further details).
You must also include:
- Either FINA591 Finance Dissertation or FINA592 Finance Dissertation
- No more than one ECON-coded (Economics) paper
Graduate Certificate in Finance
To complete the requirements for a Graduate Certificate in Finance, you must pass 60 points at 100-level or above, which includes at least 45 points at 300-level or above. At least 45 points must be from the subject area of Finance.
The specific requirement for Finance is that you may include no more than 20 points in ECON-coded (Economics) papers.
For full details of available papers visit papers.waikato.ac.nz/subjects/FINAN
Note: You may need to meet any additional paper prerequisites unless a waiver is obtained and depending upon your programme of study.
Please meet with the department's Graduate Convenor to discuss an appropriate personal programme of study.
Graduate Diploma in Finance
To complete the requirements for a Graduate Diploma in Finance, you'll need to pass 120 points at 100-level or above and include at least 75 points at 300-level or above. At least 90 points must be from the subject area of Finance.
The specific requirements for Finance are that you must include:
- FINA201 Finance
- FINA311 Corporate Finance
- FINA312 Portfolios and Markets
- No more than two ECON-coded (Economics) papers
For full details of available papers visit papers.waikato.ac.nz/subjects/FINAN
Note: You may need to meet any additional paper prerequisites unless a waiver is obtained and depending upon your programme of study.
Please meet with the department's Graduate Convenor to discuss an appropriate personal programme of study.
Postgraduate Certificate in Finance
To complete the requirements for a Postgraduate Certificate in Finance, you must pass 60 points at 500-level from the subject of Finance.
For full details of available papers visit papers.waikato.ac.nz/subjects/FINAN
Note: You may need to meet any additional paper prerequisites unless a waiver is obtained and depending upon your programme of study.
Please meet with the department's Graduate Convenor to discuss an appropriate personal programme of study.
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
To complete the requirements for a Postgraduate Diploma, you must pass 120 points at 500-level, including at least 90 points from the subject area of Finance, and submit a Portfolio of Achievement (see the Postgraduate Diploma qualification information for further details).
The specific requirements for Finance are that you must include:
- FINA511 Advanced Corporate Finance
- FINA512 Investments and Portfolios
Remaining papers can be chosen from those ticked for this qualification in the tick-chart table.
For full details of available papers visit papers.waikato.ac.nz/subjects/FINAN
Note: You may need to meet any additional paper prerequisites unless a waiver is obtained and depending upon your programme of study.
Please meet with the department's Graduate Convenor to discuss an appropriate personal programme of study.
Master of Management Studies (MMS) in Finance
The completion requirements for the Master of Management Studies depend on your admission criteria; please see the qualification information for further details. However you'll need to:
- Take MNGT501 Research Methods in Management Studies or MNGT502 Research Methods in Management Studies for Economics and Finance (unless passed previously)
- Take a dissertation (591/592) or thesis (593/594) in your subject area (see note below)
- Submit a Portfolio of Achievement (see MMS information for further details)
- Meet the specific requirements prescribed for any subject.
- Meet with the department's Graduate Convenor to discuss an appropriate personal programme of study.
Option 1: Finance
The specific requirements for Finance are that you must include:
- FINA511 Advanced Corporate Finance
- FINA512 Investments and Portfolios
Option 2: Finance - Professional (specialisation) - not being offered in 2018
The Master of Management Studies (MMS) in Finance – Professional is a specialist one-year master’s degree (180 points) aimed at those seeking a professional career in the financial industry. This taught masters programme has a strong practical focus. You will also have the opportunity to undertake an applied research project.
The specific requirements are that you must include:
Stage 1: Core knowledge and skills:
- FINA501 Computer Modelling for Financial Analysis
- FINA510 Financial Theory and Corporate Policy
- FINA517 Investment, Portfolios and Financial Markets
- ECON507 Quantitative Skills for Finance and Economics
Stage 2: Advanced professional knowledge
- FINA502 Derivative Securities One
- FINA503 Issues in Corporate Finance
- FINA504 International Corporate Finance
- FINA507 Corporate Governance, Mergers and Acquisitions
- FINA519 Derivative Securities Two
Stage 3: Applied research and professional internship
- FINA516 Advanced Financial Modelling 1*
- FINA505 Applied Research Project in Finance*
*Please note: If you are taking the specialisation in Professional Finance, the MMS requirements to complete MNGT501 or MNGT502 and FINA591/592/593/594 are met by completing FINA516 and FINA505 respectively.
Option 3: Applied Economics and Finance
The specific requirements for Applied Economics and Finance are that you would normally be expected to take a balanced mixture of Economics and Finance papers and include:
- One of either ECON501 Macroeconomic Analysis; or ECON508 Applied Microeconomics with Game Theory
- One of either ECON528 Econometric Topics: Macroeconomics and Finance, or ECON529 Microeconometrics; or ECON543 Applied Econometrics
- FINA510 Financial Theory and Corporate Policy
- FINA517 Investments, Portfolios and Financial Markets
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Please contact the Graduate Convenor.
Contacts
Management Student Centre (MSC)
Location: MSB.1.50, Waikato Management School, Hillcrest Road, University of Waikato, Hamilton
Phone: +64 838 4303
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.
Finance subject convenors
Dr Greg Hou
Undergraduate Convenor
Email: greg.hou@waikato.ac.nz
Dr Geeta Duppati
Graduate Convenor
Email: geetad@waikato.ac.nz