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 Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
|---|---|
| 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 (China only)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- 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
Study 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 (China only)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- 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
Study in Tauranga
Tauranga students can study Finance as a major subject of the Bachelor of Business. You have the option of studying all three years through the University of Waikato, or taking a one-year pathway through Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.
Papers
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. Students taking the 120 point MMS are required to complete at least 60 points from the papers listed for the subject. Students taking the 180 point MMS are required to complete at least 120 points from the papers listed for the subject.
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, ECONS529 or ECONS543.
Prescriptions for the MAppFin
MAppFin students must complete ACCTN570, ECONS506, ECONS507, FINAN500, FINAN506, FINAN508, ECONS543, FINAN509, FINAN515, FINAN518, FINAN520 and FINAN521 or WSAFE500.
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 | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga), 20B (Hamilton), 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) & 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 | 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) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| The course deals with how risks are quantified and managed, particularly for financial institutions. | ||
| FINAN305 | Financial Management 2 | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (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 | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (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. | ||
| WSAFE396 | Management Internship | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton), 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), 20B (Hamilton), 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. | ||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ECONS543 | Applied Econometrics | 20A (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) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 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
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Subject requirements
Please refer to the Waikato Management School Student Handbook to see the specific requirements for taking Finance as a specialist subject (eg. Major or Minor subject) for any qualification.
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.
Finance subject convenors
Dr Greg Hou
Undergraduate Convenor
Email: greg.hou@waikato.ac.nz
Dr Geeta Duppati
Graduate Convenor
Email: geetad@waikato.ac.nz