major

Finance

Major structure

Overview
Sample course plan
Explore this major

Overview

The Finance major covers three key areas:

Capital markets and financial institutions
Investments and financial planning
Corporate finance.

You’ll learn how individuals, businesses and institutions raise funds to implement investment strategies and gain knowledge as to how they allocate these funds to a variety of investment opportunities.

Your major structure

In your first year, you will complete a compulsory core alongside 4-6 foundation subjects to build your fundamentals, as well as electives and breadth subjects. You'll also commence a sequence of subjects to fulfill the Bachelor of Commerce quantitative requirements.

In your second and third year, you will complete 5 or more finance subjects to realise your major, plus a combination of elective and breadth subjects.

Double majors

Students can complete a double major by combining any two Commerce majors within the standard 300 credit points of the degree (no extra time required).

Breadth studies

The Melbourne curriculum allows you to incorporate breadth subjects into your degree. This gives you the chance to explore subjects or disciplines outside of commerce and finance.

Use breadth to explore creative interests or topics you have always been curious about; or complement your finance major and career development with a language, communication skills or technological expertise.

If you have a professional graduate program in mind, such as the Juris Doctor (Law) or Master of Engineering, you can use your breadth subjects to develop your knowledge and meet prerequisites from day one. Breadth subjects can give you the flexibility to qualify for graduate study or explore interests in a field that’s very different from your major.

Specialisations

From 2026, you can deepen your knowledge by focusing 25 credit points of your level 3 elective study toward a specialisation within your major. The three specialisations available to the Finance major are:

Computational Finance
Valuation & Modelling
Ethics and Sustainability

Sample course plan

View some sample course plans to help you select subjects that will meet the requirements for this major.

Finance Major

If you intend to pursue Honours in Finance, you will also need to do Econometrics 2 in your final year.

Accordion
Year 1 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts Principles of Management – foundation – MGMT10002 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 1

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts
Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts
Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Management – foundation – MGMT10002 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 2 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 2

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts
Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 3 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts International Finance – major – FNCE30003 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Derivative Securities – major – FNCE30007 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 3

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts
International Finance – major – FNCE30003 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Derivative Securities – major – FNCE30007 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Double Major - Accounting (with Accreditation) and Finance - Start Year

Accordion
Year 1 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts Principles of Business Law – breadth – BLAW10001 – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 1

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts
Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts
Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts
Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
Principles of Business Law – breadth – BLAW10001 – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 2 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts Accounting for Management Decisions – major – ACCT20001 – 12.5 pts Principles of Company Law – breadth – BLAW20001 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Accounting Information for Reporting – major – ACCT20008 – 12.5 pts Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 2

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts
Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts
Accounting for Management Decisions – major – ACCT20001 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Company Law – breadth – BLAW20001 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Accounting Information for Reporting – major – ACCT20008 – 12.5 pts
Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 3 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Organisational Performance Management – major – ACCT30002 – 12.5 pts Analysis of Firms & Financial Statements – capstone – ACCT30001 – 12.5 pts Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Derivative Securities – major – FNCE30007 – 12.5 pts Algorithmic Trading – major – FNCE30010 – 12.5 pts Assurance, Risk and Control – major – ACCT30004 – 12.5 pts Principles of Taxation Law I – breadth – BLAW30002 – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 3

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Organisational Performance Management – major – ACCT30002 – 12.5 pts
Analysis of Firms & Financial Statements – capstone – ACCT30001 – 12.5 pts
Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Derivative Securities – major – FNCE30007 – 12.5 pts
Algorithmic Trading – major – FNCE30010 – 12.5 pts
Assurance, Risk and Control – major – ACCT30004 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Taxation Law I – breadth – BLAW30002 – 12.5 pts

Double Major - Accounting (with Accreditation) and Finance - Mid Year

Accordion
Year 1 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts Principles of Business Law – breadth – BLAW10001 – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 1

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts
Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts
Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts
Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Business Law – breadth – BLAW10001 – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 2 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts Accounting for Management Decisions – major – ACCT20001 – 12.5 pts Principles of Company Law – breadth – BLAW20001 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts Accounting Information for Reporting – major – ACCT20008 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 2

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts
Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts
Accounting for Management Decisions – major – ACCT20001 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Company Law – breadth – BLAW20001 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts
Accounting Information for Reporting – major – ACCT20008 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 3 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Organisational Performance Management – major – ACCT30002 – 12.5 pts Analysis of Firms & Financial Statements – capstone – ACCT30001 – 12.5 pts Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts Principles of Taxation Law I – breadth – BLAW30002 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Derivative Securities – major – FNCE30007 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts Assurance, Risk and Control – major – ACCT30004 – 12.5 pts Essentials of Corporate Valuation – major – FNCE30011 – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 3

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Organisational Performance Management – major – ACCT30002 – 12.5 pts
Analysis of Firms & Financial Statements – capstone – ACCT30001 – 12.5 pts
Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Taxation Law I – breadth – BLAW30002 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Derivative Securities – major – FNCE30007 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
Assurance, Risk and Control – major – ACCT30004 – 12.5 pts
Essentials of Corporate Valuation – major – FNCE30011 – 12.5 pts

Double Major – Economics and Finance - Start Year

Accordion
Year 1 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 1

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts
Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts
Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts
Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 2 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts Intermediate Microeconomics – major – ECON20002 – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts Intermediate Macroeconomics – major – ECON20001 – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 2

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts
Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts
Intermediate Microeconomics – major – ECON20002 – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
Intermediate Macroeconomics – major – ECON20001 – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 3 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Entrepreneurial Finance – major – FNCE30006 – 12.5 pts Microeconomics – major – ECON30010 – 12.5 pts Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts Econometrics 2 – capstone – ECOM30002 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	International Finance – major – FNCE30003 – 12.5 pts International Trade Policy – major – ECON30001 – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 3

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Entrepreneurial Finance – major – FNCE30006 – 12.5 pts
Microeconomics – major – ECON30010 – 12.5 pts
Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts
Econometrics 2 – capstone – ECOM30002 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

International Finance – major – FNCE30003 – 12.5 pts
International Trade Policy – major – ECON30001 – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts

Double Major – Economics and Finance - Mid Year

Accordion
Year 1 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 1

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts
Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts
Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts
Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 2 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts Intermediate Microeconomics – major – ECON20002 – 12.5 pts Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts Intermediate Macroeconomics – major – ECON20001 – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 2

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts
Intermediate Microeconomics – major – ECON20002 – 12.5 pts
Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
Intermediate Macroeconomics – major – ECON20001 – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 3 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts International Trade Policy – major – ECON30001 – 12.5 pts International Finance – major – FNCE30003 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Entrepreneurial Finance – major – FNCE30006 – 12.5 pts Econometrics 2 – capstone – ECOM30002 – 12.5 pts Microeconomics – major – ECON30010 – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 3

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
International Trade Policy – major – ECON30001 – 12.5 pts
International Finance – major – FNCE30003 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Entrepreneurial Finance – major – FNCE30006 – 12.5 pts
Econometrics 2 – capstone – ECOM30002 – 12.5 pts
Microeconomics – major – ECON30010 – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Double Major – Business Analytics and Finance - Start Year

Accordion
Year 1 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 1

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts
Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts
Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts
Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts
Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 2 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Visualisation and Data Wrangling – major – BUSA20001 – 12.5 pts Critical Thinking with Data – breadth – MAST20034 – 12.5 pts Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 2

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts
Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Visualisation and Data Wrangling – major – BUSA20001 – 12.5 pts
Critical Thinking with Data – breadth – MAST20034 – 12.5 pts
Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 3 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Business Data Governance and Ethics – major – CMCE30002 – 12.5 pts Unstructured Data Analytics for Business – major – CMCE30004 – 12.5 pts Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Business Analytics Challenge – capstone – CMCE30005 – 12.5 pts Derivative Securities – major – FNCE30007 – 12.5 pts Algorithmic Trading – major – FNCE30010 – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 3

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Business Data Governance and Ethics – major – CMCE30002 – 12.5 pts
Unstructured Data Analytics for Business – major – CMCE30004 – 12.5 pts
Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Business Analytics Challenge – capstone – CMCE30005 – 12.5 pts
Derivative Securities – major – FNCE30007 – 12.5 pts
Algorithmic Trading – major – FNCE30010 – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Double Major – Business Analytics and Finance - Mid Year

Accordion
Year 1 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 1

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Introductory Microeconomics – compulsory – ECON10004 – 12.5 pts
Quantitative Methods 1 – compulsory – ECON10005 – 12.5 pts
Accounting Reports and Analysis – foundation – ACCT10001 – 12.5 pts
Foundations of Business Analytics – foundation – CMCE10002 – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Principles of Finance – foundation – FNCE10002 – 12.5 pts
Introductory Macroeconomics – foundation – ECON10003 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 2 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Visualisation and Data Wrangling – major – BUSA20001 – 12.5 pts Critical Thinking with Data – breadth – MAST20034 – 12.5 pts Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts elective – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 2

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Visualisation and Data Wrangling – major – BUSA20001 – 12.5 pts
Critical Thinking with Data – breadth – MAST20034 – 12.5 pts
Financial Markets and Institutions – major – FNCE20006 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Quantitative Methods 2 – compulsory – ECON20003 – 12.5 pts
Corporate Financial Decision Making – major – FNCE20005 – 12.5 pts
elective – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion
Year 3 100 pts
Semester 1 · 50 pts	Business Analytics Challenge – capstone – CMCE30005 – 12.5 pts Derivative Securities – major – FNCE30007 – 12.5 pts Algorithmic Trading – major – FNCE30010 – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts
Semester 2 · 50 pts	Business Data Governance and Ethics – major – CMCE30002 – 12.5 pts Unstructured Data Analytics for Business – major – CMCE30004 – 12.5 pts Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts breadth – 12.5 pts

Accordion

Year 3

100 pts

Semester 1 · 50 pts

Business Analytics Challenge – capstone – CMCE30005 – 12.5 pts
Derivative Securities – major – FNCE30007 – 12.5 pts
Algorithmic Trading – major – FNCE30010 – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Semester 2 · 50 pts

Business Data Governance and Ethics – major – CMCE30002 – 12.5 pts
Unstructured Data Analytics for Business – major – CMCE30004 – 12.5 pts
Investments – capstone – FNCE30001 – 12.5 pts
breadth – 12.5 pts

Explore this major

Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this major.

Level 1

Students completing this major are required to complete the Level 1 pre-requisite subject as part of the foundation requirement before commencing the Level 2 major required subjects.

Prerequisite

Accordion
Principles of Finance · 12.5 pts	This subject introduces students to the key concepts of finance. Topics include: time-value-of-money, risk and return, present value, capital budgeting, diversification, asset allocation, capital asset pricing model, leverage, risk management and the types and sources of financing. This subject is the first in the sequence of finance subjects offered within the faculty and has a coverage and treatment of material which is suitable not only for students wishing to pursue further studies in finance but also for students from other disciplines who are interested in a single course in finance. View detailed information in the Handbook

Accordion

Principles of Finance · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the key concepts of finance. Topics include: time-value-of-money, risk and return, present value, capital budgeting, diversification, asset allocation, capital asset pricing model, leverage, risk management and the types and sources of financing. This subject is the first in the sequence of finance subjects offered within the faculty and has a coverage and treatment of material which is suitable not only for students wishing to pursue further studies in finance but also for students from other disciplines who are interested in a single course in finance.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Level 2

Students completing this major are required to complete the Level 1 pre-requisite subject as part of the foundation requirement before commencing the Level 2 major required subjects.

Prescribed

Students must complete the following subjects:

Accordion
Financial Markets and Institutions · 12.5 pts	A successful professional career in finance requires an understanding of the key social actors that graduates will interact in their professional life, as well as an understanding of the environments in which those interactions will occur. This subject will provide students with an understanding of the structure of financial markets, the trading that takes place, and the influence and role of the key institutions and regulators, and other social actors within these markets. It also provides an overview of the banking and superannuation sectors and will provide students with the skills necessary to begin to critically evaluate the role and impact of regulations in these markets. Students will develop their analytical skills by working with real data to solve actual problems that are tackled each and every day in financial markets. Students will also develop the skills needed to analyse data and evaluate contemporary empirical research to formulate solutions to problems that are relevant to practitioners and regulators. View detailed information in the Handbook
Corporate Financial Decision Making · 12.5 pts	This subject examines capital budgeting techniques, the capital structure decision, the distribution decision and corporate risk management at a more advanced level to that covered in FNCE10002 Principles of Finance. Topics include: the Modigliani-Miller theorems, the impact of taxes under a classical tax system, the impact of taxes under an imputation tax system, corporate acquisitions and restructuring, hybrid securities as a source of finance, techniques in raising capital. View detailed information in the Handbook

Accordion

Financial Markets and Institutions · 12.5 pts

A successful professional career in finance requires an understanding of the key social actors that graduates will interact in their professional life, as well as an understanding of the environments in which those interactions will occur. This subject will provide students with an understanding of the structure of financial markets, the trading that takes place, and the influence and role of the key institutions and regulators, and other social actors within these markets. It also provides an overview of the banking and superannuation sectors and will provide students with the skills necessary to begin to critically evaluate the role and impact of regulations in these markets. Students will develop their analytical skills by working with real data to solve actual problems that are tackled each and every day in financial markets. Students will also develop the skills needed to analyse data and evaluate contemporary empirical research to formulate solutions to problems that are relevant to practitioners and regulators.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Corporate Financial Decision Making · 12.5 pts

This subject examines capital budgeting techniques, the capital structure decision, the distribution decision and corporate risk management at a more advanced level to that covered in FNCE10002 Principles of Finance. Topics include: the Modigliani-Miller theorems, the impact of taxes under a classical tax system, the impact of taxes under an imputation tax system, corporate acquisitions and restructuring, hybrid securities as a source of finance, techniques in raising capital.

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Electives

Students must complete the following subjects:

Accordion
Management of Financial Institutions · 12.5 pts	This subject aims to develop an understanding of the unique nature of financial institutions and their role in the financial system. Topics covered include measuring performance, products and pricing, regulation, the existence or non-existence of economics of scale and scope, the risks faced by financial institutions and risk management techniques used. Topical issues such as mergers between banks are discussed. View detailed information in the Handbook
Introductory Personal Finance · 12.5 pts	This subject introduces students to the management of personal finances as well as consumer financial products and services. It discusses the notion of financial wellbeing and its relation to other aspects of wellbeing. It then describes the typical financial problems people encounter in their lives and the key financial products and services used to address them, including investing in financial securities, purchasing real estate and funding retirement. The subject also discusses relevant aspects of taxation, government incentives as well as human decision-making. This subject is aimed at students envisaging a career in consumer financial services, as a financial adviser or in the public service (e.g., regulation). It also provides a basis for personal financial decision making View detailed information in the Handbook

Accordion

Management of Financial Institutions · 12.5 pts

This subject aims to develop an understanding of the unique nature of financial institutions and their role in the financial system. Topics covered include measuring performance, products and pricing, regulation, the existence or non-existence of economics of scale and scope, the risks faced by financial institutions and risk management techniques used. Topical issues such as mergers between banks are discussed.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Introductory Personal Finance · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the management of personal finances as well as consumer financial products and services. It discusses the notion of financial wellbeing and its relation to other aspects of wellbeing. It then describes the typical financial problems people encounter in their lives and the key financial products and services used to address them, including investing in financial securities, purchasing real estate and funding retirement. The subject also discusses relevant aspects of taxation, government incentives as well as human decision-making. This subject is aimed at students envisaging a career in consumer financial services, as a financial adviser or in the public service (e.g., regulation). It also provides a basis for personal financial decision making

View detailed information in the Handbook

Level 3

Students completing this major are required to complete the Level 1 pre-requisite subject as part of the foundation requirement before commencing the Level 2 major required subjects.

Capstone

Students must complete ONE of the following subjects:

Accordion
Investments · 12.5 pts	This subject covers investment analysis, with emphasis on equity securities and fixed interest securities. The topics covered focus on issues fundamental to financial managers, money managers, risk managers, financial advisers and regulators. These topics include: fundamental ideas in asset pricing, modern portfolio theory, and their applications; equilibrium theories of asset pricing; empirical evidence on security returns; key issues in pricing fixed interest securities; and techniques in fixed interest portfolio management. View detailed information in the Handbook

Accordion

Investments · 12.5 pts

This subject covers investment analysis, with emphasis on equity securities and fixed interest securities. The topics covered focus on issues fundamental to financial managers, money managers, risk managers, financial advisers and regulators. These topics include: fundamental ideas in asset pricing, modern portfolio theory, and their applications; equilibrium theories of asset pricing; empirical evidence on security returns; key issues in pricing fixed interest securities; and techniques in fixed interest portfolio management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Electives

Students must complete TWO of the following subjects:

Accordion
International Finance · 12.5 pts	Topics include concepts, operation and terminology of foreign exchange markets; international investment decision making; sources of and approaches to dealing with foreign exchange exposure; political risk; and international funding mechanisms and decision making in multinational business organisations. View detailed information in the Handbook
Entrepreneurial Finance · 12.5 pts	Issues associated with financing entrepreneurial ventures, and the valuation and investment issues associated with new ventures. Major topics include investment analysis, financing the new venture, harvesting, and renewal in the entrepreneurial firm. The subject covers entrepreneurial finance, venture capital and general principles of investing in high (biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology, e-business) and low technology. View detailed information in the Handbook
Street Finance · 12.5 pts	Street Finance is an innovative subject that involves finance students visiting secondary schools in Melbourne for the purpose of delivering three lessons on finance topics of interest and relevance to young people. Participation in Street Finance requires students to develop a thorough understanding of the relevant areas of finance to be taught, based on materials supplied by Department of Finance. Specific topics to be covered will change from year to year, and may include broad topics (such as budgeting) and/or topics of specific practical relevance to high school students (financial aspects of mobile phone contracts). Street Finance provides a unique opportunity for students to develop their technical and communication skills, while at the same time making a tangible contribution to the community through the delivery of finance lessons to an audience that may not usually have strong avenues of access to financial education or the financial profession. Students undertaking Street Finance will develop fundamental communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial concepts and information to a non-expert, non specialist audience. The program is also designed to build skills and enhance confidence in public speaking, which is important for any finance professional. More broadly, students undertaking the program will gain experience in the provision of community financial education, which is an increasingly important aspect of the work of finance professionals in many parts of the profession (and particularly the community financial sector). Students will be required to identify the best method of adapting supplied materials to the particular curriculum needs and context of an individual school. The substantive knowledge will then need to be communicated in a clear and accessible manner in presentations to high school students of varying academic abilities and backgrounds. Students enrolled in this subject will receive instruction in relevant substantive areas from faculty in the Department of Finance, as well as specialist training in lesson planning and delivery. Students will also have the opportunity to develop new materials which may either be used by individual schools and/or by Street Finance in the Department of Finance in future years. View detailed information in the Handbook
Ethics in Finance · 12.5 pts	Ethical practices instil a public trust in the fairness of financial markets and transactions, allowing them to function efficiently. Ethical practices by finance and investment professionals benefit all market participants and stakeholders and lead to increased investor confidence in global capital markets. The perspectives acquired in this subject should be useful to students in their chosen finance profession as this subject presents a framework for ethical conduct in the investment profession by focusing on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. Citing and discussing examples of the financial scandals that have shaken public confidence in the ethics of financial market participants, this subject explains the importance of ethics in the operation of financial institutions and in the personal conduct of finance professionals. This subject is taught as a self-paced, online activities and materials (no scheduled classes) with an on campus final exam. View detailed information in the Handbook
Algorithmic Trading · 12.5 pts	Global equity markets have changed fundamentally over the last decades Regulatory reforms to promote competition for trading services have led to considerable fragmentation of markets. New entrants and new technology have contributed to innovative new trading mechanisms and pricing structures. Today, markets are overwhelming electronic, with trading occurring using algorithms rather than manually. Graduates wishing to pursue careers in financial markets need to understand the new market structure that exists and have skills to understand and implement trading strategies in this environment. This subject will ensure students develop these skills and knowledge, through a combination of lectures and hands-on experience of manual and robot trading in online experimental markets. The class is quite unique. Despite growing importance of computerised trading in financial markets, there exist hardly any finance classes that expose students to the issues, let alone allowing them to develop the skills to conceive robot traders themselves through participation in experimental online markets. View detailed information in the Handbook
Essentials of Corporate Valuation · 12.5 pts	This subject examines the key concepts and methodologies used in the valuation of corporations and other business interests including stand‐alone projects, joint ventures and private equity. Topics include: cashflow‐based approaches, multiples‐based approaches, forecasting cashflows and earnings, estimating discount rates, adjustments for leverage, adjustments for imputation, the valuation of franking credits, adjustments for flexibility, valuation by replication, valuation in the digital economy. There will be an extensive use of real‐world examples and cases throughout the course. View detailed information in the Handbook
Essentials of Sustainable Investing · 12.5 pts	On successful completion of this subject students should be able to understand how different types of investors integrate ESG and impact considerations into their investment decisions, and how they vote and actively engage with investee companies to ensure long-term value creation. Ethical investing, social activist divestment campaigns and financial market innovations to address sustainability objectives will also be covered. Students should also be able to outline why, how and where investment is used to intentionally drive social and environmental impact in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Topics will include : embedding ESG and impact considerations into all elements of fund management, a practical overview of best practice in strategically managing impact, and how various elements of global and national financial systems help and hinder the flow of capital to impact. View detailed information in the Handbook
Machine Learning in Finance · 12.5 pts	Machine learning has been revolutionizing the financial industry, offering the potential to disrupt traditional structures and practices. This subject is meticulously organized around several real-world issues to introduce fundamental economic and financial problems and demonstrate how machine learning can provide transformative solutions to these problems. Throughout the course, case studies will be used to illustrate these core concepts, allowing students to see the practical application of theoretical knowledge. The emphasis is on building a strong foundation in machine learning techniques and their financial applications, ensuring that students can confidently apply these concepts in novel situations they may encounter in their professional careers. Additionally, students will engage in hands-on projects and exercises that reinforce the material covered in lectures. This practical approach ensures that they not only understand the theoretical underpinnings but also gain the skills needed to implement machine learning solutions in real-world financial contexts. By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of how machine learning can address various economic and financial challenges, preparing them to drive innovation and improvement in the financial industry. View detailed information in the Handbook
Derivative Securities · 12.5 pts	This subject focuses on the application and valuation of derivative securities, such as forwards, futures, swaps and options. The emphasis will be on arbitrage relations, valuation, and hedging with derivatives. The topics covered include; Forwards and futures: the mechanics of trading, price determination, hedging strategies; Swaps: definition and valuation; Options: payoffs, arbitrage bounds, trading strategies, the binomial model, the Black-Scholes model and its relationship to the binomial, hedging, American options and dividends, options on futures, limitations of the binomial and Black-Scholes Models. View detailed information in the Handbook