Finance
The Finance major within the Bachelor of Commerce prepares students for careers in asset management, investment banking, risk management, corporate strategy and regulation. The major covers critical concepts in corporate finance and investments within its core units. The major’s electives allow students to build deep knowledge and technical skills in the key fields of industry. These include corporate valuation, derivative securities, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, portfolio theory, asset pricing and financial services. Ethical and social considerations are discussed throughout the major. Learning is supported through interactive tutorials and current content.
The Discipline of Finance has strong engagement with practitioners and regulators, locally and internationally, and has research activities spanning all areas of Finance. This ensures that our student-focused curriculum remains highly relevant to students beginning their careers in finance.
Options for studying Finance
Students not enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce or related combined Bachelor of Commerce degrees can complete a Finance major as a Table S (shared pool) option for their degree.
Commerce students can only complete a Finance major as a Table A option for their degree.
Pathway through the Finance major
The requirements for a major in Finance are spread out over three years of the degree (four years if students are completing a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree).
To achieve a major in Finance, students must complete 48 credit points comprising:
- 12 credit points of 1000-level core units of study;
- 12 credit points of 2000-level core units of study;
- 12 credit points of 3000-level core units of study; and
- 12 credit points of 3000-level selective units of study.
A sample pathway for the Finance major (over three years of a degree) is listed below.
Please Note. This sample progression is meant as an example only. Depending on unit prerequisites, students may be able to complete these units in a different sequence to that displayed in the following table.
| Year | Session | Units of study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Semester 1 | Core: BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis; OR DATA1001 Foundations of Data Science; OR ECMT1010 Introduction to Economic Statistics; OR ENVX1002 Introduction to Statistical Methods; OR (MATH1005 Statistical Thinking with Data or MATH1015 Biostatistics) and MATH1115 Interrogating Data; OR 6 credit points of MATH coded 1000-level units including MATH1905 Statistics (Advanced). | |
| Semester 2 | Core: BUSS1040 Economics for Business Decision Making; OR ECON1001 Introductory Macroeconomics; OR ECON1002 Introductory Macroeconomics. | ||
| Second | Semester 1 | Core: FINC2011 Corporate Finance I | |
| Semester 2 | Core: FINC2012 Corporate Finance II | ||
| Third | Semester 1 | Core: FINC3017 Investment and Portfolio Management | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major |
| Semester 2 | Core: FINC3600 Finance in Practice * | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major | |
* Capstone unit for the major – completed in the final semester of study for that major. This unit of study must be completed at the University of Sydney Business School.
For details of the core and selective units of study required for the major or minor please refer to the Finance section of the unit of study table, Table S, in this handbook.
Bachelor of Advanced Studies with Honours in Finance
Honours in Finance commences in semester one; there is no mid-year intake.
Students enrolled in a degree combined with the Bachelor of Advanced studies who complete a major in Finance with a weighted average mark of 70% (within the first three years of their degree) may be eligible to complete honours in Finance as their fourth year of study in this combined degree program. Students will need to have completed any requirements of their degree not satisfied with the completion of honours (including both majors, all core units, all Open Learning Environment units, and any elective units as necessary to ensure they meet degree requirements) by the end of their third year of study to proceed to honours in their fourth year of study. The available units of study for Honours in Finance are listed in Table A Honours units of study in the Business School handbook.
For details of the requirements for admission, completion and the criteria for the awarding of honours, please refer to the Degree and Faculty resolutions.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the Finance major students will be able to:
| No. | Mid-Level Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 1 | Analyse and solve business challenges by applying fundamental concepts, principles and knowledge from the finance discipline. |
| 2 | Evaluate empirical data to test hypotheses and assess implications for various business contexts. |
| 3 | Analyse complex and authentic financial problems by creatively using analytical tools, technologies and quantitative methods. |
| 4 | Integrate knowledge of economics, accounting, quantitative analysis and finance in the process of making financial decisions and solving interdisciplinary problems. |
| 5 | Explain key elements of modern financial systems, institutions, markets, management decisions and the role of financial managers. |
| 6 | Critically evaluate and synthesise information from diverse financial information sources including academic research to assist financial problem-solving and decision-making. |
| 7 | Effectively collaborate with others from diverse cultural backgrounds by applying Professional Standards of Practice and ethical practice. |
| 8 | Communicate professionally and effectively by constructing convincing and succinct arguments, preparing meaningful and relevant presentation materials, and applying academic writing skills. |
Further information
For further information regarding study in finance at the University of Sydney, please refer to the Discipline of Finance website.