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Department of Economics

Bachelor of Applied Finance

2010

Degree Information

Faculty: Faculty of Business and Economics
Course Type: Undergraduate
Campus: North Ryde
Description:

Finance is the study of the management of money, banking, investment and credit. It involves the study of financial organisations, markets and instruments, their effect on the flow of funds within the economy, and the control of risk. Bachelor of Applied Finance graduates are well qualified for employment in the finance sector both in Australia and internationally.
Key Features:

The Bachelor of Applied Finance program is a specialist undergraduate finance program, which covers a broad range of current knowledge and technical skills required for the many career opportunities in the finance industry. Units in the program apply current theory and analytical techniques to real finance industry situations. The program is taught by highly qualified and experienced lecturers who have a thorough understanding of finance industry practices.
Suitable for:

The finance sector is becoming increasingly complex, and people employed in the sector require specialised training to deal with this complexity. The Applied Finance degree is suitable for those looking to work as stockbrokers, financial analysts, management consultants, portfolio managers, investment bankers, financial planners, or in similar roles in the financial sector. Competency in mathematics is highly desirable.
Accreditation:

The Bachelor of Applied Finance and associated double degrees have been approved by ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) — authorised assessors as meeting ASIC’s training requirements in relation to RG 146 compliance for derivatives, financial planning, foreign exchange, generic knowledge, managed investments, securities. Students should be aware that some specific units need to be completed in order to get accreditation. Refer to the section at the bottom of the page "What You Will Study" for details.
Major Employers:
Average Starting Salaries:

The 2008 Australian Association of Graduate Employers Survey reported a median starting salary for finance graduates for 2008 of $55,000.
Career Opportunities:
  • Business journalist
  • Financial analyst
  • Investment analyst
  • Management consultant
  • Market analyst
  • Planning/policy analyst
  • Public administrator
  • Derivatives trader
  • Portfolio manager
  • Researcher
  • Statistician
  • Stockbroker
  • Teacher
  • Academic

Requirements

Recommended Prior Knowledge:

HSC Mathematics is assumed knowledge. Mathematics Extension 1 is recommended. Students without HSC Mathematics (or equivalent) are advised to enrol in a Mathematics or Quantitative Methods unit during their first year of study. The recommended unit is ECON131 Quantitative Methods in Economics, Business and Finance , a unit which has been specifically designed for students studying in the Faculty of Business and Economics .
Work Experience:

No work experience required
UAC Code:

300201 CSP
UAI Cutoff (previous year):

86.60
2009 ATAR:

87.70
Domestic Students: How to apply Fee Information
International Students: How to apply Fee Information
English Language Requirements:
  • IELTS (Academic english only): Minimum 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in each section
  • TOEFL (Paper based test): Minimum 580 overall, with 53 Listening, 52 Reading, 59 Structure/ Written Expression, 5.0 TWE
  • TOEFL (Computer based test): Minimum 237 overall, with 19 Listening, 19 Reading, 25 Structure/Writing
  • TOEFL (Internet based test): Minimum 92 overall, with 18 Listening, 17 Reading, 22 Writing, 22 Speaking

Course Details

Minimum Course Duration: 3 years full-time / equivalent part-time
Mode of study:

On campus
Administrative Enquiries:

Business and Economic Student Services (BESS)
Ph: 61 2 9850 8450
Fax: 61 2 9850 9958
Academic Enquiries:

Department of Economics
Ph: 61 2 9850 8488
Fax: 61 2 9850 6069
www.econ.mq.edu.au
Enquiries: Contact us for further information
Notes:

From 2010 the UAI will be called the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Most students will receive a slightly higher ATAR than the equivalent UAI, with similar changes to course cut-offs.

For more information on the ATAR, visit UAC’s website at www.uac.edu.au or call UAC on (02) 9752 0200.

What You Will Study

As well as introductory core units in economics, accounting, statistics and financial techniques, the program includes units of study in:

  • Econometrics
  • Financial management
  • Financial instruments and markets
  • Corporate finance
  • Derivative pricing
  • Finance theory
  • Portfolio management
  • Risk management (including credit, market and operational risk)
  • International finance
  • Financial Institutions

ASIC RG146 compliance for the listed specialist knowledge depends upon elective units undertaken. Generic Knowledge requirements are covered for all students through required units. For compliance against RG146 Generic Skills requirements, the elective units ECON335: The Economics of Financial Institutions and ACCG352: Applied Portfolio Management must be completed. Unit FIN310: Issues in Applied Finance is a compulsory unit.
For compliance against specialist knowledge, the following units must be completed:
•    Financial Planning: ACCG352: Applied Portfolio Management , ACCG329: Security Pricing and Hedging , ACCG350: Financial Statement Analysis , ECON335: The Economics of Financial Institutions , ACCG253: Financial Management , ECON360: International Finance , LAW506: Succession Law and either ACST201: Financial Techniques, Instruments and Markets or ECON335: The Economics of Financial Institutions or ACCG353: Corporate Financial Design ;
•    Foreign Exchange: ECON360:International Finance and ACCG253: Financial Management ;
•    Securities: ACST201: Financial Techniques, Instruments and Markets , ECON335: The Economics of Financial Institutions and either ACCG352: Applied Portfolio Management or ACST305: Quantitative Methods for Asset Liability Management ;
•    Derivatives: ACCG329: Security Pricing and Hedging and ECON360: International Finance ;
•    Managed Investments: ACCG253: Financial Management and ACST201: Financial Techniques, Instruments and Markets ;
•    Superannuation: ACST300: Insurance and Superannuation Practice ;
•    Insurance: ACST300: Insurance and Superannuation Practice ;
•    Deposit products and non-cash payment facilities: ACST201: Financial Techniques, Instruments and Markets .
Past graduates have the opportunity to enrol in single units of study in order to comply with ASIC Training Requirements.

The ASIC Training Register

For more information and degree requirements, please refer to the 2010 Course Handbook .