Undergraduate information
Finance
Capital markets and financial institutions Investments and financial planning Corporate finance
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Commerce major in Finance
Finance is the study of money management. As a finance student, you will learn how to raise funds, choose investments and grow wealth. Is the finance major for me? Do your friends come to you for advice? Do you do well in stressful situations? Are you good at maths? If you are a confident decision maker who can work independently and process information quickly, you should consider finance.
What will I learn? Studying finance will help you understand stocks and bonds, banking, budgeting, debt, and how markets function. You will learn how to value assets, find opportunities to save, and analyse investment options.
Why choose Melbourne? Ranked 8th in the world and 1st in the Asia-Pacific for Finance1
Ranked 10th in the world for graduate employability3
Study at Australia’s best university.2 Learn from internationally renowned academics, with some of the world’s brightest students.
Our graduates are known for their perceptive understanding of business issues, skilful communication and strong leadership.
Exciting student experience opportunities
Recognised as a CFA Program Partner of the CFA Institute
There’s more to uni than lectures, assignments and exams. Get involved outside the classroom – there’s something for everyone.
The finance major is ideal preparation for the CFA exams, a requirement for designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst®.
Am I a good fit? To excel in finance, you need to be inquisitive, commercially aware, mature, efficient, and detail-oriented. You need to be a strategic thinker with excellent people skills, who is comfortable with technology and change.
I have secured an investment banking analyst position for next year. I am excited to apply the technical and analytical skills I’ve developed, and I feel confident that studying Commerce has prepared me well for my career. Anna Kilmartin, BCom 2013, currently doing Honours 1 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2014 Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013-14 3 QS World University Rankings 2013
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Where could the finance major take you?
Kyle Sutcliffe Investment banking, USA
Renata Rejas Private equity and venture capital, Peru
Ange Cheang Financial services, Macau
Yuta Hirose Trade and development, Japan
Evangeline Ho Real estate, Singapore
Lizzie Reid Wealth management, Australia
Aditya Singh Technology and innovation, Australia
Alexander Lau Management consulting, Australia
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Careers in finance
Our graduates receive high-level finance training, combined with exposure to complementary disciplines and opportunities for development outside the classroom. They enjoy excellent career outcomes, including high starting salaries, outstanding job satisfaction and exceptional employment rates. Where do finance graduates work? Some of our most recent graduates are now working at: A.C. Nielsen ANZ Banking Group A.T. Kearney Australian Administration Services Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Australian Taxation Office Bell Potter Securities BHP Billiton Boston Consulting Group Cameron Harrison CBRE Citigroup Clayton Utz DBA Lawyers Dixon Advisory Ernst & Young Goldman Sachs Grant Thornton Haddington Accountants IBM Australia JPMorgan & Chase Jones Lang LaSalle KPMG Kraft Foods Lazard Longriver Investments MAP Capital Advisors Minter Ellison Morgan Stanley National Australia Bank Newcrest Mining OCBC Bank Oz Property Group Pitcher Partners PricewaterhouseCoopers Singapore Airlines Suncorp-Metway Target Australia Towers Watson UBS Unilever United Overseas Bank Westpac 4
Career progression in finance Sample job titles Your first job Adviser
Associate
Graduate
Analyst
Banker
Planner
Broker
Manager
Trader
Consultant
Senior Planner
Vice President
Chief Executive Officer
Managing Director
Financial Controller
Chief Financial Officer
Partner
Treasurer
In 5-10 years
In 15-20 years
My dream job is to work in the asset management field, investing ethically in sustainable businesses and ideas that can benefit society well into the future. Ewe Jin Tan, majors in Finance and Economics
Studying the finance major
The finance major is extremely popular, both as a single major and in combination with other disciplines. It is a versatile major that sharpens your problem solving skills and provides valuable training for any industry. The Bachelor of Commerce consists of 24 subjects, usually taken over three years of full-time study. The degree is very flexible and allows you to choose subjects across a range of disciplines. As part of the BCom, you must complete at least one major.
Bachelor of Commerce 24 subjects (usually 8 per year)
Compulsory subjects 5 subjects to cover Commerce fundamentals
The Bachelor of Commerce major in finance is made up of a sequence of subjects that builds progressively on your knowledge in the discipline. Upon completion of the major, you will have developed expertise in the core areas of finance and enjoyed opportunities to expand your knowledge in specialist areas.
Major and elective subjects 11-15 subjects to deepen your Commerce knowledge
Sample course plan – Bachelor of Commerce1 Major in Finance Semester 1
Introductory Microeconomics
Quantitative Methods 1
Semester 2
Introductory Macroeconomics
Finance 1
Semester 1
Quantitative Methods 22
Business Finance
Semester 2
Organisational Behaviour
Semester 1
Investments
Semester 2
Corporate Finance
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Compulsory subjects
Derivative Securities
Finance subjects
Free elective subjects3
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This is a sample course plan only. Subjects offered may change from year to year. You will be advised of current subject offerings prior to subject selection and enrolment.
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There is a choice of Level-2 subjects available to fulfil the quantitative requirement for BCom. Consult with a course adviser to find out which one suits you best.
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You need to complete a specified amount of Commerce and breadth subjects at particular levels to meet BCom course requirements. A course adviser can help you select subjects to ensure that you don’t neglect these requirements.
If you would like to deepen your finance knowledge, there is a variety of electives available throughout the degree.
Year 2 electives Introductory Personal Finance Introduction to Real Estate Analysis Management of Financial Institutions
Year 3 electives Asian Capital Markets Entrepreneurial Finance Ethics in Finance Intermediate Personal Finance International Finance Real Estate Finance
Breadth subjects 4-8 subjects from other disciplines
This sample course plan names compulsory subjects in the BCom and minimum subjects required for the finance major. In total, these comprise 10 of 24 subjects in the degree. If you intend to pursue Honours in Finance, you will also need to do either Basic Econometrics or Econometrics in your final year.
Honours in Finance If you intend to work in a sector of the industry that values the ability to synthesise diverse information – like investment banking, consulting, risk management and international finance – we recommend that you do an honours year. Honours in Finance is completed over an extra year of study, usually taken immediately after the Commerce degree. It is an integrated program that features small classes, close interaction with your supervisor, and an emphasis on research and specialised subject areas. Our honours graduates are extremely sought-after, and most are employed before they complete the degree.
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Study options for finance majors
The Commerce degree is extremely flexible and is designed to help you explore your interests. Choosing the finance major still keeps you open to other possibilities – what subjects you choose is up to you. Electives are available across the range of Commerce disciplines. With careful planning, you could complete a second major.
What can I combine with the finance major? Second major options: Accounting (including accreditation), Economics, Management, Marketing We do not recommend any particular Commerce major combinations – the choice depends on your interests and career goals. You can wait until second year to confirm your major, so you can take a little time to decide what you want to do.
What breadth subjects can I do? There is a wealth of study options available at the University. You can take all your breadth subjects in one discipline, or break them up to explore different interests. Note that some subject areas have study prerequisites, which you can discuss with a course adviser. Keep in mind that completing particular breadth subjects can lead to graduate study – that’s another option for you to consider. Breadth subjects are available in these study areas: • Agriculture, animal studies, food science and veterinary science
• Language, literature and cultural studies
• Architecture, building and planning
• Law, legal studies and criminology
• Education, teaching and training
• Medicine, dentistry, health and welfare
• Engineering and geomatics • Environment and natural resources • Historical, philosophical, political and social studies • Information technology and systems
I love being able to choose different subjects from so many disciplines. Breadth has really been a highlight of my degree. I’ve taken Screen and Culture subjects through the Faculty of Arts and Creative Arts subjects at the VCA to indulge my creative interests. Bronte Payne, majors in Finance and Marketing
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• Music • Performing and visual arts, theatre, film and television • Sciences and mathematics
Studying finance as breadth
Can I do finance subjects even if I’m not a Commerce student? Yes, you can. One of the cornerstones of Melbourne degrees is breadth studies – the opportunity for all students to take subjects from outside their major area of study. Breadth studies in finance are available to students in the Bachelor of Arts, Biomedicine, Environments, Music or Science. If you would like to take finance subjects, check the structure of your degree and consult with a course adviser. Note that all finance subjects have prerequisites, usually a study score of 25 in VCE Mathematical Methods (CAS) Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent), plus an approved quantitative subject. As a start, we recommend doing Finance 1 in first year. From there, you can mix and match subjects based on your interests, or complete a sequence of subjects – called a breadth track – to progressively build your finance knowledge.
Economics & Finance For non-Commerce students who wish to explore future careers in consulting or investment banking. •
Finance 1
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Quantitative Methods 1
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Business Finance
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Introductory Econometrics OR Quantitative Methods 2
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Two of: Investments, Corporate Finance, Derivative Securities
Real Estate and the Australian Dream Explores whether demographic changes explain trends in home ownership, and why retail areas succeed or fail. •
Finance 1
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Business Finance
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Introduction to Real Estate Analysis
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Real Estate Finance (optional)
Your Money or Your Life
Ethics and Investing
Provides insights into personal saving, and why a crisis is imminent in the retirement saving of our aging population.
How not to repeat the GFC, and what you can do as an investor to help save the planet. •
Finance 1
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Finance 1
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Business Finance
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Business Finance
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Ethics in Finance
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Introductory Personal Finance
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Intermediate Personal Finance (optional)
Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting Provides sufficient accounting and finance knowledge to gain a basic level of financial literacy, with an emphasis on the operation of financial markets.
Graduate study for non-finance majors
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Accounting Reports and Analysis
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Finance 1
The Master of Management (Finance), offered through Melbourne Business School, is ideal for non-Commerce graduates who want to pursue a career in the finance industry. It is also a great option for Commerce students who wish to add finance to their portfolio.
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Business Finance
The course will equip you with advanced competencies, professional skills and knowledge in the finance discipline, to prepare you for immediate entry into the finance profession. The Master of Management (Accounting and Finance) program is another option, and is designed for students who would like to combine studies in these two disciplines. www.mbs.unimelb.edu.au
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www.bcom.unimelb.edu.au
University Information Course Search web site: http://coursesearch.unimelb.edu.au Call the University Information Centre: 1800 801 662 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au www.bcom.unimelb.edu.au
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Finance Undergraduate Information brochure Authorised by: Provost Published by: The Faculty of Business and Economics Photography: Joe Vittorio CRICOS Provider code: 00116K Intellectual Property: For further information refer to www.unimelb.edu.au/Statutes Copyright: Copyright University of Melbourne 2014. Copyright in this publication is owned by the University and no part of it may be reproduced without the permission of the University.
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