Do you dream of living and thriving in the leading financial cities of the world - New York, London, Shanghai, Sydney or Hong Kong? Stop dreaming and get going. An ANU Bachelor of Finance will equip you to excel in the global financial marketplace.

As a student you will be challenged to solve a variety of financial problems while developing a keen analytical mind. Having these skills will prove invaluable in the fast changing world of finance.

As a Bachelor of Finance graduate from the Australian National University you will be highly sought-after, so aim high and think about which cityscape view you want from your office.

The Bachelor of Political Science is the only dedicated Political Science degree in Australia. The ANU has some of the world’s finest political scientists, and was the only Australian university to receive a 5 (“well above world class”) in both of the Excellence in Research for Australia’s reports. Located in the national capital, the ANU is the only university with a right to place interns in Australian Parliament House. The Bachelor of Political Science will give you the knowledge, theoretical understandings, and practical skills that underpin a successful career that engages with politics.

Employment Opportunities

Finance has applications in many fields including banking, financial consulting and planning, funds management, merchant banking, stock broking, and treasury. Examples of job titles are listed below:

Financial dealer/broker
Financial dealers and brokers conduct financial market transactions on behalf of clients and offer advice on financial matters.

Financial manager/analyst/specialist
Combines financial knowledge with management, marketing, and operational skills in order to recognise the impact of financial data on the business as a whole, as well as on individual areas within the business. Translates financial data into non-financial terms and communicates it to all levels within the organisation.

Mathematical statistician
Designs and analyses experiments, develops new statistical theories and forecasting models, and designs sample surveys and quality control systems.

Corporate Treasurer
Plans short and long term finance for organisations and advises on the financial consequences of internal and external decisions. They design investment portfolios to manage financial risk for organisations by acquiring, looking after, and investing funds.

Operations manager
Possesses expertise in both finance and information technology. Usually works closely with the Chief Finance Officer and the IT department, to measure the value of software and web-deployed applications. Helps businesses make decisions that are both financially and technologically sound. Is also responsible for working with vendors of financial software and applications.

Finance has applications in many fields including banking, financial consulting and planning, funds management, merchant banking, stock broking, and treasury. Examples of job titles are listed below:

Financial dealer/broker
Financial dealers and brokers conduct financial market transactions on behalf of clients and offer advice on financial matters.

Financial manager/analyst/specialist
Combines financial knowledge with management, marketing, and operational skills in order to recognise the impact of financial data on the business as a whole, as well as on individual areas within the business. Translates financial data into non-financial terms and communicates it to all levels within the organisation.

Mathematical statistician
Designs and analyses experiments, develops new statistical theories and forecasting models, and designs sample surveys and quality control systems.

Corporate Treasurer
Plans short and long term finance for organisations and advises on the financial consequences of internal and external decisions. They design investment portfolios to manage financial risk for organisations by acquiring, looking after, and investing funds.

Operations manager
Possesses expertise in both finance and information technology. Usually works closely with the Chief Finance Officer and the IT department, to measure the value of software and web-deployed applications. Helps businesses make decisions that are both financially and technologically sound. Is also responsible for working with vendors of financial software and applications.

Learning Outcomes

• Recognise the important role of investment and financing decisions, equities, bonds and derivatives in the financial markets.

• Have an understanding of the three basic ideas underpinning finance: the time value of money; diversification; and, arbitrage and their application to corporate financial decision-making; investment decisions and portfolio management; derivatives and risk management; portfolio construction; corporate valuation; and debt markets.

• Apply theoretical foundations in practice.

• Develop the skills necessary to critically engage with and evaluate financial problems.

• Develop the skills necessary to work independently and collaboratively to collect, process, interpret and communicate the outcomes of financial problems.

Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Political Science, graduates will be able to:

1. Apply concepts and theories used in the study of political science to the analysis of interests, ideas, institutions and behaviour and to the evaluation of political phenomena;
2. Apply a range of research methods to the investigation of political phenomena;
3. Demonstrate understanding of differences in political systems and the contexts in which they operate; and
4. Communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media.

Further Information

Electives: 

Students have 48 units of electives in a single degree program. Electives can be selected from CBE or other Colleges. No more than 10 courses at 1000 level.

Students wish to undertake an out of college elective may contact the relevant College directly.

Student Responsibility:

It is the student's responsibility to select electives in such a way that:

• they satisfy prerequisites for the corresponding course/s.
• they conform to the rules set out in Programs and Courses or if unsure seek advice from the CBE office.

It is the student's responsibility to select the courses appropriate for his/her program.

For 2016 FDD Bachelor of Finance/Bachelor of Engineering only:

Students who are commencing Bachelor of Finance/Bachelor of Engineering (whether as new or transferred students) in 2016, will be permitted to follow 2015 rules for their BFinn side of their program.  This is only for the double degree of Finance and Engineering and is only for 2016.

Bachelor of Finance/Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics:

If students take this program in a Flexible Double Degree with a Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics, you will need to replace overlapping STAT courses with later year FINM or STAT courses.

Double Counting

Please note that students are not able to double count with the Asian Capital Markets Major and the Capital Markets Major. Therefore students may not have both a major in Asian Capital Markets and Capital Markets. 

Study Plans:
Study Plans for Commencing Semester 1 or 2

Quantitative Finance Major: 
If you wish to take Quantitative Finance Major, you will need to take MATH1113 in your first year of study. 

Electives: 

Students have 48 units of electives in a single degree program. Electives can be selected from CBE or other Colleges. No more than 10 courses at 1000 level.

Students wish to undertake an out of college elective may contact the relevant College directly.

Student Responsibility:

It is the student's responsibility to select electives in such a way that:

• they satisfy prerequisites for the corresponding course/s.
• they conform to the rules set out in Programs and Courses or if unsure seek advice from the CBE office.

It is the student's responsibility to select the courses appropriate for his/her program.

For 2016 FDD Bachelor of Finance/Bachelor of Engineering only:

Students who are commencing Bachelor of Finance/Bachelor of Engineering (whether as new or transferred students) in 2016, will be permitted to follow 2015 rules for their BFinn side of their program.  This is only for the double degree of Finance and Engineering and is only for 2016.

Bachelor of Finance/Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics:

If students take this program in a Flexible Double Degree with a Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics, you will need to replace overlapping STAT courses with later year FINM or STAT courses.

Double Counting

Please note that students are not able to double count with the Asian Capital Markets Major and the Capital Markets Major. Therefore students may not have both a major in Asian Capital Markets and Capital Markets. 

Study Plans:
Study Plans for Commencing Semester 1 or 2

Quantitative Finance Major: 
If you wish to take Quantitative Finance Major, you will need to take MATH1113 in your first year of study. 

Admission Requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.

More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found HERE.

The National Register of higher education providers is an authoritative source of information that will help you confirm your institution of choice is registered to deliver higher education in Australia.

The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website is HERE. Based on surveys done by thousands of students across Australia you can find out about universities that interest you, doing side-by-side comparisons.

The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Domestic applicant entry requirements

Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on an ATAR equivalent that is not available to students.

International applicant entry requirements

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites. But assumed knowledge is:-ACT: Mathematical Methods (Major) or NSW: Mathematics or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Subject and performance-based adjustments do not apply to programs with a minimum selection rank of 98 or higher. Visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Finance flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 48 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses

BUSN1001 Business Reporting and Analysis

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

FINM1001 Foundations of Finance

STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

ECON1100 Economics 1 (H)

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models

MATH1013 Mathematics and Applications 1

MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1

MKTG2003 Marketing for Financial Services

STAT2032 Financial Mathematics

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

     ECON2101 Microeconomics 2 (P)

     ECON2111 Microeconomics 2 (H)

48 units from completion of one of the following majors:

Asian Capital Markets

Capital Markets

Quantitative Finance

6 units from completion of courses from List 1 of the ANU College of Business and Economics

If your flexible double degree is within the College of Business and Economics (for example Commerce and Economics), the below study plan may show the same course twice. If this is the case, you must only do the course once and replace the other course with a University Wide Elective or CBE List 1 elective. Please note that you cannot exceed 8 out of college electives.

The minor in Business and Economics Essentials will not be listed on transcripts for students completing the Bachelor of Commerce.

For majors and minors offered by the ANU College of Business and Economics, students may count a course towards multiple majors and minors. If a minor is a subset of all stated courses and/or prerequisites for a major, then completion of the major overrides completion of the minor, and only the major is regarded as having been completed. If all courses in a major and/or minor are compulsory courses in the degree, the major and/or minor will not be listed on the transcript.

The Bachelor of Political Science flexible double degree component requires the completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics
POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science
POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis
POLS2119 Ideas in Politics

A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:

POLS3029 Sharing Power: Federalism in Comparative Perspective
POLS3022 Washington DC Internship
POLS3034 Comparative Political Parties and Party Systems
POLS3030 Contemporary Politics of Brazil
POLS3033 Environment, Human Security and Conflict
POLS3036 International Terrorism
POLS3038 Media and Politics
POLS3039 Political Leadership and Executive Government
EURO3002 Comparative European Politics

A minimum of 12 units from completion of political theory and political philosophy courses from the following list:

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction
PHIL2020 Theories of Social Justice
PHIL2113 Global Justice
PHIL2115 Political Philosophy from Hobbes to Mill
POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory
POLS2102 The Political Philosophy of Deception
POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory

A minimum of 12 units from completion of methodology courses from the following list:

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An Introduction to Game Theory
POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences
POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

A minimum of 12 units from completion of Australian politics courses from the following list:

POLS2009 Bureaucracy and Public Policy
POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia
POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions
POLS2121 Ideas in Australian Politics

A maximum of 6 units from completion of Australian political history courses from the following list:

HIST2227 Australian Political History
HIST2022 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History
 
A minimum of 12 units from completion of comparative politics courses from the following list:

ASIA2065 Asian Politics: From Concepts to Causes
POLS2043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying
POLS2126 Democracy: Its Causes and Consequences
POLS2134 Gender and Politics
POLS2135 Race, Ethnicity and Representation
POLS3037 Globalization: Communications, Culture and Democracy

A maximum of 6 units from completion of area studies courses from the following list:

ASIA2026 The Politics of China
ASIA2031 Japanese Politics
ASIA2049 Politics and Society in Contemporary Korea
ASIA2070 Democracy in Southeast Asia
ASIA2109 Violence, Poverty, and Politics in India
ASIA2516 Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development
EURO2012 Uniting Europe: history, politics, theory
MEAS2001 New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security
POLS2025 Politics in Britain
POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East
POLS2055 Pacific Politics
POLS2069 Politics in Russia
POLS2070 Politics in Central Asia
POLS2095 Politics in Latin America
POLS2127 U.S. Politics

A minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 units from completion of political economy courses from the following list:

ASIA2090 Study Tour: The Political Economy of Myanmar
ECON2013 Behavioural Economics
MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East
POLS2011 Development and Change
POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy

A maximum of 12 units from completion of internship/Vice-Chancellors courses from the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A
ANIP3005 Australian National Internships Program Internship B
VCUG2001 Creating Knowledge
VCUG2002 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World
VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity
VCUG3002 Mobilising Research

Majors

Bachelor of Finance Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Finance Minors

Study Options

Honours

Students who excel in the pass degree may be invited to undertake an honours year. The Honours year extends the undergraduate material and focuses on highly complex, analytical and practical problems. Students undertake a program of advanced coursework and a research thesis. Students from other universities are also able to join the Honours Program after completing the pass degree requirements in their own institutions.

Students who are interested in the Honours Program should consult the Honours Convenor in the Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies & Statistics for advice.

For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Political Science (Honours)