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.

At the core of all technological innovations is maths.

If you’d like to master quantitative problem-solving, mathematical modelling and critical thinking, this is the degree for you.

It is an elite, research-focused program for exceptional students at Australia’s highest-ranked university.

Make your mark with maths at ANU: find out more about mathematical studies, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.

Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.

This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

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, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1. Think clearly, sequentially and logically, as demonstrated by the critical analysis of quantitative problems, such as the ability to read, understand and write mathematical proofs.
2. Demonstrate mastery of the concepts and techniques of Advanced Mathematics
3. Communicate concepts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
4. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
5. Engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
6. Work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives.

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.

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

FDD with Commerce:
Bachelor of Finance cannot be combined with Bachelor of Commerce with a Finance major.

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.

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

FDD with Commerce:
Bachelor of Finance cannot be combined with Bachelor of Commerce with a Finance major.

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)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW: Mathematics or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

ACT: Specialist Mathematics/ Specialist Methods (double major)/ Discrete Mathematics ANU/UC, NSW: Mathematics Extension 2 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:

BUSN2036 Financial Statement Analysis

EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models

MATH1013 Mathematics and Applications 1

MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1

MATH1113 Mathematical Foundations for Actuarial Studies

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 Mathematical Sciences flexible double degree component requires 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:

36 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1

MATH1116 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 2

MATH2222 Introduction to Mathematical Thinking: Problem Solving and Proofs

MATH2305 Applied Mathematics I

MATH2320 Advanced Analysis 1: Metric Spaces and Applications

MATH2322 Advanced Algebra 1: Groups, Rings and Linear Algebra

36 units from completion of 3000- or 4000-level courses from the subject area MATH Mathematics

24 units from completion of courses from the Science course list

Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn and Winter/Second Semester/Spring) in the subject area of MATH in order to continue in the Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences. 

Students who do not achieve a minimum of 70% weighted average mark will be transferred to the Bachelor of Science.

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.