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.
We live in a world of major security problems. From large-scale wars and strategic competition between the major states, to threats to the environment, and challenges at home such as terrorism, cybersecurity and the impact of new technology. The Bachelor of International Security Studies (BINSS) explores the enduring problems of security and war through a broad lens. It provides students with the empirical knowledge and analytical skills to understand the history and causes of international conflict and the implications of security issues for Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Students will develop the experience and communication skills to assess the nature of contemporary security problems, and drawing on the latest academic scholarship, engage with policy and civil society solutions to the security problems of our time.
The BINSS is particularly suited for those seeking careers in the Australian Government, such as working as a diplomat in Foreign Affairs and Trade, as a strategist in the Department of Defence, or as a security analyst in the Intelligence Community. Graduates will also be well placed to contribute to international organisations such as the United Nations, to Aid and Development groups, or to support the private sector as businesses and non-government organisations navigate a challenging world.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
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.
- Demonstrate 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 to various discipline backgrounds.
- Develop the skills necessary to critically engage with and evaluate financial problems.
- Using a diverse range of discipline backgrounds and varied data, develop the skills necessary to collect, process, interpret and communicate the outcomes of financial problems.
- Identify and explain the key concepts, ideas and principal actors in international security.
- Evaluate the major theoretical frameworks for understanding the complexities of contemporary security challenges.
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the historical and contemporary dimensions of international, internal and transnational security, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Analyse the key challenges facing Australian security and defence policy
- Reflect critically on the principal factors that determine the security policies of Australia and the major regional powers
- Develop and demonstrate teamwork, interpersonal, and communication skills
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.
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.
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.
Investments Course:
The Investments course has been recoded from FINM2003 to FINM3011 (the FINM2003 version has been disestablished). From 2025, students need to enrol in FINM3011 to complete the Investments course.
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.
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.
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.
Investments Course:
The Investments course has been recoded from FINM2003 to FINM3011 (the FINM2003 version has been disestablished). From 2025, students need to enrol in FINM3011 to complete the Investments course.
Admission Requirements
- ATAR:
- 85
- International Baccalaureate:
- 32
Prerequisites
There are no formal program prerequisites. But assumed knowledge is:-ACT: Mathematical Methods (Major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW: HSC Mathematics Advanced or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.
Adjustment Factors
Adjustment factors are combined with an applicant's secondary education results to determine their Selection Rank. ANU offers adjustment factors based on equity, diversity, and/or performance principles, such as for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
To be eligible for adjustment factors, you must have:
- achieved a Selection Rank of 70 or more before adjustment factors are applied
- if you have undertaken higher education, completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of a higher education program
- applied for an eligible ANU bachelor degree program
Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Finance - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of International Security Studies - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $53,700.00
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
A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving
The 96 units must include:
30 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
BUSN1001 Business Reporting and Analysis
ECON1101 Microeconomics 1
ECON2101 Microeconomics 2
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
12 units from completion of a course from the following list:
BUSN2036 Financial Statement Analysis
CBEA2001 Australian Indigenous Perspectives in Business and Economics
CBEA3001 College of Business and Economics Special Industry Project (UG)
CBEA3066 Global Business Immersion
CBEA3070 ANU College of Business and Economics Internship Program
EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models
FINM3009 Student Managed Fund and FINM3010 Student Managed Fund Extension (12 units*)
FINM3015 Foundations of Fintech
MATH1013 Mathematics and Applications 1
MATH1113 Mathematical Foundations for Actuarial Studies
MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1
STAT2032 Financial Mathematics
Any other ANU courses
*Enrolment in the Student Managed Fund (SMF) courses requires 12 units over two consecutive semesters. For more information, please see the SMF website (https://rsfas.anu.edu.au/study/student-managed-fund) and the application page (https://rsfas.anu.edu.au/news/smf-applications).
48 units from completion of one of the following majors:
Asian Capital Markets
Capital Markets
Quantitative Finance
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. 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 International Security Studies flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses
The 96 units must consist of:
The 144 units must consist of:
36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
STST1001 Introduction to International Security
STST1004 How Nations Fight: From Tsushima to Taiwan
STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific
STST2005 Why Nations Fight: The Causes of International Conflict
STST3002 Living with Giants: Australia's Security in a Contested Asia
STST3005 International Security in the 21st Century
A maximum of 12 units from completion of the following courses:
ASIA3088 The Korean War
STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands
STST3003 Honeypots and Overcoats: Australian Intelligence in the World
Minimum of 6 units from completion of a course from the following concepts and methods course list:
HIST2110 Approaches to History
POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis
POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis
POLS3125 Game Theory and Social Sciences
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
A minimum of 30 units from the completion of courses within one or more of the following Security, Language, and Area Studies majors and minors:
Languages
Arabic Language
Burmese Language
Chinese Language
French Studies
German Studies
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Studies
Japanese Language
Korean Language
Mongolian Language
Persian
Russian Studies
Sanskrit Language
Spanish Studies
Tetum Language
Thai Language
Tibetan Language
Tok Pisin Language
Vietnamese Language
Regions
Asian History
Asian Studies
Contemporary Europe
Chinese Studies
Indian and South Asian Studies
Indonesian Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Middle East Politics and Security
Russian and Central Asia Studies
Northeast Asian Studies
Pacific Studies
Southeast Asian Studies
Issues
Ancient History
Climate Science and Policy
Criminology
Geography
Gender and Sexuality
History
Historical International Security
International Relations
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Social Research Methods
Sociology
Sustainable Development
Technology, Networks and Society
A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving
A maximum of 12 units of internship courses:
ANIP3003 Australian National Internship Program Internship A
ASIA2110 International Affairs Internship
ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship
36 units from completion of the following compulsory course list:
STST1001 Introduction to International Security
STST1004 How Nations Fight: From Tsushima to Taiwan
STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific
STST2005 Why Nations Fight: The Causes of International Conflict
STST3002 Living with Giants: Australia's Security in a Contested Asia
STST3005 International Security in the 21st Century
A maximum of 12 units from completion of the following courses
ASIA3088 The Korean War
STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands
STST3003 Honeypots and Overcoats: Australian Intelligence in the World’
A minimum of 6 units from completion of a course from the following concepts and methods course list:
HIST2110 Approaches to History
POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis
POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences
POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research methods
A minimum of 30 units from the completion of courses within one or more of the following Security, Language, and Area Studies majors and minors.
Languages
Arabic Language
Burmese Language
Chinese Language
French Studies
German Studies
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Studies
Japanese Language
Korean Language
Mongolian Language
Persian
Russian Studies
Sanskrit Language
Spanish Studies
Tetum Language
Thai Language
Tibetan Language
Tok Pisin Language
Vietnamese Language
Regions
Asian History
Asian Studies
Contemporary Europe
Chinese Studies
Indian and South Asian Studies
Indonesian Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Middle East Politics and Security
Russian and Central Asia Studies
Northeast Asian Studies
Pacific Studies
Southeast Asian Studies
Issues
Ancient History
Climate Science and Policy
Criminology
Geography
Gender and Sexuality
History
Historical International Security
International Relations
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Social Research methods
Sociology
Sustainable Development
Technology, Networks and Society
A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving
A maximum of 12 units of internships courses:
ANIP3003 Australian National Internship Program Internship A
ASIA2110 International Affairs Internship
ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship
Majors
Bachelor of Finance Majors
Minors
Bachelor of International Security Studies Minors
Study Options
| Year 1 | FINM1001 Foundations of Finance 6 units | STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods 6 units | STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies 6 units | 1000-level course from the Security, Language and Area Studies majors and minors list |
| Compulsory Course from the List ( 6 units) | FINM2001 Corporate Finance 6 units | STST1003 Coping with Crisis: The Practice of International Security 6 units | 1000-level course from the Security, Language and Area Studies majors and minors list | |
| Year 2 | ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units | STAT2008 Regression Modelling 6 units | STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific 6 units | Concepts and Methods course |
| BUSN1001 Business Reporting and Analysis 6 units | ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 6 units | STST2005 Why Nations Fight: The Causes of International Conflict 6 units | Course from the Security, Language and Area Studies majors and minors list | |
| Year 3 | FINM2003 Investments 6 units | Finance Major 6 units | STST3005 International Security in the 21st Century 6 units | Transdisciplinary course or Elective |
| FINM2002 Derivatives 6 units | CBE List 1 Elective 6 units | STST3002 Living with Giants: Australia's Security in a Contested Asia 6 units | Transdisciplinary course or Elective | |
| Year 4 | ECON2101 Microeconomics 2 6 units | Finance Major 6 units | Course from the Security, Language and Area Studies majors and minors list | Course from the Security, Language and Area Studies majors and minors list |
| Finance Major 6 units | Finance Major 6 units | Elective | Elective |
Back to the Bachelor of Finance page
The Bachelor of Finance offers you a rigorous program of training in
the theory and applications of finance. The program involves a core in
mainstream finance supplemented by studies in related quantitative
techniques, methodologies, economics, and management.
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Finance single degree program you will study a total of 24 courses (144 units). Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student. You will need to complete a minimum of 14 CBE courses (84 units) but will also get to choose up to 10 courses (60 units) from other ANU Colleges. You can try a range of ANU courses of interest to you, potentially leading to one or more majors and/or minors; the choice is yours.
Double degree
In a double degree program you will study a total of 14 core CBE courses (84 units) and 2 elective courses (12 units) towards the Bachelor of Finance, and a further 16 or 24 courses (96 or 144 units) towards the second degree. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 32 or 40 courses (192 or 240 units) across your whole double degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Finance degree and then 2 courses from the other half of you degree - totalling 4 courses a semester.
Enrolment Status
It is
possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester but it will take you longer to
finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international
student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each semester, or have an approved Reduced Study Load.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’
courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course
code, such as BUSN1001, and are typically referred to as 'First Year Courses'.
Please also note that:
- You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
- In your first year, you cannot study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
- You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. There is a maximum of 10 courses (60 units) of 1000-level courses in a single degree, and a maximum of 8 courses (48 units) of 1000-level courses in the CBE half of a double degree.
- You can change your enrolment in courses via self-enrolment up until the Monday of Week 2.
Electives
You can use your electives to enrol in any courses that you like, provided you meet prerequisite requirements.
Remember that you can choose up to 10 ANU wide courses if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Finance degree. If you are in a double degree, you can choose 2 ANU wide elective courses.
Study Options
Bachelor of Finance
This is a typical study plan for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Finance degree, commencing Semester 1Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | BUSN1001 Business Reporting and Analysis 6 units | ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units | STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods 6 units | FINM1001 Foundations of Finance 6 units |
| ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 6 units | Finance Major Course - suggest FINM2001 | Elective Course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
Bachelor of Finance - Double Degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Finance with another degree, such as the Bachelor of Arts (degree B), commencing Semester 1Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | BUSN1001 Business Reporting and Analysis 6 units | FINM1001 Foundations of Finance 6 units | Degree B Course | Degree B Course |
| STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods 6 units | ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units | Degree B Course | Degree B Course |
Academic Advice
In order to complete the Quantitative Finance major, students will need to complete the following courses as electives:
If after reading through these guidelines you are unsure about which courses to enrol in, you can email info.cbe@anu.edu.au
If you are seeking status (credit) from previous study at another university you will need to submit a copy of your official transcript, detailed course outlines and a completed credit application form. For further information about the process and links to the application form, please visit: https://cbe.anu.edu.au/current-students/student-guides-and-forms/apply-credit/exemption
Additional advice for commencing students can be found at: https://www.cbe.anu.edu.au/fasttrack
Back to the Bachelor of International Security Studies page
When you study the Bachelor
of International Security Studies you will delve deeply into the
contemporary security threats facing nations, international organisations and
businesses around the world - including the threat of military power, civil
war, terrorism, cybercrime, environmental degradation and food security to name
just a few. Read more about this degree on our website.
Enrolment Status
It is possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, but it
will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an
international student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each
semester.
Remember you will need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second
Semester. You will be able to change your enrolment in courses up until
the end of week 2 of each semester without penalty. Other things to be aware of:
A course can only be counted towards one major or minor.
You can’t study more than 4 courses (24 units) per semester.
You may need to enrol in courses for your major and/or your minor, particularly if you are completing a double degree.
If you are intending to enrol in language courses and have previous experience with the language you wish to study, you need to sit a placement test to ensure you are enrolled at the most appropriate level of language study. Further information is available here.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ASIA1234.
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
Electives
You can use your electives to enrol in any courses that you
like, provided you meet prerequisite requirements.
To find 1000-level courses, search
Programs and Courses.
Remember, though, that if you are a single-degree student you cannot count more than 60 units of 1000-level courses towards the completion of your degree. If you are a double-degree student, you cannot count more than 36 units of 1000-level courses towards the completion of the 96 units allocated to the BINSS half of your degree.
Study Options
Single Degree example
This is an example only - you need to plan your degree carefully to ensure that you are on track to fulfil the requirements of the BINSS program orders. You may, for example, wish to leave a substantial number (24) of elective units free so that you can study overseas for a semester.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies 6 units | 1000-level course from the Security, Language and Area Studies majors and minors list | Elective course | Elective course |
| STST1004 How Nations Fight: From Tsushima to Taiwan 6 units | 1000-level course from the Security, Language and Area Studies majors and minors list | Elective course | Elective course |
Double Degree example
This is an example only - you need to plan your degree carefully to ensure that you are on track to fulfil the requirements of both degrees.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies 6 units | 1000-level course from the Security, Language and Area Studies majors and minors list | Course from second degree | Course from second degree |
| STST1004 How Nations Fight: From Tsushima to Taiwan 6 units | 1000-level course from the Security, Language and Area Studies majors and minors list | Course from second degree | Course from second degree |