MAppFin Master of Applied Finance

at University of Waikato

This 12-month accelerated course will equip you with the industry-relevant skills needed to secure financial roles working in businesses, banks, investment firms, and the public sector.
 

The course has a strong practical focus and is ideal for students who have never majored in finance before, but already have some quantitative analysis skills from their bachelor’s degree.
 

The course is divided into three stages, covering one trimester of study each.
 

Part One: Core Papers provides students with a grounding in the quantitative and analytical techniques required to understand financial markets, risk and return, and make investment decisions. You will discover how key financial markets contribute to the functioning of healthy economies, and be introduced to finance theories and models.
 

In Part Two: Master of Knowledge, students will develop advanced knowledge in specialist areas such as corporate finance, investments and financial markets, financial modelling and econometrics. You will learn how to analyse and interpret financial data, forecast returns and price assets, and conduct shares and bond valuations. You will also gain a deep understanding of capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance issues.
 

In Part Three: Application of Skills, students have the opportunity to apply their skills in a professional context by undertaking a research project investigating a real financial issue. Alternatively, you can choose to complete a finance workplace internship.
 

You will also learn about the flow of international finance in today’s global economy, and be able to forecast interest and exchange rates. Students will be able to identify the financial risks faced by firms, and gain skills for analysing and trading commodities, currencies and derivatives, as well as stocks and bonds.

This degree consists of either:

• a dissertation and coursework

• coursework only
   

This degree can be either in the same area as your undergraduate study or in a new area of study.
 

Depending on your previous study and chosen subject, a masters may take one, one and a half, or two years to complete.
 

A recognised bachelors degree with a B/B+ average, and a B/B+ average in a relevant subject if required.
 

Some Faculties/Schools require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). Where the above requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first.
 

To provide flexibility to students during COVID-19 who are affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for all 2021 and 2022 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.
 

• IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)

• TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)

• Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:

  • DET score of 90 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)

  • DET score of 100 for undergraduate programmes (excluding those listed below)

  • DET score of 110 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)
     

The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.


Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.
 

If you are an international student, you will also need to meet an English language entry requirement. If you do not meet the requirement for your chosen postgraduate qualification, we have Academic English Language programmes available that you can enrol in to help you meet these entry requirements.
 

For admission to the Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) an academic IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no less than 7.0 in any band) is required.

Estimated Fees* (International):    2022: $48,600 per programme (180 points)

• Investment advisor

• Banker (commercial, investment, small business, rural, industry)

• Corporate financer

• Actuary

• Financial regulator

• Sharebroker

• Treasurer

• Financial or business analyst

• Financial advisor

• Portfolio manager

• Trader / Mutual fund analyst