Master of Applied Finance

1. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be comprehensive in their understanding of financial management principles and the changing knowledge base in finance.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal:

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Effectively communicate a detailed understanding the fundamental principles of finance;
• Analyse financial data within a constantly evolving financial environment; and
• Knowledgably describe the main results of the applied research in the field of financial management.

2. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be analytically evaluative x of the international context and sensitivities of financial management and financial markets.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal:

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Describe the key institutional features of Australian capital markets;
• Analyse the key similarities and differences in features between the Australian and overseas financial markets; and
• Describe the key regulatory authorities that influence financial decision making both in Australia and overseas.

3. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced in corporate financial decision making and financial markets, including those involving derivative assets and the operation of the markets in these assets.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal:

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Describe the key market features relating to derivative markets in Australia;
• Undertake valuation analysis using a range of derivative pricing models; and
• Highlight key similarities and differences between Australian securities markets and international markets with an emphasis on derivative and equity markets.

Core Subjects

Elective Subjects

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria:

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent, including one or more subjects in introductory statistics and/or mathematics; and at least two years relevant documented work experience in the areas of financial management and/or financial decision making;
• The applicant’s submitted statement of intent in seeking entry; and
• Performance on the GMAT unless the applicant has met one of the approved conditions for GMAT exemption.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

For the purpose of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

On successful completion of this degree graduates will be:

• Knowledgeable in a broad range of financial fields including derivatives, corporate finance and investment management;
• Adept at making financial decisions on the basis of established financial theory and their knowledge of best practice;
• Skilled in utilising financial modelling to solve complex financial decisions;
• Aware of the importance of the adoption of appropriate risk management techniques to the modern firm;
• Financial problem solvers who have the skills necessary to resolve valuation issues in the presence of limited information sets;
• Adept at linking their own prior experience in financial markets with modern finance thoery;
• Proficient at communicating financial ideas in a clear and concise manner;
• Effective team members through participation in collaborative exercises; and
• Adept at retrieval of relevant information from a variety of sources.

On successful completion of this degree students should have enhanced their skills in:

• Applying financial theory and methods to knowledgably discuss the importance of a wide range of financial issues;
• Financial problem solving through the application of the necessary analytical skills and techniques; and
• Communicating financial ideas to practical problems commonly faced in an applied setting.

Master of Finance 2nd Year students will be permitted to enrol in Master of Applied Finance elective subjects that are accredited as part of their course structure (please refer to the Master of Applied Finance subjects listed under the Master of Finance course structure in this Handbook).

Students enrolled in the Master of International Business, Master of Management (including all specialisations), Master of Business and Information Technology and Master of Accounting who are interested in enrolling in Master of Applied Finance subjects must:

• Meet all prerequisites for entry to the Master of Applied Finance degree prior to taking up the subject;
• Meet all prerequisites for the particular subject; and
• Have the permission in writing of the Academic Director of the Master of Applied Finance as well as the permission of the Academic Director of their own course. Written requests must be sent directly to the Manager, Graduate School of Business and Economics.

Students enrolling in Master of Applied Finance 6.25 point subjects, and who are not enrolled in this course, must take two 6.25 point subjects or be aware of the need to do more than the standard course load in their course in order to complete their program. The student (and not the Faculty) incurs any costs associated with undertaking more than the standard course load.

Assessment
Students must pass all eleven subjects to qualify for the Master of Applied Finance.