Programme information

Master of Applied Finance (MAppFin)

Learn how to develop investment strategies and enhance financial decision-making with this practical applied programme.

How to apply

Launch your career in corporate finance, investment management, banking or financial consulting with the Master of Applied Finance.

In this exciting new programme, you’ll learn about the fundamental theories of finance while gaining practical skills to enhance financial decision-making at an organisational level.

You’ll work with the latest industry innovations and technology and learn how to effectively communicate financial information to a non-technical audience. You will have plenty of practical learning opportunities, including a capstone industry project where you will work with a real company to address a relevant financial issue related to your choice of specialisation.

The University of Auckland is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. The MAppFin degree positions students well to pursue the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter, which has become the most respected and recognised investment credential in the world.

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Duration

Full-time: 15 months
Part-time: Varies

Next start date

2024 Quarter Four – 23 September
2025 Quarter Four – 15 September

 Points

180 points over 15 months

Fees

The estimated total programme fees are listed below.

Programme Points Domestic International Student Services Fee ($8.88 per point)
Master of Applied Finance (MAppFin) 180 $29,842.20* $71,120.01 (Q4 2024)*
$73,010.40 (Q2 2025)*
$1,065.60

*Please note:

  • These fees are indicative estimates only based on 2024 fees.
  • Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs.
  • For programmes that are studied across more than one academic year, it is likely the fees will increase each year.
  • Course fees will be confirmed upon enrolment.
Entry requirements

All our Business Masters degrees are pre-experience coursework programmes. This means that applicants require little or no work experience to gain entrance into these programmes.

To gain entry you will need to have completed a bachelors degree from a recognised university with the equivalent of at least a New Zealand B average in the most advanced courses. This can be either a degree in business* or a non-business degree in a relevant discipline such as the arts, engineering, technology or science.

In assessing your application we will take into account the ranking of the institution at which you completed your bachelors degree as well as the grades achieved in the relevant subjects. For a list of indicative equivalent entry scores by country, please see the Entry scores table below.

English requirements

Our Business Masters programmes are taught entirely in English. You must therefore be able to understand, speak and write English fluently. To be eligible for entrance, international students must achieve:

  • Academic IELTS 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, or;
  • TOEFL (paper-based) 575 (TWE 4.5), or;
  • TOEFL (internet-based) 90 (written 21), or;
  • Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP) B-, or;
  • English Pathway for Postgraduate Studies (EPPS) B-;
  • PTE Academic 58, with no PTE communicative skills score below 50.

If your English does not meet the required standard, our English Language Academy offers the following courses:

Entry scores

The table below lists indicative equivalent entry scores by country.

Country Entry score
Australia Credit average
Brazil 7.0/10
Canada 3.3/4.3
Chile 5.0/7
China (211/985) 75%
China (non-211/985) 80-85%
Colombia 3.5/5
Denmark 8.0/13
France 12.0/20.0
Germany 2.8/5
Hong Kong 3.0/4
India First Class
Indonesia 3.0/4
Iran 14/20
Israel 65/100
Italy 80/110
Country Entry score
Japan 70/100
Korea 3.0/4.5
Kuwait 3.0/4
Malaysia 3.0/4
Netherlands 7.0/10
New Zealand B average
Philippines 85/100
Saudi Arabia 3.5/5
Singapore 3.5/5
South Africa 65-70/100
Sri Lanka 60-65/100
Taiwan 75/100
Thailand 3.0/4
UK (Honours) 2.1
USA 3.0/4
Vietnam 7.0/10
 

Note: These scores are indicative only and subject to review.

*Applicants who have completed advanced course(s) in an undergraduate degree which are considered substantially similar to courses in this programme will be required to complete substitute course(s). Advice will be provided to students on a case-by-case basis.

Entry scores

Please see the table below for information about indicative equivalent entry scores by country.

Country Entry score
Australia Credit average
Brazil 7.0/10
Canada 3.3/4.3
Chile 5.0/7
China (211/985) 75%
China (non-211/985) 80-85%
Colombia 3.5/5
Denmark 8.0/13
France 12.0/20.0
Germany 2.8/5
Hong Kong 3.0/4
India First Class
Indonesia 3.0/4
Iran 14/20
Israel 65/100
Italy 80/110
Japan 70/100
Korea 3.0/4.5
Kuwait 3.0/4
Malaysia 3.0/4
Netherlands 7.0/10
New Zealand B average
Philippines 85/100
Saudi Arabia 3.5/5
Singapore 3.5/5
South Africa 65-70/100
Sri Lanka 60-65/100
Taiwan 75/100
Thailand 3.0/4
UK (Honours) 2.1
USA 3.0/4
Vietnam 7.0/10

Note: These scores are indicative only and subject to review.

*Applicants who have completed advanced course(s) in an undergraduate degree which are considered substantially similar to courses in this programme will be required to complete substitute course(s). Advice will be provided to students on a case-by-case basis.

Scholarships

Business Masters scholarships are open to admitted students for our Master of Applied Finance, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, and Master of Professional Accounting programmes. Recipients are selected based on academic merit and a written statement covering career goals and motivation.

University of Auckland Business Masters Scholarships (International)

Supporting international students to gain the skills and knowledge required to launch a business career by completing a Master of Applied Finance, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, or Master of Professional Accounting degree at the University of Auckland Business School. A key objective is to enhance the diversity of the class profile.

  • Tenure: Up to one year
  • Amount: Up to $24,000 each
  • Open to nationality: All nationalities
  • Closing dates: International Students - 16 January 2025 (April intake) and 25 May (September intake); Domestic Students - 2 February 2025 (April intake) and 3 July (September intake)
  • Further details: Visit this link for more information including how to apply
Key dates

The University of Auckland Graduate School of Management operates on a rolling admissions basis. This means that you can apply for entry into your chosen programme up to 12 months before the programme start date.

Late applications may be considered, subject to the availability of places.

Intake dates:

September 2024

  • International students must apply by 1 July 2025

Programme structure

The MAppFin is a 15-month, 180-point programme studied over five quarters. You will study eight core courses addressing finance and related topics including accounting, quantitative economics, financial markets law, corporate finance, investment decision-making, financial risk management, consultancy practice and advanced financial management. The business consultancy practice course in Part I supports the development of the professional skills required to help you complete the capstone industry project in Part II.

In Part II you will choose from one of three specialisation areas: Financial Analytics, Sustainable Finance, or FinTech*. Each specialisation comprises two specialist field courses and an industry-based consultancy project.

*Note: Delivery of the FinTech specialisation is subject to confirmation and dependent on factors that include student enrolments.

Below is a sample structure for standard completion of the MAppFin in 15 months.

Quarter 4

Core
  • Business Accounting and Finance 
  • Economics for Financial Analysts

Quarter 1

Core
  • Financial Markets Law 
  • Corporate Finance

Quarter 2

Core
  • Investment Decision-making 
  • Financial Risk Management

Quarter 3

Core/Specialisation
  • Advanced Financial Management 
  • Specialisation Course 1 
  • Specialisation Course 2

Quarter 4

Core/Specialisation
  • Consultancy Practice 
  • Specialisation Course 3 (Project) 

Courses

Courses are structured in two parts for this programme. Part I comprises 120 points and covers core finance and related topics, and Part II comprises 60 points from your chosen specialisation.

Core courses
Course code Course title Points Description
BUSFIN 700 Business Accounting and Finance 15 Examines the use of accounting information for business decision-making and the application of ethical decision-making models. Analyses general-purpose financial statements and critically evaluates innovations in financial reporting aimed at incorporating sustainability and governance. Evaluates and applies cost and budget information used to support planning and control. Evaluates and applies financial information used in the assessment of financing and investment decisions.
BUSFIN 701 Economics for Financial Analysts 15 Applies micro-and macro-economic concepts with a focus on companies and their relationships to the wider economy from an applied finance perspective. Explores the impact of consumers, firms, markets, and institutions on the macro-economy. Analyses economic data to evaluate the impact of contextual factors on business.
BUSFIN 702 Financial Markets Law 15 Develops a critical awareness of company regulatory legislation in the New Zealand environment including ethical and social considerations. Evaluates legal issues and their impact on capital decision-making in the wider economic environment. Considers the wider regulatory environment including Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi.
BUSFIN 703 Corporate Finance 15 Assesses the role and relationships of a financial manager with both internal and external stakeholders in different types of organisations. Develops analytical skills to apply models and frameworks to evaluate, propose and justify solutions for corporate finance issues in areas such as valuation of a firm, cost of capital, capital budgeting, and capital structure.
BUSFIN 704 Investment Decision-making 15 Analyses the investment decision-making process from the perspective of an investor. Evaluates the role of the equity market and concepts of risk and return in investment decision-making. Develops and applies analytical skills and models to implement effective investment strategies including diversification, optimal portfolio formation, and the management of fixed income securities.
BUSFIN 705 Financial Risk Management 15 Analyses the impact of a company’s exposure to financial risks, including exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, and other financial price risks. Develops skills and strategies to mitigate potential financial risk exposure, including the use of hedging policies that contain derivative instruments. Considers the impact of environmental and social factors in the development of corporate risk management strategies.
BUSFIN 706 Advanced Financial Management 15 Critically evaluates the function of corporate financial management in a variety of organisation types from a range of stakeholder perspectives. Develops skills to address advanced financial management challenges in areas such as capital budgeting, valuation, capital structure, and mergers and acquisitions and applies these in strategic financial decision-making.
BUSFIN 707 Consultancy Practice 15 Focuses on the responsibilities and challenges of working in collaborative projects. Develops the skills required to engage in consultancy work. Engages students in problem framing, identifying and employing appropriate methodologies, and developing and presenting solutions to specific problems. Considers the dynamics of client-consultant relationships.
Specialisation: Financial Analytics
Course code Course title Points Description
BUSFIN 710 Financial Modelling Techniques 15  
BUSFIN 711 Financial Analytics Applications 15  
BUSFIN 720 OR BUSFIN 723 Financial Analytics Industry Project OR Financial Analytics Project 30  
Specialisation: FinTech

*Note: Delivery of the FinTech specialisation is subject to confirmation and dependent on factors that include student enrolments.

Course code Course title Points Description
BUSFIN 714 FinTech Applications 15  
BUSFIN 715 FinTech and Financial Intermediation 15  
BUSFIN 722 OR BUSFIN 725 FinTech Industry Project OR FinTech Project 30  
Specialisation: Sustainable Finance
Course code Course title Points Description
BUSFIN 712 Sustainable Finance 15  
BUSFIN 713 Climate Finance 15  
BUSFIN 721 OR BUSFIN 724 Sustainable Finance Industry Project OR Sustainable Finance Project 30  

Launch your career in finance

The Master of Applied Finance is designed to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving finance industry, offering you a practical applied learning experience using the latest industry technology. If you like the excitement and dynamics of capital markets and you want to learn about the elements that make them work, this programme is for you.

Career prospects

The Master of Applied Finance is designed to give you the practical skills to build the financial capability of organisations. Graduates go on to find employment in a range of roles, including as bankers, financial advisors, financial analysts, financial consultants, investment analysts and more.

Contact Us

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Our student stories

Chelsea Abcede

What I love about the Business Masters programme ... is the chance to learn from our professors who are experts in their field; learn from their practical experiences.

I love how they challenge us not to just absorb what they teach, but also to transfer those skills and that knowledge by writing about it and discussing it from our own point of view and our own understanding. I love how they encourage us to think for ourselves.

Chelsea Abcede, Philippines
Master of Management

Karthik Meenakshisundaram

You get an opportunity to work with professors who not only have a strong academic profile, but also have a good deal of industry exposure.

I got to work with students who come from different cultural, educational and professional backgrounds, which I believe is a personal learning experience in itself.

Karthik Meenakshisundaram, India
Master of Management

Alexander Ivanov

The programme helped me to further develop myself as an individual. Besides gaining a lot of useful knowledge in management and international business, I have dramatically improved my writing, presentation, teamwork and leadership skills. I believe that the opportunities that you could have after finishing this degree are countless.

Alexander Ivanov, Russia
Master of Management

Steve Wang, China

This is a great programme to help me establish my career. Giving presentations to the class helped me improve my English and gave me a lot of confidence in public speaking. The programme gave me a qualification in accounting and opportunity to work with people from all over the world. I think this experience with diversity was the key to getting my current position.

Steve Wang, China
Master of Professional Accounting

Zaki Sobuctgeen, Malaysia

I chose the University of Auckland because of its reputation, prestige and consistent rank amongst the top universities in the region.

Zaki Sobuctgeen, Malaysia
Master of Management

Need help?

If you have any questions about our Business Masters programmes, our advisers are happy to help.