Explore the critical forces behind financial markets and organisations, and position yourself to make meaningful decisions with confidence.
Why study postgraduate Finance?
Finance is at the heart of how the world works. From businesses making investment decisions to governments managing public funds, financial knowledge drives progress and opportunity.
At a postgraduate level, you’ll dive deeper into areas like investment analysis, corporate finance, and risk management. It sharpens your ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and understand markets that shape everyday life.
Otago’s Finance programme equips you with both the practical tools and theoretical insights to navigate fast-changing global economies. Whether you aim to influence corporate strategy, work in financial services, or research economic trends, this study opens doors to roles where your expertise truly matters. You’ll gain skills that blend quantitative analysis with strategic thinking, preparing you to lead with confidence and impact.
Career opportunities
Finance skills open doors to a wide range of career paths. At Otago, your postgraduate study prepares you for roles where you can shape decisions and add real value. Possible options include:
- Financial analyst or advisor
- Corporate finance manager
- Investment banker
- Risk manager
- Financial consultant
What it’s like to study at this level
Learning goes beyond lectures, involving discussions on current financial challenges and emerging trends. You’ll gain exposure to advanced tools and software used by finance professionals and have opportunities to connect with industry leaders. This blend of theory and practice helps you build confidence to apply your knowledge in dynamic environments and make informed decisions.
You’ll engage in practical case studies, collaborate with peers and experts, and develop analytical skills through hands-on projects.
This is for you if ...
You will have been awarded a bachelor’s degree with a sciences or quantitative focus.
Strong numeracy skills, a solid understanding of economics or business, and an interest in markets and financial systems will help you thrive in this programme.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Finance as an undergraduate at Otago.
Crunch numbers – create impact
Finance is everywhere. Every individual and organisation raises and spends money. It studies how financial decisions are made in the real world, focusing on measuring and managing risk. It’s about making thoughtful choices on how resources are allocated, balancing analysis with judgement.
Finance is both a science and an art. It uses systematic analysis to test predictions, yet recognises there is rarely one “right” answer. Intuition and experience are just as important, preparing you to navigate complex challenges with confidence.
At its core, Finance is dynamic. You’ll often face pressure to make swift decisions involving significant sums. Studying at Otago equips you to meet these challenges thoughtfully and with impact.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Certificate in Business (PGCertBus)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time study (half year) or part-time study (full year)
Postgraduate Diploma in Business (PGDipBus)
A two-semester (at full-time), coursework programme, offering specialisation in a variety of subjects and a possible entry pathway into the MBus
Master of Business (MBus)
A coursework degree with an optional research component, awarded in a chosen specialist subject, completed in one-year's full-time or equivalent part-time study
Master of Commerce (MCom)
A one-year thesis-only master's degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 590 Dissertation | 60 | |
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 80 points from: | 80 | |
| ACFI 525, BSNS 413, FINC 502, FINC 503, FINC 505, FINC 510, FINC 511 , FINC 512, FINC 520, FINC 544, FINC 598, FINC 599 | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| Project | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 580 Applied Project | 40 | |
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points from: | 100 | |
| ACFI 525, BSNS 413, FINC 502, FINC 503, FINC 505, FINC 510, FINC 511 , FINC 512, FINC 520, FINC 544, FINC 598, FINC 599 | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| Coursework | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 140 points from: | 140 | |
| ACFI 469, ACFI 525, BSNS 413, FINC 502, FINC 503, FINC 505, FINC 510, FINC 511 , FINC 512, FINC 520, FINC 544, FINC 598, FINC 599 | ||
| Total | 180 |
| Thesis |
|---|
|
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
FINC papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCT299 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ACFI406 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Financial Econometrics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ACFI525 | 2026, 2027 | Governance Issues in Accounting and Finance | 20 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC102 | 2026, 2027 | Mathematical Foundations for Finance | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| FINC202 | 2026, 2027 | Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| FINC203 | 2026, 2027 | Financial Data Analysis | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FINC204 | 2026, 2027 | Personal Finance | 18 points | Summer School |
| FINC206 | 2026, 2027 | Fundamentals of Corporate Finance | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| FINC299 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC302 | 2026, 2027 | Applied Investments | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| FINC303 | 2026, 2027 | Financial Management | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FINC304 | 2026, 2027 | Financial Markets and Institutions | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC305 | 2026, 2027 | International Financial Management | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| FINC306 | 2026, 2027 | Derivatives | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FINC308 | 2026, 2027 | Financial Econometrics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FINC309 | 2026, 2027 | Financial Modelling | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC310 | 2026, 2027 | Fixed Income Security Analysis | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC320 | 2026, 2027 | Sustainable Investing | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| FINC399 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC502 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Corporate Finance | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| FINC503 | 2026, 2027 | Studies in Capital Markets | 20 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC505 | 2026, 2027 | Mathematical Finance | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| FINC510 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced International Financial Management | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC511 | 2026, 2027 | Financial Risk Management | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC512 | 2026, 2027 | Financial Analytics | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC520 | 2026, 2027 | Climate and Energy Finance | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| FINC544 | 2026, 2027 | Behavioural Finance | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| FINC598 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FINC599 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
Contacts
Department of Accountancy and Finance
Otago Business School
Email accountancyfinance@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/accountancyfinance
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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