Financial Economics - 8427
Program Summary
Faculty: UNSW Business School
Contact: UNSW Business School Student Centre
Campus: Sydney
Career: Postgraduate
Typical Duration: 1.5 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC For Award: 72
Award(s):
Master of Financial Economics
View program information for previous years
Program Description
IMPORTANT: This program will not be taking applications/enrolments from Semester 1, 2015.
The Master in Financial Economics (MFinEc) is designed for graduates who have completed undergraduate programs in economics of finance, who are seeking to develop their finance skills to a much higher level by studying more advanced finance topics. The MFinEc is also designed for graduates of technically-based undergraduate programs (maths, physics, computer science and engineering) who do not have a degree in finance, economics or business, but who are looking to gain a rigorous knowledge of key concepts in finance and develop into quantitatively oriented and highly analytical finance researchers who may possibly be interested in an academic career.
The Master in Financial Economics program is taught on-campus. The typical duration is one and a half years of full-time study or 3-5 years part-time study. Entry to this program requires a Bachelor (or overseas qualifications deemed equivalent) with a distinction overall (weighted average mark of 75 or better).
Entry Requirements:
The Master in Financial Economics (MFinEc) is designed for graduates who have completed undergraduate programs in economics of finance, who are seeking to develop their finance skills to a much higher level by studying more advanced finance topics. The MFinEc is also designed for graduates of technically-based undergraduate programs (maths, physics, computer science and engineering) who do not have a degree in finance, economics or business, but who are looking to gain a rigorous knowledge of key concepts in finance and develop into quantitatively oriented and highly analytical finance researchers who may possibly be interested in an academic career.
The Master in Financial Economics program is taught on-campus. The typical duration is one and a half years of full-time study or 3-5 years part-time study. Entry to this program requires a Bachelor (or overseas qualifications deemed equivalent) with a distinction overall (weighted average mark of 75 or better).
Entry Requirements:
- Applicants require a recognised undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) in Commerce, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Engineering with a distinction average overall, as determined by the UNSW Business School plus
- Minimum Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score of 600 or equivalent Supporting Documentation: Expression of Interest (EOI) form, CV, a writing example (seminar paper, research report or undergraduate thesis), and two referee reports.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for entry into UNSW programs as referred to in UNSW English language requirements policy.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
The Master in Financial Economics offers advanced disciplinary depth, exposing students to latest thinking and research findings in finance and economics. Applied learning activities, both in and out of classroom, ensure participants are familiar with and can undertake critical analysis of the latest theories, techniques and practices in a chosen subject area. This program will give graduates a strong foundation in financial economics to allow them:
- To pursue a PhD degree in Finance with a coursework that is designed according to high international standards such that the graduates will be competitive on the international academic job market. Please see the School’s PhD program; or
- To conduct highly analytical or quantitative research in finance for businesses and government bodies.
Program Structure
The Master in Financial Economics consists of 8 courses and a research component.
Semester 1 (24 UOC)
Semester 2 (24 UOC)
Semester 1 (or Summer Semester) (24 UOC)
- FINS5582 MFinEc Research Component (24 UOC)
This research component consists of a Master thesis with an empirical and/ or theoretical content. Students who are accepted into the Academic track of the School’s PhD program; are allowed to complete this Master thesis in the Summer Semester following Semester 2.
The following preparatory courses will be available for those students who have not completed the presumed knowledge requirements. The acceptance to the MFinEc can be conditioned on taking at least one of these courses.
The following preparatory courses will be available for those students who have not completed the presumed knowledge requirements. The acceptance to the MFinEc can be conditioned on taking at least one of these courses.
- Mathematics and Statistics for Financial Economics
- Fundamentals of Microeconomics and Finance
These courses will be taught in February, immediately before the first semester. If these courses are taken, successful completion is required before students may advance to the 8 units of coursework. (Taking these courses may incur a cost for the student).
Academic Rules
Please refer to the Program Structure for the Academic requirements relating to this program.
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html
Exemptions/transfer of credits
Policy and process
Transfer credit may be granted for equivalent postgraduate courses successfully completed prior to admission to the program but not used for another award, up to a maximum of four courses. If a student has completed an equivalent course for another award prior to admission to the program, they may be granted an exemption but will be required to substitute an elective course for the exempted course.
Transfer credit will be assessed during the admission process and students will be notified of any transfer credits in their official letter of offer.
Transfer credits are based on the breadth and depth of content covered in prior tertiary study.
Originals or certified true copies of official transcripts are required to assess transfer credits. Official course outlines may be required to assess transfer credits.
Transfer credits will not be granted on the basis of studies undertaken more than ten years prior to the commencement of the program.
How are transfer credits assessed?
Transfer credits will be determined by the UNSW Business School Student Centre Admissions Team (in consultation with the Program Director) during the admission process on the basis of transcripts.
If further information is required students will be asked to provide a full course outline which must detail the topics covered, hours per week, assessment information, textbook or reading list, teaching mode, etc.
Transfer credit may be granted for equivalent postgraduate courses successfully completed prior to admission to the program but not used for another award, up to a maximum of four courses. If a student has completed an equivalent course for another award prior to admission to the program, they may be granted an exemption but will be required to substitute an elective course for the exempted course.
Transfer credit will be assessed during the admission process and students will be notified of any transfer credits in their official letter of offer.
Transfer credits are based on the breadth and depth of content covered in prior tertiary study.
Originals or certified true copies of official transcripts are required to assess transfer credits. Official course outlines may be required to assess transfer credits.
Transfer credits will not be granted on the basis of studies undertaken more than ten years prior to the commencement of the program.
How are transfer credits assessed?
Transfer credits will be determined by the UNSW Business School Student Centre Admissions Team (in consultation with the Program Director) during the admission process on the basis of transcripts.
If further information is required students will be asked to provide a full course outline which must detail the topics covered, hours per week, assessment information, textbook or reading list, teaching mode, etc.
Further Information
Please note that these requirements may be subject to change.
Students are advised to follow requirements according to the year they commenced. Please refer to previous editions of the Online Handbook for your program requirements.
Contact the UNSW Business School Student Centre for advice.
tel: + 61 2 9385 3189
location: Level 1, room 1028, Quadrangle Building
Forms, policies and procedures
Frequently asked questions
Students are advised to follow requirements according to the year they commenced. Please refer to previous editions of the Online Handbook for your program requirements.
Contact the UNSW Business School Student Centre for advice.
tel: + 61 2 9385 3189
location: Level 1, room 1028, Quadrangle Building
Forms, policies and procedures
Frequently asked questions
Area(s) of Specialisation
Contents
Study Levels
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