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.
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.
Duration
Full-time: 15 months
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Quarter Four – 15 September
Points
180 points over 15 months
Fees
The estimated total programme fees are listed below.
| Programme | Points | International | Student Services Fee ($8.88 per point) |
| Master of Applied Finance (MAppFin) | 180 | $73,010.40 (Q4 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:
- For students who need to increase their English IELTS score by 0.5: English Pathway for Postgraduate Studies (EPPS)
- For students who need to increase their English IELTS score by 1.0: Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP)
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 International Business, Master of Management, Master of Marketing 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: Duration of programme
- Amount: Up to $24,000 each
- Open to nationality: All nationalities
- Closing dates: International Students - 20 January 2025 (April intake) and 29 May 2025 (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 2025
- International students must apply by 1 July 2025
Programme structure
The MAppFin is a 15-month, 180-point programme studied over five quarters.
In Part I, you will study seven core courses addressing core finance and related topics including accounting, economics, financial markets law, corporate finance, investment decision-making, financial risk management, and advanced financial management.
In Part II, you will be able to choose any two specialisation courses out of those that are being offered. You will also engage in an industry-based consultancy project which provides experience in solving a financial challenge in a live business context. The Consultancy Practice course taken alongside the industry project is designed to develop professional skills required for successful engagement in and completion of the project.
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 Courses
- Advanced Financial Management
- Specialisation Course 1
- Specialisation Course 2
Quarter 4
Industry Project
- Applied Finance Industry Project
- Consultancy Practice
Courses
Courses are structured in two parts for this programme. Part I comprises 105 points and covers core finance and related topics, and Part II comprises 75 points, including specialisation courses and an industry project.
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 regulatory legislation as it relates to financial markets in New Zealand and globally. Evaluates legal issues and their impact on capital decision-making in the wider economic environment including taking into account ethical and social considerations. |
| 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. |
Specialisation Courses
Two specialisation courses (30 points)* chosen from:
| Course code | Course title | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUSFIN 710 | Financial Modelling Techniques | 15 | Examines challenges in modelling uncertain financial outcomes and critically evaluates practitioner modelling tools available to financial analysts. Develops practical skills in designing and applying Excel-based financial models to solving common analytical problems in corporate finance and investment analysis. |
| BUSFIN 711 | Financial Analytics Applications | 15 | Examines how programming-based models can be applied to obtain enhanced analytical insights in a finance-related context. Develops skills in applying programming (such as Python or R) based tools to real-world financial challenges. Applies these tools both to obtain analytical insight and communicate information effectively. |
| BUSFIN 712 | Sustainable Finance | 15 | Examines the intersection between sustainability and finance. Appraises sustainability risks, social challenges, and the implications for companies. Develops analytical skills in the integration of economic, social, and governance (ESG) factors in corporate finance and investment applications. |
| BUSFIN 716 | Alternative Investments | 15 | Examines the unique characteristics and roles of alternative asset classes in the context of investment management. Develops skills in analysing various aspects of these investments such as their risk-return profiles and their implications for investment management. |
*Availability of specialisation courses will depend on factors including student enrolments.
Industry Project
| Course code | Course title | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUSFIN 730 | Applied Industry Project | 30 | Team-based applied finance consultancy project addressing a real-life financial challenge. Application of financial concepts, tools and skills to analyse the challenge and develop appropriate solutions. Professional communication of project outputs using written and oral formats. |
| 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. |
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 programme will equip you with the specialist knowledge and skills to move into a finance-oriented role or a career in financial services. 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
If you would like one of our advisers to contact you directly to discuss your options, please complete the form.
Need help?
If you have any questions about our Business Masters programmes, our advisers are happy to help.
Our reputation
We are the #1 Business School in New Zealand and a top 100 university worldwide.
Follow us on Social