Bachelor of Commerce(Finance)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) at the University of New South Wales is designed for students who want to understand how financial markets operate, how investment decisions are made, and how organisations manage financial resources in a global economy. Campus Location: Kensington Campus, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Through a combination of business foundations and specialised finance studies, students develop the analytical, quantitative, and strategic skills required for careers in banking, investment, financial planning, and corporate finance.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students build a strong foundation in business and financial principles through core courses such as Accounting and Financial Management, Microeconomics for Business, and Business Decision Making. These subjects introduce financial reporting, economic analysis, and quantitative methods that underpin modern finance practice.

Year 2:
The second year focuses on core finance knowledge and analytical techniques. Students study subjects such as Business Finance, Investments, and Financial Markets and Institutions, developing an understanding of capital markets, portfolio management, valuation techniques, and financial decision-making.

Year 3:
In the final year, students advance into specialised finance topics through courses such as International Corporate Finance, Derivative Securities, and Fixed Income Securities and Credit Analysis. Students strengthen their ability to evaluate complex financial problems, manage investment risk, and apply financial theory to real-world business situations.

Focus Areas: Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Financial Markets, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, International Finance, Banking, Financial Modelling.

Learning Outcomes: Develop expertise in financial analysis, investment decision-making, valuation techniques, risk assessment, financial modelling, strategic problem-solving, and professional communication within domestic and global financial environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The program is recognised by leading industry bodies and provides strong preparation for professional pathways such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program and careers across banking, investment management, financial services, and corporate finance.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): UNSW Business School is consistently recognised among the world's leading business schools. UNSW is regularly ranked among the top universities globally for Accounting and Finance in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, and its graduates are highly regarded by employers across Australia and internationally.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) at the University of New South Wales combines rigorous financial theory with extensive practical learning opportunities, ensuring students graduate with the technical and analytical skills expected by leading employers. Throughout the program, students apply financial concepts to real-world business scenarios, work with industry-standard financial data, analyse investment opportunities, and develop professional skills through experiential learning activities. UNSW's strong industry connections and world-class business facilities provide students with exposure to contemporary finance practices and global financial markets:

Industry Experience Program: UNSW Business School's Industry Experience Program enables students to undertake internships, consulting projects, and industry placements with partner organisations, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge in professional finance environments.
Finance Major Projects: Students complete case studies, investment analyses, valuation projects, and financial modelling assignments that replicate the work undertaken by finance professionals in banking, investment, and corporate finance sectors.
Bloomberg Terminal Access: Students gain access to Bloomberg Professional terminals, providing real-time financial market data, economic information, company analysis tools, and portfolio management resources used by finance professionals worldwide.
Refinitiv Workspace (Financial Data Platforms): Finance students can access professional financial databases and market intelligence platforms for investment research, company valuation, and financial analysis.
Business Analytics and Financial Modelling Tools: Coursework incorporates spreadsheet modelling, financial forecasting, quantitative analysis, and data-driven decision-making techniques commonly used across the finance industry.
Industry Networking Events: UNSW Business School regularly hosts employer presentations, networking sessions, finance industry panels, and guest lectures featuring professionals from leading financial institutions and investment firms.
Student Investment and Finance Societies: Students can participate in finance-focused student organisations, investment competitions, trading simulations, and networking activities that enhance practical industry exposure.
Career Accelerator and Employability Programs: Students can access mentoring opportunities, career workshops, professional development programs, and employer engagement initiatives specifically designed for business and finance students.
Research Centres and Institutes: Students benefit from the expertise and activities of research groups within the UNSW Business School, including finance-focused research centres that contribute to contemporary developments in financial markets, investment, and corporate finance.
UNSW Library Services: Students have access to extensive business and finance collections, specialised databases, financial research resources, market reports, and collaborative study spaces that support academic and professional development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) at the University of New South Wales gain advanced knowledge of financial markets, investment analysis, corporate finance, and risk management, preparing them for high-demand careers in the global financial sector. The program develops strong analytical, quantitative, and decision-making skills, enabling graduates to thrive in fast-paced financial and business environments.

Typical roles include: Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Corporate Finance Associate, Risk Analyst.

Career Development Support: UNSW Employability and Career Discovery: Provides personalised career coaching, resume and interview preparation, employer networking events, mentoring programs, internship support, and access to graduate recruitment opportunities with leading financial institutions and multinational organisations.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Insight: UNSW graduates are among the most employable in Australia. Finance graduates typically achieve a median full-time starting salary of approximately AUD 75,000–80,000 per year, with strong long-term earning potential in investment banking, corporate finance, funds management, and consulting.
Industry Partnerships: UNSW Business School Industry Connections: Students engage with major banks, investment firms, consulting organisations, and financial services companies through internships, industry projects, networking events, case competitions, and guest lectures from industry professionals.
Accreditation & Long-Term Value: Globally Recognised Qualification: The finance major provides a strong foundation for professional pathways such as the CFA Institute Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program and is internationally recognised by employers across the finance and business sectors.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop expertise in financial modelling, investment evaluation, portfolio management, corporate valuation, data analysis, and strategic financial decision-making, preparing them for leadership roles across the financial industry.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the Master of Finance, Master of Commerce, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, Master of Economics, or research-focused honours and doctoral programs. Many graduates also pursue professional qualifications such as the CFA designation to enhance specialist knowledge and accelerate career advancement in global financial markets.