Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)(Finance)

1 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) (Finance) at the University of New South Wales is an advanced, research-focused program designed for high-achieving students who want to deepen their expertise in finance and develop strong analytical and academic research skills. It is ideal for students aiming for careers in finance, consulting, economics, or those considering progression into postgraduate research or doctoral study.

This program combines advanced coursework with an independent research thesis, allowing students to explore complex financial issues in depth while building highly specialised technical and critical thinking abilities.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1 (Honours Year):
Students undertake advanced-level study in finance alongside a substantial independent research project. Core learning focuses on advanced financial theory, quantitative and empirical analysis, and applied research methods in finance, supported by academic supervision from leading faculty members. A key component of the year is the Honours Research Thesis in Finance, where students investigate a specialised topic such as asset pricing, corporate finance, or financial markets.

Students also engage in advanced coursework designed to strengthen analytical depth and research capability, typically including areas such as Advanced Corporate Finance, Financial Econometrics, and Research Methods in Finance, which together build the foundation for rigorous academic and industry-level analysis.

Focus areas:

Advanced financial theory, empirical finance, corporate finance analysis, financial econometrics, research methodology, investment analysis

Learning outcomes:

Develop advanced analytical and research skills in finance, apply quantitative methods to real financial problems, conduct independent academic research, and prepare for specialist roles or postgraduate study in finance and economics

Professional alignment (accreditation):

While not a professional accreditation program itself, the honours year significantly strengthens pathways toward globally recognised qualifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and provides a strong academic foundation for professional finance careers and research roles

Reputation (employability rankings):

The University of New South Wales Business School is consistently ranked among the leading business schools in Australia and globally (QS World University Rankings), with strong graduate employability outcomes and close industry connections across finance and consulting sectors

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) (Finance) at the University of New South Wales is highly research-driven and designed to transition students from advanced coursework into independent, real-world financial research. Students build strong technical and analytical capability through hands-on research training, specialised finance methodologies, and direct academic supervision, while using industry-standard tools and datasets commonly used in global financial institutions. The honours year is particularly focused on developing independent thinking through a substantial research thesis that applies advanced finance theory to real market or economic issues: this is where students move from learning finance to actively producing finance knowledge.

Honours Research Thesis: Students complete a supervised, in-depth finance research project, applying advanced quantitative and theoretical methods to real-world financial problems.
Advanced Financial Software & Tools: Training in industry-standard tools such as R, Python, Stata, and Excel-based financial modelling used in investment and risk analysis.
Bloomberg & Market Data Access: Use of Bloomberg Terminals and financial databases for real-time market data analysis, securities research, and portfolio evaluation.
Seminars & Research Workshops: Regular academic seminars and research training sessions led by UNSW Business School academics and visiting finance researchers.
Trading & Investment Simulation Exposure: Access to finance teaching spaces such as trading and investment learning environments that simulate real financial markets and decision-making scenarios.
Small Cohort Academic Mentorship: Close supervision model with academic mentors guiding students through research design, data analysis, and dissertation development.
UNSW Library & Digital Finance Resources: Access to extensive financial journals, databases (such as WRDS and other academic datasets), and research support services for empirical finance work.
Industry-Informed Research Topics: Honours projects often align with current issues in banking, investment, financial markets, and economic policy, helping students build industry-relevant expertise.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) (Finance) at the University of New South Wales develop advanced expertise in financial theory, quantitative analysis, and applied research in finance. This honours-level program is designed for high-achieving students seeking deeper analytical capability and strong preparation for research, finance leadership roles, or entry into competitive postgraduate and professional pathways.

Typical roles include: Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Quantitative Analyst, Research Analyst.

Career Development Support: UNSW Employability and Career Discovery: Provides personalised career coaching, advanced interview preparation, resume refinement, networking events with leading financial employers, and access to competitive graduate recruitment programs and internships in banking, consulting, and investment sectors.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Insight: Honours graduates in finance typically achieve strong early career outcomes, with median starting salaries around AUD 85,000–95,000 per year, and higher earning potential in investment banking, quantitative finance, and consulting roles as experience and expertise grow.
Industry Partnerships: UNSW Business School Industry Connections: Students engage with top-tier financial institutions, global banks, investment firms, and consulting organisations through research collaborations, industry-linked projects, internships, and employer engagement events that enhance real-world financial decision-making skills.
Accreditation & Long-Term Value: Research and Industry Recognition: The honours qualification provides strong academic credibility and is highly regarded by employers and universities, serving as a direct pathway into advanced postgraduate study and research-focused careers in finance and economics.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop advanced skills in financial modelling, econometrics, investment analysis, research design, data interpretation, and strategic financial decision-making, positioning them for highly competitive roles in global financial markets and academic pathways.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can progress into Master of Finance, Master of Commerce, Master of Economics, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Applied Finance, or PhD-level research programs. The honours year also provides a strong foundation for entry into elite finance roles and competitive research positions in academia, government, and industry.

Additional Information & Requirements

To be admitted into the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) program, a student must have completed a pass degree, normally a business-related degree, or equivalent, with a business major in the desired honours discipline (namely accounting, finance, marketing, or information systems). A student in a double degree may gain entry to the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) prior to completing the requirements for the double degree program if they have completed 144 UOC, including 48 UoC in the Bachelor of Commerce compulsory and flexible core courses and all requirements for the relevant major. Students who have completed a non-business degree with a major in one of the specified business areas, or a specified cognate area, may be eligible to complete honours within this program. Disciplines may also have particular pre-requisite requirements for entry into honours. Students are required to meet the entry requirements for the study area they are applying. Please refer to each school's honours entry requirement for exact details.
A student must have an overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 70 (or equivalent) with a discipline/major WAM of at least 70. Due to the academic requirements of some disciplines and the competitive nature of honours places, the WAM required for entry may be higher in some disciplines. Students who have failed a course within their pass degree will not normally gain entry to the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) program. Please refer to the relevant discipline Honours plan for exact details.
The availability and willingness of a supervisor to work with the candidate is another important criterion for successful admission to the program. The number of students accepted to the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in a particular discipline is dependent on the availability of supervisors in that discipline. If there are more applicants than a discipline can accommodate, admission will be determined according to students' academic merit. Hence meeting the academic requirements of the program does not guarantee a place in the program.
An interview is required as part of admission requirements into this program.
Progression Requirements Students are to maintain a course average of 70 or more (and satisfactorily pass any Pass/Fail courses) to continue in the Honours program after the end of their first session.