The School of Economics and Finance offers two major areas of study, Economics and Finance.
Why Study Finance at University?
Does the idea of investing money sound like a dream job?
Are you fascinated by foreign investment, exchange rates and stock market fluctuations?
Would you like to analyse businesses from a financial perspective, either to make recommendations about their future activities, or to decide whether your client or employer should invest money in the company?
If you are interested in how the value of investments changes over time or how superannuation and investment companies give the best return to their investors, consider a major in Finance.
Why choose to study the Bachelor of Business (Finance)?
There are many growth areas within the financial sector and the skills you develop will prepare you for a variety of career paths in the world of finance.
Skills gained are also relevant to your individual decision making. Your own superannuation, investments, mortgages and loans can all be assessed using skills you’ll learn during your finance studies.
Learn about key concepts such as time value of money, arbitrage, derivatives and diversification and make use of real-world data in QUT’s state-of-the-art Securities Dealing Room.
Study Options
Dean's Honours Program (3 year Option)
Gain research and analytical skills valued by employers with a Bachelor of Business and an Honours degree in just three years. Our prestigious Dean's Honours Program offers scholarships of approximately $20,000 to selected students. As well as being highly regarded by employers, Honours is also the perfect pathway to PhD studies and an academic career where you can become an independent researcher and expert in your field. The program is available to OP 1-2 students in all majors and selected via application. A four year option is also available. Applications close 2 January 2009.
Accelerated (2 year Option)
Complete your Bachelor of Business in just two years and enter the workforce well ahead of your peers. You can finish your studies sooner and start your career earlier. Or continue your studies to an Honours or Masters degree. The accelerated option is available to OP 1-5 students in all majors.
Traditional (3 year Option)
Complete your degree in the normal three years (or six years part-time). Tailor your course and choose from an extensive range of study areas from Business and across the university. Like all our study options, you can also enhance your in-class studies with personal development modules in our award-winning Business Advantage Program.
Degree plus Honours or Masters 4 year Option *
Add an Honours or Masters degree to your Bachelor of Business and complete both in just four years to expand your promotion and career development opportunities. You can develop further depth of expertise in your chosen field, or broaden your studies into another business area. You'll also benefit from the knowledge and varied experiences of your postgraduate classmates.
*Students pursuing professional recognition with CPA Australia or ICAA should seek advice on required units of study from the course co-ordinator. International students should seek advice regarding visa implications. Not available for MBA.
Scholarships
Dean’s Honours Program
If advanced academic achievement is a priority, you can opt for a scholarship through the Dean’s Honours Program, and complete two degrees in the time it usually takes for one! Our prestigious Dean's Honours Program offers scholarships of approximately $20,000 to selected students.
Corporate Partners in Excellence (CPIE)
If you want a flying start in the corporate world, mix with potential employers and gain real world experience, the CPIE program may be for you. Scholarship receipients receive $28,500 from our corporate partners.
School of Economics and Finance Honours Scholarship
Awarded to students entering the Bachelor of Business (Honours) program majoring in Banking and Finance or Economics based on academic performance throughout the undergraduate degree.
Suncorp Scholarship in Banking and Finance
Awarded to a second year full-time Bachelor of Business student with a major/extended major or specialisation in Banking and Finance on the basis of academic merit and economic need. Support is provided for the second and third years of the degree.
START QUT
START QUT is an opportunity for high-achieving students to experience university and extend their studies in year 12. Students study one or two university subjects in the same classes as current QUT students and are awarded a scholarship to cover the cost of their tuition fees.
Further Information on Scholarships
The find out more about the myriad of scholarships on offer from QUT, and to access applications forms, please visit the scholarships website. For more information Faculty of Business and School scholarship opportunities, please contact the Faculty of Business Scholarship and Awards Officer on 3138 1855 or visit the Faculty scholarships and prizes page for details.
Why Study Finance at QUT?
Securities Dealing Room
QUT pioneered the use of real financial data in Queensland universities. Our unique Securities Dealing Room is a leading Queensland educational facility that brings financial markets to life. Live, real-time financial data from the Bloomberg network will give you a real appreciation of the dynamic nature of financial markets. Applying this data to real-world financial management scenarios gives you the experience you need to move ahead in your finance career. The comprehensive set of data on companies, commodities and economics will be useful in your final year project work, and allow you to apply the theory you learn to conduct real-world financial analysis.
Practical teaching
Final year project work and research assignments will hone your practical skills and prepare you for the workplace. You may get the opportunity to act as a corporate treasurer for a semester, using data facilities in the Securities Dealing Room to gain experience in raising funds and managing the risk and cost of borrowing these funds in the face of unfolding economic scenarios.
Industry links
Our finance lecturers have a wealth of real-world experience, including consulting with Queensland Treasury, Brisbane City Council, QR, Queensland Transport and Ergon Energy, and guest lecturing with FINSIA and CPA Australia.
Our School also brings together key business representatives from government and private sectors to provide an opportunity for our students to discuss possible career aspirations. The event, "Town and Gown" runs every semester.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Finance major find employment in all sectors of banking, the funding of operations and investment of funds in loans or liquidity. Opportunities exist in stock broking, foreign exchange and interest rate dealing. Graduates also find opportunities in commercial firms, usually in the finance or treasury functions, in public accounting practices, in management advisory positions, and in the government sector where specialists find employment in treasury management.
Economics and Finance Society (EFS)
The EFS is a student group that provides its members with a variety of opportunities to complement your university experience. From networking events to corporate office visits, from investment clubs to industry-hosted events, the EFS can assist students in gaining opportunities that are rare in other institutions. It is therefore no surprise that in 2007, it was awarded the “Most Active Club of the Year” by the QUT Student Guild.
Additional information about why QUT's Faculty of Business is a great place to study is available on the Faculty website.
Extended Learning in Finance and Course Combinations
The Finance major offers two extended majors in finance; Funds Management and Financial Services .
Combining your finance major with funds management knowledge will expose you to the general funds management and investment process. You will be equipped for a career with a funds management firm in investment strategy, financial portfolio management, stock analysis and risk management. If you prefer to work somewhere other than a financial firm, large corporations also employ graduates in treasury functions to raise debt funding through corporate borrowing, monitor cash liquidity, and manage foreign exchange risk.
Extending your knowledge into the financial services area will give you further insight into the regulation of the industry, and how financial institutions manage risk and make investment decisions. You'll be prepared for a career in the regulatory compliance, lending or risk analysis areas of banks.
The Finance major, combined with Accounting provides the opportunity for professional recognition in both disciplines (providing the correct electives are undertaken), widening your career opportunities to encompass corporate advisory services including takeovers, mergers and acquisitions, and new company floats.
Combining the discipline of Finance with Economics studies strenghtens your understanding of finance and opens up further options in the private or government sector in economic analysis and in economic forecasting and consulting.
For unit information regarding the Bachelor of Business (Finance) program, see visit the course details page.