Duration
Full-time: 15 months
Next start date
2025 Quarter Four – 15 September
2026 Quarter Four – 28 September
Available locations
City
Points
180
Programme type
Postgraduate
Taught options available

Programme overview

Learn about the forces that shape our capital markets and drive investment returns.

Understand the fundamental theories of finance while gaining practical skills to enhance financial decision making.

Study with a passionate teaching team combining industry experience with academic excellence. Benefit from professional development support and purpose-built facilities such as the BNZ Financial Trading Room.

The Master of Applied Finance is suited to recent business and non-business graduates (excluding students who majored in Finance) and mid-career professionals who have not completed a Finance qualification.

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.

Download our printable MAppFin programme flyer.

Also available: Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Finance (PGCertAppFin)

The PGCertAppFin is an alternative pathway for graduates who are initially uncertain about committing to a masters programme. It also suits those who have not achieved the required GPA for direct entry to the MAppFin.

You can access a range of information about the University of Auckland online at AskAuckland.

Alternatively, email us directly with enquiries about the MAppFin.

Programme structure

The Master of Applied Finance is a 15-month, 180 point coursework masters programme studied over five quarters.

You will study eight core courses (Part I) addressing core finance and related topics including accounting, quantitative economics, financial markets law, corporate finance, investment decision-making, financial risk management, consultancy practice, and advanced financial management. The business consultancy practice course delivered in Part I supports the development of the professional skills required for successful engagement in and completion of the capstone industry project in Part II.

In Part II you will choose from one of three specialisation areas: Financial Analytics, Sustainable Finance, or FinTech. Each specialisation comprises two specialist field courses and an industry-based consultancy project.

Requirement:
180 points: Taught masters

Part I 120 points:

  • BUSFIN 700 (15 points): Business Accounting and Finance
  • BUSFIN 701 (15 points): Economics for Financial Analysts
  • BUSFIN 702 (15 points): Financial Markets Law
  • BUSFIN 703 (15 points): Corporate Finance
  • BUSFIN 704 (15 points): Investment Decision-making
  • BUSFIN 705 (15 points): Financial Risk Management
  • BUSFIN 706 (15 points): Advanced Financial Management
  • BUSFIN 707 (15 points): Consultancy Practice

Part II 60 points, chosen from:

Financial Analytics Specialisation

  • BUSFIN 710 (15 points): Financial Modelling Techniques
  • BUSFIN 711 (15 points): Financial Analytics Applications
  • BUSFIN 720 (30 points): Financial Analytics Industry Project OR BUSFIN 723 (30 points): Financial Analytics Project

FinTech Specialisation

*Note: Delivery of the FinTech specialisation is subject to confirmation and dependent on factors that include student enrolments.

  • BUSFIN 714 (15 points): FinTech Applications
  • BUSFIN 715 (15 points): FinTech and Financial Intermediation
  • BUSFIN 722 (30 points): FinTech Industry Project OR BUSFIN 725 (30 points): FinTech Project

Sustainable Finance Specialisation

  • BUSFIN 712 (15 points): Sustainable Finance
  • BUSFIN 713 (15 points): Climate Finance
  • BUSFIN 721 (30 points): Sustainable Finance Industry Project OR BUSFIN 724 (30 points): Sustainable Finance Project

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Subjects available in this programme

  • FinTech
  • Financial Analytics
  • Sustainable Finance

The programme includes the specialisations above in addition to the core finance and related subjects.

*Note: Delivery of the FinTech specialisation is subject to confirmation and dependent on factors including student enrolments.

 

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2024 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5

Further programme requirements

Taught 180 points

Entry based on a University of Auckland qualification

You must have completed a bachelors or honours degree in business or a non-business degree in a relevant discipline, such as engineering, health sciences or science. You will need a GPA of 5.0 or higher in 90 points of the most advanced courses of the bachelors or bachelors honours programme. In addition, you must have passed an undergraduate level course in business statistics (STATS 108), general mathematics (MATHS 108) or equivalent.
If you have completed advanced course(s) in an undergraduate degree that are considered substantially similar to courses in this programme, you may be required to complete substitute course(s). Advice will be provided to you on a case-by-case basis.
This programme can be studied full-time or part-time and is open to both international and domestic students.

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5
  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

Further programme requirements

Taught 180 points

Entry based on a qaulification from another university

You must have completed an undergraduate degree in business or a non-business degree in a relevant discipline such as engineering, health sciences, social sciences, science or technology. Your study must be from a recognised university (or similar institution), and you will need a GPE of 5.0 in the most advanced courses taken. In addition, you must have passed an undergraduate level course in in business statistics (STATS 108), general mathematics (MATHS 108) or equivalent.

If you have completed advanced course(s) in an undergraduate degree that are considered substantially similar to courses in this programme you may be required to complete substitute course(s). Advice will be provided to you on a case-by-case basis

International applicants must also have evidence of English language proficiency such as IELTS (score of 6.5, and no bands below 6.0) or equivalent.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Master of Applied Finance cost per year?

2025 fees

The estimated programme fees for the full 180-point programme are:    

  • Domestic students: NZ $29,842   
  • International students: NZ $71,120

Annual fees for the programme are listed below.

Domestic students
NZ$23,183.55*
International students
NZ$51,619*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,598.40 for full-time study (180 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Quarter Four 2025
1 July 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

The programme is designed to offer intellectual challenge and to equip graduates with the practical skills to build the financial capability of organisations. Possible career paths cover broad aspects of the finance industry, both locally and internationally. They include corporate finance, investment management, banking and financial consulting.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Financial Analyst
  • Treasury Analyst
  • Financial Consultant
  • Investment Analyst
  • Financial Advisor
  • Investment Banker
  • Banker
  • Investment manager

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

We have a dedicated Career Development and Employer Liaison manager who can assist you with your career planning, development and management, as well as job-search skills to help you maximise your employment opportunities. They can also recommend relevant workshops and events as well as arrange one-on-one appointments to give advice on building your CV, cover letter and LinkedIn profile.

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Launch your career in finance

The Master of Applied Finance programme is designed to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving finance industry.

Do you need help?

AskAuckland

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Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

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Need to speak to someone?

You can phone us directly.

Auckland
923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513