Students will apply the knowledge and skills they have developed during the programme to address a finance-related challenge facing your organisation. This could involve data analysis, modelling, forecasting, conducting research or something else. Students will compile their findings into a final report and presentation.

For the 2024 Master of Applied Finance industry project, one student team partnered with Napier-based non-profit Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotu. The students worked with the organisation to help them develop a better understanding of their long-term financial health and identify opportunities to expand and diversify its revenue streams.

Our programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental finance concepts, while emphasising practical, up-to-date applications and tools. It attracts well-qualified, highly motivated graduate students who generally hold prior degrees in areas other than finance, such as Economics, Engineering, Social Sciences, Sciences and Technology. Some have several years of work experience, and many speak multiple languages.

The MAppFin is a 15-month masters programme designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to get work-ready as a finance professional.

The programme has two parts. In Part I, students cover fundamental topics including corporate finance, investments, accounting, economics and risk management. There is a strong focus on application and students regularly use real-world financial data, build financial models and work on industry-based cases.

In Part II, students develop more specialised skills in financial analytics. This includes best practice Excel modelling as well as Python-based coding skills. Students also cover modules in project finance and development finance.

In addition students develop a strong portfolio of professional skills that enables them to communicate effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences

The Industry Project is an important component of the MAppFin. In their final quarter, students will work in small teams to solve a real-life finance challenge together with a sponsoring organisation.

Each student team will be guided by an academic supervisor who will be students’ first point of contact.

The project is suggested by the sponsoring organisation and could involve data analysis, modelling, forecasting, conducting research or something else. The deliverables depend on the nature of the project but will include a report and a presentation.

The project must be related to finance and the scale of the project must allow it to be completed over a period of about eight weeks.

Beyond this, a very wide range of projects is possible. Academic staff will work with you to make sure the nature and scope of the project is appropriate.

The sponsoring organisation will:

• provide the topic for the Industry Project (and data or other
  information if needed)
• nominate a suitable key contact to communicate with the
  student team and have regular progress meetings as needed
• receive a report and presentation of the project findings by the
  student team

Students may complete the project remotely, or at the sponsoring organisation’s premises if desired.

There is no cost to the sponsoring organisation. However, the organisation is expected to cover work-related expenses (if any) associated with the project. An example would be assisting with students’ transport costs if they are required to travel outside of Central Auckland.

These industry projects provide a unique opportunity for Master of Applied
Finance students to:

•  Apply new skills and capabilities gained through study in a work environment.
• Build connections.
• Gain exposure to new and exciting challenges in the field of finance, aligned to career aspirations.
• Prepare for the transition from academic study to the world of work.
• In some cases, to be successfully employed by their host
  organisation after the project.

2 July 2025: Sponsoring organisations and project topics finalised
8 August 2025: Student teams assigned to projects
18-29 August 2025: Introduction meetings
15 September 2025: Projects commence
10-21 November 2025: Presentation and delivery of outputs