Honours
The Honours Program in Finance at The University of Melbourne has a fine reputation.
The degree is well regarded by private and public sector firms and in particular by high profile firms including major corporations, investment banks and management consulting firms. In addition, recent graduates have also gone on to pursue further academic studies including MBA and PhD degrees at top Australian and international universities including University of Melbourne, Harvard, Oxford, Wharton (University of Pennsylvania), University of Rochester and New York University.
The honours year is an additional (fourth) year of specialised study in Finance. It is an integrated program with small classes and an emphasis on research and specialised subject areas. The honours year is open to commerce students and combined commerce students from The University of Melbourne as well as suitable graduates from other institutions.
It is normally undertaken on a fulltime basis immediately after, or within two years of, finishing the requirements for the three-year pass degree. Entry is competitive and there is a strict quota. The 2007 student enrolment in Honours was 37.
Program structure
A Bachelor of Commerce requires three years of full time (or six years part time) study to complete. A Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) requires a further one year of full time study, totalling four years of full time study. The program is offered for full-time semester one (March) entry only.
Students are required to take the equivalent of eight subjects, totalling 100 points.
These must include the following:
(Subject names link to the Undergraduate Handbook entry for the subject)
- 333-401 Advanced Corporate Finance
- 333-402 Advanced Investments
- 333-404 Research Methods in Finance
- 333-410 Finance Research Essay (Double subject)
- One other 12.5 point subject taught by the Department of Finance
- 25 points of subjects taught within or outside the Faculty of Economics and Commerce as approved by the Head of the Department of Finance
Level-300 subjects may not be taken with the exception of 316-350 Time Series Analysis and Forecasting.
The year finishes with the submission of the 10,000 word 333-410 Finance Research Essay, completed under the supervision of a member of the academic staff.
Combined honours program
Students may undertake a combined honours program across two disciplines within the Faculty, such as Finance and Economics. Students are required to take three subjects from each discipline.
Admission criteria
The criteria for eligibility for entry for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce degree are achieving an average grade of H2B in at least four subjects at level-300 offered within the Faculty of Economics and Commerce including 333-301 Investments and 333-302 Corporate Finance, and (at least) passes in 316-316 Basic Economics or 316-317 Econometrics.
Students undertaking a combined degree course with Commerce must have either completed the requirements for the combined degree or completed at least 300 points within which the normal Bachelor of Commerce requirements are met.
Selection in honours is at the discretion of the Head of Department of Finance.
Resources for honours students
There are a variety of resources available to Finance Honours students:
- access to a comprehensive range of financial databases and computing laboratories.
- The Honours Retreat is a one-day, off-campus forum where students can discuss with staff the academic expectations of the Honours year.
- The Faculty of Economics and Commerce Teaching and learning unit (TLU) provides learning and language skills support.
- The University provides a careers resource centre for current students and recent graduates. It includes career counselling, assistance with preparation of resumes, and hosting of employer information sessions and careers fairs.
Want to know more?
- Find out about the various scholarships, awards and prizes available to honours students.
- The Department of Finance publishes an Honours Information booklet (PDF 1.63MB) containing all relevant information for prospective students.
- Full details of the honours program are available in the University Handbook.
- The Future Students website contains information about fee types and options.