Bachelor of Business (Finance)

University of South Australia

About

Prepare to succeed in the fast-paced financial sector with South Australia’s most established finance degree.

With a focus on the borrowing, lending and investing of money, you will develop a dynamic understanding of the complex finance industry as part of your degree.

You will gain knowledge in areas such as investment banking and fund management, and have the chance to learn in our state-of-the-art Iress Trading Room on campus.

We know that employers value graduates with industry experience so there are opportunities to embed an internship, mentoring, overseas exchange or work-integrated learning into your degree.

Advanced Finance Grant Receive a $1,000 study grant towards a professional industry development or global study experience, plus a course substitution, when you complete Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics or Stage 2 Mathematical Methods in Year 12.

Learn more.

Structure

Course name Area and cat no Units Reference Rules
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Accounting for Business ACCT 1008 4.5 Note(s): 3,4
Quantitative Methods for Business MATH 1053 4.5 Note(s): 3,4,5
Principles of Economics ECON 1008 4.5 Note(s): 3,4
Business and Society BUSS 1057 4.5 Note(s): 3,4
OR
International Study Tour 4.5 Note(s): 7
OR
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1,2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Business Law LAWS 1018 4.5 Note(s): 3,4
Financial Accounting 1 ACCT 1006 4.5 Note(s): 4
Macroeconomics ECON 1007 4.5
Financial Markets and Institutions BANK 1005 4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Business Finance BANK 2007 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Introduction to Financial Planning BANK 2008 4.5
Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange MARK 1010 4.5 Note(s): 3,4
Career Development for Professionals BUSS 1060 4.5 Note(s): 4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
International Currency and Banking Markets BANK 3011 4.5 Rule(s): 4
Management and Organisation BUSS 2068 4.5 Note(s): 3,4
Empirical Business Analysis ECON 2007 4.5
Entrepreneurship for Social and Market Impact BUSS 2085 4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Portfolio and Fund Management BANK 3004 4.5
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1,2,4 Rule(s): 1,3
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1,2,3,4 Rule(s): 1,3
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1,2,4 Rule(s): 3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Corporate Valuation and Risk Management BANK 3009 4.5
Financial Risk Analysis BANK 3003 4.5 Rule(s): 1,5
International Business Environments BUSS 3103 4.5
OR
International Elective 4.5 Note(s): 8
Strategic Financial Analysis BUSS 3083 4.5

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

  • Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
  • Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
  • Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile
Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

  • Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
  • Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

  • Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR Work and life experience

  • Qualify for Special Entry, or
  • Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
  • Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Learning outcomes

You will start with core courses in areas such as analytics, accounting and economic theory. These will give you a solid grasp of business fundamentals that you can apply to a range of careers. You can choose to study overseas, complete an internship, and take courses like marketing, management and international business.

In your specialisation you will focus on the borrowing, lending and investing of money. Specific areas include finance markets and institutions; international currency and banking markets; portfolio and fund management and macroeconomics.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

In addition to learning from teachers with professional experience as part of your studies, we offer opportunities for you to connect with industry outside the classroom:

  • Complete an internship or industry project
  • Become a global citizen with our overseas exchange program – we have more than 60 partner universities worldwide, and study options that range from two weeks to one year
  • Build your network and career by participating in our Business Career Mentor Program which pairs you with an experienced business professional

We also host regular University-wide , and in Australia and overseas.

Your career

As we are the No.1 university in South Australia for graduate careers in Business and Management1, our quality teaching and experiences beyond the classroom will ensure you graduate career ready.

The financial services industry is one of the leading sectors in the Australian economy and plays a key role in facilitating the productive flow of funds between industries, companies and people.

Between now and 2020 the availability of finance-related roles in Australia is expected to increase by:

  • 19 per cent (financial brokers and dealers, and investment advisers)
  • 21.9 per cent (financial investment advisers and managers)
  • 11 per cent (insurance agents and sales representatives)2

Careers to consider include:

  • Bond trader: executing bond trades on behalf of investors
  • Business adviser: working with new or established businesses; analysing business plans and financial statements; advising on investments, marketing, funding and financial trends; understanding consumer needs and how to improve profitability
  • Commercial banker: providing financial advice to corporate clients; promoting banks' financial services; building relationships with banking customers to create more accounts; coordinating different bank departments to ensure smooth operations
  • Corporate loan manager: liaising between institutions and clients to find suitable corporate loan arrangements; soliciting loans; representing creditors to borrowers and vice versa
  • Equity analyst: studies and analyses financial information and trends for clients; advises on share buying; reviews stocks, bonds and other financial instruments for reporting
  • Investment banker: raising capital for companies, governments and other entities; assisting with large, complicated financial transactions; providing advice in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, regulatory environments, and risk assessment
  • Investment fund manager: providing financial advice about investment matters such as buying and selling of trusts, shares and bonds; analysing data and available information to make decisions and recommendations about investments
  • Stockbroker: buying and selling securities on a stock exchange or behalf of clients; advising on trades including opening and closing prices; counselling whether to hold or sell securities

1ComparED (QILT): Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-19 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). Public SA-founded universities only. 2Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2015.

Applying to study with us:

  • go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
  • you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

The Business Student Hub is a convenient, central support service for business students, from first year through to graduation. The team provides expert advice on study options, elective choices and any academic difficulties. It also helps with referrals to support services across the University. The Business Student Hub is there to facilitate your life at university, so you get the most out of your UniSA experience.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

Institution