Learn how money moves and how to manage it Banking and Finance

business.monash.edu

Studying Finance means developing a toolkit that enables you to do things you would not have imagined at the start of university: valuing companies, understanding foreign exchange and commodities markets, being able to trade and insure complex financial instruments etc. It’s a natural pathway into a whole range of careers. I have friends who’ve gone into a wide range of exciting roles from banking to consulting and professional services with the skills developed in a finance major.Matt VethecanBachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws (Honours). Major: Finance

What is banking and finance?Finance is the systemised movement and management of money. It includes the circulation of money, granting of credit, making of investments, acquisition of capital and provision of financing facilities.

Banking is a key part of this financial system. Banks are financial institutions that specialise in the buying and selling of financial instruments such as loans and deposits. They act as intermediaries between the providers of capital (depositors and investors) and the users of capital (borrowers and corporations).

The economy cannot function without a robust and efficient financial system. As such there will always be a demand for well-qualified and highly skilled finance and banking professionals.

Careers in Banking and FinanceGraduates who specialise in banking and finance will be well positioned to apply for a range of roles within financial institutions such banks and insurance companies, asset and fund managers, superannuation funds, broking firms, accounting firms, consulting firms.

Career opportunities include:

Government sector

Research analyst for regulatory bodies such as APRA and RBA

Financial sector

— Financial analyst

— Loans officer or credit officer

— Financial planner

— Money market dealer

— Foreign exchange trader

— Portfolio manager

— Fund manager

— Private banker

— Investment analyst

— Securities analyst

— Commercial banker

— Investment banker

— Stock broker

Corporate Sector

— Budget manager

— Financial comptroller

— Chief financial officer (CFO)

— Financial director

— Company secretary

— Financial manager

— Corporate treasurer

Monash Business School offers five different options if you’re interested in studying banking or finance:

Bachelor of Banking and Finance

Bachelor of Finance

Bachelor of Business (major in Banking and Finance)

Bachelor of Commerce (major in Finance)

Bachelor of Business Administration (stream in Finance and Economics)

Why study banking and finance?Banking and finance are critical to the growth of the economy, and as the economy grows the area is also expected to grow, creating demand for graduates who are trained in this field. Finance is also an area that undergoes continuous change and is expanding in terms of the types of products and services being offered. For example, the superannuation industry is a strong growth area that is expected to grow above the growth rate of the economy due to increasing savings incentives for retirement by the government. This will create more demand for finance professionals in the future.

Specialist courses

Bachelor of Banking and FinanceThere’s more to banking and finance than just working at one of the ‘Big 4’ Australian banks. Banking is a dynamic, fast-paced and global industry, with over 60 banks operating across Australia and thousands of institutions and investment houses across the world dealing with the circulation of money, the granting of credit, the making of investments, the acquisition of financing and the provision of banking facilities. In this specialist degree, you will learn about key banking and finance concepts, and how to assess the financial needs of companies, governments and individuals, and match them to suitable financial products.

Location: Caulfield campus

Bachelor of FinanceFinance is a dynamic, fast-paced, global industry. Finance professionals are the people who make the decisions about cash flow, asset and risk management, capital markets, stock portfolios, international finance, and forecasting and budgeting in banks and financial institutions, and in major companies and organisations across the public and private sectors. In this specialisation you will develop the high-level skills required to manage, organise and invest money. You will learn how to develop financial policies and products and gain specialist knowledge that will enable you to solve complex financial problems using mathematical models.

Location: Clayton campus

Bachelor of Business Administration Finance and economics encompasses the complex and dynamic industry of money, banking, credit and investments. The Finance and Economics stream as part of the Bachelor of Business Administration gives you the high-level skills required to manage, organise and invest money. You will learn how to develop financial policies and products, and gain knowledge that will enable you to solve complex financial problems using mathematical models and techniques. Your studies will include asset and risk management, capital markets, stock portfolio, international finance, and forecasting and budgeting.

Location: Berwick campus

Comprehensive studies

Banking and financeBanking and finance is the dynamic, fast-paced world of money, credit and investments. This major focuses on the banking industry, and explores the activities of banks and institutions across the globe.

Offered in: Bachelor of Business

Location Caulfield campus

FinanceA major in Finance gives you the high-level skills needed to manage, organise and invest money. You will learn how to develop financial policies and products, and gain knowledge that will enable you to solve complex financial problems using mathematical models and techniques. Your studies will include asset and risk management, capital markets, stock portfolio, international finance, and forecasting and budgeting.

Offered in Bachelor of Commerce

Location: Clayton campus

Professional RecognitionStudents who study a major in banking and finance or finance may meet the educational requirements for associate membership of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) and be eligible to register to undertake the CFA Program offered by the CFA Institute.

Students may be eligible for professional registration or membership of other professional associations and should refer to these organisations for specific requirements.

Further study options

HonoursThe Department of Banking and Finance offers an Honours program for students interested in pursuing further studies in the fields of banking and finance. Honours degrees:

— Enable you to further develop your knowledge

— Strengthen your research and analytical skills

— Gives you a competitive edge in the job market

— Provides a pathway to a PhD and academic career

MastersThe department also offers postgraduate studies in banking and finance:

— Master of Banking and Finance

— Master of Applied Finance

For more information about our programs and eligibility visit: business.monash.edu

A world of opportunityMonash Business School is one of the few institutions in Australia that have teaching and research strengths in both finance and banking disciplines.

Monash offers a number of options for students that are interested in studying banking and finance. You can study the field as part of one of our specialist courses or as a major in one of our comprehensive courses.

Enhance your studies

Monash Simulated Teaching and Research Laboratory (STARLab)Monash STARLab is an exceptional purpose-built facility that runs a suite of financial simulation programs. The STARLab complements classroom teaching by simulating financial environments, where textbook concepts are brought to life.

Students are exposed to situations in the simulated stock market and develop responses using a variety of financial instruments to hedge risks and seek profits in competition with other traders. The STARLab offers students hands-on application of financial decision-making, and are used in units covering general market operations, equity markets, financial and portfolio management and bond markets.

Industry-based learningStudents have the opportunity to put their learning into practice through enrolment in an industry-based learning elective.

Banking and finance students have participated in industry-based learning at the Multi-Disciplinary Clinic (MDC) in the Monash Oakleigh Legal Service.

Students studying banking and finance work alongside students from the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences on projects; assisting clients with credit, debt and bankruptcy issues; consumer disputes; third party insurance claims and court applications.

In addition to working in the MDC, students also have opportunities to work with not-for-profit organisations and community outreach services.

For more information about industry-based learning and eligibility visit business.monash.edu

In addition to a high-level education in banking and finance, Monash University offers a number of opportunities and activities to enhance the student learning experience.

Banking and Finance International Study ProgramThe banking and finance international study elective is an invaluable experience — an exploration how culture affects banking and finance practices. Students study in the summer semester, spending over three weeks in Europe during January/February. Workshops are held at the beginning of the program in the Monash University Centre in Prato, Italy. Students also travel to Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, England and visit organisations such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, Bank for International Settlements, OECD and the World Bank, PWC and Deloitte.

Some highlights of this year’s program included: a visit to the oldest operating bank, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena which has been operating since 1472; and a visit to the oldest operating stock exchange, Amsterdam Stock Exchange which has been operating since 1602.

Professional Business ChallengesMonash students are encouraged and supported to participate in business challenge events, hosted by industry and professional associations such as the CFA Institute Research Challenge and UBS Investment Banking Challenge.

These exciting professional events offer students the opportunity to test their skills on a real-life business issue, putting their theoretical knowledge, communication and presentation skills into practice.

Monash Team who were winners of the State Final of the CFA Institute Research Challenge in 2013 and competed in the Asia Pacific Regional Final in Singapore in 2014.

Pictured here is this year’s student cohort in the Main Square in Siena, Italy.

Banking and Finance Celebrating Excellence Awards

The Department of Banking and Finance presents an annual student awards night. The night celebrates the discipline of banking and finance and acknowledges those students who have achieved outstanding results in individual units and courses. A banking and finance award can be highlighted in a student’s resume as a significant academic achievement to prospective employers.

For more information visit our website business.monash.edu

“I enjoy Banking and Finance because it provides a clear link between the theoretical and the practical. For example, the financial planning units helped me to plan my own finances, while the equity market units allowed me to understand the way the stock market works with the trading simulations. It’s a really varied and interesting major.”

“My father is an investment banker so I always had an interest in business and finance. I’m also really interested in languages and people, so I’m planning to use my finance studies as a launch pad into a career in the client-side of the finance industry.”

“I studied a major in Finance, and I have pursued a career in investment banking. My finance major has not only been deeply rewarding but has also provided me with a good avenue to excel in my longer term career goal of working within the finance industry. As part of my degree I completed an internship with UBS, which led to a job offer at the end of my degree.”

Alexandra Loke

Course: Bachelor of Commerce

Hugh Farquhar

Course: Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Jozh Ternola

Course: Bachelor of Business

What our students say...

The information in this brochure was correct at time of publication (August 2015). Monash University reserves the right to alter this information should the need arise. You should always check with the relevant Faculty office and Monash website when considering a course. CRICOS Provider: Monash University 00008C