Major overview
Finance professionals help people and companies manage financial matters, set their financial goals and make investment decisions. They work in a range of areas – including corporate finance, financial markets, managed funds, superannuation, banking, and private wealth management.
In this course, you will gain comprehensive skills in managing money, and knowledge of financial markets and how to manage investment risk.
The finance industry is a dynamic area that offers challenging careers with high earning potential. This versatile major can be tailored to suit a particular career, or complemented with other business areas, such as Accounting or Economics, to provide broad career options.
Students enrolled in this major may be eligible for the CFA Program Student Scholarship, which provides financial support for those pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
If you want to pursue a career as a financial advisor/planner, we recommend studying our double major in Finance and Financial Planning.
How to study this major
A major is a set of eight or more units you complete as part of a degree, including at least two in your final year. To study this major, you’ll need to apply for one of the degrees listed below.
Degrees
Career outcomes
The finance industry offers dynamic careers with high earning potential in a range of areas – including corporate finance, financial markets, managed funds, superannuation, banking, and private wealth management. Financial broker and investment advisor roles are expected to grow by more than 12% by 2035.¹
If you're considering a career as a financial advisor or planner, read about our double major in Finance and Financial Planning.
What jobs can a Finance major lead to?
- Finance manager/consultant
- Credit analyst
- Portfolio manager
- Investment banker/analyst
- Stockbroker/trader
- Innovation consultant
What jobs can a Finance double major lead to?
- Financial planner (with Financial Planning)
- Corporate accountant (with Accounting)
- Economist/Economic analyst (with Economics)
- Financial journalist/business writer (with Journalism)
- Property/real estate investment analyst (with Property Investment and Development)
- International trade analyst (with International Business)
- Quantitative analyst (with Data Science or Mathematics)
- Environmental financial analyst (with Coastal and Marine Science or Environmental Biology)
¹ Source: Jobs and Skills Australia – Employment Projections.
Why study at Curtin?
Access to professional software
Experience Wall Street at Curtin, with access to LSEG Workspace software, StockTrak simulations, and leading industry data platforms Capital IQ and DatAnalysis pro.
Engage with industry
You'll have the opportunity to engage with industry through internships, guest lectures and industry events, and compete in competitions such as the global CFA Institute Research Challenge.
Professional recognition
This course is recognised by the CFA Institute, and Curtin students may qualify for the CFA Program Student Scholarship.
Major structure
What you’ll learn
In this course, you will study the role, structure and operations of financial markets; and learn how to make decisions on investments, funding activities and disbursement of profits.
You’ll learn about capital budgeting, financial risk management, cash flow and profitability analyses, and how to apply this knowledge to new and expanding business operations.
You’ll learn LSEG Workspace software for trading and analysis, and use the simulated trading software, StockTrak.
You'll also be able to engage with industry experts and build your professional networks through internships, guest lectures and industry events, such as the CFA Institute Research Challenge.
Detailed course structure and unit information
For detailed information and course structure, visit our Handbook.
Study combinations
You can study this major under the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Commerce (as a single or double major)
- Bachelor of Advanced Commerce (Honours) (as a single or double major)
- Bachelor of Innovation (as a single major)
- Bachelor of Arts (as a double major with an Arts major)
Your choice of parent degree can influence the type of career you might have.
Our Commerce degree also offers additional opportunities to customise your course by offering specialisations as well as majors.
How to apply
This major is part of a degree. To apply, choose the degree you want to study and review its entry requirements. Then, prepare any required documents and submit your application before the deadline for your chosen intake.
After you receive and accept your offer, you can enrol in this degree either at the start of your degree or later in your studies, depending on your course structure.
Choose your degree
To study this major, you'll need to apply one of the degrees listed below.Degrees
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