Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Business in Finance at Lincoln University is a 180-credit taught master's designed for students seeking advanced knowledge and professional skills in finance, investment and business decision-making. Lincoln states that the programme is approved within the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) University Affiliation Program and incorporates around 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge, together with the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced knowledge of finance and financial strategy from New Zealand and international perspectives.
• Study corporate finance, banking, investments, financial reporting, managerial economics and derivative instruments.
• Develop quantitative and analytical skills for complex financial and business problems.
• Gain exposure to sustainability, agribusiness, entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialisation.
• Build a foundation for pursuing the globally recognised CFA professional qualification.
• Access Lincoln's trading laboratory and Bloomberg financial data.
• Study in a finance department whose teaching and research cover corporate governance, corporate finance, banking, investment management, risk and sustainability.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme consists of 180 credits of compulsory taught courses. The recommended course sequence varies according to the starting intake.

Core courses include:

• COMM 601 – Principles of Managerial Economics – 10 credits
• COMM 602 – Principles of Accounting and Finance – 10 credits
• COMM 603 – Principles of Business Management – 10 credits
• COMM 604 – Principles of Marketing – 10 credits
• COMM 605 – Research for Managers – 20 credits
• COMM 606 – Strategic Business Analysis – 20 credits
• FINC 601 – Finance Theory and Corporate Policy – 20 credits
• FINC 603 – Commercial Banking – 20 credits
• FINC 604 – Finance, Futures and Options – 20 credits
• FINC 615 – Financial Reporting and Analysis – 20 credits
• FINC 616 – Investment Management – 20 credits.

For a February start, Lincoln recommends:

Semester 1:

• COMM 603
• COMM 604
• COMM 605
• COMM 601
• COMM 602

Semester 2:

• FINC 601
• FINC 615
• FINC 604

Semester 3:

• FINC 603
• FINC 616
• COMM 606.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme is specifically specialised in finance. Lincoln does not list separate formal majors or specialisations within the Master of Business in Finance.

The curriculum covers areas including:

• Corporate finance.
• Financial strategy.
• Commercial banking.
• Investment management.
• Financial reporting and analysis.
• Finance theory.
• Futures and options.
• Managerial economics.
• Business management.
• Marketing.
• Research and strategic business analysis.
• Sustainability and responsible financial decision-making.

Important scholarship conditions:

• Available to international students.
• The student must have at least a B+ average in the final year to meet the scholarship requirements.
• No separate scholarship application is required.
• Lincoln automatically assesses qualifying students.
• The scholarship is for students enrolling in a full taught master's programme. 

Programme Highlights

• 180-credit Level 9 master's.
• Taught, coursework-only qualification.
• No thesis required.
• CFA University Affiliation Program approval.
• Approximately 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge incorporated into the programme.
• Access to Bloomberg financial data and a dedicated trading laboratory.
• Strong focus on analytical and quantitative financial skills.
• Three available starting points: November, February and July.
• Finance content combined with broader business management knowledge.
• International and New Zealand perspectives on finance.
• Coverage of ethical and professional standards in finance.

Career Outcomes

Lincoln states that graduates can be prepared for management and professional roles involving analysis and interpretation of organisational and financial data. Potential areas include:

• Finance and banking.
• Financial portfolio management.
• Financial planning.
• Accounting-function coordination.
• Business finance.
• Government finance.
• Non-profit financial management.
• Investment-related roles.
• Financial analysis.
• Corporate finance.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students must hold a current, valid New Zealand visa that permits study at Lincoln University.

For a new international student, Lincoln states that the visa application normally requires:

• Offer of Place from Lincoln University.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, normally a fee receipt.
• Passport.
• Digital photograph.
• Proof of funds of NZ$20,000 per year for living expenses.
• Evidence of funds for travel to the student's home country at the end of study, or an air ticket.
• Visa application fee.

Immigration authorities may additionally request:

• Medical certificates or chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Additional information where applicable, including for students under 18.