Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Financial Analysis is a new UC programme first offered in 2026 and is designed to prepare students for careers in modern finance and financial analysis.
• It is particularly suitable for graduates who do not have a previous finance degree but have good mathematical and numerical aptitude. UC specifically says prior Finance study is not required.
• The programme develops skills in:
  • financial analysis
  • investment analysis
  • equity investment
  • portfolio management
  • corporate finance
  • financial risk management
  • quantitative analysis
  • financial decision-making
  • fintech and technology-driven finance.
• UC describes the programme as having a strong Financial Technology (Fintech) focus, reflecting the increasing use of technology and data in financial services.
• The curriculum is aligned with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) pathway. UC states that course content is designed as preparation for CFA Levels I–III.
• Students can also complete the CFA Ethics course and Practical Skills Module as part of their MFinA coursework if they enrol for CFA Level I during their studies.
• UC also states that it offers scholarships for CFA examination enrolment.
• The programme includes industry-relevant learning through providers such as Bloomberg, CFA Institute and SAS Institute.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MFinA has different course sequencing depending on whether the student starts in February or July.

February start:

Semester 1

• MBAZ601 Accounting for Managers – 15 points
• MBAZ602 Business Economics – 15 points
• MBAZ603 Managerial Finance – 15 points
• MFIN604 Quantitative Analysis – 15 points

Semester 2

• MFIN601 Corporate Finance – 15 points
• MFIN602 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management – 15 points
• MFIN605 Financial Risk Management – 15 points
• FINC672 Professional Development for Finance – 15 points

Semester 3

• MFIN673 Portfolio Management – 15 points
• MFIN674 Financial Decision Making – 15 points
• FINC671 Current Topics in Finance – 15 points
• One approved 400- or 600-level UC course – 15 points

UC recommends FINC679 for the final approved-course component.

July start:

Semester 1

• MBAZ601 Accounting for Managers – 15 points
• MBAZ602 Business Economics – 15 points
• MBAZ603 Managerial Finance – 15 points
• FINC672 Professional Development for Finance – 15 points

Semester 2

• MFIN601 Corporate Finance – 15 points
• MFIN602 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management – 15 points
• MFIN604 Quantitative Analysis – 15 points
• FINC671 Current Topics in Finance – 15 points

Semester 3

• MFIN605 Financial Risk Management – 15 points
• MFIN673 Portfolio Management – 15 points
• MFIN674 Financial Decision Making – 15 points
• One approved 400- or 600-level UC course – 15 points

UC again recommends FINC679 for the approved-course component.

Key academic topics therefore include:

• Accounting for Managers
• Business Economics
• Managerial Finance
• Quantitative Analysis
• Corporate Finance
• Investment Analysis
• Portfolio Management
• Financial Risk Management
• Professional Development for Finance
• Current Topics in Finance
• Financial Decision Making
• Fintech/technology-enabled finance
• CFA-related professional knowledge.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The MFinA does not currently list separate formal majors or specialisations.

Instead, it is a focused master's qualification in financial analysis with a broad finance curriculum.

Its principal areas of study are:

• Financial Analysis
• Corporate Finance
• Investment Analysis
• Portfolio Management
• Financial Risk Management
• Quantitative Finance/Analysis
• Financial Decision Making
• Fintech
• Professional Finance
• Current developments in finance

Programme Highlights

• New UC master's programme, first offered in 2026.
• 180 points.
• Level 9 master's qualification.
• February and July intakes.
• 18 months full-time.
• Up to four years part-time.
• Designed specifically to accommodate students without a Finance undergraduate background.
• Strong numerical and quantitative focus.
• Strong emphasis on Fintech.
• Curriculum aligned with CFA preparation.
• Exposure to Bloomberg, CFA Institute and SAS Institute learning resources.
• Covers corporate finance, investments, portfolio management, financial risk and financial decision-making.
• Professional development component.
• Potential industry project option in the final semester according to UC Business School's current international programme information.
• UC describes the programme as preparation for a technology-driven financial workforce.

Career Outcomes

UC identifies the following potential career roles for MFinA graduates:

• Financial Analyst
• Corporate Finance Analyst
• Investment Banking Analyst
• Market Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Assurance and Advisory Analyst
• Credit Analyst
• Banking Consultant
• Business Advisory Consultant
• Commercial Banking Graduate
• Business Banking Graduate
• Deals Advisory Associate.

The programme is particularly relevant to careers in:

• commercial banking
• investment banking
• financial analysis
• corporate finance
• investment management
• portfolio management
• financial risk
• financial consulting
• business intelligence
• fintech
• advisory and assurance.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The MFinA is a new UC qualification, first offered in 2026.
• UC's current programme page confirms 180 points, February/July starts and an 18-month full-time duration.
• The programme is specifically designed for conversion into finance from non-finance academic backgrounds.
• Strong mathematical/numerical ability is recommended even though prior Finance study is not required.
• The programme's CFA alignment is a major distinguishing feature.
• FINC672 includes a mixture of online and in-person learning through UC and external providers.
• The current regulations require at least 15 points at 400- or 600-level approved by the Head of the Department of Economics and Finance.
• UC's regulations identify the principal programme courses as campus-based.
• UC Business School currently describes the programme as a taught conversion degree and lists February and July intakes.
• There is no formal MFinA major/specialisation structure currently published.
• The supplied IPU URL is unrelated to Financial Analysis and currently describes IPU's MCIS programme.
• Therefore, no IPU-specific MFinA partnership, pathway, fee, intake or scholarship should be inferred from that page.

International Student Visa Requirements

An international student physically studying the MFinA in New Zealand will normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Cost from NZD $850.
• Maximum stay of up to four years.
• 80% processing within eight weeks.
• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health, character and genuine-intention requirements.