Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Finance (Risk Analytics) develops advanced knowledge and practical skills in financial risk analytics.
• Massey states that graduates gain the foundation, in-depth knowledge and skills needed to pursue careers such as financial risk management.
• The programme develops an international perspective on risk analytics and the ability to apply research philosophy to business environments.
• Students complete written reports and case studies on risk-analytics topics and develop the ability to communicate risk-analytics knowledge clearly in written and oral formats.
• It is designed for students who already have an undergraduate degree in finance or another relevant field and want to move into or advance in finance-specific careers.
• The Master of Finance (Risk Analytics) is accredited by the Global Association of Risk Management Professionals (GARP).

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Risk Analytics specialisation consists of 180 credits and is divided into Part One and Part Two.

Part One – 120 credits

Compulsory courses – 45 credits:

• 125710 Derivatives and Risk Management – 15 credits
• 125785 Research and Analytics in Economics and Finance – 30 credits

The Derivatives and Risk Management course examines financial risk management, including how organisations can reduce risk and/or increase returns. Students study derivatives and risk management from theoretical and empirical perspectives.

Research and Analytics in Economics and Finance provides foundations in econometrics and data analytics, enabling students to understand and undertake empirical research in economics and finance.

Subject courses – choose 75 credits from the approved schedule, which includes:

• 125700 Managerial Finance – 30 credits
• 125718 Professional Programme Preparation – 15 credits
• 125732 Advanced Corporate Finance – 30 credits
• 125740 Advanced Investment Analysis – 30 credits
• 178742 Environmental Economic Issues – 15 credits

The actual combination selected must satisfy the programme's prerequisites and credit requirements.

Part Two – 60 credits

• 125810 Case Studies in Financial Management and Sustainable Finance – 30 credits
• 125811 Advanced Risk Analytics – 30 credits

Advanced Risk Analytics analyses current theory, practice and governance in risk-management processes and evaluates their financial implications.

Important course sequencing:

• Students must complete 125710 Derivatives and Risk Management before enrolling in 125811 Advanced Risk Analytics.
• Students who have already passed 125330 Advanced Business Finance, or an equivalent undergraduate course, should not choose 125700 Managerial Finance and will instead be required to take 125785 Research and Analytics in Economics and Finance in their first semester. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current Master of Finance has three specialisations:

• Financial Analytics and Research – research option
• Financial Technology – professional option
• Risk Analytics – professional option

The requested programme is the Risk Analytics specialisation.

Risk Analytics focuses particularly on:

• Financial risk management
• Derivatives
• Quantitative and empirical financial analysis
• Econometrics and data analytics
• Corporate finance
• Investment analysis
• Advanced risk analytics
• Risk-management governance
• Sustainable finance and financial case analysis

Programme Highlights

• 180-credit Master of Finance.
• Professional specialisation in Risk Analytics.
• Full-time completion can be achieved in approximately 12 months under Massey's current programme planning.
• Auckland, Manawat and Distance/online study options.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• Strong emphasis on financial risk management, quantitative analysis, research methods and advanced risk analytics.
• Includes case-study work and professional application of risk-management concepts.
• GARP accreditation is a significant programme-specific professional recognition.
• Massey Business School is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Programme, although this is an institutional affiliation and should not be interpreted as accreditation of the Risk Analytics specialisation itself.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies financial risk management as a key career direction for graduates of the Risk Analytics specialisation.

Potential career areas include:

• Financial risk management
• Risk analytics
• Financial analysis
• Banking and financial services
• Investment analysis
• Corporate finance
• Financial risk modelling
• Risk-management functions
• Finance-related consulting
• Quantitative finance and analytics

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme page states that Risk Analytics is open to international students both on campus in New Zealand and through online study from outside New Zealand.
• The standard qualification is 180 credits, but advanced credit may reduce the amount that needs to be completed to 60–120 credits.
• The Manawat? Semester One start has the additional requirement that students must previously have completed 125700 Managerial Finance or an equivalent course.
• Students must take 125710 before 125811 Advanced Risk Analytics.
• Students who have completed 125330 Advanced Business Finance, or an equivalent course, have a different course-planning requirement and should not take 125700 Managerial Finance.
• Risk Analytics is currently a professional option, rather than the research option within the Master of Finance.
• GARP accreditation is currently stated by Massey for the Master of Finance (Risk Analytics).

International Student Visa Requirements

International students who study this qualification physically in New Zealand would normally apply for a Fee Paying Student Visa through Immigration New Zealand.

Current key conditions and requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid or that the student has an acceptable scholarship/funding arrangement.
• Evidence of sufficient money for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable insurance for the period of study.
• Meeting applicable health, character and genuine-student requirements.
• Studying the course specified on the visa.
• Maintaining satisfactory academic progress and attendance.

Living-cost funds:

• NZ$20,000 per year for tertiary study lasting one year or more.

Work rights:

• Eligible student visa holders may be allowed to work up to 25 hours per week during study.
• Eligible students may be allowed to work full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on their visa conditions.
• The exact work rights are determined by the conditions on the individual visa.
• The maximum permitted in-study work hours increased from 20 to 25 hours per week from 3 November 2025.

Application timing:

• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before planned travel.
• Applications are submitted online.
• Immigration New Zealand notes that student-visa processing is particularly busy between October and March, so early application is recommended.

Visa cost:

• Fee Paying Student Visa: from NZ$850, subject to the applicable current fee and circumstances.