The MBS Master of Finance
By Seth Robinson
In 2020, Melbourne Business School launched the new Master of Finance, a course that has been redesigned in response to an ever-evolving industry, to give students the skills and adaptability they need to excel in their finance careers. We spoke with Professor John Handley, to find out more about the new program.
Professor John Handley is the Head of the Department of Finance at Melbourne Business School. He’s overseen the development of the program, beginning with the reviews and research phases, to the implementation of its curriculum.
“The Master of Finance is a well-established and regarded program here at the University of Melbourne. It’s been operating for more than a decade, and it’s proven very successful for the students, academics, and our alumni. With that in mind, last year we decided it was time for a review of the program, looking at what its objectives are, and how we deliver the curriculum.”
The review included input from a variety of stakeholders, including students, alumni, academics, and external finance professionals. The result was a refreshed, future-facing program, that has responded to changes in the finance industry.
The Master of Finance is a specialist finance degree that provides you with comprehensive training and specialist technical knowledge preparing you for a career in the ever-evolving finance sector. Take the next step in your career, and embrace the future of Finance.
“One of the key changes to the program, is that the default is now a 150-point program, which can be completed in 1.5 years of full-time study. We think it’s an important change for students, particularly those who are considering part-time studying options. There's also a 200-point option, for students who want to undertake additional electives, take advantage of an exchange opportunity or get involved in a finance research project.”
In addition to offering students a core finance curriculum, and the Work Integrated Learning options that underline the Melbourne Business School curriculum, the Master of Finance includes a range of finance electives that address developments in the sector.
“We have subjects that cover areas such as Fintech, data analysis, risk management, investment management, and communications. These are courses geared towards the issues and students of today. They allow for students to specialise in their areas of interest, and tailor their course to fit their career aspirations. The communications course, for example, is taught in co-operation with the Faculty of Arts, and will focus on giving students the skills they need to communicate complex financial issues to a wide variety of audiences, to shareholders, a board of directors, to the press, etc.”
The Master of Finance is designed for students who have majored in finance at an undergraduate level. It allows students with a background in finance to build on that foundation and add a new level of depth to their knowledge.
“What we’re doing with the Master of Finance, is offering a course that will improve students’ adaptability, employability, and job-readiness. The finance industry is changing. It’s changing rapidly. We try to give students the skills to be able to understand what is going on, and to react accordingly.”
Find out more about the new MBS Master of Finance here.