Master of Philosophy Finance (Research)

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs usually need a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. The entry requirement may specify a minimum score of 60% or higher in the previous academic degree.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 or 7.0, with no band below 6.
• TOEFL: Overall score of 90 with no individual section below 21.
• PTE: Overall score of 58, with a minimum of 50 in each section.

Students must provide:

• academic marksheets & transcripts
• letters of recommendation
• a personal statement - SOP
• passport
• other supporting documents as required by the university.

Work experience: Some postgraduate courses may require relevant work experience in the field.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.

The University of Waikato in New Zealand offers a range of scholarships specifically tailored to support international students pursuing their academic aspirations. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence, promote diversity, and assist students in overcoming financial barriers to education.

International Excellence Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship is awarded to high-achieving international students enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate programs at the University of Waikato. The scholarship covers a portion of tuition fees and is renewable based on academic performance.

International Bursary: The International Bursary aims to support outstanding students by providing a financial contribution toward tuition fees for the first year of study at the university. It is available to eligible international students undertaking full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship Programme: This prestigious scholarship program is designed for exceptional international students who demonstrate leadership potential and excel academically. Recipients receive financial assistance along with additional support for leadership development and networking opportunities.

Pacific Excellence Scholarship: Dedicated to students from Pacific countries, this scholarship recognizes academic achievement and provides financial support to cover a portion of tuition fees for selected undergraduate or postgraduate programs.

Country-Specific Scholarships: The University of Waikato offers scholarships tailored to students from specific countries or regions. These scholarships vary in criteria and eligibility, aiming to support students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities.

Research Scholarships: For international students pursuing research degrees (Ph.D. or Master's by Research), the university offers various scholarships to support their research endeavors. These scholarships provide financial assistance, allowing students to focus on their studies and contribute to groundbreaking research initiatives at the university.

Graduates from the Master of Philosophy in Finance (Research) program at the University of Waikato have diverse career opportunities in sectors that value advanced expertise in finance, research, and analytical skills.

Financial Analyst: Professionals can work as financial analysts, conducting in-depth financial research, analyzing market trends, evaluating investment opportunities, and providing recommendations to businesses, investment firms, or financial institutions.

Investment Manager/Portfolio Analyst: Graduates may work as investment managers or portfolio analysts, managing investment portfolios, assessing risks, optimizing asset allocations, and maximizing returns for clients or investment companies.

Financial Consultant/Advisor: Professionals can become financial consultants or advisors, providing personalized financial advice, developing financial plans, and assisting individuals or businesses in making sound financial decisions.

Corporate Finance Manager: Graduates may work in corporate finance, managing financial strategies, overseeing capital budgets, analyzing mergers and acquisitions, or handling financial reporting within corporations.

Risk Analyst/Manager: Professionals can specialize in risk analysis or management, identifying financial risks, developing risk mitigation strategies, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards in financial institutions or corporations.

Quantitative Analyst (Quant): Graduates may pursue careers as quantitative analysts, utilizing mathematical models and statistical analysis to assess financial products, develop trading strategies, or work in algorithmic trading firms.

Financial Regulator/Compliance Officer: Professionals can work as financial regulators or compliance officers, ensuring adherence to financial laws, regulations, and ethical standards in financial institutions or regulatory bodies.

Investment Banking Associate: Graduates may work in investment banking, assisting in financial transactions, conducting valuation analyses, preparing financial models, or supporting mergers and acquisitions deals.

Finance Educator/Academia: Professionals can enter academia as finance educators or researchers, teaching at universities, conducting finance-related research, and contributing to academic publications.

Financial Writer/Analyst: Graduates may pursue roles as financial writers or analysts in media, financial publications, or research firms, reporting on financial news, trends, and analysis.