Financial Economics Concentration
You’ll develop the cultural awareness and critical thinking skills you need to analyze and produce a broad range of discourse in a full spectrum of careers — and to make a difference in whatever you do.
- 2 Years / Onsite
- Intakes: Jan, Apr, Jun, Oct
Overview
The Financial Economics Concentration at Auckland Royal Academy provides an advanced study of the intersection between economic theory and financial markets, developing graduates capable of rigorous analysis of capital markets, asset pricing, financial institutions, and monetary policy. The programme is designed for students who seek to combine the theoretical depth of economics with the applied focus of finance, preparing them for careers in economic research, financial regulation, investment banking, and central banking.
Seminars explore current debates in financial economics — including the efficiency of New Zealand's capital markets, the transmission of monetary policy, the macroeconomic implications of household debt, and the economics of financial regulation. Econometric research projects using financial market data develop your ability to test economic hypotheses and produce rigorous empirical analysis relevant to financial decision-making and policy.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Financial Economics Concentration pursue careers with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Treasury, the Financial Markets Authority, investment banks, asset management firms, and economic consultancies. The programme's combination of advanced economic reasoning and financial market knowledge is particularly valued in institutions where rigorous economic analysis directly informs financial policy and investment strategy.
Program Learning Outcomes
Apply asset pricing theory, including the Capital Asset Pricing Model, Arbitrage Pricing Theory, and behavioural finance frameworks, to analyse financial market phenomena and evaluate investment performance in New Zealand and global markets.
Use advanced econometric methods — including time series analysis, panel data estimation, and event studies — to conduct original empirical research on financial markets, financial institutions, and monetary policy transmission.
Evaluate the economic rationale for financial regulation, applying welfare economics and information asymmetry theory to assess the design and effectiveness of New Zealand's financial regulatory framework.
Programme
| Semester 1 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Financial Economics | 4 | ECON 101 |
| Foundations & Theory | 4 | ECON 110 |
| Research Methods | 3 | ECON 120 |
| Semester 2 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Financial Economics I | 4 | ECON 201 |
| Professional Practice | 3 | ECON 210 |
| Industry Context NZ | 4 | ECON 220 |
| Semester 3 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Financial Economics II | 4 | ECON 301 |
| Critical Perspectives | 3 | ECON 310 |
| Ethics & Standards | 3 | ECON 320 |
| Semester 4 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Financial Economics | 4 | ECON 401 |
| Specialisation Elective | 3 | ECON 410 |
| Financial Economics Capstone Project | 4 | ECON 490 |
| Total for the entire period of study | 11 |
Contact us
3/60 Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
How to Apply?
- You Apply
Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll help with the rest. Our convenient online application tool only takes 10 minutes to complete.
- We Connect
After you submit your application, an admissions representative will contact you and will help you to complete the process.
- You Get Ready
Once you’ve completed your application and connected with an admissions representative, you’re ready to create your schedule.