This course is designed to familiarise students with the components of the financial system as well as to introduce them to the three basic ideas underpinning finance: the time value of money, diversification, and arbitrage. The aim of the course is to provide students with introductory exposure to financial transactions, institutions and markets including money markets, stock markets, foreign exchange, derivative markets and contracts. It provides students with a solid foundation for later studies in finance.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain in detail financial transactions, institutions and markets, including money markets, stock markets, foreign exchange, derivatives markets and contracts;
- Discuss in detail the concept of time value of money and calculate the value of cash flows relating to a number of financial instruments;
- Explain in detail the concept of diversification, including the risk and return relationship and calculate optimal weights for a portfolio comprising of two financial assets; and,
- Discuss in detail concepts of arbitrage, and utilise derivatives for risk management purposes.
Other Information
Indicative Assessment
- Typical assessment may include, but is not restricted to: exams, assignments, quizzes, presentations and other assessment as appropriate (100) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Students are expected to commit 130 hours of work in completing this course. This includes time spent in scheduled classes and self-directed study time.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Information about the prescribed textbook will be available via the Class Summary
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5280 | Standard Rate |
| 2025 | $3840 |
Grandfathered Rate*
*continuing students in nominated programs only. See fee website |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3224 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8194 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |