FNCE30001 Investments
University of Melbourne · Level 3 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- Final exam 50%
- 25% group work
Is FNCE30001 hard?
FNCE30001: Harder. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (10 reviews).
What you learn
Investment analysis of shares and bonds: risk and return, portfolio theory and asset pricing models.
After it you can
- Build portfolios with mean-variance analysis
- Price bonds and manage fixed-income portfolios
- Critique asset pricing theories
What you need first
(FNCE20001 and (ECOM20001 or ECON20003 or MAST20004 or MAST20005 or MAST20006 or MAST20018 or MAST20029)) or (FNCE20005 and (ECOM20001 or ECON20003 or MAST20005 or MAST20004 or MAST20006 or MAST20018 or MAST20029))
- ECOM20001 Econometrics 1
- ECON20003 Quantitative Methods 2
- MAST20004 Probability
- MAST20005 Statistics
- MAST20006 Probability for Statistics
- MAST20018 Discrete Maths and Operations Research
- MAST20029 Engineering Mathematics
- FNCE20005 Corporate Financial Decision Making
What it leads to
Can’t be taken together with
Careers
Helps toward: Financial Investment Manager, Finance specialist
How it’s assessed
Assignments 25%, Tests 25%, Final exam 50%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2016–2021)
- Most reviewers, especially the newer ones, found it difficult: content-heavy and theory-based, applying earlier finance ideas in new settings; a couple of older reviews called it easy.
- It is quite mathematical and builds on first-year statistics and Principles of Finance, so an analytical background helps.
- Several found the mid-semester test very hard and time-pressured; views on the final exam split between manageable and very hard.
- Teaching drew mixed comments: lectures were seen as engaging, but some found the slides, tutorials and practice material weak; regular practice is the main tip.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate FNCE30001
Quick answers
- When is FNCE30001 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking FNCE30001?
- Needs (FNCE20001 and (ECOM20001 or ECON20003 or MAST20004 or MAST20005 or MAST20006 or MAST20018 or MAST20029)) or (FNCE20005 and (ECOM20001 or ECON20003 or MAST20005 or MAST20004 or MAST20006 or MAST20018 or MAST20029)).
- Does FNCE30001 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 50% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 25%, Tests 25%, Final exam 50%.
- Is FNCE30001 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Most reviewers, especially the newer ones, found it difficult: content-heavy and theory-based, applying earlier finance ideas in new settings; a couple of older reviews called it easy.
- What do students say about FNCE30001?
- Most reviewers, especially the newer ones, found it difficult: content-heavy and theory-based, applying earlier finance ideas in new settings; a couple of older reviews called it easy. It is quite mathematical and builds on first-year statistics and Principles of Finance, so an analytical background helps. Several found the mid-semester test very hard and time-pressured; views on the final exam split between manageable and very hard.
- Can I take FNCE30001 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science.
- What can I take after FNCE30001?
- 1 subjects need it first, for example FNCE30010.
- Can I rate FNCE30001?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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