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Table of Contents
1. What Is Finance?
Finance is defined as the management of money and includes activities such as savings, borrowing, lending, and investing. There are three main types of finance: (1) personal, (2) corporate, and (3) public/government.
Why it matters?
- It is estimated that the amount of money being managed in the form of money markets, savings and investments exceeds $120 trillion. Hence, knowledge of financial management is crucial.
- Many people depend on financial professionals and financial tools to grow their wealth and plan for retirement. So, it’s a big deal!
- Understanding how the financial system and financial products work will also enable you to take advantage of opportunities others may not see.
Here’s a grounded sharing about whether a career in finance is for you:
2. Where To Study Finance Courses In Malaysia?
Here are 8 best universities to study Finance courses in Malaysia.
- #1 University of Reading Malaysia
- #2 Monash University Malaysia
- #3 Taylor’s University
- #4 Sunway University
- #5 Quest International University (QIU)
- #6 Swinburne University of Technology Malaysia
- #7 Curtin University Malaysia
- #8 HELP University
- #9 SEGI University
- #10 Asia Pacific University (APU)
- BONUS #1 — Universiti Malaya (UM)
- BONUS #2 — Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
3. Finance Course Pathways & Entry Requirements
Finance is a field of study where you can opt to specialise in areas such as Investment, International Finance, Banking, Financial Technology and more, particularly if you are studying for a Degree.
It is also common for universities to provide Finance Degrees with double majors in a complementary specialisation such as Accounting, Marketing or Management.
There are 2 pathways one can consider when studying a finance course.
Pathway 1: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Pre-University/Foundation ➔ Finance Degree
One pathway towards Finance studies is to enter a Pre-University course (A-Level, SACE, STPM) or a Foundation course offered by the university of your choice.
As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 5 credits including Mathematics to enter Pre-U or Foundation.
A Pre-University course or Foundation takes 1 to 2 years to complete and will qualify you to enter into a Degree in Finance.
A Finance Degree will take 3 years to complete. Here are the general requirements to enter with qualifications from popular pre-university courses or a foundation course:
| Qualifications | General Requirements |
| A-Level | 2D |
| AUSMAT/SACE | ATAR 60 |
| CIMP | 60% |
| STPM | 2C |
| UEC | 5B |
| Foundation | CGPA 2.50 |
Note: Actual minimum requirements will differ between different universities.
In total, this pathway generally takes 4 years to complete.
Pathway 2: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Diploma ➔ Finance Degree
Studying Diploma in Finance course is a popular option for students too. As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 3 credits including Mathematics to enter.
A Diploma in Finance takes about 2 years to complete.
With a Diploma qualification, you only need to enrol for 2 years to complete a Degree course with a minimum entry requirement of CGPA 2.50 for your Diploma.
Most students choose to continue with a Degree as the curriculum under a Diploma course covers only the fundamentals.
4. Accreditation For Finance Studies In Malaysia
There is no official accreditation board that governs finance graduates who enter the workforce.
However, many reputable private institutions are recognised by professional bodies such as the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM) and the Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC).
This recognition accords automatic exemptions for exam papers from FPAM and MFPC if one intends to become a certified wealth planner.
How Can Uni Enrol Help?
Uni Enrol’s experienced counsellors help you compare the pros and cons of studying a Finance Course at different universities and different locations.
5. What You Learn In A Finance Course
You will learn theories about finance and most universities will encourage you to get involved in competitions and expose you to simulated money management scenarios through special software and Bloomberg terminals.
These are some of the common subjects you will learn. They may vary slightly from one university to another.
- Asset Pricing and Risk Management
- Business Intelligence and Financial Data Analysis
- Corporate Finance
- Credit Management
- Derivatives and Alternative Investments
- Digital Banking
- Econometrics
- Entrepreneurial Finance
- Equity Analysis
- Essentials of Banking & Finance
- Ethics, Governance and Sustainability in Finance
- Financial Planning
- Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Financial Technology
- Global Financial Markets and Institutions
- Investment Analysis
- Investment and Portfolio Management
- Islamic Banking and Finance
- Law of Banking & Finance
- Mathematics and Statistics for Financial Decision Making
- Merger, Acquisition and Corporate Restructuring
- Risk Management in Banking and Finance
- Treasury Management
- Wealth Management
6. RIASEC Compatibility To A Finance Course
The John Holland Theory of Career Choice states that in choosing a career, people will choose one similar to their personality to ensure job satisfaction, job performance, and career success. The test generates 6 different personality types:
- Realistic (R)
- Investigative (I)
- Artistic (A)
- Social (S)
- Enterprising (E)
- Conventional (C)
With the RIASEC Test, the 6 personalities can generate up to 720 combination possibilities to provide career compatibility. You can try the test yourself here.
3 top traits that are ideal for navigating the finance industry.
CONVENTIONAL
- Individuals with a Conventional personality thrive in roles that require precision and adherence to established processes, making them well-suited for various finance-related positions where data and numbers are involved daily.
ENTERPRISING
- Finance also requires a certain degree of leadership quality and being able to take calculated risks. Persuasiveness and assertiveness are also important personality traits for financial advising, management consulting, and entrepreneurship within the finance sector.
INVESTIGATIVE
- Individuals who fall under the Investigative category are analytical, curious, and enjoy solving complex problems. This trait is particularly beneficial in finance careers that require critical thinking and data analysis like corporate finance, financial trading, and treasury management.
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7. Career Opportunities For Finance
‘Follow the money’ is a true and timeless adage. Finance careers offer many lucrative opportunities:
| Areas of Opportunity | Types of Roles |
| Banking and Financial Services | Investment Banker, Commercial Banker, Credit Analyst, Loan Officer |
| Investment and Asset Management | Portfolio Manager, Financial Analyst, Hedge Fund Manager, Private Equity Analyst |
| Corporate Finance | Corporate Exercise Manager, Debt Structuring Specialist, Treasury Analyst, Cost & Budget Analyst |
| Financial Planning and Advisory | Financial Advisor, Wealth Manager, Estate Planner |
| Insurance and Risk Management | Insurance Underwriter, Risk Manager, Portfolio Manager |
| Stock Market and Trading | Stockbroker, Financial Trader, Quantitative Analyst (Quant) |
| Economics and Research | Economic Analyst, Policy Analyst, Research Analyst |
| Fintech and Innovation | Financial Technology Analyst, Cryptocurrency Analyst, Fintech Product Manager |
| Compliance and Regulatory Roles | Compliance Officer, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Specialist, Regulatory Analyst |
| Government and Public Sector | Financial Examiner, Tax Advisor, Public Finance Manager |
Recommended Course Guides
Looking for other related courses? Here are various business-related course guides you should check out:
If you’re still not sure what to study, we have many other Course Guides that will provide more light on the subject matter. Share with your friends!
We also took the liberty to compile all our University Guides and Course Fees Guides so you don’t have to go anywhere else!
About the Author:
Ken Hoong is the co-founder of Uni Enrol and a contributing writer. Drawing on his close work with Uni Enrol’s counsellors, he brings keen insight into Malaysia’s evolving private higher education landscape and the shifting preferences of students in learning and career choices.
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