Behavioural Finance (FNCE90086)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2025 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks

Overview

Availability
Semester 2
FeesLook up fees

Almost all financial phenomena are a consequence of human decision-making. Elucidating the psychological nature of decision-making is therefore critical for understanding many issues in finance. This subject provides students with knowledge of major trends in this interdisciplinary research field which combines elements of both psychology and finance. The subject introduces methods of examining psychological mechanisms underlying human decision-making, and how these mechanisms can explain anomalies in financial behaviour that cannot readily be explained by existing methods in the finance discipline.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to

  • Acquire knowledge of major trends in a research field spanning the disciplines of finance and psychology
  • Understand psychological processes behind human financial decision-making
  • Explain why psychology is useful for understanding financial problems
  • Critically evaluate psychological mechanisms underlying anomalies in finance markets

Generic skills

  • Oral and written communication
  • Problem solving
  • Application of theory to practice
  • Team work
  • Critical Thinking
  • Evaluation of data
  • Using Computer Programs
  • Statistical Reasoning

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Students must meet one of the following prerequisite options:

Option 1

Admission into one of the following:

  • MC-FIN Master of Finance
  • MC-FINANCE Master of Finance
  • MC-FINENH Master of Finance (Enhanced)

Option 2

Admission into one of the following:

  • MC-MGMT Master of Management
  • MC-MGMTACT Master of Management (Accounting)
  • MC-MGMTAFN Master of Management (Accounting and Finance)
  • MC-MGMTFIN Master of Management (Finance)
  • MC-MGMTHRE Master of Management (Human Resources)
  • MC-MGMTMKT Master of Management (Marketing)

AND

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
FNCE90018 Corporate Financial Policy
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
FNCE90056 Investment Management
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Individual assignment

  • 1500 words
Week 430%

Individual assignment

  • 1500 words
Week 830%

Final Examination

  • 2 hours
During the examination period40%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorMichele Garagnani
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hourscomprising one 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour workshop per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    To be advised by the subject coordinator

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025