Prizes & Scholarships

 

 

 

FINSIA Prize

Established in 1999 by FINSIA (formerly the Australasian Institute of Banking and Finance), this cash prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (School of Business) in consultation with the Head of the Department of Finance & Quantitative Analysis to the student with the highest level of attainment across the core second-year finance papers taken in a calendar year. The value of the prize is set down in the current university schedule of awards.

Forsyth Barr Ltd Prize in Business Finance

Established in 1983 by a donation from Forsyth Barr & Co, this cash prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (School of Business) in consultation with the Head of the Department of Finance & Quantitative Analysis to the student with the highest level of attainment at the 300-level. The value of the prize is that set down in the current schedule of awards.

CFA® Institute's Scholarship Program for University Students

The Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Program is a globally recognized standard for measuring the competence and integrity of financial analysts.  Its curriculum develops and reinforces a fundamental knowledge of investment principles.  Three levels of examination measure a candidate's ability to apply these principles at a professional level. The CFA exam is administered annually to more than 100,000 candidates in over 90 nations, including New Zealand (Wellington and Auckland). 

The pass rate for the Level I exam over the last decade has been between 30% and 40%. Otago scholarship recipients have had a pass rate of approximately 90% over the same period. We are proud of our students and the success they have had. In December 2009, all five Otago scholarship recipients who sat the exam passed it. We hope to continue this level of success.

Up to 10 student scholarships are available for University of Otago students to become new CFA candidates at Level I, with students paying US$220 instead of a registration/exam fee of at least US$1020. This covers the registration for the CFA Program and enrolment for the Level I exam in December 2010 or June 2011 at over 100 locations worldwide. Students must fulfil all candidate requirements to register and must complete their bachelor's degree no later than 31 December 2011.  The pass rate for the December 2009 Level I exam was approximately 34%, and thus the exam should not be taken lightly as it requires a significant amount of study in addition to your regular course work.

The 2010/2011 scholarship application form will be available from this site in late July 2010.

CFA CFA candidate self-assessment test (PDF 59K)

For additional information on the program, click here or contact Dr Scott Chaput (scott.chaput@otago.ac.nz).

Deutsche Bank Financial Markets and Investment Banking Scholarships

($2,500 per year for two years)

Two scholarships are awarded annually to full-time students in their penultimate year of either a Bachelor's degree with Honours or combined Honours in Economics, Finance, Accounting, or Economics and Statistics; or a double degree in Law and Commerce, where the major subject for the Commerce degree is one or more of Economics, Finance, Accounting, or Economics and Statistics.

Students completing their Bachelor's degree this year who are intending to proceed to postgraduate (i.e. PGDipCom or MBus) courses next year in Accounting, Economics or Finance are also encouraged to apply.

Applications close with the Undergraduate Scholarships Office, Student Administration on 10 March 2010.

First New Zealand Capital Ltd Scholarship for Studies in Finance and Economics  

This scholarship was established in 2003 by First NZ Capital, one of New Zealand’s leading investment banks. First NZ Capital offers a full range of services including investment banking, retail investor services, equity and fixed interest sales and trading, and equity and economic research.

One scholarship is awarded annually to a student whose full-time course of study in the year of tenure includes one or more 200-, 300- or 400-level papers in Commerce or another approved course.

The University Council awards the scholarship is to the applicant who is recommended for the award by a selection committee, comprising the Head of the Department of Finance and Quantitative Analysis and a representative of First NZ Capital.

In making its recommendation, the selection committee takes into account an applicant's academic record, aptitude in Finance and/or Economics, leadership potential and prospects for making a contribution to the finance profession in New Zealand.

Holding another scholarship does not exclude a student from holding this scholarship, but he or she may not be in employment for more than 15 hours per week.

The scholarship is tenable for one year at an emolument of $2,000 or a sum determined by the donors.

The University Council may at any time terminate the scholarship if the recipient ceases to follow satisfactorily a full-time course of study in the year of tenure, including one or more 200-, 300- or 400-level papers in Commerce or another approved course.

The closing date for applications (to be sent to the undergraduate scholarships officer) is 11 March 2010.

ABN AMRO

This scholarship is to encourage the study of finance and related fields.  The scholarship shall be open to full-time students who are enrolled in three or more 300-level courses in Finance, Accounting, Commercial Law or Economics or any such combination of these subjects and who have shown an aptitude in the study of finance.  It is valued at $2,000 and is tenable for one year and is awarded by the University of Otago Council on the recommendation of a selection committee which shall consist of the Dean of the School of Business, the Head of Department of Finance and Quantitative Analysis and a representative of ABN AMRO.

Applications for the scholarship need to be made in writing to the Scholarships Office no later than 30 June in the year of the award.

Murray & Company Investment Banking Scholarship and Work Experience Placement

Murray & Company is a Christchurch-based investment bank involved in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, corporate advice and principal investment. The firm has a strong international network and offers its clients a unique blend of international and domestic knowledge based on the extensive experience of its principals in banking, finance and investment.  In providing this scholarship opportunity, while Murray & Company acknowledges an intent to raise its corporate profile, its aim is to foster interest and awareness in the investment banking sector in New Zealand, with a view to encouraging home-grown talent and ultimately contributing to New Zealand’s economic future.  To learn more about the company visit:  www.murrays.co.nz/home.htm.

The Scholarship

The annual scholarship is offered on a competitive basis between the students of Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago Universities. A covering letter, a commentary on a recent corporate finance transaction and an application form are required to be submitted to the relevant University Scholarship Office by close of business, 1 September 2010. No interview is required. The successful applicant will receive $1500 in October. In 2008, the scholarship went to Nicholas Tompkins of Otago University.

Application for the scholarship is open to a student of the University of Canterbury, Lincoln University or the University of Otago in his or her final year whose full-time course of study includes one or more 300-, 400- or 600-level Finance paper.

Visit this link for more information. Closing date: 1 September 2010

Work Experience Placement

The Work Experience Placement is designed to give the chosen student some exposure to the work of both of the firm’s divisions. Within the Investment Banking Division, the student’s first week will involve working closely with a team of skilled investment bankers who work on both national and international corporate finance transactions. During the second week in the Wealth Management Division, the student will be given an insight into how such a business operates and the depth of knowledge required by an investment adviser to create and manage portfolios to specific client requirements. The next placement will occur in November 2011 and is unpaid. However a $200 voucher towards expenses will be received by the student.

The application process for the Work Experience Placement requires interested students to apply directly to Murray & Company with a covering letter and a CV by close of business, 1 June 2011. We anticipate interviews taking place at the end of June.

Visit this link for more information.

Information about Other Scholarships

Further information about scholarships at the University of Otago is available at http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/scholarships/index.html.