Finance is the study of financial decision making in investment, portfolio management and corporate finance as well as managing risk, financial innovations in a dynamic business environment.

As a student in finance, you'll study areas such as corporate and personal finance, investments, global finance, financial technology (fintech), financial institutions and markets, and derivatives. You will develop your skills using excel, statistical, trading and portfolio management software and draw from fields such as economics, accounting and social responsibility as you prepare for career opportunities in the areas of banking, investments, international finance, trading, risk management and more. You’ll also have the opportunity for hands-on financial trading through our Student Managed Investment Fund.

At the Dhillon School of Business you have a choice of completing a 10-course certificate in Management (finance focus), a 20-course (approximately two-year) finance diploma, or completing our 40-course (approximately four-year) business degree program majoring in finance direct from high school, as a transfer student from college, or as a second degree opportunity. If you choose the certificate or diploma, you have the option of laddering that education into the degree. Finally, you also have the option of completing a 50-course combined degree by completing two complimentary university degrees simultaneously (approximately five to six years), broadening your skill set and increasing your versatility in the job market. For example, a Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Management (BA/BMgt) combined degree with majors in finance and computer science. 

As a finance major, you can also choose a minor to enhance your knowledge in a secondary line of study. Several minors complement finance well, such as supply chain management, fintech and financial innovation, international management and Indigenous governance. Learn more about our available minors.

Why take finance at the Dhillon School of Business?

The fantastic news is that the career landscape for students in finance is projected to have above average number of job openings provincially, nationally, and internationally now and in the coming years.

As a student you'll experience the best financial management education through our hands-on training inside and outside the classroom from expert faculty. Our world class Centre for Financial Market Research and Teaching, or 'trading room" is fully integrated into our teaching, bridging your academic knowledge and practical experience, making you career ready.

Upon completion, students can pursue professional designations in finance such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Canadian Securities Course (CSC). If you’re interested becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA^®), recognized as the premier certification for investment professionals, you’ll be happy to know that our finance major is Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA^®) recognized. We also offer 15 scholarships you can apply for to help to cover the cost of CFA exams.

Many of our students also enrol in co-operative education while at the Dhillon School of Business. Co-op allows you to get paid work experience before you graduate and can even help you land a job immediately after graduation.

 Employment stats for a career in finance*

Job postings in the last 12 months

• Canada: 14,058
• Alberta: 1,440

Salary 

• Canada (zero to five years of experience): $83,300
• Canada (six years of experience or more): $112,400
• Alberta (zero to five years of experience): $87,900
• Alberta (six years of experience or more): $140,000

Top employers hiring

Canada:

• Deloitte
• Government of Northwest Territories 
• BMO Harris Bank
• RBC
• TD Bank

Alberta: 

• Nutrien
• ATB Financial
• Canada Trust Company
• Westjet
• Government of Alberta

* Employment data provided by Lightcast 2023. 

The advantages of being a Dhillon School of Business student

Experiential learning

You’ll have lots of opportunities to apply the theories you’ve learned in the classroom to real-life, hands-on situations as well as programs to help you connect with our student community. As a Dhillon student, you'll have access to these experiential programs and more:

• Co-operative Education (Co-op)
• DSB Edge
• Student Professional Development
• Integrated Management Experience (IME)
• Student Managed Investment Fund
• Dhillon School of Business student clubs
• Hungary work-study
• Malaysia work-study
• International exchanges
• Case competitions

Visit our Dhillon School of Business website to learn more about student experience opportunities.

Education that’s personal

Our students say they chose the Dhillon School of Business because of the smaller class sizes and more personal and supportive approach to teaching. Here you’ll get many opportunities to connect and interact with your professors and peers to set you up for success.

Flexible study options

Whether you’re a traditional student interested in our Lethbridge campus with full-time classes during the day or a working professional interested in the Calgary Campus’s evening and weekend classes, we have a flexible study option for you.

Internationally recognized for quality

As an AACSB accredited business school, the Dhillon School of Business have met very rigorous quality standards proven to provide you with the best in business education worldwide. You can trust that your education here will give you a distinct advantage in the real world including more competitive salaries, more employers interested in you after graduation and more. See all our professional accreditations and designations.