Unit outline_

FINC6013: International Business Finance

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In our highly globalised and integrated world economy, understanding international dimensions of financial management is essential for businesses. This unit provides a greater understanding of the fundamental concepts and the tools necessary for effective financial decision making by business enterprises, within a global setting.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Finance
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
FINC5001
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Juan Yao, juan.yao@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Cara Vansteenkiste, cara.vansteenkiste@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written exam Final Exam
Closed-book written exam
50% Formal exam period 2 hours AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Written test Mid-Semester Test
closed-book test Date to be announced on Canvas (by school)
20% Week 07
Due date: 18 Apr 2026 at 09:40
1 hour AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Case studies group assignment Assignment
Written task
30% Week 11
Due date: 15 May 2026 at 17:00

Closing date: 29 May 2026
12 double-spaced typed pages AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • In-semester test: This is a closed-book test.
  • Assignment: This is a written task to be completed in a group. The group assignment topic is to be released before week 5.
  • Final exam: This is a closed-book exam. The exam may comprise of a combination of  short answer, problem solving and discussion questions.

Detailed information about each assessment will be released on the course Canvas site.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Written work submitted electronically after 11.59 pm on the due date will be considered to have been submitted late. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction; 2. FX markets and exchange rates 1 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 FX markets and exchange rates 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
FX markets and exchange rates 2 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 International parity conditions 1 Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO5
International parity conditions 1 Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 04 International parity conditions 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO5
International parity conditions 2 Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 05 Currency derivatives: futures, options and swaps 1 Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Currency derivatives: futures, options and swaps 1 Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 06 Currency derivatives: futures, options and swaps 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Currency derivatives: futures, options and swaps 2 Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 07 Mid-semester Test Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Mid-semester Test Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Risk management and foreign currency hedging Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Risk management and foreign currency hedging Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 09 Measuring and managing real exchange risk Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6
Measuring and managing real exchange risk Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 10 Exchange rate determination and forecasting Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Exchange rate determination and forecasting Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 11 Real options and cross-border investment Lecture (2 hr) LO6
Real options and cross-border investment Tutorial (1 hr) LO6
Week 12 International debt and equity financing Lecture (2 hr) LO6
International debt and equity financing Lecture (1 hr) LO6
Week 13 Professional development and review Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Professional development and review Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the course Canvas site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. apply the basic foreign exchange concepts to the foreign exchange market, recognise its key institutional features, and quotations
  • LO2. apply basic exchange rate determination models to detect arbitrage opportunities
  • LO3. explain how currency derivative contracts such as futures, forwards, swaps and options can be used to hedge and speculate based on anticipated exchange rate movements
  • LO4. make recommendations on the hedging practices of international corporations based on the knowledge and principals of currency derivatives
  • LO5. apply, fundamental international parity conditions such as Purchasing Power Parity and Interest Parity to exchange rate determination
  • LO6. explain why domestic firms may wish to indulge in foreign currency financing and investment as well as recommend how the choice is made between domestic currency and foreign currency financing and investment decisions.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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