Research thesis

What does a thesis entail?

Embarking on an honours thesis is a thrilling academic adventure, brimming with opportunities for growth and discovery. We empower you to explore your own research ideas, inspired by both academic theory and real-world relevance. Along the way, we ensure you receive valuable feedback, including the honours coordinator, academic mentors, and industry professionals in the process. During the research phase, students benefit from the support of academic mentors and are paired with industry mentors to guide their progress.

From idea to thesis

  • During the Autumn semester, you write research proposals in different fields of finance.
  • You choose based on your interest, and through thoughtful discussion with faculty you narrow down the number of options.
  • Towards the end of the Autumn semester, you pitch 2 or 3 ideas to faculty and industry experts. Their feedback and suggestions will help you choose the thesis topic
  • From then, you meet regularly with faculty mentors and industry experts

Example of theses from previous Honours students

Oliver Cao - 2023 - Assistant Account Manager, EBM Insurance & Risk, Sydney, Australia
     Thesis: "How Does Automated Market Design Affect the Outcomes and Behavior of Liquidity Providers?"

Marlon Ferguson - 2023 - Founder, Horology & Heirlooms, Sydney, Australia
     Thesis: "Superfund Consolidation Following the Performance"

Jacob Lees -2023 - Investment Analyst, Barwon Investment Partners, Sydney, Australia
     Thesis: "Predicting Stock Prices: A New Approach to ML-Driven Sentiment Analysis"

Raymond Semaan - 2023 - Graduate, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
      Thesis: "Money Market Funds in the Shadow of a U.S. Treasury Default"

Shannon Akers - 2021 - (First class), Impact & Ethics Analyst, Australian Ethical Investment, Sydney, Australia
     Thesis: "The Road to Cheaper Debt: Sovereign Bond Yields and Infrastructure Investment"

Jonathan Choong - 2021 - (First class), Investment Specialist, Pendal Equities at Perpetual, Sydney, Australia
     Thesis: "Impermanent Loss and Price Discovery: Are Automated Market Makers a Sustainable Exchange Model?"

Pavle Drca - 2021 - Analyst, Olvera Advisors, Sydney, Australia
     Thesis: "Why do Fund Managers Trade So Much and Cost You Money?"

Luke Johnson - 2021 - (First class), PhD Student, Finance Department, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
     Thesis: "Legislation vs Guidance: The ESG Disclosure Dilemma"

Ngan Luong - 2021 - (First class), PhD Student,  University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
      Thesis: "It’s on the Rise: Climate Change and CEO Compensation"

Tamara Shadbolt - 2021 - (First class), Consultant, EY, Sydney, Australia
      Thesis: “Suspicious or Standard: How the ‘S’ in ESG Has the Game for Companies Under the Modern Slavery Act”

Alizeh Zaidi - 2021 - Auditor, HLB Mann Judd Sydney, Sydney, Australia
     Thesis: "BNPLs vs Traditional Lenders: Can Innovative Fintechs Take Over the Credit Card Sector?"

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.