MBA Online

Below is an introduction to the admissions requirements for applying to APU Graduate Schools. For detailed admissions requirements, please refer to the following pages:
Requirements for the Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies
Requirements for the Graduate School of Management

When reviewing applications, the university’s Admissions Committee considers past academic performance, work and life experience, intellectual ability and other non-quantifiable qualities, such as motivation, self-confidence, leadership, and the ability to cooperate with others.
Any kind of professional or extracurricular leadership experience, especially if international in nature, is highly regarded.

As a guide, to be eligible to apply for our Master’s degrees you should have
good English language skills
completed an undergraduate bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized institution

MBA applicants are recommended but not required to have
3 years of relevant full-time working experience
a GMAT test score of over 500

PhD applicants are ALSO required to have
completed a Master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized institution
undergo pre-screening

MFIN7010
Mergers & Acquisitions
Liu, Qiao
General Information
This course is structured based on some of the most commonly discussed and applied issues in mergers and aquisitions. It intends to offer the students an opportunity to study the M&A process, understand different ways of valuing a target, explore how different valuation implications affect potential deal structures, and find the driving forces behind the winning M&A strategies. Meanwile, it covers various aspects of the academic research on M&A.
Topics covered include, but not limited to, overview of M&A, M&A winning strategies, M&A process, valuation, synergies, M&A mechanics and implications, M&A theory and empirical evidence, corporate governance, ownership restructuing and etc. Case examples from varous industries and countries will be prominently discussed.
Extra Information
Equivalent to MFIN6004 Managerial Finance

MFIN7001B
Financial Statement Analysis and Business Ethical Standards
3
Chan, Derek K. W.
General Information
This course introduces the fundamental concepts and techniques related to financial statement preparation and analysis. The accounting system is the information process used to record and report on economic activies of enterprises. Gaining an understanding of how economic activity is measured, and how it is reported, gives us the power to utilise that information to make our necessary decisions. Ethical and professional standards which those employed in the practice of financial analysis and investment mangement should know, understand, and apply will also be covered.
Extra Information
Equivalent to MFIN6007 Financial Statement and Risk Control
MFIN7003B
Mathematical Techniques of Finance I
3
Meng, R.
General Information
This course provides students with the necessary mathematical techniques used in continuous-time finance. It covers calculus, partial differential equation, applied probability and stochastic calculus. After taking this course, one should be able to fully understand no-arbitrage theory, Black-Scholes equation, risk-neutral probability and martingale. The purpose of this course is to lay down a solid mathematical foundation for students to learn more advanced topics in financial engineering, such as exotic options, interest rate derivatives and credit risk models.
Extra Information
Equivalent to MFIN6008 Mathematics of Financial Derivatives

Prerequisites:
1. Spreadsheet Modelling in Finance; and
2. Derivative Securities

MFIN6003B
Derivative Securities
1
Chang, Eric C.
General Information
Futures and options contracts are among the most actively traded derivative instruments. They are utilised either to earn a leveraged gain or to reduce portfolio risks. This course will provide basic concepts on the market structure, trading and hedging strategies, and the pricing of the actively traded instruments. Using arbitrage arguments, we will develop the binomial model, the Black-Scholes options pricing model, and several extensions of the Black-Scholes model. We will discuss the intuition behind the principle of risk-neutral valuation and the concept of equivalent martingale probabilities. We will apply the concepts to design and price some popular OTC products such as equity-linked notes, yield-enhanced notes, and principal guaranteed funds. We will discuss the risk exposure implications to risk managers with the presence of the model misspecification problem in trading strategies such as dynamic hedging, index arbitrage and programme trading. We will also consider stock index and foreign currency derivatives.

Prior Educational Background

Applicants for admission to PhD programs must possess a good first degree from a recognized university or an approved institution. An applicant’s undergraduate background is not a precondition for admission. We encourage students outside business majors, such as science, engineering, arts and other areas to apply.

The Application Date

Admission to PhD programs is for the beginning of the fall semester. The Admissions Committee begins review applications from January. Applicants are urged to submit all application materials (including copies of GMAT and TOEFL scores) by early February. Applications submitted after this date will be considered only if spaces are available. As not every department will consider admission to the PhD programs for each year, applicants should check with individual departments before they apply. Applicants will be notified of the decisions no later than May.

The GMAT or the GRE

An applicant must demonstrate his/her capability for graduate studies by obtaining a satisfactory score in the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), or other equivalent means. The test score is not the primary deciding factor for admission to doctoral studies. However, applicants with a GMAT score below 600 must have a strong academic record and/or extensive experience in their chosen field to demonstrate their potential. Registration forms for the test may be obtained by writing to:

Graduate Management Admission Council
1600 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 1400
McLean, VA 22102
USA

Tel: (703) 749-0131 Fax: (703) 749-0169 E-mail: webmaster1@gmac.com URL : http://www.gmat.org

TOEFL

For applicants who attended educational institutions where the language of instruction was not English and whose first language is not English, a satisfactory score in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.

Study Costs
1. Application Fees
Online application HK$150
Paper form application HK$300/US$40

2. Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are payable in two equal installments at the beginning of each semester. For local and non-local research postgraduate students:
Full-time HK$42,100 p.a.

3. Some Other Fees

Student Visa/Entry Permit Handling Fees (for non-local applicants applying for a student visa/entry permit through HKUST Admissions, Registration and Records Office. This is inclusive of the visa/entry permit application fee and the cost for forwarding the visa/ permit label.) HK$400
Caution Money HK$300
Students’ Union Fee - Initial entry fee HK$100

- annual subscription HK$100
Graduation Fee HK$300

We invite applications from October onwards for our annual intake which starts in the following August. The capacity for a typical Shenzhen part-time MBA intake is 60.

Making an Application
Application can be completed through our online application form. Simply register as a user and you could take as much time as you need to complete the application before the deadline.

Your application should include:1.
Completed online application form, including essay
2. Two reference forms or equivalent reference letters: one from your supervisor, the other from a professor of your UG university
3. Diploma Certificate
4. Degree Certificate
5. Academic transcripts
6. GMAT score report
7. TOEFL/IETLS score report (if applicable)
8. HK$500 application fee

We accept xerox or fax copies of (3) to (7) at the application stage.

Application Fee
The application fee is HK$500 (US$ 64) and can be paid by:1. Credit card as indicated on the online application form; or
2. Cash deposit to HKUST Hang Seng Bank account number 024 262 324999 014; or
3. Bank draft made payable to “The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology”

The original pay-in slip in (2) and bank draft in (3) should be couriered to the HKUST MBA Program Shenzhen Office. The fee is non-refundable. (Please visit the page “Contact us” for the mailing address of our Shenzhen Office)

Admissions Timetable
Admissions for 2009 intake operates on the following timeline:Phase Application Deadline Interview by Admission Results by
1 Dec 15, 2008 Jan, 2009 Jun, 2009
2 Mar 15, 2009 Apr, 2009 Jun, 2009

Consideration on late applications will depend on availability of places.

Interview
We conduct personal interviews with short-listed applicants. Motivation, interpersonal and communication skills, career plans and maturity will be assessed during the interview.

Admissions Decision
Evaluation is based on the information provided in the application and interview performance. Admission decisions are not formula-driven but depend on an applicant’s overall profile. Successful applicants will receive an admissions offer within one month of the interview.

Accepting an Offer
Successful candidates are required to return a signed acceptance together with a non-refundable deposit of HKD 20,000 before the stated deadline.

Admissions

Enrollment for each program is limited to ensure an optimal faculty-to-participant ratio; registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be received 2 weeks prior to program commencement by fax, email, or mail. Once accepted, applications will be processed within one working day and each applicant will be notified by a letter of confirmation. Please address all applications and inquiries to our customer service team in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou respectively.

Payment Requirement and Cancellation Policies

Tuition fee covers program materials and services, stationery, translation and interpretation, tea breaks, lunches, and a welcome banquet. Tuition must be paid in full amount in US dollars or equivalent RMB as indicated 10 days prior to program commencement. In case of cancellation, applicants must notify us 10 days in advance in order to receive a full refund. Otherwise, refund percentage is listed below:
Cancellation 9 – 5 days prior to program commencement: 80% refund
Cancellation within 5 days prior to program commencement: 60% refund
Cancellation after program commencement: non-refundable

Please note: course content may be subject to chance; please contact the admissions office for more detailed information.