I would conditionally recommend ECON3236 International Finance, especially if you are doing both Economics and Finance. Having done Level 2 Macroeconomics and Derivatives makes the unit much easier. If you are a pure Finance major with little macro background, some parts may be challenging, especially exchange rate models, DD-AA diagrams, and policy analysis. The unit covers international macro topics like exchange rates, balance of payments, monetary and fiscal policy, as well as finance topics like forwards, futures, options, swaps, hedging, and currency risk. Derivatives knowledge definitely helps for the finance-related content. The weekly online quizzes are quite chill because they are open book, so they are a good way to secure marks if you keep up. The in-class quizzes need more preparation, especially for diagram and calculation questions. The assignments were manageable, but I felt the marking was quite harsh. You need to clearly explain the link between theory, diagrams, and real-world examples. Generic answers will not score well, so clearer marking expectations would have helped. Overall, this unit is doable if you stay consistent, practise the diagrams, and revise the finance topics early. It is not an easy WAM booster, but it is worthwhile if you have the right background.

I would conditionally recommend this unit if you're an Economics and Finance major, who's completed Derivatives and Level 2 Macroeconomics. If you are a pure finance major, and haven't done Level 2 Macroeconomics (plus other macro-style economics units), you will struggle with this unit. Additionally, if you've completed - or studied concurrently - Derivatives, you will find this unit much easier. Around a quarter of the unit is based on Derivatives concepts (i.e. simple option mechanics, swaps, futures and hedging), so having a grip on these is made easier with prior study. In the final exam, we had to construct an option trading strategy in the short-answer section. This is extremely easy for anyone completing the second half of the derivatives unit, but challenging for those who haven't. In terms of unit structure, the unit is run relatively well, however there is not an easy 10% bonus mark. Instead of tutorials, there's a 2 hour, fortnightly seminar type thing. In this session, they just read out the answers to the questions from the previous week and go through the quiz answers. You cannot get access to the solutions without attending these classes. The class itself is a waste of time; it's a stupid structure. You should be being taught, not showing up in person to take photos of the slides (which could have been emailed to you). Ideally, take this unit with a conscientious friend, who can take photos of the slides and send them to you, so you can skip the classes. If you meet the above criteria and don't get too frustrated at dumb classes, you'll do well in this unit. If not, consider Economic Policy instead, to meet your 3rd year requirement as a Economics major. If you're doing Finance and Economics majors together, definitely do this unit, as it counts for both majors. (Then you can save a unit and do a fun WAM booster instead, like ukulele, personal finance or gym.) To anyone reading reviews, please pay it forward and review your subjects! Reviews have helped me a lot.