Masters in Finance – Top Ranked MiF Degrees
A Masters in Finance is a postgraduate program preparing graduates for careers in Finance and may be positioned as a professional degree. The length of the program is usually between one and two years, depending on the school. For students looking to focus specifically on finance or closely-related fields, the Masters in Finance degree may be appropriate. Such programs focus on finance in a comprehensive manner, with courses in financial theory, mathematics, quantitative finance, investments, markets, financial reporting and analysis, and valuation.
Contrary to MBA programs, MiF degrees, as Masters in Finance are often called (M.Fin is also used), do not require students to have any work experience and are therefore open to applicants who come straight from completing an undergraduate degree as well. However, a requirement is often that the undergraduate degree is either in finance or a related subject, such as business, economics, mathematics etc.
The MBA equips graduates with a broader skill set and knowledge base comprising multiple aspects of business. A Masters in Finance program on the other hand is much more finance specific. For most applicants the choice between a Masters in Finance vs MBA is therefore rather easy to make: if you have at least 2 years of working experience, an MBA is the obvious choice and if you don’t, you do not meet the requirements for an MBA program and should consider a Masters in Finance instead.
Not all MiF programs require prospective students to take the GMAT or the GRE but some of them do. Additionally, for some Masters in Finance programs language proficiency tests such as TOEFL and subject-specific proficiency test may be required.
Some of the top ranked Masters in Finance programs based on recent Masters in Finance rankings are:
Program website: http://www.hec.edu/Masters-programs/Master-s-Programs/One-Year-MSc-MS-Programs/MSc-International-Finance/Key-Features
The HEC Paris MSc in International Finance (MIF) program caters for highly-motivated top achieving graduates looking to succeed in a career in finance and consulting. The program has a strong analytical focus yet is accessible from either business and finance (business track) or economics, math, physics, engineering (accelerated track) backgrounds. This is a 10 months program taught in English.
The program aims to fulfill two objectives within a short period of time: lay the necessary foundations for any career in finance and provide in-depth knowledge in each student’s field of specialization.
This goal is achieved by leveraging on the specific knowledge and experience students have acquired before joining HEC Paris:
- Business track students: have already taken at least introductory level courses in financial accounting, corporate finance, financial markets, derivatives and statistics in a Tier-1 international business school or university. They frequently have had first internships in banking or consulting and are looking for an advanced set of tools to jump-start their career.
- Accelerated track students: have received first class education in a highly quantitative field (maths, physics, engineering, econometrics…) and wish to switch their field to finance. They may or may not have taken some courses in finance and they may or may not have had a first internship in banking or consulting.
Business and accelerated tracks mainly differ in courses taught during the Fall term.
Business track students follow the same courses as the “Majeure Finance” students of the HEC Master in Management program, starting all courses at an advanced level and getting a first opportunity to specialize through “block electives”.
Accelerated track students start all finance courses at an introductory level. However, they go through an intensive Fall term where courses are taught making full use of their strong quantitative skills.
Business track and accelerated track students have access to the same pool of electives in the Spring term and have the same career opportunities at the end of the program.
Program website: https://www.unisg.ch/en/studium/master/banking-and-finance
The MBF programme is offered by the School of Finance of the University of St. Gallen, one of the largest finance groups in continental Europe. Professors are internationally recognized for their leading academic research and their commitment to excellence in teaching.
The MBF prepares you for a successful careeer in banking, consulting, asset management, insurance, industry, or academia. The typical graduate can choose from more than two job offers upon graduation.
The MBF programme is intended for holders of an excellent Bachelor degree in business, economics or in the hard sciences (e.g., mathematics or physics). You should possess strong analytical skills and be ambitious to solve challenging tasks related to financial market theory, institutions, or quantitative finance. Equally important, we expect you to be an effective communicator who is able to explain findings from the frontline of academic research to the practical world. In the MBF programme, our graduates will obtain high-quality education in both theory and application.
The ESADE MSc in Finance is a Full-time programme (10 months) which starts in September. It is taught in English, with the possibility of studying a number of electives courses in Spanish.
Location: Barcelona Sant Cugat Campus
Professional internship (optional): 3 – 6 months worldwide
Admission requirements
This programme is primarily intended for those with undergraduate degrees in Business Administration or Economics. However, those with other degrees can still be considered for admission. In the latter case, the Admissions Committee will assess their candidacies, and, if admitted they will be required to enrol in the Pre-Programme in Finance (PPF) course which usually starts three weeks before the beginning of the regular Master in Finance classes.
If you have any questions regarding your academic background, please contact the international admissions team (mscmanagement@esade.edu) and request a profile evaluation by sending your CV and university transcripts, if available.
To apply for the Master in Finance programme, students must demonstrate a solid quantitative background via their undergraduate degree, additional coursework, and/or a high GMAT quantitative score. The Admissions Committee will review each candidate’s eligibility individually.
Before beginning the MSc in Finance programme, students must have earned an undergraduate degree entitling them to undertake postgraduate studies in the degree-granting country. Find out more about this requirement here.
Fees (2017-2018):
MSc in Finance (MIF): € 26,500
MIF + CEMS: € 36,500
MIF + Internal Double Degree: € 38,500
MIF + External Double Degree: € 36,500
Program website: http://mitsloan.mit.edu/mfin/
Designed for future financial leaders who want to make an impact in the complex global economy, the Master of Finance program — known as MFin — may be completed in 12 or 18 months. The program builds upon MIT's unique legacy of academic leadership in the field of finance, combining its heritage with the latest in innovation, theory, and practice.
The 18-month format consists of four academic terms and the opportunity to complete a summer internship. Applicants for the 18-month format must complete an additional essay.
The Master of Finance program is designed to teach you how to use advanced mathematical models and quantitative methods to find answers to complex finance problems.
Building on the foundation of MIT Sloan’s powerful finance legacy, the MFin program offers its students an unprecedented combination of heritage, resources, rigor, and relevance, enabling them to become leaders who will shape the industry.
MFin graduates find careers in asset management, hedge funds, consulting firms, insurance companies, investment and corporate banks, brokerage firms, financial data providers, venture capital, ratings firms, and treasury and finance departments in governments and major corporations.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the MFin program if they have a bachelor's degree. Students with a three-year bachelor's degree from an international university are also eligible to apply.
Program website: https://www.insead.edu/master-programmes/executive-master-in-finance
INSEAD’s Executive Master in Finance (EMFin) combines these characteristics with a tailored programme that will hone your leadership and management skills as well as deepen your knowledge of the sector. Primarily taught in the Asia campus, the programme is strategically located in Singapore, a global and regional financial hub with a progressive and ever-expanding financial market.
INSEAD's EMFin provides a much greater depth of finance skills than you would normally experience in an MBA, while offering the leadership and management education you would not find in a typical finance degree. Our goal is to prepare financial leaders for the next level so that they can drive the corporate finance and investment management industries of the future.
INSEAD's Executive Master in Finance is a unique modular programme designed for experienced working finance professionals to accelerate their career without taking an extended leave of absence. Each two week module is separated by three to four months, providing ample time to implement new skills learnt in the classroom to your workplace. The degree will equip you with a greater depth of finance and management skills than you would normally experience in an MBA, while providing the leadership and management education you would not find in a typical finance degree.
The INSEAD EMFin is a 18 months programs that starts in September. Students in this program have an average age of 31 with 7 years of work experience on average.
Program website: https://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/programmes/msc-finance/
The MSc Finance is a 12 months programme that aims to prepare students for successful careers through teaching highly relevant topics and their practical application, alongside specialised and integrated support from our Career and Professional Development Service. Therefore, when we are selecting candidates, an understanding of the financial sector and well researched short and long term career goals are essential criteria. You have the opportunity to demonstrate your career plan through the Career Planning Questions on the application form, and this is an extremely important aspect of your application.
All candidates, regardless of your level of previous work experience are expected to provide evidence of your research into the professional areas, roles and potential employers that you are considering pursuing after you graduate – as well as the challenges you may face in your career and the skills you possess to help you succeed.
Prospective students are strongly recommended to undertake relevant internships and work placements and list them in the ‘Industrial/Professional Experience’ section of the application form and your CV, as this will add weight to your application. If you are committed to a career in the finance sector, we expect to see evidence of how you’ve been building your professional experience and knowledge throughout your undergraduate degree.
Admission to the MSc Finance programme is very competitive and the selection committee will pay close attention to all aspects of your application. To be eligible to apply for the programme you should normally have:
- A quantitative undergraduate degree at First or 2:1 Honours level (or international equivalent)
- A well-researched career plan with clear short and long term goals
- English language test results (if applicable)
Academic requirement
Preferably a First Class Honours degree or Upper Second Class Honours degree from a recognised university or the international equivalent in a highly quantitative discipline such as:
- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Economics
- Finance
- Science
There are no specific ‘A’ Level criteria, but many banks and companies in the financial sector have very strict grade requirements for their graduate programmes.
Prerequisite knowledge requirements
MSc Finance is a highly quantitative programme and therefore all students commencing the programme are expected to be proficient in probability, calculus, matrix algebra and real analysis.
GMAT is not required for MSc Finance, but a well-balanced GMAT result with 650 or higher overall will add weight to your application. The current class average from students who have taken GMAT is 700.
If your undergraduate degree is not in a highly mathematical discipline you will need to demonstrate your suitability with excellent results in your quantitative modules. Submitting a GMAT or GRE result is also highly recommended. A score of at least 48/60 in the quantitative section of GMAT, or at least 750 (old test) or 159 (new test) in the quantitative section of GRE will add weight to your application.
You should use the ‘Quantitative Experience Statement’ on the application form to list the most advanced quantitative courses that you have taken in your academic career to date and to provide brief examples of the relevant topics covered by the programme.
Program website: https://www.london.edu/masters-degrees/masters-in-finance-full-time
Develop a truly global view of finance and tailor the programme to suit your career aspirations. Study full-time (10 to 16 months) or part-time (22 months) and develop in-depth knowledge and skills vital for specific career paths in the finance world through one of our three concentrations. Further adapt the programme through an extensive range of electives, practitioner courses and industry-focused events for an unparalleled hands-on learning experience.
Two formats
- Part-time: 22 months
- Full-time: 10 or 16 month.
Class profile
- 50 nationalities (August 2015 intake)
- 185 students (August 2015 intake)
- 100+ faculty from more than 30 countries
- 40,000+ alumni across 150 countries.
Career impact
Become a top candidate for finance roles. Benefit from our strong finance reputation and connections to key institution. We have forged invaluable relationships with top employers and recruiters in London and around the world.
Practical learning
Benefit from hands-on experience and opportunities to practice your skills outside the classroom. Gain the frameworks and technical knowledge essential to advance your career in finance, along with the context that puts those new skills into action. Transform your skill set and build your financial expertise.
Customisation
Tailor your learning to meet your career ambitions by completing between seven and 10 electives from a diverse choice of more than 30. Concentrations can be taken by selecting certain electives and other practical learning options, and you are given additional flexibility with weekend, daytime, evening and block-week classes.
As a full-time participant, if you commit to a fourth term, your scope of programme experiences expands: spend time on international exchange at a partner institution, undertake a company-sponsored project or discover more about the asset management industry in New York and Boston on a Global Business Experience. For maximum flexibility on the full-time programme, you can decide on this during your studies.
Global outlook
Study with a diverse group of fellow finance professionals from across the globe. Develop a truly global finance perspective, to understand the different financial processes in other countries through our international exchange programmes.
Program website: http://www.ie.edu/business-school/degrees/masters-finance/programs/master-finance/
The IE MiF is a full-time 11 months program that starts in September and taught in English. Students have 0-2 years of work experience on average. The program prepares students for the CFA level I exam & increases candidate´s appeal for recruitment processes for leading financial institutions.
The Master in Finance equips participants with the latest knowledge in key areas of finance such as leveraged buy-outs, credit derivatives, and mergers and acquisitions. Graduates typically go on to work in investment banks, private equity firms, and as asset managers. The program offers up to 60 electives, allowing students to adapt the program according to market demand.
The program offers preparatory classes for the CFA level I, which will have many benefits for our students with regards to career opportunities. Students of the Master in Finance have five scholarships available per calendar year to enable them to take this exam. Every year, five students will be selected to take part in the CFA Research Challenge.
Students in the program have an average GMAT score of 680 (Minimum required 610), and their age range is 19-25.
The application process
The main points that we evaluate during the admissions process include: the candidate´s knowledge and interest in finance, excellent quantitative skills, capability to work in a multicultural group and to handle heavy workload & stress. Also, the candidate´s enthusiasm, motivation and proved potential to highly succeed in the finance sector are important evaluation factors for us.
The online application allows us know you better in order to find out if you are the candidate we are looking for. Fill in the application in the language in which you intend to pursue the program. In order to process the application, candidates must pay a non-refundable application fee of 125€.
You can choose to present 1 of the 3 different entrance exam options:
– GMAT, minimum of 610 points (Reporting code 6XT-ZH-93)
– CFA Level I for Master in Finance & Global Master in Finance
– CFA Level II for Master in Advanced Finance
If the Admissions Committee deems that your profile meets these standards, we will contact you to arrange an interview. This interview will be conducted in person, or in the case of our international applicants, via Skype webcam.
The interview examines the data provided in the application in greater detail and evaluates whether your profile will meet the demands of the program.
Program website: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/programmes/master-of-finance-mfin/
The Cambridge Master of Finance provides an academically rigorous and commercially relevant master's level degree in finance combined with excellent resources to support career development.
The Master of Finance has been designed in consultation with the banking and finance industry and provides a first-class training for ambitious and successful finance professionals wishing to strengthen their existing knowledge of finance.
Admission requirements
Undergraduate achievement
A strong academic background; at least a high UK 2:1 or equivalent (GPA of 3.6 or higher), although a First Class Degree is strongly preferred; any degree subject is potentially eligible. We are actively looking for those without a finance background at degree level.
Professional experience
At least two years of finance-related work experience; this could be in a bank or financial institution, but could also be in financial accounting or finance-related legal work, or in the financial arm of a non-financial company. Ideally, at least one year of this should be in a front office finance role or equivalent.
If you have only one year of finance-related work experience you may still be eligible to apply. You must have one year of finance-related work experience, plus one additional year of professional experience relevant to a future career in finance (i.e. a total of two years’ graduate work experience). Please contact the admissions team for further information.
Language requirements
The MFin programme is taught entirely in English, and it is important that you can read, write, speak and understand English fluently. If you are a non-native English speaker you must provide us with evidence of your fluency in English.
We require you to provide test results that meet the requirements of one of the tests listed below. Your results must be from a test taken in the two years prior to starting the programme.
- TOEFL – 110, with no element below 25
- IELTS – average of 7.5, with no element below 7.0
- CAE minimum score of Grade A
- CPE minimum score of Grade A, B or C
If you scored 7.0 on IELTS or between 100 and 109 on TOEFL, and you feel that you are a strong candidate, you are also welcome to apply. However, we reserve the right to ask you to either retake and improve your test scores, or attend an additional assessment conducted by the University, if we were to invite you for an interview.
We ask you to self-report your scores on the application form. If you are invited for an interview, we will ask you to bring the original English language test certificates with you.
References
We require three references for the Master of Finance application:
- Professional reference from your line manager/supervisor
- Peer reference from a team member/colleague
- Academic reference
GMAT/GRE
The submission of a GMAT or GRE score is optional for anyone applying to the MFin. We assess the strength of an application based on all of the information the applicant provides us (including the application, transcripts and references). Therefore, in some cases a GMAT or GRE score can provide more information and potential strength to an application, particularly in cases where the academic score is border line for our requirements or if the scoring of academic qualifications is unfamiliar to us. However, we do not consider a GMAT or GRE score by itself as enough to accept or reject an MFin application and it cannot be presented as evidence of a strong academic record by itself. Please note we do reserve the right to request a GMAT or GRE score on the rare occasions where we feel it is necessary.
If you do wish to submit your GMAT score, please self-report your score on the application form.
Program website: http://www.sdabocconi.it/en/specialized-master-full-time-executive/mcf
The Master in Corporate Finance (MCF) is an intense and stimulating one-year program in English, designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive innovation and master different international finance management techniques and tools, whether you work for a company or an institution. We train an élite of highly skilled finance professionals, well equipped to take their future career to the highest levels.
What MCF can offer you:
* A Specialized Master 100% finance-focused, to form professional graduates
* Practical and applied financial knowledge and technical skills
* Ability to directly tackle financial tasks without any additional training
* B-School intense teaching methods (business cases, business games, professional faculty, simulation, software)
* Specialized technical preparation by a faculty that has strong links with the financial community.
SDA Bocconi MCF students are offered the opportunity to complete their education either in New York or in Mumbai by joining the NY Track with Fordham University’s Master of Science in Global Finance (MSGF), or by attending the Mumbai Track at MISB Bocconi.
Program website: https://master.edhec.edu/msc-finance
The MSc in Finance is an advanced and comprehensive programme constructed to give you competency in all key corporate finance and financial markets topics. The programme is specifically designed for graduates and young professionals, with prior training in a numerate discipline, who wish to pursue an international career in Finance.
You will be given the tools and know-how to assess companies and investments, evaluate portfolio management strategies and master corporate finance decisions at a business level. The MSc in Finance is a CFA Program Partner and closely follows the CFA level 1 exam curriculum. Completion of the MSc in Finance will prepare you to sit for the CFA Level 1 exam.
Admission Requirements:
We are looking for intellectual talent with a history of achieving high-level goals.
♦ 3 or 4-year bachelor degree (in finance, engineering, management, etc.) with advanced quantitative courses.
♦ Strong GMAT or GRE or TAGE MAGE or CFA Level III or CAT* official test score report. (CAT* for Indian students only).
♦ Acceptable English proficiency tests/certificates (TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS)
- TOEFL Internet based ≥ 95
- TOEIC ≥ 815
- IELTS ≥ 6.5
- Cambridge Test of English > CPE
English native speakers or those holding a degree taught in English (minimum 3 years) are eligible for an English Test waiver.
Program website: https://escp.eu/programmes/specialised-masters-MScs/mastere-specialise-finance
First created in 1987, the ESCP Europe Advanced Master in Finance is now a benchmark reference for finance education in Europe.
It boasts prestigious faculty, an extensive alumni network of finance professionals, and solid, long-standing relationships with financial institutions (banks, brokers, finance companies).
The programme involves over 30 weeks of rigorous full-time academic coursework:
15 weeks on the ESCP Europe Paris Campus and 15 weeks on the London Campus – immediately followed by an internship to boost applied professional skills and an individual research project (thesis).
The Advanced Master in Finance is in constant dialogue with leading figures in the world of finance in order to adapt its contents to changing market needs and to ensure the highest quality of instruction possible.
Admissions Requirements
- Holders of a first Master's degree.
- Holders of a Bachelor degree (240 ECTS) : with a minimum of 3 years professional experience
- Holders of a Bachelor degree (240 ECTS) without professional experience (less than 30% admitted)
Program website: https://www.wbs.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/finance/
Join us to gain a deep theoretical and conceptual knowledge of finance and quantitative skills which will prepare you for a range of careers in the financial sector.
WBS benefits from excellent links to key financial institutions and employers and this course has benefited from recommendations following consultation with the Bank of England, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, and many of our alumni.
Entry Requirements
Academic qualifications
The finance programmes are challenging technical courses. To succeed on these courses you will need strong mathematics and statistics or econometrics ability, this could be demonstrated by a high 2.1 or 1stachieved in a relevant subject at Undergraduate level.
You must also have achieved a good standard in mathematics, economics, and statistics/econometrics at undergraduate level.
GMAT & GRE
We do not require a GMAT or GRE score but a well-balanced score (700+) may strengthen your application.
English not your first language
If English is not your first language, you must meet a minimum overall standard in a recognised test of English, examples are shown below. You must show a good balance across all sections of the test and it must have been taken within two years of starting the course. We will require your certificates as evidence.
Educated in the English language?
If you are a non-native speaker of English but have been educated entirely in English for your degree, and completed this within the last two years, this may satisfy the University of your language skills. For further information, please see the University’s page for English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English
We do not offer a pre-sessional English class as an alternative to achieving these scores. Any pre-sessional course should be viewed as a way of settling into living and studying in the UK and not as a way of boosting your score.
Program website: https://finance.broad.msu.edu/msfinance/
The Broad MS Finance is a rigorous, accelerated program designed for recent college graduates seeking expertise in areas like financial analysis, valuation, corporate governance and restructuring, asset management, investment research, sales and trading, insurance and risk management. Your interest in Broad MSF shows that you recognize excellence, not only in our program, but in yourself.
The program offers a lot of flexibility and cutting-edge instruction. You can tailor the curriculum to your interests and needs, as well as to latest demands of the market. The Program Director is focused on enabling each of you to get the most out of the program.
The Broad Finance program has been officially named a CFA Program Partner. As such, the MSF curriculum covers more than 70% of the CFA Body of Knowledge and teaches student the tools they need to prepare for CFA exams. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification is a professional designation awarded by CFA Institute. The professional investment community recognizes the value of the CFA certification in its hiring and promotion decisions.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is competitive and is based on the applicant’s overall record. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee admission. Although all of the minimum standards must normally be met, the applicant’s overall record will be considered, including letters of recommendation, student’s statement of objectives, work experience, extra-curricular activities, and test scores.
1. Applicants should apply electronically. Application fee of $50 is due at the time of application submission.
2. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree from a recognized educational institution, with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Part of the on-line application should be scanned transcripts and degree certificates. Students recommended for admission will be required to submit original or certified transcripts and degree certificates. Please note that the applications will be handled through secure on-line channels, ensuring that the privacy of the information is fully maintained.
3. Have at least two years of full time work experience after earning the bachelor degree. This condition can be waived for exceptional candidates.
4. Two letters of recommendation are required. It is desirable that at least one letter be written by a faculty member from whom the applicant took a course, or for whom the applicant served as research assistant. Applicant should arrange for the letters to be sent to MSF Admissions, Department of Finance, Eli Broad Graduate School of Management, Michigan State University, 315 Eppley Center, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
5. Working knowledge of personal computing, including, at minimum, the use of Internet, word processing, and spreadsheets.
6. Students should complete equivalents of MTH 124: Survey of Calculus I and STT 315: Introductory Probability and Statistics for Business.
7. A laptop will be required for study.
8. GMAT score (minimum of 600) (school code: QH0-5P-69) or GRE score (minimum of 310 verbal and quantitative) is required. The GMAT/GRE score must be fewer than five (5) years old. A GMAT/GRE waiver may be requested by applicants at the time of application. Waiver requests will be considered at the time of application and waiver decisions will be communicated within 10 days of submission.
9. International students only: A minimum IELTS band score of 7 or a minimum TOEFL score in any of the following areas (school code: 1465, departmental code 4102)
a. 600 (paper score)
b. 250 (computer score)
c. 100 (internet score)
Students with lower scores or without score may be admitted on a provisional basis, in accordance with applicable university rules and regulations. The IELTS/TOEFL is waived for applicants whose undergraduate degrees are from the U.S., Canada, or from any other institution that delivered the applicant’s instruction predominantly in English.
Program website: https://fisher.osu.edu/graduate/smf
In the SMF program you will practice in real life what your professors have taught in the classroom. You’ll be given actual business challenges and work with your peers to solve them. You’ll dive deep into a variety of finance issues and discuss how they impact business. And you’ll choose a specialization in finance so you can provide focused expertise to your employer from day one. The Specialized Master in Finance program comprises of 30 semester-hours of coursework. Required coursework gives students in-depth training in financial and quantitative analytical skills, and in developing teamwork and communication skills. Students have practical learning opportunities through software training and a project collaboration with industry professionals.
Admissions
The Specialized Master in Finance (SMF) admissions committee is looking for highly motivated, talented, and diverse students.
We are looking for applicants who have a passion for finance, are determined to succeed, and are willing to be challenged in an intensive program.
Your application to the SMF program should illustrate your accomplishments, how motivated you are to pursue a rigorous graduate degree in finance, and your goals after graduation. The committee will thoroughly review essays, resumes, transcripts, and test scores to find the top candidates for the Fisher Specialized Master in Finance program. It is critical that you present your strengths, profile your professional experiences and potential, academic excellence, and give us insight into your personal experiences and goals for the future.
Be true to yourself, don’t just tell us what you think we want to hear… show us who you are and who you want to become.
The MS in Finance program is supported by a proven curriculum and complemented by the School’s publication of three preeminent journals including: the Journal of Financial Economics, the Journal of Accounting and Economics, and the Journal of Monetary Economics. Students may complete the program in 10 months of study or enhance their experience with a 17-month internship track. Simon’s MS in Finance is a STEM-designated program.
Admissions
We welcome applications on a rolling basis; however, the Full-Time MS programs have multiple application rounds with their own application deadlines. We encourage you to submit your application on or before the January 5 deadline to receive priority admission and scholarship consideration.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
* Online application form
* Current résumé
* One required essay (12-point font, 250-500 word limit)
* Applicant fun fact (12-point font, 25-word limit)
* School-issued official transcripts, scanned and uploaded for each college attended (admitted students will be required to submit official transcripts at a later date)
* Test-taker results for GMAT or GRE, (including Analytical Writing Assessment scores, Integrated Reasoning scores, etc.) scanned and uploaded.
* Test-taker results for TOEFL or IELTS, scanned and uploaded (all international candidates except those who received a degree from an English-speaking institution).
* One letter of recommendation (submitted electronically); a second letter of recommendation is optional
* $150 application fee. Simon Business School is honored to waive the application fee for active-duty military members and military veterans.
Program website: https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/programs/master-of-science/financial-economics
The Master of Science in Financial Economics is a two-year STEM eligible master’s degree program offered by the Finance Division of Columbia Business School. The MSFE provides academically distinguished and industry-oriented students the opportunity to obtain a rigorous, graduate level finance and economics training in an intensive two-year program. Students take a carefully constructed curriculum of PhD and MBA courses offered at Columbia Business School. The program has a significant overlap with our PhD program, but is intended for students who prefer a shorter and more industry-oriented experience than the School’s Doctoral Program.
The goal of the program is to provide students with the quantitative and theoretical tools for a successful career in finance with potential employers such as investment and commercial banks, economic and financial asset management companies, consulting firms, and policy-oriented organizations.
Candidates should have academic preparation equivalent to that of entering PhD students, and should be fully prepared to participate in PhD classes and to complete a substantial research project. Applicants who may also be considering MBA or PhD programs are encouraged to carefully review the academic differentials between the offerings to better understand the preparation for post-MS opportunities.
MSFE Admissions Requirements
Applicants are required to complete an application including an application form, a two-part essay, a résumé or CV, transcripts from all post-secondary courses of study, two letters of recommendation, test scores, and an application fee. A checklist and additional information are included below. Requirements are similar for international and domestic applicants.
Application Checklist:
- Nonrefundable application fee (U.S. $100)
- Two essays
- Résumé or CV
- Two letters of recommendation
- Transcripts from all institutions attended after high school
- GMAT or GRE scores
- TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores (please see our English Equivalency Exam Policy )
Skema business school offers several Master programs in the finance domain:
| Programme | Campus | Intake | Language |
| MSc Auditing, Management Accounting & Information Systems | Paris | September | English |
| MSc Corporate Financial Management |
Paris
Sophia-Antipolis
Lille
Belo Horizonte (Brazil)
Suzhou (China)
|
September & January (Suzhou – no January intake) |
English |
| MSc Financial Markets & Investments | Sophia Antipolis
Raleigh (USA)
Paris
|
September & August | English |
| Paris Lille |
October & February | French & English | |
| MS Wealth Management (MS Manager en Gestion de Patrimoine Financier) | Paris | October | 80% in French, 20% in English |
http://www.essec.edu/en/program/mscs/master-finance/
Consistently ranked as one of the best Masters in Finance in the world – #5 Financial Times-, it is designed for high potential students who want to pursue a career in Corporate Finance, Financial Markets, FinTech, Asset and Portfolio Management, Risk Management; and occupy positions in investment banks and most prestigious financial institutions.
The Master in Finance, recognized by the French Higher Education and Research Ministry as Master Degree, is a graduate program tailored to individual needs and goals. It offers 3 specialized tracks in Corporate Finance, Financial Markets and FinTech & Analytics.
The curriculum is flexible and it is full-time covering courses, 2 study trips to the major financial centers (London and New York or Hong Kong), internship or academic dissertation, and the possibility to obtain certificates on FinTech & Analytics, Energy & Commodities, and/or AMF certification.
https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/programmes/msc-financial-economics
Saïd Business School finance faculty, together with the Department of Economics deliver the 9-month programme combining rigorous academic training with tailored real-world applications, designed in consultation with leading financial recruiters. This is a full time program that starts in September.
To apply to our MFE programme you need the following:
- Undergraduate degree
- GMAT/GRE
- Work experience (preferable)
- References
- Essay
- English language proficiency
https://mfe.haas.berkeley.edu/academics
We calibrate every aspect of the one-year Berkeley MFE Program to lead to your career destination. Your classroom instruction delivers the financial engineering knowledge and best practices you will put to use in the experiential learning that forms the heart of the program. That starts with a 12-week internship and continues with an applied finance project. Both of these experiences put you at the top of the queue when applying for jobs after graduation. From faculty members who are the force behind groundbreaking financial instruments to the industry leaders who advise on the curriculum, this STEM degree program is designed to be relevant in a constantly evolving industry.
The Haas MFE Program is one of only two degree programs in financial engineering offered solely under the auspices of a business school. Most financial engineering programs are taught in mathematics, engineering, or operations research departments. As a result, MFE students learn about computational finance within the context of business and economic principles, and enjoy the additional advantages of the business school's career services, corporate contacts, and orientation towards business applications. The Berkeley MFE program is also the only financial engineering program that includes a ten-week, mid-program, winter internship as part of the curriculum. All courses are taught on the UC Berkeley campus during the 12-month, full-time program. Due to the intensive nature of the program it is not feasible for students to work while in the program, outside of the Fall internship period.
The differences between an MFE and MBA are numerous. Some of the differences are obvious, for example the MFE program is one year, while an MBA typically takes two years. Many MBA programs can be taken on a part time basis, while our program is full-time only. The MFE is a Master's degree in a specialized type of Finance, and an MBA is a more general, well-rounded business degree. Courses you might expect to take in an MBA program would be in Marketing, HR/Management, Accounting, and Finance. In the MFE program, we only cover these topics as they relate to the specific field of financial engineering. Most MBA programs do not require the high level of math, analytic ability, or computer programming experience required by the MFE program. The combination of skills obtained by MFE graduates (understanding of complex financial strategies, financial modeling ability. and computational proficiency) are difficult for employers to find in graduates of standard MBA or Engineering programs.