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Master - full-time

Finance

What drives investment decisions of companies and investors and how should they finance their operations? Finance specialists know the answers.

**Joint 2nd place in best MSc Finance in the Netherlands - Higher Education Guide Masters 2018 **

By choosing this Master, you acquire knowledge, understanding and skills required to analyse and evaluate real and complex financial problems of companies and institutions and to design solutions for these problems. This programme focuses on a critical analysis and assessment of key issues in corporate finance and portfolio management, combining an academic perspective with a practical orientation.

The programme allows you to specialise in a broad range of areas such as corporate valuation, derivatives, institutional investing, banking and insurance, corporate governance, responsible financing, and development finance.

You are also trained to develop the academic skills to analyse important questions in each of these areas. By analysing (applied) research questions in the field of finance you learn to analyse and solve complex financial problems encountered by companies, investors, governments and international organisations.

In addition you will develop professional skills such as giving public presentations, working in teams and building computer models for business decisions.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Finance
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60046
Language of instruction
English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Economics and Business
Apply now
Why study this programme in Groningen?

Finance offers both an academic and a hands-on approach. There is a broad range of courses in corporate finance and asset management and there is great flexibility to choose your own content of the programme that fits your interests and to specialise in issues related to corporate valuation, and banking and risk management. Besides, it is an international accredited programme, ensuring a high quality education that according to the AACSB standard only 1% of universities worldwide meet.

Programme

All students of the MSc Finance take the Research Methods in Finance Course, a course in quantitative research in finance that focuses on the knowledge and techniques that are necessary to conduct a research project in finance. As such, it provides a good background for the final research project, i.e. writing a master's thesis of 20 ECs. Students also take the courses Corporate Finance and Portfolio Theory as mandatory courses.

Next to these three mandatory courses, the MSc Finance offers eight elective courses from which you choose four. Finally you may choose one course outside the Finance domain.

You will have advanced knowledge in a selected number of specific sub-fields in finance, such as derivative instruments, corporate finance, corporate valuation, responsible finance and investment, banking and insurance, portfolio theory, institutional investment management, corporate governance, behavioral finance, and finance and development.

Courses
Corporate Finance (5 EC)
Five electives MSc Finance (25 EC)
Master's Thesis Finance (20 EC)
Portfolio Theory (5 EC)
Research Methods in Finance (5 EC)

Curriculum

During the programme, you will develop both academic and professional skills. With respect to academic skills, the programme focuses on collecting and analysing data, planning and designing a research project and academic writing. Examples of professional skills are computer model building for business decisions, presenting in public, identifying and analysing problems and working in teams.

Check for in-depth info on all courses: https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/rug/vak/showpos?opleiding=5250

Programme options
Double Degree Master China and the World Economy (specialization)

2 year Double Degree programme in Groningen and Fudan University Shanghai

More information about this option

Double Degree Master Finance (specialization)

1.5 year Double Degree programme in Groningen and Lund University School of Economics and Management (LUSEM)

More information about this option

Sustainable Society Focus Area (specialization)

Focus your MSc on Sustainable Society and gain specialised knowledge in the field. There are two steps to the Sustainable Society Focus Area-

1) complete two electives from a predetermined list 2) write and round off an MSc thesis on a sustainable society topic

More information about this option

Finance & Development Focus Area (specialization)

Focus your MSc on Finance and Development and gain specialised knowledge in the field. There are two steps to the Finance and Development Focus Area-

1) complete two electives from a predetermined list 2) write and round off an MSc thesis on a finance and development topic

More information about this option

Energy Focus Area (specialization)

Focus your MSc on Energy and open up extra career opportunities. There are two steps to the Energy Focus Area-

1) complete two of four chosen electives 2) write and round off an MSc thesis on an energy topic

More information about this option

Master Internship (specialization)

Opportunity for an internship between February and June. You will be rewarded 15 ECTS on top of your programme. Your thesis will be postponed to the first semester of your next study year.

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated
Entry Requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

To be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master's degree from a research university in one of the following fields: Economics and Business Economics, Business Administration, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics of Taxation, International Business and Technology Management (with additional requirements).

To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies, and the grades that you have obtained.

Holders of a bachelor diploma of an accredited programme with a study load of 240 ECs of a Dutch Institution for Higher Education are eligible for admission after rounding off the pre-master programme for the MSc Finance.

Holders of a BSc diploma of an accredited programme with a study load of 180 Ecs of a Dutch University are directly admitted or eligible for admission after rounding off the pre-master programme for the MSc Finance, the foregoing to be assessed by the Admissions Board.

For more information, see: http://www.rug.nl/feb/education/admission-application/nl-route/1

If you have any questions concerning admission, please contact our Admissions Office: http://www.rug.nl/education/international-students/application-procedure/support/admissions-office or consult the guide for Teaching and Examination Regulations for more information about admission and application requirements: http://www.rug.nl/feb/education/student-handbook/?lang=en

Transfer options

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Economics and Business EconomicsUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with completed Intermediate Asset Pricing (EBB084A05) and Corporate Finance for E&BE (EBB079A05)
Business EconomicsUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with completed Intermediate Asset Pricing (EBB084A05), Corporate Finance for E&BE (EBB079A05) and Econometrics for BE (EBB061A05)
Econometrics and Operations ResearchUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with completed Intermediate Asset Pricing (EBB084A05) and Corporate Finance for E&BE (EBB079A05)
Business AdministrationUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Profile B&M and TM with completed minor Finance
Tax EconomicsUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with completed Intermediate Asset Pricing (EBB084A05), Corporate Finance for E&BE (EBB079A05) and Econometrics for BE (EBB061A05)
International BusinessUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with completed minor Finance

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
certified competences

GMAT/GRE; for specific scores (and exemptions), see http://www.rug.nl/feb/education/admission-application/intl-route/1

grade list

A certified grade list(s) is considered in the evaluation
language test

TOEFL internet based (IBT): 90, IELTS Academic: 6.5; for specific scores, see: http://www.rug.nl/feb/education/admission-application/intl-route/1

previous education

To be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master's degree from a research university in one of the following fields: Economics and Business Economics, Business Administration, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics of Taxation, International Business and Technology Management (with additional requirements).

To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies, and the grades that you have obtained.

For more information, see: http://www.rug.nl/feb/education/admission-application/intl-route/1

If you have any questions concerning admission, please contact our Admissions Office: http://www.rug.nl/education/international-students/application-procedure/support/admissions-office or consult the guide for Teaching and Examination Regulations for more information about admission and application requirements: http://www.rug.nl/feb/education/student-handbook/?lang=en

Language requirements

ExamMinimum score
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)C1
C2 Proficiency (voormalig CPE)C2
IELTS overall band6.5
IELTS writing6.5
IELTS speaking6
TOEFL paper based580
TOEFL computer based237
TOEFL internet based90

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 June 201901 September 2019
15 October 201901 February 2020
01 June 202001 September 2020
15 October 202001 February 2021
EU/EEA students01 May 201901 September 2019
15 October 201901 February 2020
01 May 202001 September 2020
15 October 202001 February 2021
non-EU/EEA students01 May 201901 September 2019
15 October 201901 February 2020
01 May 202001 September 2020
15 October 202001 February 2021
Tuition Fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2018-2019€ 2060full-time
non-EU/EEA2018-2019€ 14350full-time
EU/EEA2019-2020€ 2083full-time
non-EU/EEA2019-2020€ 14600full-time
Practical information
After your studies

Job prospects

As a graduate of the MSc Finance you will be trained for positions in which you contribute as a specialist in finance to decision-making in private (multinational) companies and financial institutions, consultancy firms, (international) institutional organizations such as the IMF, World Bank, ECB, etc. and governmental institutions.

The curriculum of the programme offers you several options to develop a specific labour market orientation selecting specific sets of courses. You may focus on a career in corporate finance, investing, banking, or finance and development. Because all our programmes are EQUIS and AACSB accredited, a standard which only 1% of universities reach worldwide, your degree will be highly valued on the labour market.

FEB Career Services
To support you in developing your career and strengthen your employability skills, our FEB Career Services empowers you to achieve lifelong success through various career services during your studies. Check: FEB Career Services.

Job examples

  • Financial management
  • Investment and asset management
  • Risk analysis and management
  • Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance Consulting
  • Banking
  • Stock trading
Research

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our education is strongly rooted in business practice and society. Also right from the start of your degree programme attention is paid to academic research and pre-professional development. Since an analytical and critical mind and problem-solving capabilities are important qualities in any career our students aspire.


Research institutes related to the MSc programme:

Economics, Econometrics & Finance
Global Economics and Management

Apply nowDownload brochureOpen days and eventsContact
Dutch brochureEnglish brochure
Master's dayBroerstraat 5More information
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Contact

If you want to know more about the programme Finance, please contact:

  • Testimonial of Marloes Beijen

    I found the whole idea of the MSc very enticing

    – Marloes Beijen
    Read more

    Following my BSc in Economics and Management I started my MSc in Finance this year. The programme offers more than just statistics. It also looks at theoretical aspects, for example the structure and valuation of companies. You learn how industry really works.

    I found the whole idea very enticing. I could have opted for the MSc in Risk & Portfolio Management, but I decided it was too specialized. RPM is particularly interesting if you want to focus more on portfolio investments. The MSc programme is a lot more demanding than the BSc: you need to work hard to do it in one year. What I particularly like is the fact that you can now specialize in the area that you are good at. The optional subjects allow you to decide which way to go. For example, I opted for a subject that revolves around analyzing banking risks. My ambition is to work in a particular financial post, and eventually I hope to find a job with a bank.

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Study associations

Risk

Risk is the study association for Accountancy, Controlling, Finance, and the financially interested student at the University of Groningen.
Risk has set itself the goal to close the gap that exists between theory and practice in the areas of Finance, Accountancy & Controlling, Organizational & Management Control, and International Financial Management.
https://www.verenigingrisk.nl/

EBF

The Economics and Business Faculty association (EBF) is the faculty association for all students studying at the faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen.
The EBF is your partner during your time in Groningen by organising events that support you with your studies and help you prepare for your future career.
https://www.ebfgroningen.nl/
Read more
Study support

Studying means working independently and planning your studies yourself. But successful studying depends on many different factors, so it is understandable that you may need to consult an impartial expert to discuss your study progress and personal circumstances that influence your studies. The faculty's study advisors are available to help you. Obviously, everything discussed with the study advisor remains confidential.

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