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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Finance
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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.

By choosing the MSc Finance, 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 critical analysis and assessment of key issues in corporate finance and portfolio management, combining an academic perspective with a practical orientation.

You will 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
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Why study this programme in Groningen?

MSc 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.

Moreover, the programme is internationally accredited, guaranteeing a high-quality education that meets both the AACSB and EQUIS standards, a status that only one percent of business schools worldwide achieve.

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. You 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.

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.

CoursesCourse Catalog >
Corporate Finance (5 EC)
Five electives MSc Finance (25 EC)

Some examples: Corporate Governance, Corporate Valuation, Institutional Investment, Energy Finance, Banking Insurance & Risk.
Master's Thesis Finance (20 EC)
Portfolio Theory (5 EC)
Research Methods in Finance (5 EC)
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)

What drives investment decisions of companies and investors and how should they finance their operations?

In this double degree programme, you obtain two masters at two renowned universities: MSc Finance from the University of Groningen (UG) and MSc Finance from Lund University School of Economics and Management (LUSEM). Both programmes are research-driven. Yet, whereas the programme in Groningen is more practically oriented with courses such as company valuation, institutional investment management and banking, insurance and risk management, the programme at LUSEM goes deeper into theoretical modelling and applying econometric techniques.Once you have completed this double degree you will have academic knowledge and expertise in solving complex financial problems and understanding contemporary international literature in finance. You will learn how to apply this academic knowledge when you're analyzing new or unknown financial problems.

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 to gain work experience by doing an internship in the second semester of your study.

You will be rewarded 15 ECTS on top of your programme. Your thesis will be postponed to the third semester.

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. For more information, please visit: https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc. If you have any questions concerning admission to this programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/admissions.
other admission requirements

Not meeting the pre-education requirements for direct entry? Please read more about our pre-Master programmes: https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.

Transfer options

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Universities of applied sciences

Via a pre-master

More information:
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
Fiscale EconomieUniversity 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

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 October 202001 February 2021
01 May 202101 September 2021
15 October 202101 February 2022
EU/EEA students15 October 202001 February 2021
01 May 202101 September 2021
15 October 202101 February 2022
non-EU/EEA students15 October 202001 February 2021
01 May 202101 September 2021
15 October 202101 February 2022

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
certified competences

GMAT/GRE; for specific scores and exemptions, please see https://www.rug.nl/feb/gmat-gre.
language test

IELTS Academic overall score 6.5 (Speaking 6, Writing 6.5); TOEFL internet-based overall score 90 (Speaking 20, Writing 24); C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency (with minimum score 180); University of Groningen Language Centre Test (Speaking B2, Writing C1).

  • ETS is offering the TOEFL tests as an online option to take from home worldwide. Please check their website for more 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. For more information, please visit: https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc. If you have any questions concerning admission to this programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/admissions.
other admission requirements

Not meeting the pre-education requirements for direct entry? Please read more about our pre-Master programmes: https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.

Registration procedure

Students have to apply via Studielink and the Online Application System (OAS) of the University of Groningen. After you apply for the programme of your choice, the Admissions Office will evaluate your educational background and assess your eligibility. Your application will be assessed on an individual basis. More information on how to apply.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 October 202001 February 2021
01 May 202101 September 2021
15 October 202101 February 2022
EU/EEA students15 October 202001 February 2021
01 May 202101 September 2021
15 October 202101 February 2022
non-EU/EEA students15 October 202001 February 2021
01 May 202101 September 2021
15 October 202101 February 2022
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2020-2021€ 2143full-time
non-EU/EEA2020-2021€ 15000full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch studentsInternational students
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 one percent 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. In order to give you a better idea of your prospects after graduating, we have gathered some facts and figures from our alumni.

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 nowBrochureEventsContact
Dutch brochureEnglish brochure
Online Master's WeekMore information
More events

Contact

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Study associations

Risk

Risk is the study association for the financially interested students at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen.
Risk has set itself the goal to close the gap between theory and practice in the areas of Finance, Accountancy and Controlling, Management Accounting and Control, and International Financial Management. Risk also organises activities to enhance the contacts between its members, the academic personnel and businesses.
https://www.riskgroningen.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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