Master of Science in Banking and Finance
Utrecht University
Key Information
Campus location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,209 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* EU/EEA, Surinam or Swiss students; €17,500: International students
Scholarships
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Introduction
Financial markets play a key role in the stability and prosperity of economies, governments, and organizations, with a profound effect on the individual and society as a whole. Are you fascinated by the dynamic context of today’s financial markets, and do you want to make a positive impact on the future of international finance and banking? Then the Master’s in Banking and Finance at Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.) is the program for you.
Research Expertise
Based on Utrecht University’s research expertise, this unique and state-of-the-art Finance Master’s gives you a deep understanding of the interaction between the economic environment, economic policy, financial markets, and financial institutions.
In the Master in Banking and Finance you will focus on:
- investment banking in international financial markets
- regulation of banks and other financial institutions worldwide
- central bank policies and commercial banks’ strategic allocation, funding, and investment decisions
- risk management and the sustainability of financial systems and investments.
Development of Programming Skills
The ability to work with a programming language is gaining importance in the financial industry. Every year, more firms require mastering this skill. Therefore, this Master’s program encompasses programming workshops from the start of the academic year where you learn to program in Python. Weekly workshops are scheduled in both a period 1 and period 2 course. In period 3, it is optional to further advance your programming skills.
"This MSc in Banking and Finance provides state-of-the-art education for a new generation of financial professionals with an open mind for the world around us".
Dirk Gerritsen, Assistant Professor of Finance and Financial Markets
CFA University Affiliated Program
The MSc program in Banking and Finance is part of the CFA Institute® University Affiliation Programme. As such, this Master’s program is a good choice for students interested in enrolling in the CFA Programme and obtaining the CFA charter, the designation of excellence in the investment community. U.S.E. can offer scholarships to outstanding master students to undertake CFA exams at a special price.
Program Outcome
This MSc in Banking and Finance provides you with:
- the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary for a career in Finance;
- the opportunity to specialize in fields like investment banking and financial regulation;
- a chance to develop quantitative and coding skills and learn how to use them in financial applications;
- the opportunity to apply theory in practice with real-world case studies, research projects based on your interests, thesis internships, and career events;
- the opportunity to take part in debates in the Sustainable Finance Lab (SFL) and in the European Centre for Alternative Finance (ECAF), both of which are hosted at U.S.E.
Curriculum
In the Master in Banking and Finance you will focus on:
- investment banking in international financial markets
- regulation of banks and other financial institutions worldwide
- central bank policies and commercial banks’ strategic allocation, funding, and investment decisions
- risk management and the sustainability of financial systems and investments.
Career Opportunities
There is a growing need for well-trained young talent able to see ‘the story behind the numbers’ in the financial industry. As a graduate of the MSc in Banking and Finance, you are prepared to work within financial institutions and regulators worldwide, functioning at an excellent practical and academic level. Positions in the financial industry held by our graduates include:
- (Investment) manager at a financial institution (Rabobank, ABN Amro, PGGM);
- The regulator in the financial service industry (Central Banks, such as DNB, ECB, and AFM);
- Risk Manager and Compliance Officer at a financial institution;
- (Junior) consultant Financial Services Industry;
- Researcher at financial and government institutions (e.g. Central planning Agency, CPB).
Toward a Professional Career
In the financial sector, there is a growing need for well-trained talent able to make clear financial analyses. Further, the future of finance must include professionals who have a firm grasp on the impact their decisions have upon society. Graduates of the Utrecht University Master’s in Banking and Finance have gone on to work in a number of different institutions and sectors including:
- central banks, e.g. European Central Bank, Dutch Central Bank;
- commercial banks e.g. ABN AMRO, HSBC, ING, Rabobank;
- supranational financial institutions, e.g. World Bank, IMF;
- insurance firms and pension funds, e.g. Delta Lloyd, PGGM;
- financial market regulators, e.g. BaFin and AFM;
- start-ups and venture capital firms;
- consultancy firms;
- research institutes e.g. the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB), Eurostat;
- government ministries e.g. Ministry of Economic Affairs or Finance.