Master of Science in Finance and Banking
Master of Science in Finance and Banking
The Master of Science in Finance and Banking provides you with the necessary skills for solid decision-making in finance, banking, and financial regulation.
The MSc in Finance and Banking provides students with the knowledge and practical skills to succeed in the financial sector, in commercial or investment banks, consultancy, or in the finance department of any company. Practically focused and internationally oriented, this MSc program includes elective courses that allow students to choose their preferred track according to their career plans.
The program benefits from the outstanding world-renowned faculty of UPF's Department of Economics and Business, the faculty of UPF-BSM, as well as the participation of professionals and experts from the sector who will share their Finance and Banking expertise.
The Master of Science in Finance and Banking is endorsed by Pompeu Fabra University, the 1st Spanish university and the 15th best university in the world (of those with less than 50 years), according to the Times Higher Education ranking. In addition, UPF Barcelona School of Management has EQUIS accreditation, the most prestigious institutional recognition for business schools globally.
In addition, this program is recognized by Eduniversal Ranking as one the best master's degrees in Corporate Finance. In 2021 the program is placed on the 47th position in Europe and is among the Top 5 Best Masters in Corporate Finance in Spain.
Program jointly offered with:
Why choose this program
International recognition
Study at a school accredited by EQUIS, international distinction that guarantees the quality of our institution and makes us the 1st school of management linked to a public university with this accreditation in our country.
Excellent teaching staff
You will learn from the faculty of the UPF's Department of Economics and Business, from the faculty of UPF-BSM, and from experienced business professionals from some of the top financial firms, consultancies, and corporate financial services.
Full immersion in Finance and Banking
The subjects in the program will offer you a global vision of financial institutions, markets, and consumers. You will work on real case studies using the latest technological tools, quantitative analysis trends, and research techniques.
Analytical focus
You will master and put into practice the latest analytical tools and techniques, used by financial analysts.
QTEM Program
You will have the opportunity to undertake an extension of your master with the QTEM program, an optional experience to study abroad at more than 20 top international universities which are leaders in the field of Economics, Finance, and Management.
CFA Accreditation
The Master's is a member of the University Affiliation Program of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute. At the end of the Master you will be ready to take the exam to obtain the CFA accreditation, a prestigious international recognition in investment management and financial analysis, and for which there are two scholarships offered in each course.
You can also take part in the CFA Research Challenge, a team competition in which more than 1,000 universities and Business Schools participate from all over the world.
Who is it for?
The MSc in Finance and Banking is aimed at recent graduates and junior professionals with previous analytical studies such as Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics among others. Applicants with a different academic background may be asked to provide proof of sufficient quantitative and analytical training (GMAT).
Accreditations
This is an official master and has the academic recognition of the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain. The Quality Agency of the University System of Catalonia (AQU Catalunya) has institutionally accredited the UPF-BSM. This accreditation certifies all the official university master's degrees that we teach and recognizes the quality of our educational model in accordance with the criteria of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
The program is part of the QTEM network, with more than 20 international universities specialized in economics, finance and management. UPF Barcelona School of Management is the first and only Spanish institution that is part of the QTEM network.
Curriculum
The MSc in Finance and Banking is organized over three terms.
During the first term all students will take the Basics of Finance and Banking core courses. Electives will be distributed throughout the three terms with the highest workload during the second and third term.
Students have the option to do curricular internships in companies. Career development sessions will be offered to aid students in finding the placement and prepare them for their professional future.
From October to June, students will work on their MSc thesis, supervised by a specialized faculty member.
Core courses
Electives
MSc Final Thesis
Complementary activities
Additional Off-Program Activities
Further to the course's regular classes, all Master of Science students have the possibility of attending free complementary training parallel to the running of their studies. The following activities are optional and are included in the program's tuition fees:
- Brush-up Courses: preparatory crash-courses on business and economy-related subjects which take place two weeks prior to the beginning of the program.
- Spanish Course: free of charge during the first term. 3 hours/week course at the UPF's language school.
- Career Development Program: career sessions and workshops where students obtain specific training on how to improve their professional profile, approach potential employers and develop professional soft skills.
Double Degrees
UPF Barcelona School of Management Master of Science in Finance and Banking offers a Double Degrees option with:
- Washington University in Saint Louis - Olin Business School (United States):
- Global Master in Finance
- Global Master in Finance
- EBS Business School (Germany):
- MSc in Automotive Management
- MSc in Real Estate
- MSc in Management
QTEM Progam
After successfully completing the Master of Science in Finance and Banking students have the opportunity to participate in the QTEM Program, an optional and free of charge experience to study abroad at more than 20 top international universities which are leaders in the field of Economics.
Find more information about QTEM here.
International mobility
The UPF Barcelona School of Management offers you the possibility of expanding your training and international vision through different programmes and activities:
- International mobility programme: extend your studies extracurricularly, during the academic year following the completion of your Master's, at a top-level institution. Limited places.
- Study Trip: optional trip to a European city in which conferences and visits to companies will be scheduled so as to expand knowledge and acquire a global vision.
Qualification obtained
Once students have completed the course they will obtain the Máster Universitario en Finanzas y Banca / Master of Science in Finance and Banking official Master's Degree awarded by Pompeu Fabra University.
Students will also receive an additional Master of Science in Finance and Banking completion certificate awarded by the UPF Barcelona School of Management.
Issuance of official Master's Degrees: The amount stipulated in the DOGC (Official Gazette of the Government of Catalonia) must be paid for the rights to issue the title. This rate varies annually and the rate in force at the time of application for the degree will be applied.
Note:The information contained in these documents is for information purposes only and may be subject to change in the adaptations of each academic year. The definitive guide will be available to students enrolled in the virtual space before the start of each subject.
Faculty
The MSc in Finance and Banking benefits from the outstanding world-renowned faculty of the UPF's Department of Economics and Business and the faculty of UPF-BSM. Experienced professionals from diverse sectors are invited to share their expertise and professional experience during the year.
Academic directors
Associate Professor UPF
Faculty
Senior Lecturer UPF-BSM
Associate Provost for Strategic Projects
Associate Professor UPF
Associate Professor UPF
Ramon y Cajal Researcher UPF
Senior Lecturer UPF-BSM
Director of the Academic Department of Finance & Control
Methodology
The MSc in Finance and Banking is an on-campus program that combines diverse teaching methodologies in its various courses to offer a rigorous, hands-on and interactive learning experience, involving both individual and group work.
Lectures
Concepts and methodologies are introduced by leading academics and highly-experienced professionals in the financial sector, who are experts in their respective subject matters.
Practical case studies
Learning from the successes and failures of real organizations, and training problem solving skills based on acquired competences.
Guest speakers
Experienced professionals from the corporate and financial sector are invited to share their knowledge and expertise with the students in an interactive environment.
Interactive activities
Stock market competitions, investment games, and role-playing allow the students to enhance the learning process through hands-on interactive activities.
In-class discussions and group activities
Debates, discussions, and presentations allow the students to learn how to contribute to and respond to group dynamics, and benefit from the diverse group of students that participate in the program.
Evaluation
The evaluation system may vary from course to course and it will be based on the student's performance on a selection of the following activities:
- Written exams and multiple choice tests
- Oral presentations
- Individual assignments and essays
- Group projects
- Class participation and debate interventions
- Performance in simulation and role-playing games
Tools
Project-oriented learning and the combination of lectures and active methodologies such as case studies, flipped learning, solving real problems and professional simulations allow the student to connect theory and practice, acquire advanced skills and achieve learning which is transferable to work.
You will have:
- Master's or postgraduate work to learn by doing
- A personal mentor to monitor your Master's Final Project (TFM) or Postgraduate Final Project (TFP)
- Digital resources to achieve transversal skills
- Interdisciplinary activities and workshops
Professional Future
The MSc in Finance and Banking is aimed at recent graduates and junior professionals with analytical backgrounds who wish to acquire the necessary skills for solid decision-making in finance, banking and financial regulation.
Student profile
Every year the program welcomes junior profiles, coming from analytical backgrounds, to study finance and banking in Barcelona: a vibrant, dynamic and international city. The program has a multicultural environment with students from all around the world. The first step to work, communicate and negotiate globally.
Career opportunities
The Master of Science in Finance and Banking provides students with the opportunity to undertake a curricular internship, if desired. Resources and assistance will be provided by UPF-BSM Careers Service to support students in their search for internships and job positions.
- Financial manager in a corporation or a startup
- Financial analyst in a commercial bank, insurance company or government
- Data analytics and fintech
- Investment bank or M&A analyst
- Financial consultant
- Financial advisor in private banking or wealth management
- Portfolio manager, trader or stockbroker
- Accountant
Admission and enrolment
Our admission process consists of a rigorous evaluation of each application to preserve the quality of the group as well as the training, experience, and work capacity of all students.
Who can apply?
Bachelor degree
Applicants must have finished or be in the last year of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university. Ideally, students should come from any of the following academic fields of study:
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Life and Health Sciences
Applicants with a different academic background may be asked to provide proof of sufficient quantitative and analytical training by presenting a 650 or higher GMAT score.
If you are currently studying the last year of your Bachelor Degree you will need to finish your university studies and obtain your final diploma before the beginning of the program. If you finished your Bachelor Degrees some time ago you should preferably not exceed 3 years of working experience in a position relevant to the program's field.
Proficiency in English
An official English certificate is required in order to be successfully enrolled.
If you do not have your English results at the time of admission, you will be required to provide it two months before the course starts. Admission without an official English certificate will be considered conditional until the certificate is provided.
The English certificate scores are:
- TOEFL CBT: > 235
- TOEFL PBT: > 575
- TOEFL IBT: > 100
- CAE: C1
- IELTS: > 7
- Duolingo: > 115 (accepted during the academic years 20/21 and 21/22)
Applicants whose mother tongue is English do not need to present the aforementioned certificate.
Applicants who have completed their full Bachelor's Degree at an English-speaking university must submit written evidence that the language of instruction of their studies was English."
How to apply?
To apply for admission to this program, students must read and accept the Terms and Conditions of Contract once they start the application for admission through its form.
Application for admission
Complete your application within the next admission rounds:
| Round | Application deadline | Resolution deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/11/2021 | 25/11/2021 |
| 2 | 01/12/2021 | 16/12/2021 |
| 3 | 16/12/2021 | 31/12/2021 |
| 4 | 12/01/2022 | 27/01/2022 |
| 5 | 02/02/2022 | 17/02/2022 |
| 6 | 23/02/2022 | 10/03/2022 |
| 7 | 16/03/2022 | 31/03/2022 |
| 8 | 06/04/2022 | 28/04/2022 |
| 9 | 27/04/2022 | 12/05/2022 |
| 10 | 18/05/2022 | 02/06/2022 |
| 11 | 08/06/2022 | 23/06/2022 |
| 12 | 22/06/2022 | 07/07/2022 |
| 13 | 06/07/2022 | 21/07/2022 |
| 14 | 19/07/2022 | 29/07/2022 |
Applications for admission will be evaluated when you complete the following steps:
- Complete the online admission form.
- Pay the €120 admission fee. This amount will be returned if you are not admitted.
- Send the following documents through the online platform e-registrar:
- Presentation letter or video
- CV
- 2 academic recommendation letters (mandatory) and 1 professional (optional)
- Scanned copy of university degree (if you are in the last year of your degree, you can provide your academic records)
- Scanned copy of Transcript of Records. Make sure that it includes your GPA (Grade Point Average)
- Scanned copy of ID Card or Passport
- Passport-size photo (jpg format)
Additional documents may be requested in certain cases.
Applications are subject to the number of places available on the program.
Admission
- The Admissions Committee will select the candidates on the basis of a personal or CV-based interview.
- You will be notified of the admission decision in writing.
Enrolment
- Resgistration must be paid within a 15 days after the admission.
- Once the letter of acceptance to the program has been received, you will need to submit the following original documents before the course begins:
- Stamped and/or authenticated photocopy of your university degree.
- Stamped and/or authenticated photocopy of your transcript of records.
- If you have a foreign degree you may need to submit additional documents.
- Paying the reservation fee (25% of the program's tuition fees) is essential in order to reserve your place
- If you pay the tuition fees by bank transfer you will be required to introduce the program code. The program code for this course is 1566.
- The remaining tuition fees must be paid 2 weeks before the start of the course.
Grants, scholarships and financing
Scholarships
The UPF Barcelona School of Management offers you different means of financing so that you can take any of our programs without worry. We offer you the opportunity to finance part of your program, either by rewarding your talent through scholarships, through grants from entities dedicated to promoting education or through collaboration agreements with financial entities.
Grants and discounts
Language: English
Price: 18500€