Master of Finance

Program Overview

This AACSB-accredited M.Sc. Finance program trains students for a successful career in finance through hands-on projects, expert faculty, and practical internship experience. It emphasizes internationality with an integrated semester abroad and prepares graduates for global finance roles in areas such as investment management and financial advisory. The program is taught 100% in English, offers a Double Degree option, and includes career services to enhance employability.

Program Outline

Master of Finance Program Details:

Program Name: Master of Science (M.Sc. Finance)

Objectives:

• Develop expertise in financial management.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the interrelations between markets.
• Sensitize students to current finance-related topics.
• Prepare students for a successful career in finance.

Description:

• The program expands knowledge in accounting, taxation, financial law, controlling, and financial rating.
• It provides intensive exchange with lecturers with hands-on experience in finance.
• The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including quantitative finance, financial planning and rating, risk management, investment banking, controlling, and auditing.
• Students apply theoretical knowledge through projects that require teamwork to solve real-life problems in corporate financial management.
• The application process consists of uploading certain documents, an interview with the program director and the preparation of a shorty case study powerpoint presentation.

Key Facts about this Program:

• Campuese: the program is offered at four campuses in Germany: Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, and Berlin.
• Program Duration: Standard period of study: 3 semesters plus 1 semester master thesis (full-time)
• Fast Track option: 3 semesters with 90 ECTS (requires 210 ECTS from Bachelor or alternative admission criteria)
• Semester Start: September (fall term)
• Practical Experience: 12-week compulsory internships and practical projects
• Languages: the program is taught 100% in English.
• It includes a compulsory integrated semester abroad.
• Students can earn a second international degree (Double Degree) at one of ISM's partner universities.
• Students acquire general and specific foreign language skills.
• The program is internationally AACSB accredited, signifying high quality in teaching and research.
• ISM is a member of the CFA Institute's University Affiliation Program, emphasizing professional and practical education.

Program Content M.Sc. Finance

1st Semester

Quantitative Methods

• Financial Mathematics (2 ECTS)
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• Statistics (2 ECTS)
• Financial Modeling & Investment Decisions (2 ECTS)

Investing & Financing

• Asset Management (2 ECTS)
• Capital Market Theory (2 ECTS)
• Corporate Finance (2 ECTS)

Derivatives Theory & Application

• Derivatives: Foundations & Applications (3 ECTS)
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• Option Pricing Theory (3 ECTS)

Financial Reporting & Business Law

• International Accounting (2 ECTS)
• International Taxation (2 ECTS)
• International Business Law (2 ECTS)

Leadership Skills

• Corporate Governance & Business Ehtics (2 ECTS)
• Negotiation, Communication & Executive Presentations (2 ECTS)
• Cross-Cultural Leadership (2 ECTS)

2nd Semester

Advanced Reporting

• International Financial Reporting (2 ECTS)
• ESG & Group Reporting (2 ECTS)
• Auditing (2 ECTS)

Regulation, Rating & Risk Management

• Financial Market Regulation (2 ECTS)
• Rating (2 ECTS)
• Financial Risk Management (2 ECTS)

Corporate & Investment Banking

• Public & Private Market Transactions (2 ECTS)
• Mergers & Acquisitions Case Study (2 ECTS)
• Corporate Valuation (2 ECTS)

Frontiers in Finance

• Blockchain & Digital Assets (2 ECTS)
• Applied Data Science in Finance (2 ECTS)
• Cap Stone Project (2 ECTS)

Internship: (practical phase I) (6 ECTS)

3rd Semester

Semester abroad. (24 ECTS)

Electives depending on ISM partner university and individual specialization.

4th Semester

MASTER'S THESIS (30 ECTS)

Internship: (practical phase II) (6 ECTS)

Teaching:

Methods:

• The program emphasizes practical application of knowledge through projects and teamwork.
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• Students present their results to the class or in front of companies.

Faculty:

• Lecturers have hands-on experience in the field of finance.
• Professors are experts in their field and offer comprehensive access to all topics.

• The program is AACSB accredited, signifying high quality in teaching and research.
• ISM is a member of the CFA Institute's University Affiliation Program, emphasizing professional and practical education.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Investment manager
• Financial advisor
• Controller
• Financial analyst
• General manager
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• Opportunities:
• Graduates have a varied range of career options.
• The program provides strong career entry opportunities.
• The program prepares students for successful careers in the finance industry.

Other:

Student Experience:

• The program provides a personal teaching atmosphere with small learning groups.
• Students have the opportunity to network and collaborate with fellow students and professors.
• The program offers a high quality of teaching and impressive profiles of professors.
• Students have access to relevant and current global investment finance best practices through practical projects, workshops and company excursions.
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• Double Degree Option: Get a second master's degree from a partner university. Admission Requirements: A first degree in economics or alternatively 30 ECTS points in the field of business sciences, all requirements
• Accreditations: AACSB, FIBAA, German Accreditation Council