Masters Degrees in Financial Management, Netherlands

Today financial management operates in a highly complex, interconnected and fast-moving international arena. Organisational objectives have to integrate a wide variety of considerations, from long-term stakeholder value to the short-term financial growth that is desired and demanded. Do you want to take on the challenge of being one of the new generation of chief financial officers (CFOs) with the complex skills to effectively manage the finances of large, SME and start-up businesses? Then the Master’s in Financial Management at Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.) is for you.

RESEARCH EXPERTISE

Based on Utrecht University’s research expertise, this multidisciplinary Master’s gives you a broad and specific understanding of the financial management of organisations. You study with some of the world’s leading academics in the field of financial management.

CONTENT OF THE PROGRAMME

In the Master in Financial Management you will focus on:

• How to raise capital (i.e. issuing shares and bonds);
• How to allocate capital (capital and operational budgeting);
• How to manage short-term resources;
• How to deal with new alternative financing forms such as crowdfunding or fintech;
• How to manage different corporate risks;
• How to align individual motives to organisational motives via performance management and compensation systems;
• How to effectively introduce changes in financial management policies within organisations.

Read more about the study programme.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

This MSc in Financial Management provides you with:

• a unique, multidisciplinary and international programme
• in which you learn to understand not just a firm’s finances, but also how to deal with economic, managerial, regulatory, and reporting issues to maximise enterprise value;
• the latest economic and financial theory and the hard financial skills
• to put theory into practice in an increasingly complex world;
• the mindset to understand and solve trade-offs between short- and long-term objectives, between shareholders and stakeholders, and between financial and social responsibility;

The core objectives of this Master’s programme can be summarised by the five A’s of financial management: Attract, Allocate, Administer, Analyse, and Anticipate.

• Attract: Attracting money involves key decisions on the source of financing. This programme will provide you with insights into the dynamics of international capital markets and how they can be used to raise capital for everything from start-ups to multinational mega-projects.
• Allocate: In today’s fast-changing business environment, modern financial managers need a state-of-the-art tool-box to make complex capital budgeting decisions. Which projects in a company should get funding? How much and why? You will analyse how to estimate cash flows, to calculate costs of capital in both domestic and international settings, and to use a real option framework to handle highly uncertain and irreversible investment and allocation decisions.
• Analyse: Financial managers need to constantly analyse and monitor the firm with respect to profitability, liquidity and solvency. This involves financial statement analysis and cost calculations. As a financial manager you also need to manage and monitor different risk exposures.
• Administer: In support of analytical activities and systems, a financial manager needs several administering activities such as collecting, registering, consolidating and reporting financial data (quarterly and annual reports). Knowledge of financial accounting and expertise in treasury is important here.
• Anticipate: An important task of the (chief) financial officer is to anticipate future events and cash flow streams. Cash planning, budgeting, investment planning, and risk assessment are crucial activities in this area.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Upon completion of the MSc in Financial Management you are prepared for a career in financial management within an SME or multinational organisation; or in a consulting firm. Graduates have taken on positions such as: financial trainee, financial management consultant, financial analyst, business consultant, business analyst, business trainee, assistant treasurer, or assistant controller. Although geared toward the financial side of management, this programme also provides a sound basis for more general managerial tasks. Read more about possible career prospects.

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How do you manage international financial transactions or handle the complexities of foreign capital investments? And what about managing alliances with foreign parties? This programme will teach you.

The Master's degree programme in International Financial Management (IFM) focuses on the different aspects of financial management in an international business environment. You will develop the skills needed to become a financial manager in an international firm or organization.

Important courses in the programme are International Corporate Finance, International Business Strategy and Research Methods in Finance. You will finish the programme by writing a Master's thesis.

The IFM programme can be taken as a stand-alone programme, but is also offered as a Double Degree programme (target maximum: 30 students). In this Double Degree programme, the University of Groningen cooperates with Uppsala University (Sweden). In eighteen months you will finish two Master's degrees at two universities.

Why in Groningen?

This interdisciplinary financial management programme focuses on financial consequences of international activities. You learn to understand the different aspects of financial management in an international business environment.Besides, it's an internationally accredited programme, ensuring a high quality education that meets both the AACSB and EQUIS standards, which only one percent of universities reach worldwide.

Job perspectives

After successful completion of the MSc programme International Financial Management, you will be able to take up positions in which you contribute as a specialist in international financial management to decision-making in multinational companies and financial institutions, consultancy firms, multinational public organizations such as the IMF, World Bank, ECB, etc. and governmental institutions.

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.

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 preprofessional development. Since an analytical and critical mind and problem-solving capabilities are important qualities in any career our students aspire.

In collaboration with external partners we conduct research projects on e.g banking, local government, customer insights, leadership, energy, healthy ageing and lean operations.

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Master's specialisation in Corporate Finance and Control

Understanding a firm’s finances and knowing how to deal with not just economic but also managerial, legal, and reporting aspects to strengthen and maximise enterprise value.

In a continuously globalising world economy, how can financial managers increase the value of the firm for their shareholders and stakeholders? How do managers figure out what the best investment is and how much to invest? How can and should a company finance its operations? The Master’s programme in Corporate Finance and Control provides you with the latest theory and research, focusing on all the important scientific and practical aspects that deal with the financial management and governance of modern firms.

You will learn about international standards of financial accounting and reporting methods, corporate finance and governance, firm valuation, mergers and acquisitions, as well as risk management and other advanced topics in corporate finance. Graduates of Corporate Finance and Control are well equipped for careers as corporate financial manager, financial controller, or business consultant in multinational companies as well as small and medium sized enterprises.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/cfc

Why study Corporate Finance and Control at Radboud University?

- A sound foundation in corporate finance is integrated with modern institutional and behavioural insights, giving this Master’s specialisation a unique perspective.

- You will be confronted with both practical real-world business cases as well as the latest theoretical developments.

- You will be trained to think independently and critically about the way in which corporate finance can be applied in your professional field and you will develop skills that will make a difference in the highly competitive global labour market.

- You will be part of a new generation of finance professionals, who understand the economic and managerial implications of their decisions also from the perspective of modern institutional and behavioural insights.

- The specialisation pays special attention to global aspects of corporate finance, preparing students for a highly international career.

- Our lecturers are active in academic and applied research which allows them to incorporate the latest academic developments and practical issues. This will also enable you to actively participate in academic research in your Master’s programme.

- Professors and students interact in small groups, thus strengthening the academic atmosphere.

- Radboud University offers ‘Economics Plus’. Traditional economic models and business approaches are expanded with relevant knowledge from related disciplines such as psychology, teaching more in-depth knowledge that can be applied in today’s globalised world.

Tackling complex financial issues

We make sure that our Economics students have a strong background in both theory and practical real-world approaches. Within this specialisation of Economics, you will get a thorough understanding of state-of-the-art corporate finance integrated with modern institutional and behavioural insights. Understanding all the necessary facets will equip you with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex financial issues in today’s corporations.

Career prospects

Employers are increasingly looking for a new generation of financial managers, who understand both the economic and the business side of the financial workings of corporations and who can integrate this knowledge with institutional and behavioural insights to tackle a wide variety of problems. This Master’s specialisation will provide you with this in-depth knowledge and will teach you how to deal with today’s problems as a financial manager to strengthen a company’s finances and maximise its value.

Job positions

Our graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills to become financial manager, financial controller, or business consultant in multinational companies as well as small and medium sized enterprises. Careers as financial analyst, investment manager or general manager – thanks to your background in corporate finance and financial accounting – are also well within your reach.

Our approach to this field

This Master’s programme does not just look at raising and investing money, but also at controlling this process with proper financial accounting and reporting, governance and risk management. We want to educate a new generation of finance professionals, who understand the economic and managerial implications of their decisions also from the perspective of modern institutional and behavioural insights.

Due to globalisation there are very few companies that do not operate on an international scale, or at the very least interact with consumers, clients and/or partner organisations in other countries. Having a thorough knowledge of international issues has therefore become crucial for every financial manager and we pay special attention to these aspects in this specialisation. With internationalisation comes the complexity of different influences and systems. That is why at Radboud University, we also teach students how to be aware of the different institutional, cultural and psychological aspects of financial matters.

- Other specialisations of Economics

This specialisation looks at Finance from a firm’s perspective and at its positioning within financial markets. If you are more interested in Finance from a market perspective and how financial markets can be regulated, we suggest you take a look at our Master’s Financial Economics. Or if you want to discover the nitty-gritty of a company’s balance sheets and statements of financial position then Accounting and Control may be more interesting for you. And those wanting to know more about the trade relations between countries should take a look at our specialisation International Economics & Business.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/cfc

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Get the opportunity to put yourself on the fast track to the international management career of your dreams!
Organizations today seek employees with a broad understanding of global business. The Master's program in International Management offers you exactly this opportunity: to become a highly-skilled generalist with the integrated overview of business and management so essential to any successful management career.

Tilburg University is ranked #11 worldwide in Business and Economics (Times Higher Education, 2016).

With a program that covers all major business disciplines, corporate responsibility ánd cross-cultural negotiations
The course curriculum covers all the major business disciplines, including marketing, management, and finance, and is supplemented with skills training in consulting and cross-cultural negotiation. The program also trains students to apply knowledge and skills in a responsible way to create value for relevant stakeholders.

A Tilburg University Master's program in International Management offers you:
•The broad knowledge framework and comprehensive skill set needed for understanding, managing and resolving the diverse dilemmas that exist within an organization.
•A truly global experience that includes teaching by international academics and practitioners, culturally diverse classmates and content that incorporates global business methods and models.
•The opportunity to do an internship: the curriculum facilitates the possibility of doing an internship. Get some work experience, obtain a good picture of how things work in practice and build up your network.
•A student-centered approach to learning, where you enjoy more individual attention from professors and thus more time to delve into topics and test your ideas.
•Ideal preparation for a future managerial career whether your ambitions lie in business, non-profit or the public sector.

Future jobs

With a Master's degree in International Management, you can choose from a large range of possible careers in business and academia.

Your qualification opens doors for future jobs in:
•multinational corporations, including general management positions and specialized positions in marketing, corporate finance and treasury, accounting and control, and financial reporting
•financial service providers, including commercial banks, insurance companies, and accountancy firms
•management consulting, with particular reference to strategic, marketing, and corporate finance
•policy-making institutes such as the IMF, the World Bank, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs
•economic research institutes

Are you passionate about sharing your knowledge with others? After finishing your Master in International Management, Dutch graduates have the possibility to follow a one-year educational post-Master to become a teacher in Management and Organization.

The Master in International Management also offers a competitive advantage for students interested in applying for a PhD program at Tilburg University or another university of international standing.

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The double degree (with Uppsala) focuses on financial consequences of international activities. Understand the different aspects of financial management in an international business environment.

These days internationally oriented firms and organizations do not merely need financial specialists who are acquainted with the latest tools and techniques. They are looking for professionals who can use these tools and techniques for managing information and business resources.

The programme is offered jointly by the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and Uppsala University in Sweden. The double degree programme consists of two one-year master programmes that you can effectively study two in three semesters (i.e. 18 months/90 EC).

The IFM programme is different from most other Master programmes in international finance because it focuses on managerial aspects of international finance. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the skills they will need to function as a financial manager in an internationally operating firm or organization. It will give students a thorough understanding of the different aspects of financial management in an international business environment, and aims at teaching them to think strategically and to explore how change can be initiated and managed.

Degree: MSc in International Financial Management

Why in Groningen?

The programme is a unique combination of two degrees in only three semesters, in Groningen and Uppsala. It is different from most other Master programmes in international finance because it focuses on managerial aspects of international finance. Besides, IFM is an internationally accredited programme, ensuring a high quality education that meets both the AACSB and EQUIS standards, which only one percent of universities reach worldwide.

Job perspectives

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.

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 preprofessional development. Since an analytical and critical mind and problem-solving capabilities are important qualities in any career our students aspire.

In collaboration with external partners we conduct research projects on e.g banking, local government, customer insights, leadership, energy, healthy ageing and lean operations.

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'Money, Banking & Financial Markets' (former name: International Economics and Finance) is one of the specialized tracks of the Master's program in Economics.

Tilburg University is ranked #11 worldwide in Business and Economics (Times Higher Education, 2016.

About

The financial and international side of firm regulation and policy making:
This track will train you in two sub-disciplines: Finance as well as Economics. You will get the opportunity to combine practical financial management to economic analysis of the markets you invest in.

You will also learn:

•how international bodies function (e.g., the European Central Bank),
•why tax policies are designed the way they are,
•and what the consequences are for firms in Europe.

You will for example discuss problems in the Eurozone, International financial supervision, microfinance, bank-runs and systemic risk, and taxation of financial institutions.

The track is closely linked to the European Banking Center, a Tilburg based research network on banking and financial markets.

Career perspectives

This track is interesting for you if you aim for a career in banking (private but also central banks), in other private businesses that are regularly confronted with international policy making, or in (inter)national government.

Examples of functions of recent graduates of this track:
•Finance Trainee at the ABN AMRO Bank
•Jr Investment Strategist at AEGON
•Trading Risk Analyst at ING Group
•Corporate Management Trainee at Rabobank Nederland
•Consultant at IBM
•Junior Business Analyst at Deloitte
•Research Analyst at PT Panca Global Securities, Tbk
•Corporate Transaction Support at the Bank of Ireland
•Trade Finance Officer at ICBC

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Aspire for a career at the top of the financial world. The Master's program in Finance delivers broad business knowledge and specialized expertise in both financial management and investment analysis – first-rate preparation for students seeking a career at the top of the world of finance. Taught by lecturers from Tilburg University's Department of Finance, home to some of the world's most renowned and cited academics, the program offers the latest thinking across the essentials of investments and corporate finance. Learn how to determine a firm's cost of capital, plan mergers and acquisitions, bring companies to the stock exchange, restructure corporations, make portfolio investment decisions, quantify risks, and hedge them using various derivative instruments.

Tilburg University is ranked #11 worldwide in Business and Economics (Times Higher Education, 2016).

A Tilburg University Master's program in Finance offers you:

•Excellent career prospects in the financial industry both on a national and international level with future careers including that of chief financial officer (CFO), financial planner, treasurer, portfolio manager, risk manager, or investment adviser.
•A solid foundation in the principles - and practice - of finance. Learn the latest theoretical concepts from scientific literature and apply them to real-world cases during assignments, simulation games and in-class discussions.
•Teaching by some of the world's preeminent finance academics, faculty members from the Department of Finance at Tilburg University.
•Scope to customize your degree. You can either choose to compose your own program with different electives or follow one of the specialized tracks. Follow the CFA track and get the best preparation for the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) level-1 exam. Or follow the Pensions, Aging and Retirement track.

Future jobs

The Master's program in Finance equips you with a broad knowledge framework in business and specialized knowledge in financial management - a highly attractive profile for companies, banks and consultancy agencies.

Possible job functions after graduation:
•Financial planner
•Portfolio Manager
•Risk Manager
•Investment adviser
•Treasurer
•and eventually Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

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MSc specialization in Finance

The Finance Phd program at Tilburg University has two phases: a preparatory Research Master combining intensive coursework and research that culminates in the writing of a Research Master Thesis (which could later be built out into a chapter of the PhD thesis); and an advanced phase in which students devote all their time to research, at the end of which they complete their PhD dissertation. Most Research Master students are funded by grants given by CentER. PhD students are employees of the University and receive a gross salary of 83000.

Students who have not done graduate work in Finance or Economics before joining the program complete the Research Master in two years. The first year consists of Economics and Econometrics courses preparing the student to specialized work in Finance. The second year is devoted to the Finance Core (four advanced courses in Asset Pricing and Corporate Finance), a few elective courses, and the writing of a Master Thesis. Students who have done graduate work before joining the program are admitted directly in the second year.

After completing the Research Master, students are eligible to start the PhD phase of the program, which typically lasts three years. Supervision during this phase is very close: students often co-author no less than two papers with their supervisors, and write at least one single-author paper under their supervisor’s guidance. Our seminar series (the department hosts over 30 seminars a year with leading scholars from the US and Europe) exposes students to cutting-edge research in all areas of Finance.

Students in the second year of the PhD spend one semester visiting a top University abroad, funded by CentER. These visits provide an early exposure to the international academic scene, create new opportunities of co-authorship, and enrich the students’ network of contacts. Our students have visited Harvard, Yale, London Business School, Caltech, among others.

Most of our PhDs find jobs in Academia. We have a very successful history of placements at top universities in Europe and America, among them Chicago GBS, Toronto Rotman, Cambridge, HEC Paris. Our graduates also show an excellent record of publications, many of them publishing chapters of their theses in top journals shortly after graduation.

Career Perspective MSc specialization in Finance

If you follow the Research Master's program in Business - be it accounting, finance, information management, marketing, operations research, or organization and strategy - you are prepared to continue in a PhD program. More than 75% of the graduates continue at a PhD position at either Tilburg University or another university. 25% of the graduates start a professional career, mostly in the consultancy or financial sector.

The Research Master's program in Business in combination with the subsequent PhD studies enable our students to find jobs at universities around the world, at research institutes or in the banking and consultancy sectors.

In the PhD phase, most accepted PhD students become university employees earning a gross salary over more than Euro 85000 over three years and are granted pension rights.

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