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Finance - Master's Programme (One Year)

Master's programme · 1 year · 60 credits

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Description

The Master’s programme in Finance prepares you for an international career in the financial services sector, e.g. in commercial and investment banking, insurance firms and supervisory authorities, in finance functions in both private and public sector. Graduates from this programme have found work at financial and non-financial companies all over the world.

This programme extends your knowledge of all major areas of financial decision-making. You will gain a thorough understanding of, and training in, effective identification, analysis and resolution of complex financial problems.

The Master’s programme in Finance provides knowledge in both financial economics and corporate finance. Important objectives are to familiarise students with the main areas of investigation and research techniques used in finance, and to give you the general knowledge required to specialise in your preferred area of finance.

The programme is research-driven and based on the prin­ciple of academic rigour in practical application. You will learn advanced theoretical and empirical concepts in both financial econom­ics and corporate finance. We use case studies to help you practice what you learn. Thanks to our close connection to the business community the classes feature guest speakers from top management in financial firms on a regular basis.

With a Master’s in Finance from a world class university you are well equipped to pursue a career in finance all over the world.

Top 50 in the Financial Times ranking

The finance programme is ranked 37th in the world in the Financial Times prestigious global ranking of the best Master’s in Finance 2021. The international financial paper sends questionnaires to the students who graduated three years ago, in which they have an opportunity to answer questions about what the study programme has meant for them, how their careers have taken off, what they have learned, to what extent they feel their studies paid off, etc. 

Bloomberg terminals

As a MSc Finance student you have access to extensive data resources, including Bloomberg terminals. You will be able to view live market data from across the world and use it to test how theoretical mathematical financial models stand up in practice.

Pre-programme career workshop

The Careers Centre provides guidance and advice to help you meet your career goals. During the academic year, the Careers Centre delivers a wide range of activities, for example, CV writing, interview preparation and networking skills.

As part of your orientation week, a half-day career workshop is run, especially tailored for the students of the MSc in Finance.

International Master Class

Students with exceptional study results during the first semester of the programme may compete for seats at the International Master Class (IMC) programme. An International Master Class is a highly competitive opportunity to go on an exchange semester after finishing your Master’s studies at LUSEM.

Double Degree options

For selected students that deliver very good study results during the initial semester of the programme, a double degree option University of Groningen will be offered. 

Career prospects

This is a programme for students who are aiming for a career in the finance industry, including portfolio management, investment banking, trading, security analysis, asset allocation. Financial skills are also in demand by regulators and policy makers in the area of financial markets. The programme also prepares you for PhD studies in finance.

Graduates have found work at financial and non-financial companies such as Credit Suisse, Citco Group, Goldman Sachs, Royal Bank of Scotland, JP Morgan, BNP Paribas, China Investment Corporation, Standard and Poor’s, Maersk, PwC, Electrolux, Tetra Pak, L’Oréal and Volvo.

Open for applications

Application opportunities

This programme is open for applications from 15 October 2024 to 15 January 2025.

Contact

Department of Economics

Visiting address
Tycho Brahes väg 1, 223 63 Lund

Postal address
Box 7080, 220 07 Lund

+46 46 222 00 00

http://www.nek.lu.se/en

Mårten Wallette

Study advisor

+46 46 222 86 75

marten [dot] wallette [at] nek [dot] lu [dot] se

Requirements and selection

Entry requirements

An undergraduate degree (BA/BSc) and at least 90 credits in business administration and/or economics which must include a course in basic microeconomics (can be part of a course in basic economics), a course in intermediate finance, and a course in econometrics or statistics. English course 6 (advanced proficiency).

 

Recommended additional qualifications

The programme requires students to have a basic knowledge of finance and statistics upon admission. We therefore strongly recommend that students have prior knowledge of the following.

  • Finance, including net present value, risk and return, diversification, asset pricing, market efficiency, cost of equity, weighted average cost of capital, forwards, futures, swaps, options, hedging, capital structure, dividend policy, information asymmetry, agency costs, interest rates, and exchange rates.  
  • Financial accounting, including the structure and format of financial statements, analysis and interpretation of accounts, profit measurement, the cost and revenue concepts, and ratio analysis of financial statements.  
  • Mathematics, including algebraic rules, solving single and multiple equations, solving quadratic equations, polynomials, exponential function and (natural) logarithms, rules of differentiation, and finding extreme values for a function.
  • Microeconomics, including expected utility, preferences, risk aversion, rational choice, market equilibrium, elasticity, and perfect competition. A course in intermediate microeconomics is recommended.
  • Statistics, including descriptive statistics, probability, normal distribution, random sampling, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression analysis.

 

Selection criteria

Selection is based on academic merits from university studies. In the assessment, special weight will be given to grades on courses that prepare students for the curriculum of this study programme.

English language requirements

Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.

How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements

Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:

Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se

Apply

Start Autumn Semester 2025

Day-time Lund, full time 100%

In English

Study period

1 September 2025 - 7 June 2026

Application

Last application date 2025-01-15

How to apply

Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.

When to apply for studies

Step 1: Apply online

  • Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
  • Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
    Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website
  • Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.

Step 2: Submit documents

  • Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
    Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
    Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
     
  • Get all your documents ready:
    - official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
    - official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
    - passport/ID (all applicants) and
    - proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
     
  • Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
  • Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.

* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below. 
Svensk student? 
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se

Programme-specific documents

No programme-specific documents (such as a CV or letters of recommendation) are required when you apply for this programme.

We do not require a GMAT or GRE score, but a well-balanced score may strengthen your application to this particular programme. GMAT code, School of Economics and Management, Lund University: 8VR-PL-07. Lund University does not have a GRE code. You are welcome to submit a certified copy of your GRE test result directly to University Admissions in Sweden.
 

Watch on YouTube: How to apply to a Master's programme at Lund University

Tuition fees

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 145 000

First payment: SEK 72 500

Convert currency – xe.com

Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Application fee

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.


*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.

Scholarships & funding

Lund University Global Scholarship programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.

ARUA Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.

Country-specific scholarships

External scholarships

Information about scholarships from external organisations