Finance - Master's Programme (One Year)

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 courses in the programme provide you with an understanding of the key areas of finance, balancing theoretical elements with applied and practical aspects related to the topics of the different courses. Sustainability issues, including issues related to business ethics, are key components of our courses, giving you the opportunity to reflect and discuss the different roles of companies in society.

Top 50 in the Financial Times ranking

The programme achieved a #42 ranking in June 2025 among the top pre-experience Masters in Finance programmes worldwide in the Financial Times (FT) European Business School Rankings 2025.

Double degree option

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

International Master Class

Students with exceptional study results during the first semester at this programme, may compete for seats at the International Master Class programme. The International Master Class is a highly competitive opportunity to go on an exchange semester after finishing your Master’s studies.

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. The programme is fast-paced and places high demands on students’ time management from day one. Students are recommended to review the preparatory resources in mathematics, statistics and programming made available before the programme starts.

Teaching is based on a combination of lectures, lab sessions and exercises, and case studies. Attendance is typically not mandatory. Thanks to our close connection to the business community the classes feature guest speakers from senior management at financial firms on a regular basis. The courses are examined using written exams as well as individual and group assignments.

Bloomberg terminals

As a student on the programme, 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.

Bloomberg is one of the leading providers of market data, news and analytical functions and is used globally in bank dealing rooms and investment houses.

Career workshops

The LUSEM Career Services provides guidance and advice to help you meet your career goals. During the academic year, the LUSEM Career Services 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 Master's programme in Finance.

This is a programme for students who are aiming for a career in the finance industry, including portfolio management, investment banking, trading and security analysis, as well as advisory functions. Financial skills are also in demand by regulators and policymakers in the financial sector. The programme also prepares you for doctoral studies in finance.

With a Master’s degree in finance from a world class university you are well equipped to pursue a career in finance all over the world. Recent graduates have found work at financial and non-financial companies such as the large Nordic banks, the Big Four consultancies, ABN AMRO, Bloomberg, BNP Paribas, Fidelity Investments, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Swiss Re, UBS, UniCredit, IBM, L’Oréal, Novo Nordisk and Siemens.

Prerequisites

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.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 160,000
First payment: SEK 80,000

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

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

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

African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) 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 Scholarship: Global professionals

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students from certain countries who are applying for select Master's programmes in Sweden. 

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. Most agreements are intended for Master’s applicants, although certain opportunities may also be available to Bachelor’s students.

Country-specific scholarships

External scholarships

In addition to scholarships offered by Lund University or through its partner agreements, there are external opportunities. On the page below, you’ll find examples of organisations that may provide financial support for international students from specific countries. 

External scholarships