Program Overview

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Master's Degree Programme in Banking and International Finance

The Master's Degree Programme in Banking and International Finance (BIF) provides an interdisciplinary degree and a strong quantitatively oriented background for the students to serve as professionals especially in financial markets, banking, and other duties in the fields of economics and finance requiring highly analytical performance.

Why this Programme?

Graduates of the Master's Degree Programme in Banking and International Finance master the three core content areas of their discipline: identifying the role of banks and financial markets, working as experts in banks and international financial markets, and applying empirical methods. BIF graduates are able to apply the core scientific knowledge and methods of their discipline in practice.

Programme Info

• Two-year full-time programme (120 ECTS credits) taught in English
• Application period once a year in January
• Studies begin in August, with no mid-point entry to the programme

This programme consists of advanced studies in Banking and International Finance, communication and language studies, and elective studies. Masters thesis is included in the studies. The advanced studies in Banking and International Finance contain courses in core themes of economics, finance, and also financial accounting, forming a unique mixture of the special skills required to serve in these positions. After graduation, students are awarded the title Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration).

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for the programme is 12,000. Students from non-EU/EEA countries are liable to pay a tuition fee but can apply for a scholarship after their first year of studies. An Early Bird discount of 1500 is available for applicants paying tuition fees who accept their study place within 14 days.

Structure of the Degree Programme

The programme includes:

• Advanced studies in Banking and International Finance
• Communication and language studies
• Elective studies
• Masters thesis

Admission Criteria and Application Instructions

To apply successfully, you need to have a suitable educational background and show proof of your English skills as mentioned in the criteria. Remember also to include the attachments specified in the programmes admission criteria and listed on the application form.

Admission Criteria

The BIF programme is for those who are interested in pursuing a career in the finance sector. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the global financial system and the functioning of banks and financial markets.

Suitable fields of background degrees include:

• Economics and Business Administration (major in accounting, economics, or finance)
• Mathematics and statistics (which includes studies in finance and economics)
• Engineering (information technology, industrial business and management, or equivalent, which includes studies in finance and economics)

Depending on the individual background, the student may be required to take some supplementary courses.

Career Opportunities for BIF Graduates

Prominent job market positions for the graduates from the BIF programme are central bank and other bank economists, analysts, bank managers, and other researcher, specialist, and manager positions in the service of research institutions and financial sector in general.

Completing the BIF programme also gives graduates the possibility to apply for doctoral studies, for example, in the doctoral program of the Graduate School of Finance, or after completing some advanced level courses in economics outside the curriculum of the BIF programme, also in the Finnish Doctoral Program in Economics.

Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics

The Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics (JSBE) is an AACSB-accredited business school and one of the six faculties of the University of Jyväskylä. As a part of a university internationally renowned for high-quality research and innovativeness in learning and teaching development, we strive for excellence in research and research-based teaching in the key fields of economic sciences.

Our disciplines are Accounting, Commercial Law, Corporate Communication, Corporate Environmental Management, Economics, Management and Leadership, Marketing, and Strategy and Entrepreneurship.

Student Profile

The BIF programme is for those who are interested in pursuing a career in the finance sector. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the global financial system and the functioning of banks and financial markets.

It provides an interdisciplinary degree and a strong quantitatively oriented background for the students to serve as professionals, especially in financial markets, banking, academia, and in other duties in the fields of economics and finance requiring highly analytical performance.

Programme Coordinators

• Heikki Lehkonen, Associate Professor, Programme Director
• Kari Heimonen, Professor
• Jari-Mikko Meriläinen, Senior Lecturer