Overview
This MSc trains students to tackle the complex problems faced by today’s financial markets and economic analysts. The curriculum pairs rigorous instruction in asset pricing and corporate finance with core topics in microeconomics, macroeconomics, monetary economics and econometrics, plus applied training in data science and programming. Emphasis is placed on both theory and practical tools so graduates can address contemporary challenges in global finance and economic policy with a broad, method-driven toolkit.
The programme balances academic rigour with applied, practitioner-relevant topics and also develops transferable skills such as effective communication, networking and leadership. Students can deepen their international exposure through an optional “Experience Frankfurt” module — including the chance to conduct substantial academic research at Goethe University as part of the Master’s thesis. The course draws on expertise at Goethe University and Vietnamese–German University and benefits from close links to leading financial institutions in Frankfurt and a growing financial sector in Ho Chi Minh City.
Career outcomes
Graduates are prepared for competitive roles in financial markets, banking and financial regulation, or in monetary and fiscal policymaking. The training also positions students to continue into structured PhD programmes in Finance or Economics for those interested in academic research.
Admissions — typical requirements
This Master's curriculum builds a rigorous quantitative and theoretical foundation in the first year and lets you specialise and apply those methods in the second year. In semesters one and two you take seven advanced fundamental courses (each 6 CP) that cover the core pillars needed for high‑level work in finance and economics: Asset Pricing; Microeconomics; Macroeconomics; Corporate Finance; Financial Econometrics & Macroeconometrics; Microeconometrics & Data Science; and Programming Languages. These modules ensure you acquire the analytical, statistical and programming skills required for empirical and model‑based research.
During semesters two and three the modular part of the programme lets you tailor your profile: you choose six advanced topic courses (6 x 6 CP) from the fields of Asset Pricing, Corporate Finance, Econometrics & Data Science, and Macroeconomics. In parallel, short practice‑oriented courses (2 x 3 CP) demonstrate how the models and methods taught are used by market practitioners and policy makers, while transferable‑skills seminars (2 x 3 CP) focus on career‑relevant competencies for work in financial markets and economic policy analysis.
The final semester is devoted to an independent Master’s thesis (24 CP) that requires an original, critical synthesis of theoretical and empirical work in one of the programme’s fields. You write the thesis under faculty supervision and receive ongoing feedback through a Master’s thesis seminar (6 CP) that supports peer review and further faculty guidance. Successful completion leads to the Master of Science degree from the Faculty of Economics and Business.
Key modules and learning outcomes
Programme credit and course requirements (concise)
This programme requires a relevant undergraduate degree and evidence of strong quantitative ability. If your final Bachelor’s certificate is not yet available, you can still apply using an interim document — but note that any offer made on that basis is provisional and becomes final only when the completed degree is submitted by the stated deadline. Quantitative skills are formally verified through standard test scores, though alternative proofs may be considered.
Below are the specific admission conditions:
First university degree: a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in business or economics, or another quantitatively oriented programme (for example: mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, computer science), with at least 180 credit points (CP) according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
If the final Bachelor’s certificate is not yet available, you may submit a proof of enrolment plus an interim certificate. The interim certificate must:
Conditional admission: any offer based on an interim certificate is provisional. You must submit the final Bachelor’s examination certificate no later than the end of your first semester in the MSc programme. If the examination certificate is not provided by that deadline, the admission will be withdrawn and enrolment rescinded.
For questions about interim certificates, contact the programme’s academic coordinator, Dr Le Van Ha, at atha.lv@vgu.edu.vn.
Quantitative proficiency: applicants must provide either the Quantitative Reasoning score from the GRE General Test or the Quantitative score from the GMAT. The test must have been taken within four years before the application submission date.
Alternative proofs: the admissions committee may accept other evidence of sufficient mathematical/quantitative ability, for example a qualified university degree in mathematics or successful completion of a programme-specific entrance exam conducted at VGU.
Graduates are positioned for careers in financial markets, financial regulation, and monetary and fiscal policy. Typical roles include financial analyst, quantitative researcher, risk manager, portfolio manager, economic/monetary policy analyst, and consultant at banks, asset managers, exchanges, central banks, regulatory bodies, and international institutions.
The programme’s strong emphasis on econometrics, data science and programming also supports transition into quantitative and data‑driven roles and offers clear pathways into structured PhD programmes in Finance and Economics for those pursuing an academic research career.