Master of International Business and Finance

This full-time, English-taught master’s programme runs for 18 months and is designed to deepen your strategic, financial, managerial, and leadership skills in an international setting. Taught entirely in English, the course attracts a diverse, global student body and places a strong emphasis on current practice in international corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, and international banking (including investment banking), alongside international management and corporate strategy theory and case studies.

The curriculum is practice-oriented: classroom learning is continuously linked to real-world business through presentations, applied research projects, company visits, and direct exchanges with blue‑chip corporations, investment banks, M&A advisers, and strategy consultancies. Students also complete a Master’s thesis. The programme’s modern design and its focus on international finance and strategic management have driven substantial growth in applications, and the university positions it among the leading international programmes of its kind.

This degree is particularly relevant if you aim for careers in corporate finance, M&A, investment banking, or strategic management roles where international perspective and hands-on exposure to corporate practice are valued.

Key facts and in‑programme requirements

• Mode: Full‑time
• Duration: 18 months
• Language of instruction: English (international student cohort)
• Academic focus areas: international corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, international banking (including investment banking), international management, corporate strategy
• Practice‑oriented components required as part of the programme: presentations, applied research projects, company visits, interactions with industry practitioners (blue‑chip firms, investment banks, M&A advisers, strategy consultancies), and a Master’s thesis

For specific admission criteria, language-certification requirements and application deadlines, check the official programme webpage or contact the university’s admissions office.

Curriculum overview

This 90 ECTS Master’s program is structured over three semesters (30 ECTS each) and combines core finance and management theory with applied tools for international business. In the first semester you build a foundation in corporate governance, financial markets, valuation, people management and monetary/financial system topics. The second semester is dedicated either to a full study-abroad term with partner universities (30 ECTS) or — for non‑European students since summer 2015 — an on‑campus alternative made up of advanced elective modules covering regulation, corporate finance, digital business and cross‑cultural issues. The final semester focuses on specialist topics in M&A and risk management and concludes with a substantive master’s thesis.

Key learning outcomes include the ability to evaluate securities and companies, make informed decisions in financial markets, understand banking regulation and monetary policy, manage across cultures, design platform‑based business strategies, and carry out M&A valuation and risk analyses. The programme balances lectures and case‑based/simulation work so graduates are prepared for roles in investment banking, corporate finance, regulatory bodies, consulting and international business development.

Semester breakdown and module requirements

• Semester 1 — 30 ECTS (all compulsory; contact hours = 4 per module; each module = 6 ECTS)

  • Business Ethics and Corporate Governance — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS
  • Financial Economics, Financial Institutions, and Monetary Policy — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS
  • Financial Market Decisions — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS
  • Managing People — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS
  • Valuation of Securities & Companies — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS

• Semester 2 — 30 ECTS

  • Option A: Studies Abroad — contact hours vary by partner university; 30 ECTS
  • Option B: On‑campus alternative for non‑European students (available since summer 2015; each module 4 con/h; 6 ECTS)
    • Banking Regulation & Supervision — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS
    • Corporate Finance & Valuation — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS
    • Cross‑Cultural Management — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS
    • International Guest Lecture — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS
    • Platform & Digital Business Design Strategies — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS
    • Strategy Case Study – Simulation — 4 con/h; 6 ECTS

• Semester 3 — 30 ECTS

  • Advanced M&A Management — 2 con/h; 4 ECTS
  • Advanced M&A Management – Valuation & Case Studies — 2 con/h; 4 ECTS
  • Advanced Risk Management — 2 con/h; 4 ECTS
  • Master’s thesis — 18 ECTS

Total program workload: 90 ECTS.

Graduates are prepared for roles in corporate finance, investment banking, M&A advisory, risk management, and strategy consulting, as well as finance and strategy functions within multinational corporations and large professional services firms. The programme’s emphasis on valuation, M&A case work and industry contacts helps students transition into technical and advisory roles in finance.

The mix of international exposure, cross‑cultural management training and applied projects also supports careers in international business development, corporate strategy and leadership positions where financial and strategic decision‑making skills are essential.