The MACFin prepares you for professional responsibilities in the field of financial corporate management. Whether you look at it from the perspective of a management consultant, a startup founder, a controller, an auditor or a banker.
The MACFin prepares you for key roles in financial management. Whether from the perspective of management consultants, startup founders, controllers, auditors, or bankers:
In the context of digital transformation, topics such as the impact of digital change, Big Data analytics, and blockchain require a new, integrated understanding of financial management. Our core curriculum includes three key subjects: Corporate Finance, Management Accounting, and Reporting & Auditing. The basic elective area covers the breadth of financial management by offering at least four courses (12–27 ECTS), while the advanced elective area includes at least two comprehensive courses (12–24 ECTS) to specialize and prepare for professional entry.
The MACFin programme can be completed entirely in German, English, or a combination of both languages. Additionally, supplementary qualifications such as "Business Education," "Digital Communication and Journalism," "FinTech," and "Managing Climate Solutions" are offered.
The Contextual Studies programme is another unique feature of the University of St.Gallen (HSG). It integrates knowledge across disciplines and strengthens the social and cultural competencies of our students distinctively. Students take a holistic approach by "thinking outside the box" and enrol in courses within focus areas and skills areas. The cultural and social science offerings in the focus areas are highly diverse and aligned with the study programme. In the skills area, students acquire additional competencies and practical skills necessary for success in the business world. The Contextual Studies programme complements your main field of study and is awarded with 18 ECTS credits.
learn more about the contextual studies
Our programme is designed for a study duration of 3 semesters. External students can start in the fall semester. A total of 90 ECTS credits must be earned.
We offer the essential knowledge building blocks of financial management in a compact, focused, and clearly structured format. In two semesters, you will cover these fundamentals through three mandatory courses, earning a total of 15 credits, each of which is obtained through a written exam.
The MACFin elective module comprises 30 credits, which you can choose from a wide range of courses. General elective courses (12 credits) are designed to cover the breadth of financial management by selecting at least four courses of 3 credits each. Meanwhile, the specialization module (12 credits) requires at least two extensive courses of 6 credits each, offering the opportunity for specialization and preparation for entering the workforce.
In the independent elective module, you can take courses across different programmes, totaling 0-9 credits. Use this opportunity to expand your business knowledge or broaden your horizons beyond business topics. In addition to further courses from the MACFin elective module or courses from other master's programmes, we also offer courses specifically designed for the independent elective module.
You will write a Master's thesis worth 18 credits. The topic, which should be closely related to your Master's programme, is determined in consultation with one of our faculty members. We encourage you to contact us early on, as we look forward to supporting you in developing an engaging thesis! The necessary administrative requirements can be found in our guidelines. Please also refer to the Student Web for further information.
| Course | ECTS | Lecturer | Semester |
| Corporate Finance | 6 | Prof. Dr. Marc Arnold | Fall |
| Management Accounting | 3 | Prof. Dr. Klaus Möller | Fall |
| Reporting & Auditing | 6 | Prof. Dr. Peter Leibfried | Spring |
It is advisable to complete the mandatory courses within the first two semesters.
Examinations: Exam formats include written exams and presentations.
The compulsory elective courses from the general programme are worth 3 credits each, while those from the specialization programme are worth 6 credits.
The courses offered provide a unique combination of breadth and depth, allowing students to delve into financial management topics according to their individual needs and interests. Students can combine courses across various dimensions, such as:
Each MACFin student can tailor their thematic focus according to personal interests and future career goals.
By selecting the appropriate compulsory elective courses, students have the opportunity to acquire credits that count toward further qualifications, such as becoming a certified auditor. A list of currently offered courses can be found at courses.unisg.ch.