Master in Banking and Finance (MBF)

In the fields of financial markets, financial institutions, corporate finance and quantitative methods, the M.A. HSG in Banking and Finance (MBF) offers high-quality education in both theory and practice. It prepares you for a successful career start with banks, consulting agencies, insurance companies and the finance departments of non-financial corporations, both in Switzerland and abroad.

The MBF programme offers outstanding career prospects, with 100% of graduates receiving a job offer within three months, and provides access to leading Ph.D. programmes worldwide. Ranked among the top finance programmes globally and number one in Switzerland and the German-speaking region, the MBF combines a clear and flexible curriculum with a strong integration of theory and practice. Students can choose from a wide range of electives, participate in a research seminar and thesis, and benefit from content highly relevant to the curricula of the CFA and CAIA programmes. Located in the heart of Europe, the programme offers international perspectives through a diverse faculty, global exchange opportunities, and proximity to Zurich’s financial centre. A strong alumni network and regular community events further connect students with peers and corporate partners, ensuring long-term value beyond graduation.

The MBF programme has a clear and flexible structure. All the compulsory courses take place in the first semester and provide a solid basis for the core electives in the second and third semester. The choice of elective courses is wide, with subjects ranging from asset management to corporate finance and sustainable finance. All of our students participate in a research seminar off-campus and write a research-based Master's thesis.

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The MBF programme attracts ambitious, hard-working and skilled students, interested in the fields of finance, business and banking. Students typically have a strong academic background and are looking to deepen their technical skill set in finance, to be fully prepared for all future professional challenges. Indeed, they are usually highly interested in financial markets and financial institutions and eager to learn the quantitative methods related to them. Furthermore, prospective students should possess strong analytical skills and be keen to solve challenging tasks related to finance. Above all, we expect our students to be effective communicators who are able to thrive in an international environment.

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Upon graduation from the MBF, students are fully prepared to pursue exciting positions in top-tier companies in Switzerland and around the world. From internships to full-time positions, the students are offered many attractive opportunities after their studies in areas such as banking, finance and consulting. In particular, MBF students have the possibility to:

• take on jobs in financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies and asset management firms;
• work for large multinational investment banks or small M&A boutiques and venture capital firms;
• work as auditors in the fields of banking and insurance;
• work in the finance or strategy departments of industrial corporations;
• pursue an academic career in finance, in the context of doctoral studies (Ph.D.);
• engage as (FinTech) entrepreneurs;
• start a career in public financial institutions, such as central banks.

Companies are enthusiastic about welcoming MBF students and working together to face the challenges of the various industries. In terms of the number of hires, these are the top 10 employers of MBF graduates from 2021 - 2023: McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company, UBS, Credit Suisse, KPMG, LGT, Partners Group, Deloitte, and J.P. Morgan.

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• A university degree that is recognized as equivalent, in the same or a similar major, with at least 180 credits.

Applicants are admitted on the basis of the assessment of the following criteria:

• GMAT* or GRE* (*non-mandatory for students with a Swiss Bachelor's degree)

• Average grade during undergraduate studies

• Extracurricular activities, including practical experience and exchange semester

• Motivation and aptitude for the programme as expressed in a binding letter of motivation

• Proficiency in the English language

• The MBF Integration Days are compulsory.

The admission criteria may be subject to change.

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The partners of the MBF, which include UBS and Zürcher Kantonalbank, guarantee an early contact with potential employers and support the MBF in numerous ways. They award fellowships to the best students who start the programme and award prizes at the end of studies for the best degree and best Master's thesis.

Thanks to the industrial partners' ongoing support, the MBF is able to invite visiting professors from internationally renowned universities on a regular basis. Completing internships and cooperation with the financial industry when writing the Master's thesis is facilitated thanks to the partners of the MBF.

In addition to the strong support from industry partners, the MBF also maintains close collaborations with leading international professional associations. The MBF program is an official partner of the CAIA Association, the CFA Institute, and the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). Indeed, the MBF covers more than 70% of the candidate body of knowledge for all three levels of the CFA programme. These partnerships enable the MBF to award CAIA, CFA and GARP fellowships each year to outstanding MBF students who embark on the programme.