Banking and Finance at Utrecht University

Financial markets play a key role in the current and future  stability of firms,  government bodies, states – and of course of the individual and society as a whole. If you want to make a positive impact on the future of international finance, the Master’s in Banking and Finance at Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.) is the programme for you. Based on Utrecht University’s research expertise, this multidisciplinary finance Master’s will show you the interplay of three fundamental factors : financial markets must be supervised effectively to function well; financial institutions – specifically banks – play a major part in the efficient functioning of these markets; and sustainability of financial solutions is an important aspect and requirement for a new generation of bankers and regulators. The Sustainable Finance Lab in Utrecht is at the heart of a national and international debate in Finance and is well integrated into this master specialization.

Banking and Finance

In the Master in Banking and Finance you will focus on international financial markets, the function and behaviour of banks and bankers, the regulatory institutions that govern banks and other financial institutions worldwide, the effectiveness of regulation and the banks’ strategic allocation, funding and investment decisions, and the sustainability of financial solutions and concepts.
"U.S.E. wants its research and educational programmes to be relevant to a better society. The curricula of the Master's programmes have been set up with an open mind for the world around us: a real-world perspective."
Utz Weitzel, Professor of Finance

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Banking and Finance at Utrecht University: Content

Click here to find out more about the courses within the Banking and Finance Programme.

The first semester is divided into two periods. Each period consists of three courses worth 5 EC each. The second semester consists of two electives of 5 EC each, two courses of 2.5 EC and a Master’s thesis worth 15 EC.

Educational methods

• Lectures
• Guest lectures by professionals from the field
• Interactive tutorials: Tutorials take many forms. Some are used for general discussion of important concepts and topics, some to solve quantitative problems using analysis and mathematics, some to present and discuss case studies or review literature.
• Preparing (group) assignments and presentations.  Assignments range from performing a statistical analysis to investigating the validity of an interesting hypothesis using empirical methods, doing a case study on a company’s strategy with respect to M&A or risk management, or writing a country risk report. In many cases, you will present your findings and discuss them with your fellow students and professors.
• Writing academic essays and master’s thesis
• Field trips to organisations and institutes

Examination methods
The assessment typically consists of a mix of:

• written exams;
• written assignments such as an essay, a research proposal, a policy note, or conducting a panel data study; and
• for certain courses your classroom performance will contribute to your overall grade.

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Banking and Finance at Utrecht University: Possible careers

There is a growing need for well-trained young talent able to see ‘the story behind the numbers’ in the financial industry. As a graduate of the MSc in Banking and Finance, you are prepared  to work within financial institutions and regulators worldwide, functioning at an excellent practical and academic level. Positions in the financial industry held by our graduates include:
 

• Manager at a financial institution (Rabobank, ABN Amro, PGGM);
• Regulator in the financial service industry (Central Banks, such as DNB, ECB, and AFM);
• Risk Management specialist at a financial institution;
• (Junior) consultant Financial Services Industry;
• Researcher at financial and government institutions (e.g. Central planning Agency, CPB).

Towards a professional career
In the financial sector there is a growing need for well-trained talent able to make clear financial analyses. Further, the future of finance must include professionals who have a firm grasp on the impact their decisions have upon society.  Graduates of the Utrecht University Master’s in Banking and Finance have gone on to work in a number of different institutions and sectors including:
 

• central banks, e.g. European Central Bank, Dutch Central Bank;
• corporate banks e.g. ABN AMRO, HSBC, ING, Rabobank;
• supranational financial institutions, e.g. World Bank, IMF;
• insurance firms and pension funds, e.g. Delta Lloyd, PGGM;
• financial market regulators, e.g. BaFin and AFM;
• start-ups and venture capital firms;
• consultancy firms;
• research institutes e.g. the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB), Eurostat;
• government ministries e.g. Ministry of Economic Affairs or Finance.

Employee at a financial institution
As an employee in a financial institution, you have a number of career opportunities such as investment banking, corporate or consumer banking, portfolio or fund manager, securities analyst, research analyst, equity analyst, or rating analyst.

Regulator in the financial service industry
As a regulator in the financial service industry, you will translate international regulation to supervised financial institutions, and you monitor whether the financial institutions that are supervised are able to manage the implementation of such regulation. Employee risk management: as a risk management employee, you will be involved in managing the financial and non-financial risks in financial institutions.  

Employee risk management
As a risk management employee, you will be involved in managing the financial and non-financial risks in financial institutions.  

Researcher
As a researcher, you aim to gain a better understanding of how banks, customers, companies or industries spend, save, and invest money. Identifying and interpreting such economic trends is key for financial institutions.     
 

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Banking and Finance at Utrecht University: Entry requirements

• A BSc in Economics or Economics and Business Economics, preferably with some degree of specialisation in Banking and Finance. The International Office assesses all international credentials according to the credential evaluation criteria of the Nuffic (the Netherlands Organisation for international cooperation in Higher Education), and advises the Admissions Committee on this subject.; and
• A good command of English. Check the specific English proficiency requirements below.
• If you have another university Bachelor’s degree you must have knowledge in the following fields:
  • Principles of Microeconomics
  • Mathematics
  • Principles of Macroeconomics
  • Principles of Corporate Finance
  • Econometrics
     

The final decision on all applications will be made by the programme Admissions Committee. Applications will be evaluated based on the candidate’s knowledge, insights and skills (as assessed by experts inside and outside of Utrecht University), their motivation and ambition, and their command of English. Candidates should also be able to produce their original degree certificates, if requested.


English proficiency requirements
In order to successfully participate in this programme, you must be proficient in English. The following requirements apply */**:
 

• IELTS, Academic Module. Minimum score: 7.0 overall band, at least 6.0 for all components.
• TOEFL, iBT. Minimum score: 96, at least 23 for writing and 20 for the other sections. Institutional scores are not accepted (the TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062).
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, at least a B grade.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, at least a C grade.

Deadline: 1st of June

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Übersicht der Masterstudiengänge - Utrecht University

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Why in Utrecht? - The real world perspective

The statement ‘the real-world perspective’ summarises succinctly U.S.E.’s mission. It indicates a strong awareness of the complex socio-economic reality: human behaviour is not always ‘rational’ and markets are not always in equilibrium. Institutions are important in understanding economic dynamics and so are the dimensions of time and space. The real world perspective leads to a multidisciplinary-economics approach, a research profile that favours crossing borders between academic disciplines, but also – within the economics discipline – between economics and business. U.S.E. aims to contribute to a society where people thrive, by taking a broad view on welfare and all factors involved. Well-being, cooperation, innovation and curiosity are the core values in the academic profile of U.S.E.

In the MSc Banking and Finance programme in Utrecht you will:

Focus on risk management in financial institutions
Adequately identifying, managing and monitoring risks in financial institutions is of key importance for the future financial stability of institutions and for the whole financial system. You’ll get a strong foundation  in both the theoretical  and practical aspects of risk management,  and refine your research and analytical skills by working – both individually and in teams - with real-world data obtained from different institutions and financial markets. Through the close professional connections of the  Utrecht University chair in Finance, you have an opportunity to  build links with both financial institutions and regulators.   

Pay attention to the  effects of regulatory institutions
Financial markets do not function well unless they are supervised effectively. This Master will give you a thorough understanding of the current state of regulation in the international financial markets, and the expertise to tackle complex regulatory issues facing financial institutions and markets.

Meet experienced practitioners from the field
In many courses, experienced practitioners from both regulators and financial institutions share their real-world perspectives on the interplay between practice and theory in  guest lectures. These guest lectures, as well as visits to financial institutions, will help you connect with a network of professionals who may be interested in helping with your career opportunities.

Tailor the programme to your ambitions and interests
This broad general finance and banking Master’s  combines a solid foundation in economics, law, finance, and business economics with the possibility to gain more specialised knowledge in topics of your choice. Optional courses ensure your own interests and career ambitions are accommodated during your study.

Be part of a small, international community
The high staff-to-student ratio in tutorials encourages close interaction between you, your peers, and your professors and lecturers in this highly international programme.  Guest lectures from experts in the field, company visits and the option to combine your thesis with an internship all provide you with interesting and challenging opportunities to prepare for your future career. Finally, you will be part of a very active student community, with access to a much larger university environment with international students, researchers and lecturers  from all over the world.
 
 

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Extracurricular opportunities

U.S.E. Academy
As a U.S.E. Master’s student you have the opportunity to attend lectures of fascinating and inspiring people, like CEO’s from large companies, scholars on issues of general interest or politicians on the economic challenges Europe faces today. In the past the U.S.E. Academy has featured guest lectures by, amongst others: Henk Jan Beltman, CCO Tony’s Chocolonely; Herman Wijffels, Chairman Utrecht Sustainable Finance Lab; and Panicos Demetriades, former Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus.

Young Innovators
Are you curious, entrepreneurial, intellectually versatile, socially responsible? Do you want to get more out of your Master's programme, and learn to work across disciplinary boundaries to both research and actively (co-)create innovative initiatives that will make the world a little bit better? Then the Young Innovators honours programme (15 EC) might be of interest to you!

The programme will focus on exploring and designing innovations in three areas:

• Sustainable innovations in health
• Sustainable innovations in the economy
• Sustainable innovations in urban living

Utrecht University Business Course
Are you inspired and energised by solving complex problems? Do you want to develop your business skills and to experience what it is like to be an entrepreneur? Then the extracurricular Utrecht University Business Course (UUBC) is the honours programme for you! The course is aimed at Master’s students from all disciplines studying at Utrecht University.

The Utrecht University Business Course is a 12-week Master’s honours programme where 30 of Utrecht University’s best students will learn and improve their business skills. During the programme you will participate in workshops, work on projects within a multidisciplinary team of students and network with professors, experts, consultants and entrepreneurs.

The programme
The UUBC kicks off in February with an introductory weekend. You will receive professional training and form a team with which you will be working on assignments and projects throughout the course. The programme consists of 3 main elements:

• Pressure Cooker: valorise a business concept during a 2-week challenge.
• Business Analysis & Consultancy: acquire business analytical skills and build a solution for a current problem of an existing company.
• Entrepreneurship: step into the shoes of an entrepreneur by developing your own idea while being supported and coached by professionals.

Each segment of the programme ends with a team or individual presentation in front of a jury, with a grand finale held in the Academic Building at the end of the programme.
 

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