Why study Financial Economics/Financial Analysis?
In the MSc in Financial Economics at Maastricht University (UM), students learn to master the state-of-the-art financial concepts needed to succeed in the fast-paced world of finance. Within the financial economics master, students can choose from an asset pricing track, a banking track and a financial analysis track. All tracks offer a well-balanced mix of theory and practice. UM’s departments of Finance, Economics, and Econometrics work in concert with seasoned practitioners. Both staff and external practitioners have proven track records in fields such as portfolio management, monetary economics, econometric techniques, asset pricing, risk management, investment research, investment banking or accounting research.The programmes develop the participants’ international perspective, a rewarding benefit of working with students from all over the world. It also actively cultivates analytical skills that are primordial for e.g. global financial market analysis, financial statement analysis or the management of M&A deals. Excellent career prospects exist in today’s globalised financial industry.
Our programmes guarantee that students learn the most recent academic and practical developments in the field. The Master in Financial Economics tracks are one-year programmes that comprise 60 ECTS. Each student follows six courses (39 ECTS), complemented by a practical skills training (4 ECTS) and the Master's thesis (17 ECTS). This means a curriculum of classes, skills-training, and a Master’s thesis: The teaching sessions consist of small groups and the constant interaction between students and professors is inspiring and constructive. The courses are taught entirely in English.Public debt and equity markets are continuously fed with information about issuers’ financial position and prospects. Information intermediaries such as investment analysts play a crucial role in analyzing and reporting on how such information impacts the risk-return characteristics of debt and equity securities. Their role is not only to assess firm performance but also to communicate how firm performance translates into firm value and how firm value translates into debt and equity prices. For this, the modern analyst needs to have a solid understanding of economics, finance, and accounting.
The Financial Analysis track offers a selection of courses that has been chosen to optimally prepare students for a career in investment analysis. Investment companies, mutual funds, pension funds and the like need trained professionals who can help them to achieve a distinctive advantage relative to their competitor investors. Our Financial Analysis program helps you to become just that: a financial specialist with a strong quantitative background and a balanced knowledge of economics, finance, and accounting.
A few examples of possible career choices for students specializing in financial analysis are: Becoming a buy-side, in-house analyst or investment manager, researching or managing investments for your own employer (pension fund, bank etc.)Becoming a sell-side analyst, employed by an investment bank, brokerage house or credit rating agency, providing investment advice or credit ratings to the investment public, or a transaction services consultant providing advice on, for example, A or LBO transactions. Many European employers ask from their financial analysts that they participate in a postgraduate program in financial analysis.
The Financial Analysis track is an excellent preparation for postgraduate programs in financial analysis offered by various professional institutes such as the Dutch VBA, the German DVFA, or the U.S. CFA Institute. Students who wish to improve their chances of success in the labor market, may choose to participate in the CFA Level I exam (in December or June) and the CFA Level II exam (in June) while being enrolled in the MSc Financial Economics/Financial Analysis programme.
For more information about combining your Master study with the CFA exams, contact Dr. Erik Peek CFA (For detailed information about the programme requirements, please refer to the education and examination regulations by clicking on the following link: Education and Exam regulations - Study Programmes For more general information on regulations, please refer to the heading "Education and Exam regulations in the study guide, or refer to the link.
