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The QS World University Rankings: Business Masters Ranking includes the QS Masters in Finance Rankings, which show the 166 institutions that are ranked among the world’s best for master’s in finance degrees in 2021. These institutions include 62 in the US and 27 in the UK.
The courses were assessed on five metrics: employability, thought leadership, diversity and value for money.
Read on as we count down the 10 top universities for master’s in finance degrees in 2021, or click here to view the full table.
The Top 10 Universities for Master’s in Finance Degrees in 2021
Entering the top 10 this year for its MSc in Finance course, we have Bocconi University in 10th place. It scores particularly well in the employability indicator in 2021, with many of the course’s graduates working as managers, analysts and economists. The school also benefits from excellent connections with top employers both in Milan and abroad.
The two-year program aims to balance theoretical training with hands-on learning. In their first year, students will work on the core skills in all areas of finance. In their second year, students will get the opportunity to specialise in a professional track of their choice and will complete a compulsory internship in that field. As a result, 88 percent of graduates are employed on graduation day.
9. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) – MSc Finance
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) falls one place in 2020 to rank ninth in the world for its MSc Finance program. The first term of the course will help students build the foundation of their knowledge in finance, with two core courses: corporate finance and asset markets. In the second term, students will deepen their knowledge by taking four optional units, which will allow them to focus further on their interests and career aspirations.
The ten-month course achieves the highest score in the top 10 for the diversity indicator, with 65 percent of its students coming from outside the UK, representing a wide range of nationalities. Alongside the course, Students are supported in entering the job market by taking part in the department’s Professional Development Programme, which may be a contributing factor to the course’s high score in alumni outcomes.
=7. UCLA Anderson School of Management – Master of Financial Engineering (MFE)
UCLA’s Anderson School of Management climbs an impressive two places in the Masters in Finance Rankings this year to rank joint seventh for its Master of Financial Engineering degree. It scores well across all the indicators, particularly the alumni outcomes, value for money and thought leadership indicators. Graduates of the course earn an average salary of US$100,000 and 94 percent have a job placement six months after graduation.
This 15-month program aims to build deep mathematical modelling skills and computational expertise. In addition, student apply their knowledge in real-world settings through the completion of an Applied Finance Project (AFP), in which students work on real client projects with potential employers, broadening their professional network. Students also have access to prominent leaders in financial engineering in the school, with a student/faculty ratio of 3:1.
Dropping one position to joint seventh in this year’s QS Masters in Finance Rankings is ESSEC Business School, a French institution which has grown to open campuses in Singapore and Rabat, Morocco.
ESSEC achieves very strong scores for its alumni outcomes and value for money, with 100 percent of its finance students employed six months after graduation, often in world-renowned banks and companies. In the first year of the 15-month course, students are required to complete a six-month long internship. The degree itself is also incredibly career-orientated and offers three specialised tracks in corporate finance, financial markets and fintech and analytics.
6. UC Berkeley Haas School of Business - Master of Financial Engineering
Back in California, the University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business falls one place this year to now ranks sixth in the world for its Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) degree. It also receives a perfect score for the thought leadership indicator, as well as high scores for the alumni outcomes and value for money indicators.
A one-year program, the MFE degree prepares students to take on cutting-edge roles in investment banks, commercial banks and other firms around the world. MFE students take part in a 12-week internship, with placements at companies such as Citibank, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs. Students also receive continuous personalized careers advice throughout the program.
5. The University of Cambridge Judge Business School – Master of Finance
Location: Cambridge, UK
The University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School is ranked joint for its Master of Finance (MFin) program. The school receives a perfect score for employability and a very high score for alumni outcomes, with students enjoying an average salary increase of 89 percent following completion of the program, bringing their average salary to around US$131,821. Further, 91 percent of students are in employment three months after graduation.
The school’s 12-month MFin course has been designed in consultation with the banking and finance industry and consists of a mix of core courses and electives, allowing students to tailor their course and gain specific skills in topics such as advanced corporate finance, private equity, Asian capital markets and mergers & acquisitions.
Fourth in the world for master’s in finance degrees is HEC Paris, ranked third for its Master in International Finance (MIF) degree. The MIF is taught by world-class researchers and influential practitioners to offer students a blend of theory and practice. HEC’s MIF degree is taught entirely in English and gives students the opportunity to go on a study trip to London, choose from a number of free electives, and follow a specialization track in corporate finance or capital markets.
HEC Paris received full marks for alumni outcomes and value for money, with 99 percent of graduates finding employment within three months of graduating, with an average starting salary of around US$74,600.
In joint second place (alongside London Business School) is Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s Sloan School of Management with its Master of Finance degree (MFin)
MIT Sloan receives perfect scores for alumni outcomes and thought leadership, reflecting its reputation of academic excellence and history of ground-breaking ideas in management and finance, such as the Black–Scholes model. The course places an emphasis on hands-on learning, with its finance action learning courses offering opportunities to engage in real-world business challenges and gain relevant experience.
London Business School (LBS) is up two places this year to rank joint second in the world for master’s in finance degrees in the QS Masters in Finance Rankings. The course is best suited for students with three to eight years’ relevant experience and focuses on key financial concepts including investments, corporate finance and evaluation, and financial analysis. It also offers students the chance to gain a global perspective and build an international network of contacts.
It receives very high scores in three indicators: employability, alumni outcomes and value for money. LBS boasts an excellent career center which helps students through one-to-one coaching, practical networking skills and mock interview skills. Eighty eight percent of the course’s 2019 graduates were employed only three months after graduation.
1. The University of Oxford Saïd Business School – MSc in Financial Economics
Location: Oxford, UK
The 2021 edition of the Masters in Finance Rankings sees the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School retain its position in first place in the world for its Master of Science in Financial Economics (MFE) course. This year it earns a perfect score for thought leadership indicator and extremely high scores for employability and alumni outcomes.
Run jointly with the university’s department of economics, the nine-month long MFE degree combines a rigorous academic core with tailored practical applications that have been planned in consultation with leading financial recruiters. The MFE course has four core courses in asset pricing, economics, corporate finance and financial econometrics, as well as five electives to enable students to gain a deeper knowledge in areas of particular interest.
As Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, Chloe creates and publishes a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. Chloe has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Reading and grew up in Leicestershire, UK.
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Top 10 Universities for Master's in Finance Degrees in 2021
Chloe Lane
Updated Mar 03, 2021Save
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The QS World University Rankings: Business Masters Ranking includes the QS Masters in Finance Rankings, which show the 166 institutions that are ranked among the world’s best for master’s in finance degrees in 2021. These institutions include 62 in the US and 27 in the UK.
The courses were assessed on five metrics: employability, thought leadership, diversity and value for money.
Read on as we count down the 10 top universities for master’s in finance degrees in 2021, or click here to view the full table.
The Top 10 Universities for Master’s in Finance Degrees in 2021
Global Rank
Location
University
Course
1
United Kingdom
Oxford Saïd Business School
MSc Financial Economics
2=
UK
London Business School
MSc in Financial Analysis
2=
United States
MIT Sloan School of Management
Master of Finance
4
France
HEC Paris
Master in International Finance
5
UK
Cambridge Judge Business School
Master of Finance
6
US
UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
Master of Financial Engineering
7=
France
ESSEC Business School
Master in Finance
7=
US
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Master of Financial Engineering
9
UK
London School of Economics
MSc Finance
10
Italy
Bocconi University
MSc in Finance
10. Bocconi University – MSc in Finance
Location: Milan, Italy
Entering the top 10 this year for its MSc in Finance course, we have Bocconi University in 10th place. It scores particularly well in the employability indicator in 2021, with many of the course’s graduates working as managers, analysts and economists. The school also benefits from excellent connections with top employers both in Milan and abroad.
The two-year program aims to balance theoretical training with hands-on learning. In their first year, students will work on the core skills in all areas of finance. In their second year, students will get the opportunity to specialise in a professional track of their choice and will complete a compulsory internship in that field. As a result, 88 percent of graduates are employed on graduation day.
9. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) – MSc Finance
Location: London, United Kingdom
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) falls one place in 2020 to rank ninth in the world for its MSc Finance program. The first term of the course will help students build the foundation of their knowledge in finance, with two core courses: corporate finance and asset markets. In the second term, students will deepen their knowledge by taking four optional units, which will allow them to focus further on their interests and career aspirations.
The ten-month course achieves the highest score in the top 10 for the diversity indicator, with 65 percent of its students coming from outside the UK, representing a wide range of nationalities. Alongside the course, Students are supported in entering the job market by taking part in the department’s Professional Development Programme, which may be a contributing factor to the course’s high score in alumni outcomes.
=7. UCLA Anderson School of Management – Master of Financial Engineering (MFE)
Location: Los Angeles, United States
UCLA’s Anderson School of Management climbs an impressive two places in the Masters in Finance Rankings this year to rank joint seventh for its Master of Financial Engineering degree. It scores well across all the indicators, particularly the alumni outcomes, value for money and thought leadership indicators. Graduates of the course earn an average salary of US$100,000 and 94 percent have a job placement six months after graduation.
This 15-month program aims to build deep mathematical modelling skills and computational expertise. In addition, student apply their knowledge in real-world settings through the completion of an Applied Finance Project (AFP), in which students work on real client projects with potential employers, broadening their professional network. Students also have access to prominent leaders in financial engineering in the school, with a student/faculty ratio of 3:1.
=7. ESSEC Business School - Master in Finance
Location: France, Singapore and Morocco
Dropping one position to joint seventh in this year’s QS Masters in Finance Rankings is ESSEC Business School, a French institution which has grown to open campuses in Singapore and Rabat, Morocco.
ESSEC achieves very strong scores for its alumni outcomes and value for money, with 100 percent of its finance students employed six months after graduation, often in world-renowned banks and companies. In the first year of the 15-month course, students are required to complete a six-month long internship. The degree itself is also incredibly career-orientated and offers three specialised tracks in corporate finance, financial markets and fintech and analytics.
6. UC Berkeley Haas School of Business - Master of Financial Engineering
Location: Berkeley, California, US
Back in California, the University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business falls one place this year to now ranks sixth in the world for its Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) degree. It also receives a perfect score for the thought leadership indicator, as well as high scores for the alumni outcomes and value for money indicators.
A one-year program, the MFE degree prepares students to take on cutting-edge roles in investment banks, commercial banks and other firms around the world. MFE students take part in a 12-week internship, with placements at companies such as Citibank, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs. Students also receive continuous personalized careers advice throughout the program.
5. The University of Cambridge Judge Business School – Master of Finance
Location: Cambridge, UK
The University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School is ranked joint for its Master of Finance (MFin) program. The school receives a perfect score for employability and a very high score for alumni outcomes, with students enjoying an average salary increase of 89 percent following completion of the program, bringing their average salary to around US$131,821. Further, 91 percent of students are in employment three months after graduation.
The school’s 12-month MFin course has been designed in consultation with the banking and finance industry and consists of a mix of core courses and electives, allowing students to tailor their course and gain specific skills in topics such as advanced corporate finance, private equity, Asian capital markets and mergers & acquisitions.
4. HEC Paris - Master in International Finance
Location: Paris, France
Fourth in the world for master’s in finance degrees is HEC Paris, ranked third for its Master in International Finance (MIF) degree. The MIF is taught by world-class researchers and influential practitioners to offer students a blend of theory and practice. HEC’s MIF degree is taught entirely in English and gives students the opportunity to go on a study trip to London, choose from a number of free electives, and follow a specialization track in corporate finance or capital markets.
HEC Paris received full marks for alumni outcomes and value for money, with 99 percent of graduates finding employment within three months of graduating, with an average starting salary of around US$74,600.
Testimonials
=2. MIT Sloan School of Management - Master of Finance
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
In joint second place (alongside London Business School) is Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s Sloan School of Management with its Master of Finance degree (MFin)
MIT Sloan receives perfect scores for alumni outcomes and thought leadership, reflecting its reputation of academic excellence and history of ground-breaking ideas in management and finance, such as the Black–Scholes model. The course places an emphasis on hands-on learning, with its finance action learning courses offering opportunities to engage in real-world business challenges and gain relevant experience.
=2. London Business School - MSc in Finance
Location: London, UK
London Business School (LBS) is up two places this year to rank joint second in the world for master’s in finance degrees in the QS Masters in Finance Rankings. The course is best suited for students with three to eight years’ relevant experience and focuses on key financial concepts including investments, corporate finance and evaluation, and financial analysis. It also offers students the chance to gain a global perspective and build an international network of contacts.
It receives very high scores in three indicators: employability, alumni outcomes and value for money. LBS boasts an excellent career center which helps students through one-to-one coaching, practical networking skills and mock interview skills. Eighty eight percent of the course’s 2019 graduates were employed only three months after graduation.
1. The University of Oxford Saïd Business School – MSc in Financial Economics
Location: Oxford, UK
The 2021 edition of the Masters in Finance Rankings sees the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School retain its position in first place in the world for its Master of Science in Financial Economics (MFE) course. This year it earns a perfect score for thought leadership indicator and extremely high scores for employability and alumni outcomes.
Run jointly with the university’s department of economics, the nine-month long MFE degree combines a rigorous academic core with tailored practical applications that have been planned in consultation with leading financial recruiters. The MFE course has four core courses in asset pricing, economics, corporate finance and financial econometrics, as well as five electives to enable students to gain a deeper knowledge in areas of particular interest.
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As Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, Chloe creates and publishes a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. Chloe has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Reading and grew up in Leicestershire, UK.
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