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uva.nl
Executive MSc in International Finance (MIF)
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Core programme

Each academic year has 2 semesters, both divided into 3 blocks. Choose 1 of the tracks in this Master's programme to explore the subject that fits your interests and ambitions.

Shared programme

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Advanced Corporate Finance & Valuation
    Period 1
    4

    Get introduced to fundamental concepts in Finance and build a strong framework applying the most commonly used tools in valuation and capital budgeting.

  • Financial Econometrics
    Period 1
    4

    Enhance your skills in econometric analysis of macroeconomic and financial data, emphasising regression theory and time series analysis.

  • Investments & Algorithmic Trading
    Period 1
    4

    Understand core financial concepts and theories related to different types of investments and learn to apply them to practical problems faced by financial practitioners.

  • Finance Research Workshop
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    Period 4
    Period 5
    Period 6
    3

    Prepare yourself for writing your Master’s thesis. Gain experience with applied scientific research in the field of finance and improve your skills for conducting your own research.

  • MIF Leadership Programme
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    Period 4
    Period 5
    Period 6
    1

    Develop your personal and professional leadership skills and gain top management insights. The focus is on exploring your own leadership styles, strengths and areas for development.

  • M&A and Restructuring
    Period 2
    4

    Gain knowledge of key issues in M&A and restructuring. Understand the theoretical foundations and conceptual underpinnings and learn to apply concepts and ideas in the real business world.

  • Financial Modeling
    Period 4
    4

    Learn to build financial models for corporate finance, investments, portfolios and advanced derivatives pricing using Monte-Carlo simulations.

  • Risk Management
    Period 4
    4

    Get an overview of key issues in financial risk management. Learn to evaluate, measure and manage financial risks to which companies are exposed.

  • Corporate Governance: Dilemma's in the Financial Industry
    Period 4
    1

    Grow awareness of the significance of (personal) ethics. Develop an ethical approach in business and get insight into the importance of laws and codes of conducts/ ethics.

  • International Study Trip
    Period 4
    Period 5
    Period 6
    1

    Our international study trip is your chance to broaden your horizon by looking at finance in the context of South Africa. Deepen your understanding of the challenges and opportunities in finance and investment in an emerging market context.

  • Master Thesis
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    Period 4
    Period 5
    Period 6
    15

    Conduct research on a subject relevant to your organisation or industry. Your employer will be able to profit directly from your research results.

Check more detailed information about the specific courses in the course catalogue
Francesco Giovannini, alumnus
Copyright: ABS
During our study trip to Cape Town, we had the chance to understand what doing business and finance means in an environment different from the one we are used to studying. Francesco Giovannini, alumnus Read Francesco's testimonial

General track 

The General track offers cutting-edge insights into corporate finance, asset management and banking. You get to attend guest lectures from leading finance academics, policymakers and global figures. Choose 2 mandatory electives and up to 2 additional courses to suit your interests and career goals. 

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Financial Analysis & Valuation
    Period 2
    4

    Learn to apply conceptual aspects of financial accounting and reporting to the financial statements of real-world organisations.

  • Financial Derivatives
    Period 2
    4

    Develop the necessary skills to design, value and manage risks using derivatives contracts. Acquire essential skills related to hedging, speculation and arbitrage.

  • International Financial Management
    Period 4
    4

    Build a framework for making financial decisions in an international context by extending the main principles in corporate finance and investments to a cross‐border setting.

Specialisation
Ronald Verhagen, alumnus
Copyright: ABS
The specific courses of the programme appealed to me. I was keen to use the knowledge I gained in my professional career. Ronald Verhagen, alumnus Read Ronald's testimonial

Finance and Technology track 

Take an active role in the industry’s transformation by choosing our Finance and Technology track. From big data to machine learning, you learn to use Fintech to your advantage. You can further specialise your programme by choosing 2 additional courses. 

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Data Analytics & Quantitative Trading
    Period 2
    4

    Learn how to apply computing technology to financial trading strategies and use Python to programme various financial algorithms.

  • Machine Learning & AI in Finance
    Period 4
    4

    Acquire a statistical, technical and intuitive understanding of machine learning and AI techniques. Learn methods to assess and enhance the performance of these techniques.

  • Fintech Ventures
    Period 5
    4

    Get acquainted with the key principles, behaviors, tools and frameworks enabling start-ups and start-up initiatives within large corporates to capture digital opportunities.

  • Applied Blockchain
    Period 6
    4

    Learn to run your own private blockchain and gain an understanding of what it takes to launch a financial service on a blockchain.

  • Fintech: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies & Smart Contracts
    Period 6
    4

    Discover topics like digital currencies, blockchains in the FinTech field.

Specialisation
Evren Yuksel, alumnus
Copyright: ABS / MIF
The curriculum offers a perfect balance between finance and technology. It covers essential financial concepts while also exposing students to emerging technologies that shape the financial landscape. Evren Yuksel, alumnus Read Evren's testimonial
'One of the first to combine finance and technology’

Jens Martin (Programme Director): ‘The MIF programme offers two tracks. In the General track, students have room to customise their programme with electives. Whereas the Fintech track prepares students for the future of finance by combining knowledge about finance and technology.’

Electives

General track

 
Restricted-choice electives Free-choice electives
  • Behavioural Finance
  • Advanced Asset Management
  • Fintech Ventures
  • Fintech: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies & Smart Contracts
  • Data Analytics & Quantitive Trading
  • Machine Learning & AI in Finance
  • Applied Blockchain

Finance & Technology Track

Free-choice electives
  • Sustainable Finance and Impact Investing
  • Financial Derivatives
  • M&A and Restructuring
  • Behavioural Finance
  • International Financial Management
  • Advanced Asset Management
Maarten Biermans
As a finance professional, you need to know what's coming your way. Maarten Biermans, lecturer of the new elective Sustainable Finance and Impact Investing More on the new elective

Balanced mix of theory and practice

Learn from both your instructors with in-depth industry experience and a world-class academic reputation and from your international and motivated classmates. All with highly diversified industry backgrounds. Theory discussions will challenge your academic thinking and help you apply the acquired knowledge to real business cases and to your own organisation, helping you to become a confident, inspiring and committed leader in finance.

Teamwork 

Learn and work together with motivated fellow students. Together, you are a well-balanced mix of nationalities with different views and opinions, who are working in a wide variety of industries. This diversity offers you the opportunity to widen your perspective and have a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience.

Paulrich Lawrence Tan
Copyright: ABS
The courses on offer provide students with a mix of theory and practice. Having a solid grasp of both is important especially in the corporate environment. Paulrich Lawrence Tan, Senior Product Manager at ING Read Paulrich's testimonial

Programme partners: CFA and CAIA 

The MIF programme is a proud partner of the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst Society (CFA) and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Institute (CAIA), two highly-regarded organisations in the finance industry. You may also benefit from the scholarships CFA and CAIA offer.

  • Chartered Financial Analyst Society (CFA)

    The CFA programme partnership is only awarded to a select number of institutions. As an academic partner, we are recognised as a finance degree programme that is academically rigorous and closely aligned to the CFA programme curriculum. The partnership includes: 

    • Recognition of academic rigour and practical relevance of the MIF programme for the investment industry. 
    • MIF covers at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CFA Level I-III) including ethical and professional standards. 
    • 5 scholarships for the CFA exam – offered by the CFA Institute to MIF students. 
    • Joint events and opportunities to network. 
    • CFA charter holders and candidates who passed minimum one examination level receive a €3,000 MIF tuition discount when enrolling in the MIF programme. 
  • Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Institute (CAIA)

    MIF is CAIA's only academic partner in the Netherlands. Our partnership gives you access to CAIA Association's curriculum and events. Other aspects of the partnership include: 

    • MIF covers at least 60% of the CAIA Association's curriculum. 
    • 4 scholarships for the CAIA exam, offered by CAIA Institute to MIF students. 
    • CAIA charter holders and candidates receive a €3,000 MIF tuition discount when enrolling in the MIF programme.