If you want to apply for this Master’s programme, you should hold an academic Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Finance, or a degree in Business Economics, Economics or Business Administration with a specialisation in Finance or Real Estate Finance.

Eligible candidates must have at least 15 ECTS of coursework in finance. In addition, applicants should have completed: :

• An intermediate-level course in Investments, covering topics such as portfolio optimisation and diversification, CAPM, and factor-based pricing models. 
• An intermediate-level course in Corporate Finance, covering topics such as capital structure theory and payout policy. 
• An intermediate-level course in Econometrics, which must cover multivariate linear regression, omitted variable bias, and non-linear Logit/Probit models 
• Some coursework on derivatives or risk management (this can be covered as part of a broader course on Investments or Corporate Finance) 

You must upload a course description of each of these courses in your online application. 

Additional to your Bachelor’s degree it is recommendable to have a strong knowledge for economics, math and statistics as you will have a better understanding of the Master’s programme. Therefore, it can be helpful to have additional coursework in microeconomics, macroeconomics, accounting, mathematics and statistics at foundation-year level.

Educational systems differ around the world. International degrees are evaluated based on the guidelines provided by the NUFFIC. Are you unsure whether your academic background is considered an equivalent considered equivalent to a Dutch Bachelor's degree?

• Visit the Nuffic diploma recognition page for more information.
• Specific requirements may apply depending on where you obtained your degree. Find a list of equivalent degrees here.

Please note that a Bachelor's degree from a University of applied sciences will not be taken into consideration. 

To be eligible for this programme, you need to hand in an English language proficiency test, by providing 1 of the following English proficiency test scores: 

• TOEFL IBT: a minimum of 92 points overall and a minimum of 22 points for each sub-score (TOEFL institution code: 9011).
• IELTS (Academic test): a minimum of 6.5 overall and a minimum of 6.0 for each sub-score. The IELTS indicator test is not allowed.
• Cambridge Assessment English
  • Certificate in Advanced English: 180 points overall and in each skill or
  • Certificate of Proficiency in English: 180 points overall and in each skill.

Test scores must also conform to the following guidelines:

• Make sure you schedule your English proficiency test before the application deadline. 
• Test scores received after the application deadline are accepted, as long as your English proficiency test was taken before the application deadline.
• Your English proficiency test score cannot be more than 2 years old before the start date of your programme. For example, if you are applying for the September 2023 intake we do not accept English proficiency tests taken before September 2021.

Be sure to plan your test on time; test dates fill quickly and it can take several weeks for you to receive your results. Applications without a sufficient score or with a test date after the application deadline, will not be accepted.

Exemptions

You may be exempted from an English proficiency test if you have obtained your Bachelor's degree in one of the following countries: The Netherlands, Australia, Canada (except for Quebec), Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Since the Master’s in Finance is a popular programme and we want to guarantee an interactive programme, we apply a selection procedure. One of the selection criteria is the Grade Point Average (GPA).

The evaluation process takes into account the grades that you have earned in core finance courses and related economics or math courses. Previous experience has shown that applicants with a GPA equivalent to a Dutch grade of 7.0 and higher have a good chance to be selected to the programme. Please note that applications with a lower GPA can still be submitted and will be assessed. Check this list to see which grade is equivalent to a Dutch 7.0 in your degree.

Send your GPA calculation along with your application, you do not have to update your GPA calculation after the application deadline. 

One of the selection criteria is the GMAT score. If you want to be considered for this Master’s programme, you need to provide a GMAT score report as part of your application. This means that you need to take the test and receive your results before the deadline. Keep in mind that receiving these results can take up to two weeks (please check the GMAT website for more detailed information).

Test score

You are expected to achieve a score of 640. If you do not achieve this expected score, your application will still be considered. However, a minimum score of 620 is required. If you submit a GMAT below the minimum score of 620, you are not selected for this programme. Please note that completion of all sections of the exam is required.

Based on mutual agreements with certain universities, you might be exempted from the GMAT requirement. Check the list of universities to see whether this applies to you.

GMAT registration

For your GMAT registration, please refer to the GMAT website. The institution code for GMAT is 0500, Amsterdam Business School, MSc in Business Administration. The GMAT Online Exam is allowed for the September 2023 intake.

GRE test scores

Instead of a GMAT, a GRE test score may be accepted in the following cases:

• You have already obtained a GRE score.
• It is difficult to take the GMAT test on a short notice in your country (e.g. Suriname).

For a GRE test, we expect you to achieve a score of at least 158 in the Quantitative Reasoning section. If you do not achieve this score, your application will still be considered. However, a minimum score of 155 is required. Applicants who submit a GRE below this minimum score are not selected for this programme. Please note that completion of all sections of the exam is required.

If you want to be considered for this Master’s programme, you need to provide a GRE score report as part of your application. This means that you need to take the test and receive your results before the deadline. Keep in mind that receiving these results can take up to two weeks.

For registration and more detailed information, please refer to the GRE website. The institution code for GRE is 7878 U Amsterdam School of Economics. The GRE at home test is allowed for the September 2023 intake.

One of the selection criteria is the motivation letter. The MSc Finance is an academically challenging programme with a strong emphasis on research methods. Applicants are expected to have a high level of intrinsic motivation for academic study in general, and finance and economics in particular. Your motivational letter should clearly state why you are interested in studying finance and pursuing a career in this field. It should also explain why your academic profile is a good fit for the programme. Furthermore, use the motivation letter to highlight any important aspects of your profile that are not documented elsewhere in your application, as well as extenuating circumstances that you have experienced. (Max.1 A4)

Please provide a letter of recommendation from a previous or current supervisor, professor, co-worker, or peer who can describe the knowledge, skills, or aptitudes that you possess.