Master of Science Finance

School of Business

Register now and secure your study place!

Your path into the world of finance! With the Master in Finance at FHNW, you start your career in the dynamic world of finance. We will prepare you for the top jobs of tomorrow.

Factsheet

Degree: Master of Science FHNW in Finance
Study mode: Full-time and Flexitime
Learning environment: Onsite and Online
ECTS points: 90
Next start: 14.9.2026
Duration: 1.5 years / 3 semesters (Fast Track+) or 2.5 years / 5 semesters (Work & Study)
Language: English
Place: Basel
Staying abroad: Possible
Application fee: CHF 200
Semester fee: CHF 750 for residents of Switzerland (for details see fees)

At a glance

Profound know-how: Build a strong foundation for your finance career – our curriculum is scientifically profound and internationally recognised.
Flexible to success: Choose your pace – complete the programme in 3 semesters (Fast Track+) or in 5 semesters (Work & Study).
Your network booster: Take advantage of our partnerships with leading professionals and companies in the financial sector. Coming soon: Academic partnerships with the CFA Institute, GARP and CAIA are in preparation.
Hands-on: Demonstrate your skills in lab modules and compete with the best in the CFA Institute Research Challenge.

Why study this?

Why Finance? Because your skills are in demand and create real added value.

With this Master degree, you will secure your entry into the most exciting areas of the financial world. With your in-depth knowledge of corporate financial management and the financial markets, you will create real added value in practice. Our graduates are qualified to take on responsible specialist and management roles in national and international organisations and earn top salaries on the job market.

Financial management of companies and public administration

Corporate Finance Specialist
Treasury Manager
Financial Controller
Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst

Banks, insurance companies and other financial service providers

Financial Planner and Advisor
Portfolio Manager
Risk Manager
Investment Banking Analyst

Auditing and consulting firms

Auditor
Consultant in Financial Services

Supervisory authorities, central banks and non-profit organisations

Financial Analyst at Regulatory Authorities
Expert at cantons or international organisations

Structure and programme contents

Students in the Master of Finance programme must earn a minimum of 90 ECTS, of which 60 must be earned through core modules and 30 through elective modules. The content covers four central areas of expertise.

What you will learn

Financial Markets: Understand global financial markets, investments and institutions.
Financial Management: Master corporate finance, valuation and accounting.
Methods & Ethics: Apply quantitative analyses and act responsibly.
Hands-on Skills: Applying models to real-world problems, use digital tools and take part in the CFA Institute Research Challenge.

Core Modules

Module Name	ECTS
Investments	6
Financial Markets and Institutions	6
Financial Accounting	6
Corporate Finance	6
Applied Statistical Data Analysis	6
Derivatives & Financial Risk Management	6
Financial Analysis & Valuation	6
Finance Ethics	3
Fixed Income	3
CFA Institute Research Challenge	9
Alternative Investments	3

Elective Modules

Module Name	Language	ECTS
Sustainable Finance	ENG	3
Behavioural and Household Finance	ENG	3
Python Fundamentals for Finance	ENG	3
Financial Modelling with Excel	ENG	3
Ethik und Leadership	GER	3
Leader in der Praxis: Ringvorlesung	GER	3
Financial and Retirement Planning	ENG	3
Financial Technology	ENG	3
Mergers and Acquisitions	ENG	3
Corporate Taxation	ENG	3
Financial Data Analysis	ENG	3
Audit-Lab	ENG	3
Financial Performance Management	GER	3
Study Trip	GER	3
Career Planning und Management	GER	3
Strategisches Personal und Talent Management	GER	3

Additional Modules

A maximum of 12 ECTS of elective modules can be substituted by the following:

Other master classes at FHNW, or Swiss universities. Prior approval by the programme head required.
Internship with report (3 ECTS). At least 6 weeks full time. Prior approval by the programme head required.
Participation in the Swiss final of the CFA Institute Research Challenge (3 ECTS).
Passing the CFA Institute Level 1 exam.
Passing the GARP/FRM Part 1 exam.

Students can replace elective modules with specific modules offered at the University of Basel. A list of recommended modules will be published here in the future.

Additional Information

All information about your personal curriculum and the study model of the Master in Finance can be found in the following document:

Information on the Master in Finance (PDF)

Your Study Model

Fast Track+

Full speed ahead to graduation in 3 semesters. You have 2.5 days of classes per week during the semester.

Work & Study

Flexible in 5 semesters alongside your job. You have 1.5 days of classes per week during the semester.

Industry Recognition

Accelerate your career with a curriculum designed in collaboration with top professional experts. Our programme covers a significant share of the relevant professional candidate body of knowledge, giving you a head start on industry designations. Furthermore, our partnerships allow us to offer fellowships to exceptional students every year.

Secure your entry into the most exciting areas of the financial world.

"With this Master degree, you will secure your entry into the most exciting areas of the financial world. With your in-depth knowledge of corporate financial management and the financial markets, you will create real added value in practice."

International

For attractive positions in finance, there are common international standards that candidates must meet. That is why we have consistently aligned our programme with these standards in order to optimally prepare you for a career in a global financial world.

Go Global

International accreditations: We prepare you for the CFA, GARP, and CAIA exams. Accreditations are in preparation.
Worldwide competition: Show your talent at the CFA Institute Research Challenge, a global contest for students.
Top contacts: Networks with top experts from the financial sector in Switzerland.

200 partner universities worldwide

An overview of all partner universities marked with "(MSc)" for student exchange at Master level can be found here.

All Partner Universities

Lecturers

Your lecturers are a mixture of internationally recognised researchers and experienced professionals from the field. This is proven by the high AACSB standard that our business school meets and ensures that you receive excellent methodological and practical training.

Learn from the best

Gain insights into the latest concepts and developments from research.
Learn from experts who work in the world of finance every day.

Requirements and admission

We look forward to receiving your application for the Master of Science in Finance.

Are you ready? This is what you need

A Bachelor degree in business administration, economics or a related field.
English language skills at B2 level.
Work experience

If your Bachelor's degree is in a different subject, you may be able to start the programme after completing a sequence of bridge courses (Passerelle).

Organisational matters

Fees

Fee	Frequency	Amount
Application fee	once	CHF 200
Personal tuition fee*	per semester	CHF 750
Diploma fee	once	CHF 300

* Full-time and flexible
* Students domiciled in a Swiss canton or the Principality of Liechtenstein with legal entitlement to a grant
* Expatriate Swiss citizens
* Students domiciled in a Swiss canton, who are holders of a residence permit that has not been issued specially for their studies

EU/EFTA citizens who do not meet the above mentioned criteria at the start of the programme: CHF 1,000.00 per semester.
Non EU/EFTA students who do not meet the above mentioned criteria at the start of the programme: CHF 7,500 per semester.

For more information on fees and regulations, please refer to the official document:
Fees and regulations (PDF in German, valid from academic year 2025/2026)

Dates and annual structure

The first intake will start in the autumn semester 2026

Autumn semester (from week 38)

Duration: 14 weeks (from mid-September to end of December)
Examinations: Early January to the beginning of February

Spring semester (from week 8)

Duration: 15 weeks (mid-February to the beginning of June)
Examinations: Mid-June to early July

Disadvantage Compensation

Students with disabilities and chronic illnesses may apply for disadvantage compensation.

The aim of disadvantage compensation is to eliminate or reduce the disadvantages resulting from disabilities and chronic illnesses during studies with appropriate measures. The term describes the adaptation of the conditions under which learning and/or examinations take place, but not a modification of the learning objectives or a subject dispensation. Compensation for disadvantages can be applied both in the admission procedure and in the degree programme.

Factsheet Disadvantage Compensation (PDF)

Military service, civilian service, and civil defence

The FHNW will be happy to help you to coordinate your studies and conscription in the best possible way.
More information

Location

Basel is an international hotspot for business and finance, and a city rich in culture. This makes it the perfect place to study business in the heart of Europe. It is also home to two of Switzerland's three largest listed companies. You can travel quickly by train throughout Switzerland (to Zurich, Geneva or the Alps), as well as to destinations such as Frankfurt, Paris and Milan. The nearby airport offers connections to further abroad.

Your studies will take place at the brand new, cutting-edge Dreispitz Campus in Basel. With the help of renowned architects, we have consistently tailored the Dreispitz to the needs of our students.

Information on the construction of the new campus

Downloads & Regulations

Flyer Master Finance (PDF)
Study Regulations of the FHNW School of Business (in German)
Mandatory Notebook Requirement for Students at the FHNW School of Business