Program objectives

The Master of Science in Finance offers an outstanding education in finance. Students gain a profound knowledge in the methods used in practical modern finance. This Master is a full-time two-year finance degree with a strong focus on financial analysis and portfolio management. The p consists of four semesters of 30 ECTS credits each.

The first semester concentrates on core courses in the foundations of modern finance, accounting, quantitative methods, and economics. During the second semester, there is a transition towards case-solving as several courses place a special emphasis on applications. The third semester covers advanced topics in finance and provides exposure to the profession. Through the p, elective credits (20 ECTS) allow a customization of the curriculum to match students’ professional goals. During the last semester, students write their master thesis (30 ECTS) and apply the learning of previous courses. The thesis is written independently or during a training period at a financial institution (or at the finance department of a corporation). For a detailed presentation of the p, visit our website.... [-]

General description

The program combines high-level academic teaching and research in quantitative finance with problems taken directly out from the private banking and finance sector. A special feature of the program is the combination of lectures on financial economics with lectures on mathematical methods in finance (probability theory, statistics, numerical analysis).

The curriculum contains mandatory courses dedicated to the theory, the concepts and methods of Corporate Finance, Financial Markets, Financial Economics, Derivatives and Financial Engineering, Financial Econometrics and Mathematical Methods for Finance; further, each participant can follow specialized courses from the areas of Risk Management and Asset Management. Finally, the required Master Thesis serves to ensure the ability of the graduates to do autonomous scientific work for solving a relevant problem for the finance community.... [-]

The strategic balance of general business courses and finance and controlling specialization ones.

The MSc in Finance and Controlling degree provides advanced knowledge in financial management and control, two fields which have become highly interrelated. The program is a strategic balance of general business courses and finance and controlling specialization ones. The aim of these, as they have been designed, is to provide you with a solid understanding of the business organization and its various functions and deliver you the tools to critically assess corporate priorities, and therefore make financial and controlling decisions. The course outlines, provided in this section will help you explore the challenging intellectual level of the program and its advanced delivery content tools, such as video materials, cases, research papers, latest articles and academic reviews. This degree requires mathematical and analytical skills. The MSc. in Finance is ideal for individuals active in these fields or who wish to develop a thorough understanding of the subject. They will provide active professionals with critical knowledge and tools and for their professional advancement. The recruitment potential of this degree is very large, as all companies require financial management and larger firms will recruit a growing number of corporate controllers.... [-]

The Master of Science in Financial Technology and Computing is offered jointly by the Faculty of Informatics and by the Faculty of Economics of the Università della Svizzera italiana, USI, situated in Lugano - Switzerland. This full-time study program comprises 120 ECTS spread over 4 semesters (usual duration 2 years) and is entirely offered in English.

This unique cross-discipline program combines USI's world-leading expertise in Finance and Informatics and offers exciting career prospects that range from fintech startups to banks and insurers to hedge funds.

The program has been designed to provide graduates with an informatics background with the necessary tools and skills for understanding fundamental problems in finance while, at the same time, learning about advanced tools and techniques in informatics to be applied in finance.... [-]

The Master of Science in Financial Communication is offered jointly by the Faculty of Economics, and the Faculty of Communication Sciences. This full-time study program of the Università della Svizzera italiana is held in Lugano - Switzerland comprises 120 ECTS spread over 4 semesters (usual duration 2 years) and is entirely offered in English.

The Master program in financial communication offers students the unique opportunity to acquire an integrated set of competencies, including financial, communicative and legal knowledge, strongly and increasingly required in the financial sector. The recent financial crisis has created new challenges for banks, business companies, and market operators, who are expected to master, besides a solid financial background, also strong capacities in communicating with clients and investors and a mature awareness of the legal framework in which financial services and products are promoted and transactions are negotiated.... [-]

Goals and Contents

The Master in Finance at USI offers preparation for a successful career in a modern financial world. These careers are spread across diverse fields such as data analytics, banking regulation, and crypto currencies. As a reflection of this diversity, the Master program is organized in three minors (streams): Quantitative Finance, Banking and Finance, and Digital Finance. The minors are designed to bring together the demands from the industry, individual interests and educational backgrounds.

Courses in the first semester are common across all minors. They are aimed at providing the students with the foundation of finance, statistics, programming, and accounting. They are basis for all subsequent courses and allow students to identify their personal interests and strengths. When entering the second semester, students choose the minor in which they want to specialize in. The second semester is then dedicated to core courses, establishing the foundations of Quantitative Finance, Banking and Finance, and Digital Finance. In the third semester, half of the ECTS (15) are from core (compulsory) courses, which complete the foundations of the chosen fields. For the remaining 15 ECTS, students have access to a great number of elective courses that allow them to customize their curricula according to their individual interests, educational backgrounds, and professional goals. They also can choose to undertake a field-project where they develop a consultancy study in group on behalf of a firm, under the supervision of a Faculty member.... [-]

This course gives you the opportunity to develop a detailed understanding of the practical applications of modern finance theories in the financial world.

You will learn from specialist staff with expertise in accounting, finance, economics and management. On completion of your course, you will be able to apply your skills in areas including valuation, investment and financial decision-making, risk management and derivatives, financial instruments and markets, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring in developed and emerging markets.... [-]

The aim of this course is to provide you with the advanced level skills and knowledge required by personnel in the accounting, finance, and corporate financial industry sectors.

On completion of the course, you will be able to take advantage of opportunities in either managerial or consulting role in the corporate sector and finance industries.... [-]

Minimum 12 months, maximum three years.

This course offers you an exciting opportunity to join one of the world’s most dynamic growth sectors, with relevance to areas including property, transport, shipping insurance, credit cards, wealth management and home and commercial mortgages.... [-]

Minimum 12 months, maximum three years

This course has been designed specifically to enhance knowledge of the banking and finance industry and improve your employability prospects.

You will learn about key challenges in the current global economic environment, consider issues from around the world, and analyse and evaluate problems to identify the best solutions to improve international banking and finance strategies and practice.... [-]