Master of Science in Finance

Trimester 1

The MFIN is divided into 3 terms: term 1 is offered in Venlo (Netherlands), term 2 in Plymouth (UK), and term 3 is dedicated to your master’s thesis and can be completed anywhere.

During the first trimester, you attend lectures and tutorials for core modules that provide you with in-depth knowledge on corporate financial decisions and company valuation as well as on the management of investments, financial risk, and portfolios. The core modules that you follow are Investments and Corporate Finance.

Investment

• You study, from the perspective of an advisor, how to design portfolios that meet the needs of individual clients. The module also introduces you to the valuation of bonds and equities. You are also exposed to bond and portfolio management strategies. In addition, the role of derivatives in portfolio management is covered.

Corporate Finance

• You develop in-depth knowledge of theories that build the connections between corporate decision-making, corporate governance mechanisms, and the value of the firm. To grasp these dynamic relationships several topics related to corporate objectives, time value of money, long-term capital investment decisions, and their complexities and decisions related to equity financing and debt financing are covered in detail. Further, you investigate capital investment appraisal in a real-world market with conditions such as inflation, tax, relevant costs, risk, capital rationing, and the replacement cycle. Finally, topics related to information asymmetry and agency theory provide the knowledge base to understand corporate governance challenges and their role in affecting firm value and firm performance.

Trimester 2

The second trimester starts with an intensive introduction to your master’s thesis and associated research method training. In addition, you’ll be familiarised with topics such as financial reporting, foreign exchange markets, and hedging. You follow the core modules International Finance and Analysis of Financial Statements.

International Finance

• You are introduced to the various and varied aspects of international finance. It helps you to understand the role of multinational companies, the balance of payments, foreign exchange markets, and international parities conditions. Further studies enable you to appreciate the complexities of foreign exchange exposure, derivatives markets, hedging, and foreign direct investment.

Analysis of Financial Statements

• You are introduced to the UK and international regulatory regime for financial reporting, including accounting principles, concepts, conventions, and Standards. This enables you to critically appraise the financial reporting theories and international accounting standards that underpin a company’s financial statements: statement of profit/loss, balance sheet, statement of equity, and cash flow statement. You also identify the tools and techniques to analyze and evaluate company performance within a sector and over time. Finally, you get an overview of the development of global corporate governance codes and an appreciation of the impact of good governance on a company’s financial results and reputation. Here, the focus is on two different approaches to corporate governance : the “principles approach” (UK) and the “legislative approach” (USA).

Trimester 3

During the third trimester, you work independently on your dissertation (master thesis). You receive guidance from a member of the scientific team that will be appointed as your supervisor. Your dissertation is part of the module Advanced Business Research.

Advanced Business Research

• You undertake supervised research into a suitable finance-related topic of your choice. You produce and present a research proposal for review by the module team before proceeding to undertake the research itself. You are expected to prepare and submit an 8,000 - 10,000 word dissertation.

What are you going to learn?

Develop your analytical and critical reasoning skills, broaden your knowledge of financial strategies, econometrics and financial management, and develop a global perspective on this complex industry.

• In-depth knowledge of financial markets
• Use of financial instruments for international company valuation, determining potential for mergers and acquisitions (M&As), making financing decisions and identifying optimisation potential in wealth/portfolio management
• Focus on investment with emphasis on shares, bonds and real estate
• Analysis of exchange rate movements, inflation and their effects on interest rates
• Managing risk with currency options, financial futures and swaps
• Analytical and critical reasoning skills
• Mix of applied science (Fontys) and scientific research (Plymouth) approach decisively enhances your career prospects
• In addition to qualifying for a PhD, graduates of the MSc in Finance can pursue a management career in all areas of finance, e.g. consulting, hedge funds, private and investment banking, and venture capital companies

Graduates of the MSc in Finance can pursue a management career in all areas of finance: Consulting, hedge funds, private and investment banking, venture capital companies, insurances or in the public financial sector. They are often found at ‘The Big Four’: Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Popular positions include financial analysts, corporate accountants, investment and private bankers. Some graduates pursue PhD studies and research in the Netherlands, Germany, or elsewhere in Europe.