How to apply

• Students enrolled in a bachelor programme at the University of Neuchâtel

  Students enrolled in a bachelor's programme at the University of Neuchâtel only need to complete this form and are directly admitted.

• Students with a bachelor degree from a Swiss university

  Students with a bachelor degree in business, economics, math or engineering from a Swiss university are directly admitted.

  Students with a bachelor degree in another field with sufficient exposure to finance and economics from a Swiss university are directly admitted.

  • Application deadline: 30 April 2023
  • Beginning of the programme: 19 September 2023.
• Students with a bachelor degree in business from a Swiss university of applied sciences

  Fast track programme for student excellence: students who hold or will obtain a bachelor's degree in economics, management, business administration or a related field from a Swiss university of applied sciences with an average grade of at least 5.00 can apply for direct admission.  

  • Application deadline: 30 April 2023
  • Beginning of the MScF programme: 19 September 2023.

  Students with a bachelor degree in business from a Swiss university of applied sciences are admitted conditionally following successful completion of a one-semester 30 ECTS bachelor-level pre-programme (available in English).

  • Application deadline: 30 November 2023
  • Beginning of the pre-programme: 19 February 2024
  • Beginning of the MScF programme: September 2024​.
• Students with a non-Swiss bachelor degree in business or economics, math or engineering or a bachelor degree in another field with sufficient exposure to finance and economics

  Students with a non-Swiss bachelor degree are required to hold a bachelor degree in business or economics, math or engineering or a bachelor degree in another field with sufficient exposure to finance and economics.

  • Application deadline: 30 April 2023
  • If accepted, beginning of the MScF programme: 19 September 2023.
• Students with a non-Swiss bachelor degree with a lack of finance, statistic, and econometrics courses

  Students with a non-Swiss bachelor degree with a lack of finance, statistic, and econometrics courses are encouraged to apply to the MScF programme and to indicate that they are interested in one of the two pre-programmes below. If accepted conditionally, students start the MScF programme following the successful completion of either one of the pre-programmes:

  Spring pre-programme (30 ECTS)

  • Application deadline: 30 November 2023.
  • One-semester bachelor-level pre-programme (available in English) starting on 19 February 2024.
  • Successful students begin the MScF programme in September 2024.

  Standard pre-programme courses: Principles of Finance (6 ECTS), Introduction to Derivatives (6 ECTS), International Financial Reporting Standards (6 ECTS), Consolidation (3 ECTS), International Finance (3 ECTS), Empirical Research for Decision Makers (6 ECTS).

  If the student has already passed comparable courses, the pre-programme courses can be replaced upon request and subject to the approval of the Director of the Master in Finance programme.

  Or:

  Fall pre-programme (60 ECTS)

  • Application deadline: 30 April 2023.
  • One-year bachelor-level pre-programme (available in English) starting on 19 September 2023.
  • Successful students begin the MScF programme in September 2024.

• When will I receive a decision on my application?

  Your application is reviewed in less than a month after your application.

• I will complete my Bachelor degree before the beginning of the MScF programme, but not before the admission deadline. Can I still apply?

  Yes. However, you need to have your bachelor degree before the programme starts.

• What is the reapplication procedure?

  The same as the normal application. If your application was rejected, do not reapply unless you obtained another diploma in the meantime.

• How does the MScF programme distinguish itself from similar programmes?

  Beyond high scientific standards, the programme is designed to prepare and facilitate the transition to the finance professions.

  The first semester concentrates on core courses in the foundations of modern finance, accounting, quantitative methods and economics. After the first semester, the small number of students allows interactive teaching and team work to solve case studies and projects.

  The programme has a strong focus on financial analysis, asset valuation and portfolio management so that it is tailored to take the CFA exams. These professional exams are highly valuable and recognized all over the world.

• Is it possible to prepare for the CFA exam while enrolled in the MScF?

  The Master is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. This status is granted to institutions whose programme incorporates at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge, which provides you with a solid grounding to sit for the CFA exams.

• Is it possible to follow the programme part-time?

  Yes, upon request and in exceptional cases such as employment or child care. Approval of the director of the MScF is mandatory.

• Is it possible to follow the courses from a distance?

  No.

• Are there evening sessions?

   Unfortunately, there are no evening sessions.

• How many people do you admit each year?

  Our goal is to admit around 30 students every year.

• Do you accept credits and transfers from other universities?

  Credits transfers obtained in other master programmes are limited to elective courses. They are reviewed case by case.

• I am interested in a PhD in Finance. Does the MScF lead to a PhD?

  Every year, some students decide to write a PhD thesis at the Institute of Financial Analysis in Neuchatel or abroad (UK, US). Elective courses with strong theoretical foundations, either in Neuchâtel or at other Swiss universities, facilitate the enrolment in a PhD programme.

• How many students are able to get internships?

  Many students complete an internship between two semesters.

  If certain conditions are fulfilled, students can earn 6 ECTS for completing an internship report.

  In addition, it is possible to write an internship thesis instead of a research thesis during the fourth semester. ​The internship thesis is a project completed under the guidance of a company and allows to earn 30 ECTS if a student signs up for the extended 120 ECTS Master in Finance.

• Are the internships guaranteed?

  It is not possible to guarantee internships, because by Swiss law these have to be based on individual contracts between the student and a company.

  In our experience, good students from Switzerland and the EU comfortably find internships in Switzerland. Non-EU students have to consider additional administrative burdens and constraints from their visa. It is also possible to do internships in another country than Switzerland.

• What is the average salary for MScF graduates?

  The median is CHF 80'000 when hired and CHF 100'000 after three year for Alumni working in Switzerland.