MSc Banking & Finance programme highlights
The key to this Master of Science (MSc) in Banking & Finance is to understand the many complex and challenging aspects of banking and financial markets. The programme offers a high-level learning about traditional trades and current financial instruments:
→ Fixed income : a class of assets and securities that pay out a set level of cash flows to investors, typically in the form of fixed interest or dividends.
→ Asset management : the pratice of increasing wealth over time by acquiring, maintaining, and trading investments that can grow in value.
→ Equity research : the analysis of stock to help portfolio managers make better-informed investment decisions.
→ Mergers & acquisitions : the consolidation of companies or their major assets through financial transactions between companies.
→ Commodities & Energy: market equilibrium conditions, geopolitical determinants.
→ Derivatives : futures and options instrument to manage financial risk exposure.
This MSc in Banking & Finance incorporates the latest developments in finance and relies on a balanced programme including:
→ Fintech (machine learning, AI, blockchain, robo advisor, crowdfunding, etc.) & digital finance
→ Understanding of programming (Python, Visual Basic)
→ Access to professional databases (Reuters, Bloomberg, Quantalys)
→ Mastery of the regulatory environment and financial risk management
This programme prepares students for both French and international professional certifications / qualifications such as:
→ CFA level 1 is the first level of the Chartered Financial Analyst programme. It is an examination that covers a broad range of financial topics. It focuses on the knowledge and comprehension of investment tools and asset classes, portfolio management, financial analysis, ethical and professional standards.
→ AMF (Autorité des marchés financiers) : This certification assesses the candidate's understanding of the rules, regulations and professional practices in the financial sector.
→ AMF "Finance Durable" is an entity within the AMF that specifically focuses on sustainable finance. It develops guidelines, regulations, and incentives to encourage financial institutions to integrate sustainability principles into their operations and investment decisions.
All students have their own personal full-time access to Reuters terminal which provides real-time market data, news, and analytics that are crucial for making informed trading decisions in various financial markets such as stocks, bonds, currencies, and commodities.
A professional seminar with Reuters staff is organised in the first semester and, at a later stage, students will enjoy full support to prepare for the Reuters Certification.
The CFA institute is a global association of investment professionals. Pursuing certification through the CFA Institute can lead to enhanced career prospects, global recognition, and a deeper understanding of investment principles and ethical standards in the financial industry.
For any relevant module, the intermediate grade adopts and follows the CFA level 1 programme, preparing students for any of the 18 study sessions. For the Banking & Finance MSc, in 2024 KEDGE intends to seek affiliation with CFA Institute as part of their University Affiliation Programme.
Using both Reuters real quotes and Quantalys databases, MSc students can take part in Trading challenges, Natixis challenges, etc.
Reuters real-time quotes can be used to gather current market data, including prices, commodity prices, current exchange rates, and other relevevant financial data.
Quantalys is used to retrieve historical market data, performance metrics, risk measures, etc.
One module is dedicated to Python learning (open-source and free coding language), and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).
Python is a high-level programming language known for its versatility and ease of use. It's widely used in various fields such as web development, data analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, scientific computing, and automation.
VBA is a programming language that is integrated with Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Word, Access, and Outlook. It allows users to automate tasks, create custom functions, and develop applications within these Office programmes.
Digital finance refers to the use of digital technologies to deliver financial services, conduct transactions, and manage financial processes.
Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that enables the secure and transparent recording of transactions.
Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) that involves the development of algorithms and models that enable computers to learn from data and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed.
Why choose the MSc Banking & Finance at KEDGE?
Studying banking and finance can offer numerous benefits, providing students with the opportunity to learn the technical requirements of finance while fostering an understanding of its social responsibility.
- Career opportunities: The programme undergoes continuous development to stay aligned with job requirements with the evolving demands of the job market. Graduates will secure positions in various sectors including retail or network banking, finance and investment bank, asset and portfolio management, risk management, private equity, mergers & acquisitions, and more. For more information on career opportunities.
- Job stability: The financial industry is a crucial component of the global economy. As such, there is a constant demand for skilled professionals in banking and finance. At KEDGE, 100% of graduates are hired within six months after graduation.
- Global relevance: Banking and finance are global industries, and the skills you acquire are applicable internationally. This can provide opportunities for working in various countries and understanding global financial markets.
- Technological advancement: KEDGE uses the latest computer labs with mathematical and trading software (Reuters and Bloomberg) and exposes the students to the latest financial technologies (FinTech) and innovations, preparing you for the modern financial landscape.
- Networking opportunities: Professors at KEDGE boast an extensive and wide-ranging network within the finance. Partnerships with leading industry players include BNP Paribas, MAIF, Quantalys to name but a few.
- Real-world cases: Close links and regular speakers from financial organisations give you insights and up-to-the- minute knowledge of the subject area and brings practical insights into the classroom by applying the theory to real-world scenarios.