MSc Banking and Finance, International Track
"In order to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing industry, it is necessary to have a firm grasp of technical, methodological, and social skills."
Dr. Ruben Seiberlich, Head of MSc in Banking and Finance
The Master's program in Banking and Finance can be completed as a part-time bilingual program (English/German) or as a full-time program delivered in English. For the part-time program in English/German, please click here.
Managerial roles in banks and financial institutions require a high degree of entrepreneurial thinking, leadership abilities, solid specialist knowledge, and analytical skills.
Our MSc Banking & Finance, International Track, offers a full time option for those students who do not work part time and wish to enter the job market with a MSc degree as soon as one year after they finish the BSc.
The first 11 months, from September to July, require attendance on site. The assessments in the last semester can be done remotely, offering the possibility to enter the job market in any of the global financial hubs.
At a Glance
Title: Master of Science (MSc) ZHAW in Banking and Finance
Workload: 90 ECTS-Credits (approx. 2 700 hours of work)
Study Format: Full-time (Bilingual part-time program)
Duration: 3 semesters full-time study with only 11 months of regular attendance
Start of New Program: Mid-September
Enrollment Deadline: 30 June 2025 - Owing to high demand, you can only apply for a place on the waiting list. Admission interviews will only be conducted if spaces become available.
Location: Winterthur, Canton of Zurich (Switzerland)
Language of Instruction: English
Semester Fee: CHF 720.- semester fee, including flat rate exam fee; CHF 500 additional semester fee payable by students legally domiciled outside Switzerland; registration fee and enrollment fee: CHF 100 (fees are subject to change)
Accreditation/Award: AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA, Top European Business School (Financial Times Ranking)
FT-Ranking: The MSc Banking and Finance is one of the 100 best Finance Master's programs worldwide in the ranking of the renowned business newspaper “Financial Times”.
“The MSc Banking and Finance offers the ideal preparation for a career in the dynamic and constantly changing financial market. In addition, the specialization module 'Capital Markets and Data Science' was the perfect way to deepen my private equity knowledge. Now I am starting work at one of the largest buyout funds in Frankfurt.”
Lisa Oberosler, Private Equity Analyst, alumna MSc Banking and Finance
5 Reasons for MSc in Banking and Finance
Awarded & accredited: The SML has been awarded AACSB and EQUIS accreditation – two prestigious seals of approval that internationally recognize the quality of our degrees, research, and executive education. The SML is regularly included in rankings published by the Financial Times, including the best European business schools’ listing.
International Orientation: Take advantage of a network of over 190 selected partner universities worldwide and gain valuable international experience by spending a semester abroad.
Top Instructors with Practical Experience: Learn from academically qualified lecturers with relevant professional experience and make use of their first-rate networks of international contacts.
Basis for International Finance Programs: Be efficient and study for an additional qualification such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) in combination with or subsequently to our program.
Close Proximity to Zurich - Financial and Business Hub: Enjoy the close proximity of the Winterthur campus to the financial and business hub of Zurich. Not only will you be able to combine part-time work and study, you will also have the opportunity to build an excellent network of professional contacts.
What You Will Learn
The program "MSc in Banking and Finance" provides both sound scientific knowledge and practically oriented management know-how at an international level. You will learn to analyze complex tasks, identify different options, and implement solutions effectively. You will deepen your knowledge of the market, investment decisions, corporate governance, leadership, institutional frameworks and international economics. You will study risk management, strategic innovation management as well as corporate and entrepreneurial finance.
“Our Master's program allows you to focus on your career goal: by choosing between three areas of specialization, ‘Capital Markets and Data Science’, ‘Capital Markets and Real Estate’ and ‘Digital Banking’, and by engaging in corresponding application-oriented project work.”
Prof. Dr. Peter Schwendner, Head of Institute of Wealth & Asset Management
Your Career Prospects
Digital Banking
- Analyst Innovation & Technology Transformation
- Business Analyst (e.g. in Digital Banking)
- Business Developer
- Business Strategist
- Business and Process Analyst
- Change Manager / Transformation Manager
- Development Manager
- Digital Consultant
- Fintech Entrepreneur
- Innovation Manager
- Management Consultant
- Process Expert
- Product Designer / Product Developer
- Product Owner
- Project Manager
- Relationship Manager
- Service Design Specialist
Capital Markets & Data Science / Real Estate
- Advisor Real Estate Financing
- Client Advisor
- Derivatives Structurer
- Due Diligence Analyst
- Equity/Fixed Income/Credit Portfolio Manager
- Equity/Fixed Income/Credit Trader
- ESG/Sustainability Analyst
- Investment Analyst Real Estate
- Investment Strategist
- M&A Advisor
- Manager Selection
- Performance Analyst
- Portfolio Manager Real Estate
- Private Equity Manager Real Estate
- Quant Analyst
- Quant Portfolio Manager
- Quant Strategies Product Developer
- Risk Manager
- Sales and Brokerage
- Sell-Side or Buy-Side Equity/Fixed Income/Credit Analyst
Program Structure and Admission
Practice and Research
The Program will take three semesters to complete and be worth 90 ECTS credits. This is the equivalent of approx. 2,700 hours of study. Nearly half of the program is devoted to applied research. You will complete your studies by completing a Master's thesis based on a practical research question. The first 11 months, from September to July, require attendance on site. The assessments in the last semester can be done remotely.
“As a professional sportsman, the MSc Banking and Finance provided me with the ideal basis for entering the finance sector after my athletic career. Furthermore, the ZHAW gave me a lot of flexibility to pursue my professional sports career while studying. As a result, I was able to remain active in the sporting world alongside my studies and even take part in a European Championship and World Cup.”
Michal Svajlen, former professional handball player, alumni MSc Banking and Finance
Module Tables
Module Table Master’s Degree Program as from HS 25: Full-time program International Track - 11 month presence – Capital Markets & Real Estate (Module Table coming soon)
What You Need to Qualify
- You need to meet a number of criteria to qualify for this MSc program. The main requirement is a Bachelor's degree in Banking and Finance or an equivalent university qualification in Business Administration. The admission of individual applicants is based on their overall profile and will be approved on merit.
In addition to these basic conditions, there are additional requirements to be met:
- Foundation knowledge of banking and finance, especially corporate and entrepreneurial finance, risk management, economics, financial instruments and portfolio theory, as well as statistics and quantitative methods
- Bachelor’s Thesis
- Ability to actively follow classroom instruction in English and use course materials in English
- English language skills:
- BEC Higher/Cambridge Advanced or Proficiency certificate at C1 Level
IELTS Academic certificate at C1/Advanced Level (min. 7.0)
TOEFL certificate at C1/Advanced Level (min. 95 points)
TOEFL iBT Home Edition certificate at C1/Advanced Level (min. 95 points)
TOEIC certificate Listening + Reading combined score (min. 945 points)
Refresh Kurse Statistics and Finance
For all MSc Banking & Finance students, we offer two refresher courses in the subjects of Finance and Statistics. Please click here for more information about this offer.
Information for International Students
Double Degree Program
A double degree consists of two degrees awarded by two different universities. They allow students the opportunity to specialize and go in depth into a particular field of study, or to follow a new subject. International double degrees, where qualifications are gained from more than one country, provide a unique opportunity for students to achieve a competitive advantage in a global business market.
MSc in Banking and Finance is part of the CFA Affiliation Program
This program covers an important part of the CFA Program Body of Knowledge in the «MSc Banking and Finance» and ensures that you gain up-to-date knowledge in finance. The CFA Research Challenge will also provide you with direct exposure to the practical world.
Through our partnership with CFA Institute, we can prepare our MSc students for the Chartered Financial Analyst ® (CFA) program. The CFA program is a professional self-study investment management certification based on three exams.
This partnership enables us to award CFA scholarships each year to outstanding «MSc Banking and Finance» students who embark on the program.
Brochure
Information and Enrollment
MSc Information Events
Find out more about our practice-oriented Master's degree programs at the information events and ask us your questions.
Admission Check
Are you interested in a Master's degree program and would like to know whether you meet the requirements? Or do you have questions about the course?
Enrollment Master's Degree Programs
With a Master's degree, you are investing in your future. You will expand your professional and personal skills and increase your career opportunities.
MSc Information Events
Admission Check
Enrollment Master's Degree Programs
Find out more about our practice-oriented Master's degree programs at the information events and ask us your questions.
Are you interested in a Master's degree program and would like to know whether you meet the requirements? Or do you have questions about the course?
With a Master's degree, you are investing in your future. You will expand your professional and personal skills and increase your career opportunities.