Program structure
The Master in Finance curriculum takes you on a journey through the world of finance. Along the way, you’ll develop international perspectives, in-depth understanding and hands-on practical experience.
After building up a solid foundation of knowledge, you’ll develop more advanced financial management abilities by analysing corporate financial decision-making processes, studying financial statements in detail, and diving deep into the world of fintech (financial technology). The knowledge you attain in the classroom will be augmented by your exposure to Esade's famously diverse and multicultural environment.
The major areas of study include accounting, financial economics, and corporate finance, asset management and banking, and fintech’s role in finance. In addition, these core focuses will be complemented by a wide range of seminars on personal and professional development, as well as an optional internship with a leading organization.
Program Content
Pre-Program in Finance
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER
25th August 2025 - 12th September 2025
The Pre-Program in Finance (PPF) course is designed specifically to prepare you for the MSc in Finance. It ensures that you have the required knowledge before beginning your MSc in Finance program, helping you maximize your Masters program learning experience by helping you build a strong foundation. The Pre-Program in Finance is offered only to the Masters in Finance students who do not have a background in Management. Students in this situation are required to do the Pre-Program and will be duly notified in their official admissions letter. Only students that have been asked to do the PPF are allowed to do so.
- Module 1: Financial Accounting
- Module 2: Corporate Finance & Financial Economics
- Module 3: Quantitative Methods for Finance
Additionally, Esade offers an up-to-date short course on Quantitative Methods for those students who need to refresh knowledge in mathematics and statistics. Once the students have been accepted and enrolled in the program and once the official welcome has been sent to all of them by email, they will receive an online test for them to solve on a voluntary basis. Students who do not pass the test will be recommended to attend the QM course, again on a voluntary basis. Students who succeed in the test do not need to attend the QM course.
Welcome Week
SEPTEMBER
Program Start Date: 15th September 2025
The Esade Welcome Week is designed to help you hit the ground running, right from day one. You'll get to know the Esade management teams, find out how the Masters in Finance fits into the broader context of the business school, and get a full overview of the program's academics and career services. You'll learn what is expected of you and we'll help you make your time at Esade a success by sharing some proven tips and guidelines. Group work is a key element of the Masters program and you'll have the opportunity to get to know the other MSc participants straight away as you begin your journey together.
The Esade Welcome Week is mandatory.
Term 1: Foundations of Finance | 20 ECTS
SEPTEMBER– DECEMBER
This initial term will broaden your international perspective on issues concerning financial markets and provide you with the tools to devise possible solutions.
The term is made up of five core courses covering a variety of disciplines:
· Business in Society (4 ECTS)
· Corporate Finance (4 ECTS)
· Financial Analysis & Reporting (4 ECTS)
· Financial Modelling (4 ECTS)
· Investments (4 ECTS)
Study Tour & Skill Seminars | 5 ECTS
JANUARY
International Study Tours
Experience a different culture during an intensive week abroad at one of the world’s leading universities.
All the destinations are open to all students, have limited spots and may vary from one academic year to the next .
Intensive courses:
During the Skill Seminar & Study Tours period, you can also course Free and Finance Intensive Electives that will count towards Term 3 credits (14 ECTS). Finance Intensive courses are the following:
· Corporate Restructuring
· Hedge Funds
While all students can opt for all offered Study Tours / Electives if they fulfill prerequisites, they have to enroll through a bidding process where students from certain programs might have preference for courses more relevant to their Master and spaces are limited in each course.
Skill seminars:
· AI for Productivity and Personal Development
· Brand/Communication Immersion Programme, Profession in Action
· Business Storytelling
· Effective Communication
· Emotional Intelligence resources for a successful career
· Empowering Excel
· Gateway seminar: E-Commerce & Technology
· Gateway seminar: Fashion
· Gateway seminar: Sports
· Gateway Seminar: Health
· LEADing at Work
· Managing Development in Emerging Countries
· Negotiation Strategies for Business Leaders
· Phyton for Data Sciences
· Practical HR for Managers
· R for Data Sciences
· Rhetoric for Public Speech, Persuasion, and Inspiring Others
· Sales/Consulting Immersion Program, Profession in Action
· Scrum
· Stata for Empirical Finance
Click here for the details of all the seminars in the program.
Term 2: Advanced Financial Management | 15 ECTS
FEBRUARY – APRIL
Specialised courses:
· Derivatives (3 ECTS)
· Fixed Income (3 ECTS)
· Corporate Valuation (3 ECTS)
· Finance Project (3 ECTS)
The Finance Program offers the possibility to focus your education on specific finance areas that will help you to get a deeper knowledge into them. There are 2 itineraries integrated into the regular curriculum, meaning no extra workload, allowing to customize your itinerary during your academic year. The courses will be chosen during the enrollment period.
Track 1: Investment Banking and Financial Accounting
Learn about the different types of private equity transactions, the M&A process, the role of investment banks in M&A transactions, the structure and operations of multinational corporations, and the key consulting skills required by top consulting firms.
Subject: Key Topics in Financial Accounting
Track 2: Banking and Asset Management
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in these highly competitive fields. Learn about financial markets, investment analysis, portfolio management, risk management, and other essential topics. Network with industry professionals and gain real-world experience
Subject: Asset Pricing
Term 3: Electives | 14 ECTS
MAY-JUNE
The wide range of electives offered during this term will allow you to tailor the program to your specific career goals.During the Skill Seminars & Study Tours period, you can also course Free and Finance Intensive Electives that will count towards Term 3 credits.
There is a minimum number of compulsory finance electives, each with a strong practical focus. These courses all feature a highly interactive methodology and will be largely based on your own initiative and work.
Electives offering may very from on academic year to the next. The following list are examples of the current offering:
Finance Electives:
· Advanced finance modelling
· Asset Management
· Corporate Restructuring
· Fintech: technology innovation in financial services
· Hedge funds
· International Portfolio Management
· Management Accounting for Business Decisions
· Mergers & Acquisitions
· Real Estate Finance
· Sustainable finance
· Venture Capital
Free Electives:
· AI Applications for business
· Blue Economy
· Business Impact of Life Sciences
· Challenge Based Innovation for Artifical Inteligence (CBI4AI)
· Data-Driven Prototyping with AI
· Data Alalytics and Cloud Platforms
· Family Business Management
· Global Supply Chain
· In Search of Principles for a Life Philosophy: Lessons from Art, History, and Economics
· Innovation through Design Thinking
· Introduction to Machine Learning
· Leading with impact: developing your leadership skills, becoming a leader
· Project Management
· Re-imagining Capitalism
· Renewable Energy and Decarbonitzation Strategies
· Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investment
· Strategic Key Account Management
· Strategic Management of Disruptive Innovation and Exponential Technologies
Free electives from other MSc Programs
· Data Analysis for Business Managers
· Digital Leadership in the era of AI
· Digital Marketing
· Investment Banking & Decentralized Finance
· The Art of Strategic Decision - Making
Places are subject to availability
While all students can opt for all offered Electives if they fulfill prerequisites, they have to enroll through a bidding process where students from certain programs might have preference for courses more relevant to their Master and spaces are limited in each course.
Summer term: Master Project | 6 ECTS
JULY - SEPTEMBER
MASTER PROJECT
You can choose from three different formats:
Master Thesis, aimed at demonstrating your research abilities
Business Plan, aimed at fostering an entrepreneurial spirit
In-Company Project, based on a professional internship
You will receive full support from your tutors, regardless of the format chosen. You will also have to complete a prior preparation session.
Graduation
LATE OCTOBER
MASTERS PROJECT DEFENSE & GRADUATION
Syllabus
Click here for the details of all the courses in the program.
Investments
Anna Bayona is an Assistant Professor at Esade Business School. She holds a PhD from IESE, a Masters in International Management from Esade and an MPhil in Economics from Cambridge University. Anna teaches investment and has extensive professional experience in strategic management consulting and banking.
"In the field of investment, robots take the role of financial advisors in providing cheap, fast and widely available financial advice in situations where in the past we had humans doing this job. So, the big question is, will robots replace humans in investment management?"
Corporate Finance
Vicente Bermejo is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Esade. He has a PhD in Finance as well as a Master in Economics and Finance from CEMFI. He has written many research papers including two on liquidity issues. He is an experienced professor in financial risk management, accounting, and economics.
"What is the rationale behind capital restructuring? What are the advantages and disadvantages of debt and equity and when should a company use one or the other?"
What to do after your MSc
CEMS
Extend your studies by one more year, including a 8-week internship abroad. CEMS offers an incredible international experience.
Double Degrees
Spend a second year in one of our prestigious partner schools around the world and earn an official degree from both institutions (External Double Degree), or combine two complementary Esade MSc programs to suit your personal career goals (Internal Double Degree).