The target group of students are students having obtained an academic bachelor's degree that required 4 years of study or a master's degree in economics, business or finance. Students with a master's degree in other fields can also be allowed provided that the students received a good training in economics and finance in their bachelor/master, and possess sufficient skills in quantitative analysis. For example, they should have a good background in math and statistics. Quantitative skills are indicated by successful completion of courses in statistics/econometrics and a sufficient score on the GMAT or GRE test. Fluency in English is indicated (see below) by a language test (TOEFL/IELTS). A strong motivation to participate in the programme and a positive attitude towards academic research are required.

 

Academiejaar  2011-2012

PRIOR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

*   Applicants with a Belgian university diploma:

   o   Applicants holding one of the following degrees can be admitted without preparatory courses
      -   Master of Science in Economics (Financial Economics Major)
      -   Master of Science in Business Economics (Financial Economics Major)
      -   Master of Science in de economische wetenschappen (Financial Economics Major)
   o   Applicants holding one of the following degrees can be admitted provided that they follow a preparatory programme (described below):
      -   Master of Science in Economics (other majors)
      -   Master of Science in Business Economics (other majors)
      -   Master of Science in Applied Economics
      -   Master of Science in Business Engineering
      -   Master of Science in Business Engineering: Information Systems Engineering
      -   Another university degree in Economics, Business Studies or Business Engineering requiring at least four years of study
      -   Master of Science in de economische wetenschappen (other majors)
      -   Master of Science in de toegepaste economische wetenschappen
      -   Master of Science in de toegepaste economische wetenschappen: handelsingenieur
      -   Master of Science in de toegepaste economische wetenschappen: handelsingenieur in de beleidsinformatica
      -   Master of Science in de handelswetenschappen
      -   Master of Science handelsingenieur

For either group, academic performance should be above average (e.g. applicants should have obtained distinction).

*   Applicants with a non-Belgian university diploma: Applicants should hold a university Master's degree in Economics or Business Economics comparable to a Master's degree in Economics, Applied Economics or Business Engineering from the Faculty of Business and Economics at K.U.Leuven. Comparability is evaluated by the Admissions Board on the basis of information provided by the applicant, including certified copies of diploma and transcripts etc (see below). Academic performance should be above average (e.g. applicants should have obtained distinction). If admitted, these applicants still have to participate in the preparatory programme described below.
By a degree in Business or Economics we mean a broad-based education, not a technical training in e.g. marketing or hotel management. Also, our Faculty has a far more analytical/mathematical approach than the average European or American programme. For more information about the prerequisites for this programme, click http://www.econ.kuleuven.be/eng/edu/docs/mfe-prerequisites.pdf  here.

*   The preparatory programme, when applicable, consists of three courses (15 credits),
   D0R05A Strategic financial management (6 credits)
   D0C37A Time Series Analysis (3 credits)
   D0C15A Macro Finance (6 credits)
which can be taken partly or wholly either prior to or during the MFE year. Any preparatory course taken during the MFE year itself comes over and above the 60-credit requirement for MFE itself, and triggers additional tuition fees.

PROOF OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH

Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
*   Applicants with a K.U.Leuven degree: Applicants that already successfully completed an English-taught programme at K.U.Leuven, do not have to take an English proficiency test.
*   Applicants with a university degree earned in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or the USA: the certified diploma and transcripts suffice, provided they confirm that the entire university study was completed in English and in one of the above countries. Absolutely no other diplomas will be accepted as evidence even if the applicant has followed an exclusively English-taught programme.
*   Other applicants should submit a satisfactory score on an internationally recognized test of English language proficiency:TOEFL (minimum score 575 paper-based, 233 computer-based, 90 internet-based) or IELTS (minimum score 7). No other proficiency tests will be accepted, and absolutely no application will be considered without such a test certificate.

 ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS

Next to certified copies of diplomas and transcripts, all applicants must provide
*   a GMAT- or GRE-score. A GRE- or a GMAT-test result above the 90th percentile on the quantitative part (or on average) normally entails immediate admission, provided all other requirements are met as well, but this is not an absolute minimum.
*   two recommendation forms, downloadable here, filled out and signed, and mailed in a closed envelope signed over the lid by the referee to the Faculty of Business and Economics. Forms not provided in a closed envelope signed across the lid by the referee will be regarded as void. The recommendation forms can also be mailed directly by the referee to fbe@econ.kuleuven.be.
*   a letter of motivation written and signed by the applicant, explaining the choice for Leuven and for this particular programme

The Admissions Board evaluates all applications and has the final say on the admissibility of the student, taking into account the relevant information.

 

Academiejaar  2012-2013

PRIOR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

*   Applicants with a Belgian university degree:

   o   Applicants holding one of the following degrees can be admitted without preparatory courses
      -   Master of Economics (Financial Economics Major)
      -   Master of Business Economics (Financial Economics Major)
      -   Master in de economische wetenschappen (Financial Economics Major)
   o   Applicants holding one of the following degrees can be admitted provided that they follow a preparatory programme (described below):
      -   Master of Economics (other majors)
      -   Master of Business Economics (other majors)
      - Master of Business Engineering
      -   Master of Business Engineering: Information Systems Engineering
      -   Another university Master's degree in Economics, Business Economics or Business Engineering

For either group, academic performance should be above average (e.g. applicants should have obtained distinction).

*   Applicants with a non-Belgian university degree: Applicants should hold a university Master's degree in Economics or Business Economics comparable to a Master's degree in Economics, Business Economics or Business Engineering from the Faculty of Business and Economics at KU Leuven. By a degree in Business or Economics we mean a broad-based academic education, not a technical training in e.g. marketing or hotel management. Notice that our Faculty has a strong analytical/mathematical approach. In order to verify whether you have sufficient background knowledge in this respect, check the prerequisites
Comparability is evaluated by the Admissions Board on the basis of information provided by the applicant,(see required documents). Academic performance should be above average (e.g. applicants should have obtained distinction). If admitted, these applicants still have to participate in the preparatory programme described below.

*   The preparatory programme, when applicable, consists of two courses (12 credits),

   D0C09A Econometric Methods and Models (6 credits)
   D0C15A Macro Finance (6 credits)
which can be taken partly or wholly either prior to or during the MFE year. Any preparatory course taken during the MFE year itself comes over and above the 60-credit requirement for MFE itself, and triggers additional tuition fees.

PROOF OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH

All applicants have to submit a satisfactory score on one of the following internationally recognized test of English language proficiency:
-   TOEFL (minimum score 575 paper-based, 233 computer-based, 90 internet-based)
-   IELTS (minimum score 7)
No other proficiency tests will be accepted.
An exemption from TOEFL or IELTS is possible for applicants with a university degree or high school degree earned in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or the USA: the certified diploma and transcripts suffice, provided they confirm that the entire study was completed in English


 REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

 All applicants should provide the following documents:
-   certified copies of transcripts, degrees and, if available, a ranking indication
-   a GMAT- or GRE-score. A GRE- or a GMAT-test result above the 90th percentile on the quantitative part normally entails immediate admission, provided all other requirements are met as well.
- two recommendation forms, filled out and signed, and mailed in a closed envelope signed over the lid by the referee to the Faculty of Business and Economics. Forms not provided in a closed envelope signed across the lid by the referee will be regarded as void. The recommendation forms can also be mailed directly by the referee to fbe@econ.kuleuven.be.
-   a letter of motivation written and signed by the applicant, explaining the choice for Leuven and for this particular programme

The Admissions Board evaluates all applications and has the final say on the admissibility of the applicant, taking into account the relevant information. Application files will not be processed as long as they are incomplete.

 

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