Education

The Master of Science in Financial Economics programme expands students' knowledge of financial and economic problems and provides students with the relevant analytical tools to investigate them. Graduates should be able to analyse and solve complex financial and economic problems independently. Adopting a scientific approach, the programme addresses the macroeconomic environment as well as specific financial business situations. In particular, it offers insights into international monetary and macroeconomic problems and stresses the analysis of business case studies. The programme uses a variety of teaching methods with a clear emphasis on small interactive groups, including class presentations, teamwork exercises, case studies, class discussions and paper writing.

The Master of Science in Financial Economics is an advanced Master's programme. You can follow this programme on a full-time or part-time basis.

Profile

The programme targets students interested in recent developments in financial economics seeking careers in the financial sector, international organisations, government and other corporations. Applicants must have a sufficient background in economics, finance and statistics.

For specific admission requirements, click on the desired programme in the 'Choose your courses of study' section.

Objectives

The objective is to offer students having a sufficient background in economics and/or finance, a deeper knowledge of financial economics and to provide them with the relevant analytical tools to analyze financial issues. Students who graduate with the degree of Master of Financial Economics (MFE) are able to individually analyze and solve complex financial and economic problems. The programme offers students the theoretical, empirical and methodological background to reach this objective. This scientific approach incorporates both the macro-economic environment as well as the financial micro-economic situations found in individual business contexts. In particular, the programme stresses the analysis of specific (business) case studies but also offers scientific insights into the analysis of general (international) monetary and macro-economic shocks and problems. This combined focus allows students to take into account not only the impact on the own business-section but also the impact on other parts of the firm or on the financial sector. Thus students should be able to find creative solutions for complex financial/economic problems based on a scientific background. They should master this problem solving capacity both individually and in a team. Students should be able to analyze and solve case studies based upon their scientific knowledge.

After graduation

Graduates of the programme will have obtained profound, broad knowledge of the analytical frameworks necessary to analyse the macroeconomic, corporate and investment aspects of financial issues. Graduates are able to analyse complex problems in financial economics independently by drawing on this theoretical and analytical framework and by choosing and applying the relevant analytical tools. They have the ability to define and implement research projects, solve financial problems and draw and present conclusions independently. They have a positive attitude toward analytical problem solving. The unique combination of finance and economics provided by the programme is greatly valued by employers. Graduates of the programme have gone on to careers in financial institutions, international teams and corporate environments including multinational consulting firms such as McKinsey & Company, large corporations such as Electrabel and international organisations such as the European Commission.

Information sessions

KU Leuven organises a Verderstudeerbeurs each spring. In addition, faculties also organise information sessions for many of their bridging and graduate programmes.

All information sessions for (future) Master's students

(Inter)national

One of the faculty's most important assets is its vast national and international network. We maintain strong links with the business and financial community by organising regular workshops with industry leaders and the European Commission, situated only 30 minutes from our campus. Many of our alumni work at European institutions, and many of the department's staff members act as advisers to various European bodies and international companies. The student association, Ekonomika, is equally active via its Business-to-University lecture programme. Our Alumni network offers excellent communication channels and networking opportunities with leading figures in industry and politics.

We have a wide international student exchange network as well. Not only do we participate extensively in the (intra-EU) Erasmus programme (with 65 partners), we also have numerous agreements with leading universities outside the EU, e.g. the Wharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania), the University of Chicago, Cornell University, the University of Illinois and Rochester University in the United States, the University of British Columbia, Queen's University, the University of Toronto and the Université de Montréal in Canada, the Indian Institutes of Management Calcutta and Bangalore in India, the Chinese University and the City University of Hong Kong, Beida, Tsinghua and Fudan in China, Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, National Taiwan University, Seoul National University in South Korea, Queensland University of Technology Brisbane and the University of Sydney in Australia, Stellenbosch in South Africa, Insper in Brazil, Esan in Peru, the University of Monterrey in Mexico and the Singapore Management University.

Spotlight

KU Leuven is a modern university offering an ideal research and learning environment strongly rooted in tradition but with sights set firmly on the future. The aim of the university is not merely to train professional experts, but also to foster critical thinking, intellectual openness, a genuine taste for culture and a sense of civic responsibility. At present, KU Leuven caters to more than 40,000 students, around 14% of whom are international scholars from over 140 countries. KU Leuven is a charter member of the League of European Research Universities, together with Cambridge, Oxford, Leiden, Edinburgh, Geneva, Strasbourg, Heidelberg and others. In terms of scholarly output, KU Leuven is consistently ranked among the top ten European universities in European surveys. Recently, it was ranked 67th worldwide in the 'Times Higher Education Supplement'. QS places KU Leuven at the 68th spot worldwide. The university is ranked fourth worldwide in terms of research valorisation. Imec, the solid-state science lab on the Arenberg campus, employs about 1,700 academic researchers and designers, delivering cutting-edge work. And yes, rumours that the Big Bang theory originated at KU Leuven are correct. Likewise, external quality assessments show that KU Leuven's teaching is on par with internationally respected institutions. This academic reputation attracts students and scholars from across the globe, creating a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere. Leuven has a truly international outlook, and its alumni can be found all over the world.

Contact

Faculty of Economics and Business
tel. + 32 16 32 66 12

Students can ask questions through the webform on: www.econ.kuleuven.be/onderwijshelpdesk/

General
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
To contact us please complete the contact form on our website

Useful links

Visit website of the faculty.

Download this brochure

Download this Master's brochure.

Order this Master's brochure.