When asked about Germany, people might think about the famous bratwurst, Berlin techno, beer and automobiles. However, many also think about Frankfurt and its financial institutions. Indeed, Germany is known for its economic productivity and has a number of significant financial centres. But where should you study if you want to get a job in this economic powerhouse? What are the best Masters in Finance in Germany?
In this article, we’ll tell you more about finance degrees in Germany and the job prospects available to you after graduating. The universities on our list all receive high satisfaction ratings from students on EDUopinions and/or appear among the best Masters in Finance in Germany according to rankings like the QS and Financial Times rankings.
Is Germany a good place to study finance?
Finance is an attractive market for business master’s graduates. According to GMAC’s Prospective Students Survey, it’s the most popular business Master’s degree, beating the all-rounder, the Master in Management. If you’re also considering this degree, then Germany is one of the best places in the world to study and work in finance.
Firstly, German cities easily make the ranking of some of the most important financial centres in the world. Frankfurt is at the top, ranking 10th in the world, while Berlin, Hamburg and Stuttgart also make the top 100.
German universities have developed a reputation for their academic excellence. It has the third-best education system in the world, and students will discover that practical experiences are a core part of the learning experience here. This enables students to develop soft skills like communication and teamwork while networking with companies and professors.
Furthermore, a strong incentive to study in Germany there is that most universities are public and free for EU students (though you will have to pay a small enrolment cost). If you want to attend a private business school, tuition fees will be higher, but you’ll benefit from global connections.
Is it easy to get a job After a Masters in Finance?
Germany has the third-largest GDP in the world, larger than other popular European study destinations including the UK and France. This means that the country attracts a lot of investment from businesses and, consequently, there are always plenty of job opportunities for Master in Finance graduates.
Finance graduates primarily work for large banks, and you’ll plenty of these headquartered in Frankfurt, which is one of the best cities to launch a career in finance in Europe. Graduate traineeships are a popular route for Master in Finance graduates, and if you’ve graduated from one of the best Masters in Finance in Germany, you’ll have a competitive advantage over hundreds of applicants.
However, you might also apply for roles such as data analyst or consultant, or work as a finance controller or finance manager for a business in other sectors.
What’s attractive about studying in Germany is that EU students can work for up to 20 hours a week during their degree. This means you could get an internship or gain other experience during your degree to bolster your job prospects.
What is the cost of living for a student in Germany?
You can live quite affordably as a student in Germany, even in one of the larger cities. In fact, it’s one of the most affordable places to study in Europe.
As a student, you should budget between €800 and €900 per month to cover rent, charges, food, transportation and leisure. Just like in any other country, living in the centre of big cities will usually be more expensive, though even the capital Berlin is still about 10% cheaper than Paris.
Additionally, most cities offer advantageous students rates for museums, theatres, restaurants, gyms, and other leisure activities. And, as we’ve mentioned, you can even bolster your spending money with a part-time job during your studies.
Best Masters in Finance in Germany
Master of Finance at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (4.8/5 Rating)
The Master of Finance at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management is a special programme because it is not taught like usual masters. Instead, it is based on the teaching dynamics of an MBA degree. Indeed, it aims to connect students with future employers, which is one of the core approaches of an MBA programme.
Students can also choose one of six concentrations:
- Capital Markets
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Advisory
- Risk Management
- Sustainable Finance
- Central Banking & Financial Regulation
Consequently, over the course of the one-year programme, you’ll explore a field of finance in-depth, giving you more options once you graduate.
Student Review
I am a first year at the Frankfurt School and have been a prt of it for only a month; however, I can say for sure that the university provides its students with all the opportunities to grow professionally and personally. The majority of the professors are or have been successful professionals who easily relate the course material with real life and make lectures enjoyable. The extra curricular activities provided by the university are also a great step to life after graduation and give a head start for the students career.
Student Review
This university has helped me gain knowledge and experiences, that I lacked in my home country. Being in a great international surrounding, I have the opportunity to prosper and learn every day. The study program is very engaging, and the lecturers help you grow.
Master in Finance at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (4.5/5 Rating)
The Master in Finance programme at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management is ranked the number one programme in Germany by both QS and the Financial Times, as well as a top 20 degree globally. The 17- or 21-month degree attracts students from a huge diversity of nationalities, and consistently receives high scores for the quality of its career service.
Students on the 17-month programme complete a capstone project during their degree, which is a week during which you and your classmates undergo a one-week-long business simulation. On the longer version of the programme, you’ll spend your third semester following intensive business courses at one of 200 partner universities. You can choose from five concentrations to shape your graduate path: Investment Banking, Financial Consulting, FinTech, Asset Management, and a C-Suite path.
Student Review
Amazing program, it provides the perfect blend and opportunity to learn skills and also explore your creativity.
Most professors are very experienced and well known within their field of expertise. Some are outstanding and provide you with great knowledge.
There is a lot of emphases given to practical learning and group projects.
WHU staff, as well as students, were good fun.
Student Review
Very good and demanding programme. Most professors are very experienced and well known within their field of expertise. Some are outstanding and provide you with great knowledge.
The program was a good mix of theory and practical application. Throughout the 2 years, we worked on many business cases, in some cases directly given to us from international companies.
As part of the program, we spent time in the US, China as well as India.
WHU staff, as well as students, were good fun.
Masters in Global Finance at CBS International Business School (4.2/5 Rating)
The MSC in Global Finance at CBS International Business School, in Cologne, is a one-year, 120 credits programme. Each semester comprises of a mixture of global business courses, programme-specific courses and interdisciplinary courses. In other words, you benefit from studying with peers in other sections and broaden your business horizons.
During the programme, students have plenty of opportunities to apply their skills to practical situations, including in the Venture Lab module. In this module, students will develop a business opportunity idea and present a pitch deck. You can also get practical experience during an internship or a study abroad during the fourth semester.
Student Review
I’ve had a good experience so far while I’ve been studying at CBS. However, the majority of students are of German nationality, while there are also students from other nations. If you’re feeling under the weather or don’t feel like going to school, they provide a blended learning option that allows you to stay at home and participate in the class simultaneously online. The campus in Cologne is not particularly cutting-edge, but I’ve heard that the campus in Mainz is more or less cutting-edge and attractive. The instructors and departmental officials are all cordial. The School encourages pupils to participate in a variety of sports because it values a healthy balance between work and recreation. As a result of CBS’s partnerships with various significant businesses, the School is able to maintain its curricula current with the needs of the modern business world. Additionally, partnerships allow CBS to give its students greater options for internships and professional experience. By participating in business projects in collaboration with well-known companies, students can also gain important information and skills.
Student Review
The Professors are Very well experienced and Knowledgeable, easy to talk to and very approachable. The Courses are well structured and very organized. Friendly Environment especially for International Students.
Master in FInance, Accounting and Taxation at IU International University of Applied Finance (4.5/5 Rating)
The Master in Finance, Accounting, and Taxation at the IU International University of Applied Sciences can be completed 100% online, with intakes available in October and April. This means you can get an German-accredited degree from an internationally-recognised university no matter where you live and work.
The Master prepares students for careers in the specialised areas of accounting and tax, with modules focusing on IFRS regulations, corporate finance, and statistics. The school has embraced AI for learning, meaning you’ll benefit from advanced online learning tools to make the experience as close to classroom learning as possible.
Student Review
Overall, the International University of Applied Sciences in Berlin provides a robust and enriching educational experience. Its combination of practical learning, supportive faculty, and strategic location make it a good choice for students looking to thrive in a global environment. With some minor improvements in administrative processes and extracurricular offerings, IU has the potential to become an even more outstanding institution.
Campus life is vibrant and inclusive, with numerous student clubs and organizations that cater to a wide range of interests. Events, workshops, and networking opportunities are regularly organized, helping students to build a strong community and professional network.
Student Review
The programme can be applied practically. The campus is very modern. It has an online library. The exams can be given online as well as offline. The time to publish results usually takes a month or more. The loaction of Berlin Campus is at Frankfurter alle which is a peaceful locality.
Conclusion
As you can see, most finance degrees in Germany offer opportunities to complete internships, experience practical learning, and even study abroad, giving you all the skills and experience you’ll need to launch a specialised career in finance once you graduate.
If you’re still considering where to study, check out our article featuring student reviews of some of the top business schools in Europe.
This article was first published on 12th November 2020, and was updated on 24th October 2024.
Related Posts :
Recent Posts
We created the EDUopinions Student Reviews Guide to highlight students' opinions of universities. All of the rankings we produce as part of the Guide ...
The University of Pécs in Hungary ranks among the top 1,000 universities in the world, and in the top 300 in Europe. Located in one of Hungary’s best ...
Want to boost your skills with an MBA, but don’t want to take time out from your job to study – or move abroad? An Online MBA means you can study the ...
North-West University is globally recognised for its strong teaching and research; it is ranked seventh in Africa and among the top 1,000 ...