Those job prospects are projected to increase, too. According to a 2024 survey of employers that included Fortune 500 companies, over a quarter of Western European companies had plans to increase hiring of graduates with a master’s degree in finance.
Each year European business schools dominate the annually published Financial Times Master in Finance Ranking, reinforcing the fact that the region is a leading destination to study finance.
So, here’s a look at some of Europe’s top-ranked Master of Finance programs that you can apply for.
Top 10 schools in Europe for a master’s degree in finance
10. EMLyon Business School
Overall Financial Times Rank: 13
Located in Lyon, France's second-largest student city and third-largest city overall, EMLyon's Master in Finance can be completed in one year or two, including a four-to-six month internship each year.
Students can expect to pay around $33,200 for the one-year program and $46,000 for the two-year program. The school reports a 99% employment rate within six months after graduation.
9. IE Business School
Overall Financial Times Rank: 12
Based in the Spanish capital of Madrid, IE Business School offers an eclectic one-year Master in Finance.
While on the course, students have the unique opportunity to travel via trips to London, New York, and Ghana, where they can participate in unique projects and foster international connections.
The program has two intakes in April and September, with fees of roughly $43,100.
8. Esade Business School
Overall Financial Times Rank: 11
This year's highest ranking Spanish school is Esade Business School. With its campus based in Barcelona, Esade offers a full-time, one-year program and gives students the choice of two specialization tracks: Investment Banking and Financial Accounting or Banking and Asset Management. Fees for the program are around $43,300.
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7. University of St Gallen
Overall Financial Times Rank: 9
Surrounded by lakes in the old town of St. Gallen, this Swiss business school is renowned across the board for its top-ranked business master’s programs.
Running over three 12-week semesters, the Master in Finance blends financial theory with practical applications while also allowing students to benefit from the school’s strong connections to Swiss finance hubs like Zurich and Geneva.
The high quality of teaching doesn’t equate to astronomical fees, either. The full-time program costs just $5,200 for Swiss nationals and approximately $12,000 for non-Swiss students—making it by far the cheapest option on this list.
6. London Business School
Overall Financial Times Rank: 8
As one of Europe’s largest economic hubs, there are few better places to study a master’s degree in finance than in the heart of London.
Students at London Business School can choose between either the 10-month full-time program or a 16-month part-time option, depending on their needs. However, regardless of their pick, both cohorts have the option to spend a term at several business schools situated across Asia and Europe.
For both full-time and part-time students, LBS MIF fees are set at around $88,200.
5. Nova School of Business and Economics
Overall Financial Times Rank: 6
The only Portuguese school on this list for a second year in a row, Nova School of Business and Economics offers a 15-month long Master in Finance to students for around $15,600.
Nova offers multiple formats through which students can complete the program. For those wishing to participate in an exchange semester with an international school, the course lasts two years and cost $19,300. There are also options to complete a double degree with top schools like Bocconi University or NHH Norwegian School of Economics.
4. HEC Paris
Overall Financial Times Rank: 5
Renowned for its excellence in finance education as well as various other areas, HEC Paris offers a Master in International Finance that is highly regarded across global financial markets. In the past, the program dominated the FT Master in Finance Ranking for 11 years until 2023.
The program spans 10 months and is designed to be an intensive, career-focused experience. Students also have the chance to participate in a study trip to London, where they can network with industry leaders and gain insights into one of the world’s foremost financial centers.
The total HEC Paris tuition fee sits at around $53,900. However, graduates of the program report an impressive salary of around $195,000 three years after graduation—a solid return on investment.
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3. Essec Business School
Overall Financial Times Rank: 4
With campuses in both France and Singapore, Essec Business School’s Master in Finance offers a flexible, global experience.
The program can be studied over either one or two years and places a heavy focus on international finance. As a result, over half of graduates land jobs outside of their country of origin and 96% enter roles with international assignments.
The one-year program costs about $32,400 for EU residents, while non-EU students pay $36,400, For the two-year program, the cost lies at around $48,900 for EU students and $53,200 for non-EU.
Also, for those looking to launch an accounting career, the program offers modules designed to prepare students for the CFA exam.
2. Skema Business School
Overall Financial Times Rank: 2
With campuses located across France and the US—Paris, Sophia Antipolis, and Raleigh—SKEMA Business School offers flexibility as well as various specialization options within its Master in Financial Markets program.
At the Raleigh campus, students can pursue a Financial Analysis and CFA Preparation track, while in Sophia Antipolis, the focus is on Trading, Structuring, and Portfolio Management. Alternatively, the Paris campus offers specialized tracks in Asset Management and Investment Banking.
No matter where students choose to study, the program can be completed in either one or two years, with the corresponding tuition fees of approximately $31,200 and $53,000. SKEMA also provides two start dates, allowing students to begin in either August or September to best fit their schedules.
1. ESCP Business School
Overall Financial Times Rank: 1
Claiming the top spot within the FT Master in Finance list for another year, the ESCP Business School Master in Finance program is distinguished by its multicultural approach and emphasis on a customizable structure.
Lasting 15 months, the program is taught at both ESCP’s Paris and London campuses, with students able to choose between an Investment Banking and Financial Markets track. They also complete a four-month long mandatory internship, designed to help develop key practical skills.
With a tuition fee of around $35,700, the ESCP master’s degree in finance is an accessible investment for those seeking a high-quality finance education in Europe.
