Master's Degree Programme in Banking and International Finance

Master's Degree Programme in Banking and International Finance

The Master's Degree Programme in Banking and International Finance (BIF) provides an interdisciplinary degree and a strong quantitatively oriented background for the students to serve as professionals especially in financial markets, banking and other duties in the fields of economics and finance requiring highly analytical performance.

Why this programme?

Graduates of the Master's Degree Programme in Banking and International Finance master the three core content areas of their discipline: identifying the role of banks and financial markets, working as experts in banks and international financial markets, and applying empirical methods. BIF graduates are able to apply the core scientific knowledge and methods of their discipline in practice.

BIF graduates are also competent in critically analyzing interdisciplinary challenges related to the behavior of economic agents in financial markets and have good communication skills in international financial markets and business environment.

Associate Professor Heikki Lehkonen explains the programme in detail.

Programme info

Two-year full-time programme (120 ECTS credits) taught in English
Application period once a year in January
Studies begin in August, with no mid-point entry to the programme

This programme consists of advanced studies in Banking and International Finance, communication and language studies, and elective studies. Master’s thesis is included in the studies. The advanced studies in Banking and International Finance contain courses in core themes of economics, finance and also financial accounting, forming a unique mixture of the special skills required to serve in these positions. After graduation, students are awarded the title Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration).

Students from non-EU/EEA countries are liable to pay a tuition fee but can apply for a scholarship after their first year of studies.
Early Bird discount: Applicants paying tuition fees can save €1500 by accepting their study place within 14 days.

Tuition fee €12,000

Tuition fees and scholarships

How and when to apply?

The next application period is in January 2026.
Apply by completing the online form available in the Studyinfo.fi portal during the application period.
To apply successfully, you need to have a suitable educational background and show proof of your English skills as mentioned in the criteria. Remember also to include the attachments specified in the programme’s admission criteria and listed on the application form.

The next call for applications is in January 2026

How to apply for the programme

Student profile

The BIF programme is for those who are interested in pursuing a career in the finance sector. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the global financial system and the functioning of banks and financial markets.

It provides an interdisciplinary degree and a strong quantitatively oriented background for the students to serve as professionals, especially in financial markets, banking, academia and in other duties in the fields of economics and finance requiring highly analytical performance.

Suitable fields of background degrees include:

Economics and Business Administration (major in accounting, economics or finance).
Mathematics and statistics (which includes studies in finance and economics).
Engineering (information technology, industrial business and management, or equivalent, which includes studies in finance and economics).

Depending on the individual background, the student may be required to take some supplementary courses.

Career opportunities for BIF graduates

Prominent job market positions for the graduates from the BIF programme are central bank and other bank economists, analysts, bank managers, and other researcher, specialist and manager positions in the service of research institutions and financial sector in general.

Completing the BIF programme also gives graduates the possibility to apply for doctoral studies for example in the doctoral program of the , or after completing some advanced level courses in economics outside the curriculum of the BIF programme, also in the.

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Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics

The Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics (JSBE) is an AACSB-accredited business school and one of the six faculties of the Ģ��ֱ��. As a part of a university internationally renown for high-quality research and innovativeness in learning and teaching
development, we strive for excellence in research and research-based teaching in the key fields of economic sciences.

Our disciplines are Accounting, Commercial Law, Corporate Communication, Corporate Environmental Management, Economics, Management and Leadership, Marketing, and Strategy and Entrepreneurship.

Find out more about JSBE

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Contact us

If you have questions concerning the admission process, please contact JYU Admission Services: admissions@jyu.fi

About tuition fees and the scholarship programme for students liable to pay tuition fees, please contact the International Office: degree-students@jyu.fi

If you have programme-specific questions for example on studies in the programme, or the suitability of the field of your previous degree when applying to the programme, please contact us: bif-jsbe@jyu.fi