Why a Master of Science in International Financial Management?
On this website for students studying Finance abroad in Switzerland, you will find answers to the following questions:
International Exposure
Clara Sandoval talks about her experiences as an International Financial Management student and the international exposure of the programme.
Flexibility
Thanks to the different study-track models on offer, students can choose the one that best fits their requirements. Claudia Jetschgo reflects on the flexibility of the programme and the resulting balance between work and studying.
Insights
Look behind the scenes of the Master of Science in International Financial Management.
Why choose the Master of Science in International Financial Management?
The master's programme in International Financial Management at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts prepares its students for a career in financial management, comprehensively addressing the breadth of the disciplines it includes. International Finance, Financial Accounting, Agile Finance, Business Analytics, Management Accounting and Control, Corporate Finance, and other disciplines are addressed in a culturally diverse environment.
Industries in Switzerland and abroad are employing graduates who are not only knowledgeable in financial management, but also embody a global mind-set. The programme at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts is an excellent platform for acquiring these skills, beneficial to institutions of every size, in every industry, and in every economy.
What kind of degree will you get?
Upon completion of the course, you will obtain the Master of Science in International Financial Management.
What are the main benefits of the programme?
The main benefits of our master’s programme include:
- Excellent preparation for an international career in financial management
- Flexible programme with ability to work and study at the same time
- High international exposure in preparation for a global marketplace
- Programme with high academic and practical relevance
- Multiple internationally accredited master’s programme
- Opportunities for second degrees with partner universities
- Switzerland as one of the world’s leading financial centers
- Our premises in Zug-Rotkreuz, Switzerland, in the heart of Europe
Excellent preparation for an international career in financial management:
Today's market is looking for two qualities in future financial managers, accountants, auditors, and CFOs: a comprehensive knowledge of financial management, and the ability to perform in an international setting. By training its students in the different areas of a CFO's responsibility - from controlling and accounting (IFRS) to risk management, auditing, and decision-making - the programme provides the perfect environment to nurture the professional skills required. International experience is provided through the programme's international reach. Through an in-depth education with related practical experience, long-standing professors support the students on their path to excellent career opportunities. The programme's flexibility allows the participants to integrate their studies perfectly into their lives and thereby constitutes a significant advantage over competing programmes, allowing students to perfectly balance their academic demands with their professional or family life. Career planning already starts while you study. From the initial consultation to the actual job offer, the Careers Service offers a comprehensive portfolio of services.
Flexible programme with ability to work and study at the same time:
Our programme in International Financial Management offers exciting opportunities for further specializations and enriches a student's personal curriculum. Students may go abroad for an exchange semester or can choose elective courses worth 15 ECTS (credits) out of a wide variety of topics. These courses comprise, together with the 75 ECTS gained from the mandatory modules, the master’s programme.
Optionally, and in combination with the appropriate topics in project-related work, the following majors are offered:
- Major in Accounting
- Major in Corporate Finance
- Major in Performance Management
Thanks to the different study-time models, students can choose the one that best fits their personal requirements We offer full-time three or four semester models and part-time models up to six semesters.
High international exposure in preparation for a global marketplace:
The curriculum is built up with internationally aligned content, enables internships abroad, and maintains intercontinental partnerships to provide all students a global experience. Students do not only work on multinational problems, but also collaborate with colleagues from different countries and cultures. Moreover, we offer the possibility of studying a semester abroad without delaying graduation. Students can choose to study at one of the Lucerne School of Business’s partner universities or decide to organize their own semester abroad at a college of their choice. Joining our master’s programme, you will be part of a richly diverse student body with an average of 60% international students.
Programme with high academic and practical relevance:
To become a future CFO of an internationally operating company is the focus of our master’s programme. It provides graduates with a practically oriented, research-based, and internationally aligned specialist education in Accounting, Corporate Finance, Performance Management and Risk Management. Modules such as “Going Global”, “Business Planning” and “Know-how Transfer” deliver insight into international companies and prepare students ideally for mastering practical challenges. It is an attractive option for holders of a bachelor’s degree, particularly at university level. Our faculty consists of many teaching practitioners who hold senior positions in the financial management area and leading researchers of Lucerne School of Business.
Multiple internationally accredited master’s programme:
We received international, independent verification that our MSc programme meets established quality standards from ACCA and CIMA. In addition to these international accreditations, the Lucerne School of Business is an IMA endorsed school. Moreover, graduates of the MSc IFM benefit from several exemption possibilities on their way to becoming a Swiss Certified Public Accountant. EXPERTsuisse approved the Lucerne School of Business’s request to exempt IFM graduates under certain conditions from the module exam in «Accounting & Finance».
Opportunities for second degrees with partner universities:
Our MSc in Finance Management allows students to register and study at the University of the Sunshine Coast for the degree "Master of International Business”. The residence requirement is one additional semester at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Sippy Downs campus in Queensland. A second degree broadens horizons and provides more advantages to advance a career.
Switzerland as one of the world’s leading financial centers:
The Swiss financial center makes a major contribution to overall economic output and job creation in Switzerland. A financial system that works effectively is an integral part of a flourishing economy. Due to the high density of international and local financial service providers, companies from other industries have access to a sophisticated liquid capital market and modern financial infrastructure. Switzerland, being an attractive trading center, is especially interesting for companies from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical technology industries. Our teaching practitioners, who are well networked in the Swiss financial center, contribute to the high quality of our master's degree.
Our premises in Zug-Rotkreuz, Switzerland, in the heart of Europe:
The beautiful landscape and welcoming culture of Switzerland are easily accessible and able to be experienced from our campus in Zug-Rotkreuz. In the heart of Europe, you may discover many opportunities well within reach. Our premises are located close to the shore of Lake Zug between Lucerne and Zurich, both reachable in under 30 minutes by public transport. While Zurich is the heart of the Swiss financial center, Lucerne is one of the major regions for tourism in Switzerland.
What are the admission criteria?
Admission to the master’s programme is limited. The course is predestinated for holders of a bachelor’s degree. The language of instruction is English. After evaluating the application, which includes a candidate interview, the programme management decides on admission. If you have any questions concerning admission to the degree programme or other course-related issues, please get in touch with one of the heads of the finance programme - Prof Dr Imke Keimer or Prof Dr Stefan Hunziker.
What is the activity field of graduates of this master’s programme?
Graduates have laid the foundation for their successful professional development and promotion. Key professional roles are open to them, either in managerial or specialized positions, in virtually any institution outside of the financial services industry.
Examples of graduates’ area of professional activity:
- Financial Manager/Controller in internationally oriented companies like the banking and investment industry in Switzerland or abroad, in (regional) headquarters of internationally operating and oriented companies or in SMEs with an international focus.
- Auditor in an international environment (CPA)/Swiss Public Certified Accountant
What is the profile of the students?
This future-oriented programme is primarily aimed at graduates with the ability to
- design, support, manage and audit all finance and controlling related systems, while globally cooperating with suppliers, partners, workforces, peers, executives, and customers.
- productively handle an organization’s complexity in a dynamic environment, even when faced with insufficient or uncertain information.
- manage all other systems, processes, and transactions because of their skill in handling complex and diverse matters.
- develop context-specific solutions based on academically rigorous and practically approved methods.
Why study abroad in Switzerland?
Switzerland has an advanced educational system and accepts many international students from all over the world. The universities appear in different ranking lists. With the international programme of the Lucerne Business School the graduates achieve the best learning effect and can add a higher education degree and qualification to their academic career. The degree you get is internationally recognized. Switzerland is also a science center and keeps an international and European cooperation in the fields of research and education. Therefore, Swiss universities offer a wide range of subjects and continue participating in the programmes of the European Union.
What are the requirements to study abroad?
Students need some documents to study abroad, e.g., an application form, certificates, statement of purpose, resume, letter of recommendation, passport-size photographs, experience documents.
To open a bank account, foreign students need to bring their passport, residence permit and confirmation of study. Various banks available across the country offer special conditions for students.
Students with a foreign nationality can only obtain permission to work if it is part of their study programme (e.g., an internship). Before foreign students take up a job or internship, the employer must apply to the Lucerne Cantonal Labour Office of the canton Lucerne for a work permit. Non-European students are not allowed to work during the first six months of their stay in Lucerne.
In any case, this rule does apply to the fact that studies should remain the main purpose of student residency. Therefore, foreign students need written permission from their school to work part-time. Part-time work must not interfere with studies nor may it be a reason for the length of study being extended.
More information for international students: swissuniversities
What are the accommodation options while studying abroad?
Living and studying in Lucerne create opportunities for a whole lifetime. The people in Switzerland will make you feel at home as they are friendly and speak a lot of foreign languages like French, Italian and more. We help you to find an affordable and individual accommodation close to the city center or the suburbia, adapted to your needs. Students are advised to start looking for accommodation in good time. The student organizations of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts try to make your life as easy as possible. For room-finding services and more information, please check out our special website.
Do you need a visa?
Many people in Switzerland speak more than one language (French, Italian and so on), English included. This gives graduates from abroad a good opportunity to live in the beautiful, culturally diverse, and multilingual country. We provide support for travel preparations and visa issues and in obtaining other necessary permits. Get more information here: our website for visa.
There are quite a few aspects to consider when planning to study in Switzerland. Students of the following EU and EFTA countries as well as Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore are exempt from the visa requirement: see the list on our website for visa.
What is the cost of studying in Switzerland?
The cost of living and studying averages out as followed. Get more information on our website and on this overview about the costs for the Master of Science in International Financial Management.
Tuition fees: CHF 800 per semester
Additional fees: CHF 300 per semester
Accommodation: CHF 400 to 800 per month
Groceries: CHF 300 to 400 per month
Public transport: CHF 50 to 70 per month
Health insurance for Swiss citizens: CHF 200 to 300 per month and for foreigners CHF 80 to 180 per month
Third party liability insurance: CHF 120 to 140 per year
Where does the Finance course take place?
The Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ is in immediate proximity of Rotkreuz train station in the Canton of Zug.
Lucerne School of Business
Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ
Campus Zug-Rotkreuz, Suurstoffi 1
CH-6343 Rotkreuz
Phone: +41 41 757 67 67
Email: ifz@hslu.ch
Website: www.hslu.ch/ifz
The IFZ is easy to reach by public transport. We schedule our course hours around the train arrival and departure times. Trains operate all day between Zurich and Lucerne. It takes less than five minutes to walk from Rotkreuz train station to the IFZ. Find your train connections here.
What are the dates and times of the programme?
In general, the study course takes two years. We have two courses per year. The autumn semester will take place from mid-September to Christmas. The spring semester generally runs from mid-February to end of June.
When does the Finance programme start?
The master’s programme starts in spring 2022. Please send in your registration now or until 1 September 2021 for applicants requiring a visa or until 15 January 2022 for Swiss and EU/EFTA applicants.
If you choose to begin in autumn 2022, register now or until 1 April 2022 for applicants requiring a visa or until 30 June 2022 for Swiss and EU/EFTA applicants
