Moodboard Story Lena

Study Finance, excel at upcycling

Graduate Léna, now a CFO assistant and founder, talks about how she fulfils her ambitions. >
Students of the Master's programme in International Financial Management working on an assignment

Study Finance in Switzerland

The Master's programme in International Financial Management will kick-start your career.
International students in the hallway of our main building at the campus Zug-Rotkreuz

Build a worldwide network

Study with students from all over the world

Application

International Financial Management Study finance in Switzerland and manage financial performance globally

Our Master's programme in International Financial Management is the gateway to the finance world and international companies. We offer an excellent education by preparing our graduates to excel in all areas relevant to becoming future CFOs. The international career enhancement, the international accreditations, the flexible study mode and the personal learning atmosphere are the key differentiators of our Master's programme.

Application
Beautiful Lucerne

About our programme:

Study mode

3 semesters full-time and up to 10 semesters part-time.

Class days

Depending on the chosen study mode, Monday and/or Tuesday plus one or two additional block weeks.

Majors

Accounting, Corporate Finance or Performance Management.

Tuition fee

CHF 800 per semester: overview costs

Contact us

Contact us with questions or for an individual consultation: master.ifm@hslu.ch

High international exposure to prepare for the global marketplace

Our curriculum offers internationally aligned content, and we maintain intercontinental partnerships to provide our students with a global experience. Our students work on multinational issues and collaborate with students from different countries and cultures around the world.

Students can choose between three majors and consolidate their knowledge through a wide selection of electives. Small class sizes guarantee a personal atmosphere and access to our professors and lecturers.

Internationally accredited Master’s programme

Both the Lucerne School of Business and its Master’s programme in International Financial Management are accredited and recognised worldwide. The international accreditation certifies the high quality of our degree programme’s international education. Recognition by AACSB, ACCA, CIMA and IMA increases our graduates’ employability and creates excellent career opportunities in Switzerland and abroad. 

Flexible study duration to balance work and studying

Our students complete their studies full-time within three semesters or part-time within up to 10 semesters. Our modules have a compact timetable with typically two days (full-time) or one day (part-time) of in-person instruction per week. Students enrol for their modules each semester, determining their personal workload according to their needs. This allows them to balance their professional and private responsibilities.

Library and working spaces for the students of the Master's programme in International Financial Management
MSc International Financial Management students enjoying a Swiss Fondue at a social event of the school
MSc International Financial Management students at a city hunt through the city of Zug
Library and working spaces for the students of the Master's programme in International Financial Management
Msc International Financial Management students presenting their work in the classroom
MSc International Financial Management students at the Balanced Scorecard simulation game
Students celebrating their Master's degree in International Financial Management
MSc International Financial Management students at the end-of-semester celebration
MSc International Financial Management students on their study tour to Istanbul
MSc International Financial Management students at the official graduation ceremony
Students celebrating their Master's degree in International Financial Management

Field of activity for graduates in International Financial Management

Our training is a stepping stone into the world of finance. Our graduates are in high demand on the job market and can confidently develop in the direction of their desire. Positions range from CFO to Head of Accounting, Head of Finance, Financial Manager, Business Analyst, Treasurer, Auditor or Consultant. Some graduates use the knowledge they have acquired and go in other directions, take over a company's management as CEO or found their own start-up. Due to our location in the heart of Switzerland, many graduates are drawn to the finance or pharmaceutical industries and large consulting firms.

After graduating, many of our former students from abroad stay in Switzerland to work for an international company, while others return to their country of origin or seek a new challenge in yet another country.

Anna-Wall

«The University's strong focus on applied sciences was one of the main points that attracted me to study here. For example, the Corporate Finance classes have given me the knowledge I use almost daily.» 
Ana-Maria Wall (Romania) Graduated 2015

Jonathan Brandt (Switzerland) Graduated 2021

«Having a full-time finance position, the flexible time model of the MSc IFM programme enabled me to keep my role and is the main reason I chose this programme. Being taught in English was an additional benefit, which complements the international orientation of the programme as well.» 
Jonathan Brandt (Switzerland) Graduated 2021

Maheshika Pereira (Sri Lanka) Graduated 2017

«The MSc IFM provided an ample opportunity for me to develop my skills & competencies to thrive professionally as well as personally.» 
Maheshika Pereira (Sri Lanka) Graduated 2017 

Admission requirements for the Master’s programme

The number of study permits for the Master's programme in International Financial Management is limited. Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related discipline comprising at least 180 ECTS. 27 ECTS must be earned in the field of Financial Management. In the case of missing credits in Financial Management, students can take corresponding online classes to acquire these credits.

Learn more about the admission requirements and the application process.

Application for the MSc programme in International Financial Management

Please apply through our university’s central application system by creating a personal account.

Start Autumn Semester (Mid-September)

  • Swiss and EU/EFTA applicants: it is possible to apply until further notice.
  • Applicants requiring a VISA: 1 April 

Start Spring Semester (Mid-February)

  • Swiss and EU/EFTA applicants: 15 January 
  • Applicants requiring a VISA: 30 September 
International-Financial-Management-Blog

News from our campus

Take a look behind the scenes of the Master of Science in International Financial Management and learn about our events and what our students and graduates want to share.

Financial matters for the Master’s programme

The Lucerne School of Business, a public Swiss University, receives significant funding from the Swiss government. This substantially lowers the costs for students who study in Switzerland. A full-time programme, consisting of 3 semesters (1.5 years), will cost approximately CHF 6,000 ($6,400. US Dollars). A part-time programme, consisting of 6 semesters (3 years), will cost about CHF 10,000 ($10,700. US Dollars).

Additional costs may be charged depending on the individual choices of the students. The Financial Matters webpage provides an overview of the costs of living in Switzerland.

Lecturers

Facts

Degree

Master of Science in International Financial Management

Graduate profile

Graduates are equipped with the ability to:

• design, support, manage and audit all finance, management accounting and financial accounting 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 systems, processes, and transactions with their skills in tackling complex and diverse matters.

• develop context-specific solutions based on academically rigorous and practically approved methods.

Specialisation
  • International Financial Management
Field of activity

Graduates lay the foundation for their successful professional development and promotion. Our graduates mainly work in finance departments of international companies, but also maintain other positions.

Examples of graduates’ positions:

  • CEO, CFO, Head of Accounting, Head of Finance, Financial Managers, Business Analyst, Treasurer, Auditor, Consultant.
Admission

Admission to the Master’s programme is limited. After evaluating the application, the programme management decides on admission.

Application deadline

Study start in spring:                                                           - 30 September for applicants requiring a visa             - 15 January  for Swiss and EU/EFTA applicants                                                                                                     Study start in autumn:                                                       - 1 April for applicants requiring a visa                             - For Swiss and EU/EFTA applicants it is possible to apply until further notice.          

Commencement of studies

The MSc in International Financial Management starts in mid-September and mid-February.

Semester dates
Autumn Semester: mid-September to Christmas
Spring Semester: mid-February to end of June
Information events
Language of instruction
  • English
Student counselling
Head of studies/Study coordinator
Study fees

Enrolment fee: CHF 250 (needs to be paid upon application)
Tuition fees: CHF 800 per semester
Overview Costs

Place of study

Campus Zug-Rotkreuz

Duration of studies

Regular study programme: 4 semesters
Extended study programme: 6 - 8 semesters
Employment up to a half-time job is possible 
For international students: the study workload demands a commitment of 25 contact hours per week (lectures, group-work exercises, projects)

Time model
  • full-time
  • part-time, 4 semesters
  • part-time, 6 semesters
Teaching and training culture

The Lucerne School of Business offers the following services to students:

• Smart-Up aims to motivate students and encourage them to pursue their business ideas, put them into practice and establish their own start-ups. Entrepreneurial students can receive support in the form of one-on-one coaching and advice, being paired with other students and external stakeholders, and through workshops, events and infrastructure.

• The University's Careers Service provides students with a wide range of activities and job-offers as they make the transition into a new career and/or plan their career paths. These include mentoring or peer programmes, recruitment fairs or initial contact meetings. The Careers Service works with external partners to offer solutions that are tailored to meet the needs of students.

• The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts' Language Centre offers language tuition that goes beyond the prescribed contents of the degree programmes and fosters an international outlook. The tuition provided by the University takes into account the growing importance of language skills in our increasingly mobile society.

Services

Network for expats: Living in Lucerne and Lili Centre

Brochure Master of Science in International Financial Management

Blog contributions

Accreditations