Advanced Master in Financial Markets
Who is the programme aimed at?
Profile
The programme in Financial Markets welcomes recent Masters' graduates from all disciplines and professionals who have a deep interest in financial matters - as well as the intellectual curiosity to gain a comprehensive and practical understanding of how financial markets work. The Master's programme enables you to link theory and practice and to manage sophisticated financial techniques through interactive classes and real business cases in a multicultural, inspiring environment.
Key admissions criteria
- Master's degree from a recognised institution (you can apply during your final year of study) OR
- 3 or 4-year's bachelor's degree from a recognised institution (for this type of degree, there may be additional requirements)
- English Proficiency
Your benefits
Acquire the competencies and the skill set that top financial firms are expecting from their young professionals thanks to your deep understanding of how financial markets work in practice, the connections between theory and practice of the financial markets, and your mastering of sophisticated financial techniques.
Get familiar with sustainability and sustainable finance, what it is and why it matters for corporates and financial markets and services players, as the sustainability imperative is integrated with all courses.
Get the most out of the 3-month internship, which the programme helps you find, and which is a springboard to find job opportunities in leading banks and investment banks, asset managers, private equity firms, consulting firms, regulators, commodity trading firms and other institutions, both in Belgium and abroad.
Our career service will help you in building your career thanks to our strong connection with the business sector and to our dynamic team who will accompany you into the professional world. From self-assessment to networking opportunities, our team assists you to realise your full potential. Through a wide range of seminars, coaching sessions, workshops, events and other resources, we help you to discover the career path best suited to your personal fulfilment.
80% of our students find a job even before graduation and over 90% within three months from the completion of the programme!
The programme highlights the importance of getting practical knowledge and learning, connections and inspiration relating to financial markets and services. This is why we offer you the possibility to participate in an optional study trip in London, involving masterclasses and networking events hosted by market players such as banks, asset managers, stock exchanges and fintech accelerators, complementary with the programme credited lectures.
Classes are limited to manageable-sized and coherent cohorts (about 30 students), ensuring maximum participation and easy access to the faculty and the advanced masters academic or administration team.
Experience our teaching methods which are very hands-on and participant-centred. Courses are mainly structured into real case studies, seminars, simulations, presentations, group work, company visits and on-the-job learning.
The faculty comprises Solvay and ULB professors bringing in their theoretical insight and the latest research expertise from their respective fields, as well as top-level practitioners (CEOs, CFOs, Chief Risk Officers, Head of Private Banking, Director at the European Commission, and other senior executives from banks, asset managers, hedge funds, private equity, infrastructures and regulators) driven by a real passion for education bringing in their practical insight and on-the-field experience. Top-of-the-line guests are also invited for additional workshops or sessions.
Diversity in class in terms of gender, academic background and culture enhances your student experience. Two thirds of the participants are from outside Belgium, including from Europe, Asia or the Americas. The faculty is also very international in nationality or professional background. Benefit from our international faculty, international case-studies, the student trip and the multicultural environment you will be studying in, right at the heart of Europe.
Become part of one of the largest business networks in Belgium, members of which are actually present in more than 65 countries around the world. Participate in the events organized, expand your network and never stop learning and evolving.
Overview of the programme
The Advanced Master in Financial Markets is designed to help you develop knowledge and an entirely new skill set: a strong understanding of market practices, financial techniques, risk management and the new regulatory environment - with courses given by an exceptional cast of senior practitioners. The programme includes 16 core courses, 2 elective courses, and a 3-month internship.
Curriculum
1 - TERM 0
(no credits - available throughout the year)
Training in:
- Excel for beginners via Data Camp
- Python via Data Camp
2 - TERM 1
September – November (6 weeks courses, 2 weeks exams)
- Corporate Reporting
- European Financial Integration and Banking Regulation - Part I
- Corporate Finance and Valuation
- Overview of Financial Markets and Regulation
- Sustainable Finance
- Coaching & Personal Development
- Excel for Finance & VBA
3 - TERM 2
November – January (6 weeks courses, 2 weeks exams)
- Investment Banking
- European Financial Integration and Banking Regulation - Part II
- Financial Infrastructures
- Portfolio and Investments
- Risk and Risk Management in Financial Institutions
4 - TERM 3
January - March (6 weeks courses, 2 weeks exams)
- Alternative Investment I (Hedge Funds)
- The Banking Environment
- ALM, Fair Values and Balance Sheet Optimisation
- M&A Valuation - Case Study
- Data Science for Business OR Machine Learning & AI
5 - TERM 4
April - May (6 weeks courses, 2 weeks exams)
- Alternative Investment II (Private Equity)
- Asset Pricing Practice
- Real Estate Investing
- Banking Analysis - Practice
- Insurance Markets
- Fintech
6 - TERM 5
June - August
Internship
Participants will perform a 3-month internship in a leading financial institution.
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Admission procedure
1- Complete and submit the online application form (there is no application fee).
2- Have an interview with the admission team
3- Write a short essay on a financial subject
4- Receive feedback on your admission.
Required documents
- Online application form (inclusive of a cover letter)
- CV
- Copies of University degree(s) and of all academic transcripts
- Copy of ID/Passport
- Profile picture
All documents have to be provided in English.
If the applicant deems it relevant, he/she can support the application with:
- Letters of reference
- Proof of English proficiency for non-native speakers
- Any other certificate (GMAT, GRE, etc.)
Participants.
Apart from a robust knowledge of how financial markets work, my communication skills have been improved by interacting with colleagues from all over the world. The fact that our coursework resembled the tasks that I was later given in my professional life was essential for a successful transition from my academic life.
The program prepares you in the best possible way to enter the job market and this is also helped by the career coaching service, the interesting field visits and the networking possibilities. My job opportunities were much broader after this advanced master.
Coming to Solvay, meeting different people and enthusiastic professors who are looking to help candidates at a personal level helped me not only improve my finance knowledge but also change my approach, helping me secure a full time job in investment banking. The reputation and the rigorous curriculum of the program proved to be a key factor in my interviews as I was able to display my finance abilities and understanding of current state of matters in the industry.
Talking about your own experience, what have been the main benefits of this programme?
"The programme was for me the perfect challenge to undergo after studying two years in France and two years in the United States. Indeed, Solvay Brussels School, with this Advanced Master, offers a very practical yet detailed finance classes program with high-quality teachers and speakers. I strongly recommend it for people willing to work in finance, as from the course content to the career advice, the school is here for the well-being of its students."
"The programme allowed me to rapidly gain a 360-degree and hands-on understanding of the financial field. At the same I am grateful to have met top-notch practitioners together with a diversity of fellow students from around the world"
Lecturers
Career Opportunities
After graduation, an unlimited range of job opportunities will be accessible to you. Graduates of the program have been recruited by a range of firms in Belgium and abroad, including:
- Banks and investment banks: Belfius, BNPP Paribas, Euroclear Bank, KBC, Credit Suisse Zurich, Goldman Sachs Warsaw, ING Amsterdam, ING London, etc.
- Asset managers, private banks and private equity funds: Blackfin, Blackrock Zurich, Bank of New York Mellon, Candriam,Capital @ Work, DNCA Paris, Kartesia, Landy & Partners London, Lombard Odier, Société Générale Luxembourg, Sofina, , etc.
- Insurance companies: Fidea, La Baloise
- Consulting or advisory firms: Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PWC, Baker Tilly, Grant Thornton, Moore Stephens (London), etc
- Regulatory Agencies: Bank of England, European Central Bank, National Bank of Belgium, Single Resolution Board, etc
- Industrial Companies: Cargill commodity trading, Exxon Mobil commodity trading, Colruyt Treasury, etc
- Fintech, Trade Associations, Universities, etc.
Leading Belgian business school
Any questions?
"Advanced Master in Financial Markets” university certificate delivered by Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management – Université libre de Bruxelles.
Young professionals may also choose to register for modules of courses of the Advanced Master program on a stand-alone basis, instead of following the full program. For more information on this modular education offer, please click here