Banking on finance

Updated on: Monday, October 11, 2010

With the current economic scenario worldwide, the financial sector has a huge demand for experts — bankers, fund managers, multinational companies, securities firms, financial advisors. Graduate study in finance will enhance your career progression and is an investment, which will fetch you quick returns.

Admission requirements
A graduate programme in finance is ideal for candidates who want to pursue a career in the banking and financial services. But to enrol in a top university, aspirants will need a good Bachelor’s degree or recognised equivalent from an accredited institution. Undergraduates who have worked in their chosen field are considered an additional perk in the selection process. Besides, reputed international universities require applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
In the case of a Ph.D. programme, candidates require a Masters degree in finance or financial accounting or in a closely related field. Doctoral programmes last up to
four years in major
universities.

Skill sets you will acquire
A graduate course in finance in many universities involves the practical application of methods and techniques in areas like banking, finance and business. It also enhances your research mind allowing you to proceed for a Ph.D. programme if you so desire.
While some graduate courses offer a more technical programme like the M.Sc. (Master of Scien-ce), including areas like financial econometrics where you need a strong mathematical and statistical background; there are others that are less technical which give you an MA (Masters of Arts) degree. An MA course is suited to those who want a non-quantitative approach to the subject.
An M.Sc. Finance equips you with a strong foundation in the theoretical aspects of finance. It provides you with skill and experience that employers may want. It prepares you for careers in corporate finance and in financial management. The programme covers the fundamentals of finance and teaches the principles and practice of finance and the tools required to make good financial decisions at a managerial level in an international setting.
There are various departments to specialise in when you are undertaking a graduate course in finance such as bank financial management dealing with financial principles and cases that accelerate decision making in financial organisations; bank strategy and performance; corporate risk management studying the utility functions to ascertain an individual’s tolerance to risk and how individual decisions can have an impact on the firm, including analysis of catastrophic risk futures and managing losses in the insurance industry; financial accounting and financial analysis; financial econometrics; international financial management; international financial markets; research methods; and financial engineering. A graduate financial degree also prepares you for the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) exam.

Post qualification careers
A finance graduate can embark on a variety of careers including insurance, securities, commodities and other investment areas. With the expertise you might become an indispensable candidate to your future employer.

Banking on finance

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