Master's objectives in Finance and Strategy

The Master's in Finance and Strategy trains young graduates for careers in finance and strategic management of companies. Students prepare for roles as analysts or managers in sectors such as:

• Investment banking
• Investment funds
• Corporate financial services
• Financial markets
• Fintech
• Financial regulation
• Financial audit firms, statutory audit, strategic consulting firms, and the finance or strategic departments of large companies.

The master's program is based on three key principles that summarize its specificities and objectives:

• Multidisciplinary training in management and social sciences with a professional focus, delivered by instructors with practical experience at the highest level and systematically employing case studies.
• Balanced instruction in finance and strategy, equipping students to analyse a situation comprehensively and develop innovative solutions to major contemporary challenges such as energy transition and climate change.
• Progressive learning approach: The first-year courses aim to provide students from different backgrounds with a common multidisciplinary foundation, upon which they acquire advanced expertise in their chosen field during the second year of study.

The program is taught in English (English track) or French (French track), and the second year is open to apprenticeships. The master's degree also offers the possibility of obtaining seven double degrees.

programme structure

The programme is completed over two years, following a progressive approach. An additional gap year may be taken by students.

First Year

In the first year, mandatory courses allow students to master essential finance concepts and connect them to the company's development and competitive environment.

A range of specialized and professional elective courses cover issues such as sustainable strategy and finance, innovation and impact, as well as data and digital issues.

Second Year

During the second year, students choose a specialism and build up an advanced level of expertise in one of the following concentrations:

• The concentration in Finance focuses on company valuation methods, as well as instruments and actors in financial markets. It is particularly centred around sustainable and impact finance issues. It prepares students for careers in investment banking and investment funds. 
• The concentration in Strategy prepares students specifically for careers as consultants in strategy consulting firms, as well as for financial or managerial roles in companies and entrepreneurship.

The core courses are complemented by elective courses that combine theoretical input, real-world examples and testimonials from practitioners, covering a wide range of topics. These courses allow each student to tailor their programme to their career aspirations.

Data and digital courses and elective courses are common to both concentrations.

Optional Gap Year

An optional gap year between the first and second year of the Master’s programme gives students the opportunity to gain full-time professional experience and to refine their career plans through two six-month internships completed at different organisations.

Discover the 0 of the first year:

• First year, semester 1
• First year, semester 2

Courses outlines

Fist year

• First year, semester 1
• First year, semester 2

Second year (courses + internship)

Second year, semester 3

Second year (courses + apprenticeship)

• Second year, semester 3 in apprenticeship
• Second year, semester 4 in apprenticeship

Dual Degrees

The Master's in Finance and Strategy offers dual degrees with partner universities in France and abroad, enabling students to acquire dual skills that are highly valued in the job market.

The first year of the Master's programme is completed at Sciences Po, and the second year is completed at the partner university.

Campus

The Sciences Po Master’s Finance and Strategy is taking place on the Paris campus.

Admissions

Know more about the admission procedures of the Master in Finance and Strategy.

Career opportunities in Finance and Strategy

The Master's degree in Finance and Strategy offers students the ability to pursue a wide variety of sectors and careers, including investment banking, strategy or organisation and management consulting firms, private equity, asset management, insurance, real estate companies, risk management, auditing, financial regulation, strategic or financial leadership roles in large companies, startups or entrepreneurship, etc.

They can pursue a range of professions, including:

• Financial analyst
• Portfolio manager
• Investment banker
• Investment advisor
• Financial auditor
• Internal audit in banks
• Supply chain management
• Product management
• Management controller
• Risk manager
• Statutory auditor
• Actuary
• Tax specialist
• Finance consultant
• Strategy consultant / organizational transformation
• Innovation or strategic marketing project manager
• Entrepreneur

Numerous career events, interview preparation sessions and opportunities for networking with recruiters help to ensure an excellent placement rate for students of the programme. 65% of Master's graduates are offered a job prior to graduating, and 95% are employed within six months of graduation.

The Master in Finance and Strategy also offers students the option of working towards certain professional certificates, which further boost their chances of success in the job market.

Contacts

• Scientific Director: Stéphane Guibaud
• Academic advisors: 
  • Finance concentrations: Georges-Emmanuel Rosmade - Phone: +33 (0)1 45 49 76 17
  • Strategy and Management concentration: Fleur de Marie Guillot - tél. +33 (0)1 45 49 50 09
• academic assistants:
  • Lilia Chabane - Phone: +33 (0)1 58 71 71 34
  • Camille Cherif - Phone: +33 (0)1 45 49 61 79
  • Milena Sandulovic - Phone: +33 (0)1 45 49 50 29