MSc Business Administration, specialisation in Analytical Finance

The first year of study includes six 7.5 ECTS credit courses and one course worth 15 ECTS credits. In the third semester students take electives at the School of Business and Law or they go on exchange abroad, and in the fourth semester students write a master's thesis worth 30 ECTS credits.

Display entire program

The academic basis is a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Auditing or equivalent education that is based on Universities Norway (UHR) Disciplinary Strategic Unit for Economics and Administration’s plan for bachelor programmes in Business Administration (November, 2018). 

120 ECTS credits, of which a minimum of 20 credits at level 2 / additional level, must be within business administration subjects. The following subject areas, including subcategories, must be covered:

Business Economics (30 ECTS credits)

• Financial Accounting
• Management Accounting
• Investment Analysis and Finance

Administration (30 ECTS credits)

• Marketing
• Organisation and Management
• Business Strategy

Economics (15 ECTS credits)

• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics

Methodology (20 ECTS credits)

• Mathematics for Economists
• Statistics for Economists
• Social Scientific Methods

A minimum of 7.5 ECTS credits in Ethics, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility must be included in the academic basis.

The weighted average grade of C or better is required.

Application period

• EU/EEA applicants: From 1 February till 1 March.
• Nordic citizens and applicants with a permanent or renewable residence permit in Norway: From 1 February till 15 April.

While studying financial theory and econometrics, you will focus on combining computer software and real-world data to implement a wide range of financial models.  The covered topics include such as portfolio management, asset management, performance evaluation, capital market equilibrium models, pricing of derivative securities, risk measurement, numerical optimization, computer programming, financial econometrics, forecasting, analysis of intermarket relationships, and stylized facts about financial markets.

By the time of graduation, you will be proficient in using tools that feature prominently in the practice of modern finance. As a graduate from this specialization you will also have a competence in analyzing large and complex data from other types of businesses as well as public sector.

Your potential for critical and independent thinking will have been developed. You will be able to make evidence-based decisions, familiarize yourself with new subjects, and tackle new challenging problems. 

Students can apply for exchange in the third semester. Studying abroad provides an opportunity to take courses and subjects beyond what is offered at the School of Business and Law. Additional benefits of studying abroad are improved language skills and cross-cultural communication skills, both highly valued by many employers. 

The School of Business and Law at UiA is internationally accredited by AACSB (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), and the accreditation opens the doors for collaboration with good institutions worldwide. Student exchange agreements with several universities and business schools in Europe, USA, Africa, Australia and Asia are available for students in this study programme. For further information on exchange opportunities, see the International Office's website. Separate application process for student exchange.

All you need to know about exchange studies

In the penultimate semester students may apply for internship in a local business in Norway or a Nordic enterprise in a high-growth economy in Asia or Africa or in USA/Canada. Internship is taken in combination with two electives at the School of Business and Law or electives (exchange) at a partner university abroad.

The Internship offers valuable practical experience and insight into real-world business challenges. It puts academic learning into a contextual and applied perspective.

The following companies have been offered to former Internship-students abroad: Yara, Jotun, Ikea, Equinor, Kongsberg Maritime, Aker Solutions, DNV (Veritas), Elkem, Noratel and Innovation Norway.

Local companies and enterprises in the Agder region where students have taken their internship are: MHWirth, 3B Fibreglass, Business Region in Kristiansand, NHO, GCE Node, Sparebanken Sør, Skagerak Maturo and the University of Agder.

There is a separate application process for admission to Internship.

After graduation, you will possess a competitive advantage for securing an attractive position in a bank, a stock exchange, in security trading, investment, risk management, insurance, government or other financial institutions.

Because computer programming and analytical skills are in high demand in the modern job market, the graduates of this program will also possess a competitive advantage for securing an attractive position in non-financial or government companies that require in-depth and skillful data analysis in order to provide basis for decision making and value creation.

Successful completion qualifies for admission to the PhD programme at the School of Business and Law, and to other PhD programmes in Norway and abroad.