Masters in Financial Management

Gain the expertise and mindset to thrive in dynamic financial and corporate environments worldwide through our Masters in Financial Management. The programme consists of the following:

Design of the programme

Financial management essentials

• Build the core finance toolkit — from reading financial statements and managing cash to valuing options, making investment decisions, and building financial models in Excel.

Corporate finance

• Develop the skills to evaluate businesses, value companies, navigate M&A and financing decisions, and turn accounting insights into strategic action — while connecting your learning to a career in finance.

Financial Markets & Instruments

• Explore how money moves through markets — from building investment portfolios and valuing securities to understanding banking, insurance, risk, and the decisions shaping financial institutions.

Business Integration

• Connect finance and strategy to real business challenges — from evaluating competitive opportunities and financial performance to turning entrepreneurial ideas into viable ventures.

Finance in the age of AI

• Combine financial expertise with AI and technology to uncover insights, make sharper decisions, and create value in a fast-changing financial world.

Career enhancement opportunities (optional)

• Career Acceleration Track  

You can opt for our Career Acceleration Track, where you can add an internship of up to six months, allowing you to gain relevant industry experience and stand out from the competition. 

• Double Degree  

If you’re looking for extra international experience, you can opt for one of our three double degree programmes. You can either choose a Double Degree with the Darla Moore School of Business (USA) or with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong). You can also pursue a Masters degree in MSc in Financial Engineering or MSc in Corporate Finance and Banking from EDHEC Business School in Nice, France. Find out more about our double degrees here

Get a full overview of all the different courses here

 Action learning: from theory to practice

At Vlerick, you don’t just learn, you put knowledge into action. Tackle real-world challenges, apply what you learn, and build the experience that matters.   

• Investment Research Challenge (IRC): Conduct comprehensive sell-side equity research, author institutional-grade analyst reports, and defend buy/sell recommendations to industry professionals
• IMEx – Integrated Management Exercise: Synthesise cross-functional business concepts to formulate corporate strategy, drive operational execution, and manage multi-stakeholder priorities in a competitive simulation.
• Amsterdam Study Tour: Explore career pathways within Amsterdam's financial centre, examine real-world market applications through company visits, and solve live business cases.
• London Study Tour: Gain firsthand exposure to global financial markets in the City of London, critique institutional operations, and participate in practical trading simulations. Visit companies like Bloomberg and JP Morgan.
• Banking Game: This simulation allows you to make a range of financial management decisions – including the scale of your deposit taking and lending activities, marketing expenditures and investments in various financial markets (eg, stocks and derivatives). There is also a competitive element – you compete against rival banks on price, quality and brand image.
• In-Company project: Over two months, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned to a real finance challenge in a consultancy project for a company of your choice.

Personal development: from student to business leader

Beyond hard skills, you will develop the mindset, confidence and skills to grow, lead and shape your career.

• My Vlerick Development Portfolio: Reflect on your strengths, address weaknesses, and take ownership of your growth path
• Careers in Finance Talks: Discover finance career paths through inspiring practitioner talks, real-world insights and valuable networking opportunities.
• Responsible Leadership & Management Skills: Challenge your assumptions, biases, and preconceived ideas while developing the leadership and digital-age management skills to navigate complexity, collaborate across cultures, and make confident, informed decisions.
• Professional Communication Skills: Career Coaching: Align personal goals with global job market opportunities
• Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful connections with peers, alumni, and industry leaders

Exchange opportunities

At the beginning of the academic year, you can apply for an international Exchange at one of our partner business schools, including Bocconi University (Milan, Italy), EDHEC Business School (Nice or Lille, France), emlyon business school (Lyon, France), Frankfurt School of Finance and Management (Frankfurt, Germany), Nova School of Business and Economics (Lisbon, Portugal), Polimi Graduate School of Management (Milan, Italy), Skema Business School (Paris or Sophia Antipolis, France), Stockholm School of Economics (Stockholm, Sweden).

Practical information

Our Masters in Financial Management runs full-time from early September until the end of June, entailing 60 ECTS credits. Classes take place from 9am to 5.30pm and are a dynamic mix of working on real-life business cases, class interaction, company visits and group exercises. 

Our active learning approach involves many assignments in small teams and thus requires mandatory attendance, 100% motivation, and the willingness to work hard. This programme is a part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation programme.

• Gain Comprehensive Financial Understanding: Deepen your knowledge across corporate finance and financial management, building the credibility and strategic insight needed to excel as a well-rounded financial decision-maker.
• Learn from expert-led faculty in a CFA Institute University Affiliation programme: Learn directly from internationally renowned academics and active finance leaders, leading to a curriculum aligned with the highest global industry standards.
• Study in Brussels with an International Cohort: Study in the heart of Europe alongside a diverse global cohort, building an influential, international network of peers, top-tier alumni, and industry leaders in banking and consulting.
• Expand your horizon with the Finance Study Tours to London & Amsterdam: Gain direct exposure to global financial powerhouses like Bloomberg, J.P. Morgan, ABN AMRO, and S&P through immersive international field trips and high-level networking.
• Leverage real-world experience and simulations: Turn financial theory into practice through the Investment Research Challenge, Banking Game, IMEx simulation, and a full-time, two-month in-company consultancy project.
• Make better decisions with AI: Combine technical fluency with financial acumen, mastering modern tech and AI tools to drive data-informed strategies and stay ahead in a fast-evolving market.
• Accelerate your career:  Our masters is top-ranked in the Financial Times for salary increase and career progression. Give your resume an extra edge by joining the Vlerick Strategy Consulting Club. 
• Gain international exposure: Expand your global perspective by going on a short-term exchange abroad or by earning a double degree with the Darla Moore School of Business (USA) or the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong). You can also pursue a Masters degree in MSc in Financial Engineering or MSc in Corporate Finance and Banking from EDHEC Business School in Nice, France. Find out more about our double degrees here

Curious to find out what life at Vlerick is really like? Discover what it’s like to study in Belgium, and get practical information on how to organise your stay. 

We offer individual career support, helping you to identify your strengths, reflect on your career ambitions and make a plan for where you want to go. You’ll also have access to our job board and opportunities to connect with top employers.

Find out more about our career services

Take a look at some examples of career paths pursued by our Masters in Financial Management alumni:

• M&A Analyst: Support mergers and acquisitions by valuing companies, analysing deals, and advising on financial strategy and integration.
• Strategy Consultant: Work with top executives to tackle complex business challenges and develop long-term strategies that drive growth, innovation, and lasting competitive advantage.
• Private Equity Analyst: Assess investment opportunities, conduct due diligence, and help manage portfolio companies for private equity firms.
• Corporate Banking Associate: Evaluate corporate clients’ financial needs, structures lending solutions, and supports relationship management.
• Private Banking Specialist: Provide tailored financial advice, investment planning, and wealth management services to high-net-worth clients.
• Management Traineeship or Graduate Programme: Tackle strategic projects across departments in a full-time, paid rotational role designed to fast-track your leadership potential.

Take a look at where our Masters in Financial Management graduates are working:

Are you

• A recent university graduate with limited to no work experience? 
• A believer in the power of finance as a key driver of business success? 
• Ready to make a positive impact on the fast-moving world of finance? 

Then you’re a perfect fit for a Masters in Financial Management at Vlerick. Even though many of our students already have a background in finance or economics, it’s certainly not mandatory. In fact, you’ll find that at Vlerick, your passion and enthusiasm will take you far within a diverse group of like-minded students from around the world. 

Student profile of our recent cohort Masters Financial Management: 

Education background

Start date: 1 September 2027
Duration: 10 months (from September until June) 
Location: Brussels 
Application deadline non-EU citizens: 30 April 2027

The tuition fee for this Masters programme is €23.500.

This includes:  

• London study tour (programme and accommodation ) 
• The Netherlands Study Tour (programme and accommodation)
• One year of full online access to the Financial Times and The New York Times

The fee does not include the cost of travelling abroad for the London tour, any visa costs, living expenses or costs related to any optional modules abroad you may take as part of your programme. 

Financing your Masters 

Joining a Vlerick programme can be a significant financial investment. But there are many financing options available to help towards your tuition fees – and we’re here to help you explore what types of support you might be eligible for. We process applications for our Masters programmes on a rolling basis as of October, for the September intake. If you want to be considered for one of our full scholarships, make sure to submit your scholarship application together with your programme application before 1 March.

Academic Excellence Scholarships

Academic Merit Scholarship

• Purpose: Reward students with an excellent academic track record
• Requirements:
  • Belgian degrees: Study results equal to great or greatest distinction at Bachelor’s level.
  • Non-Belgian degrees: Study results within the top 20% of the class at Bachelor’s level.
  • Outstanding GMAT/GMAT Focus (> 700/> 655) or GRE (> 164 quantitative and > 163 verbal) scores.
• Scholarship: Up to 50% of the tuition fee.
  

Diversity & Equality Scholarships

Women in Finance

• Purpose: Encourage women to enter fields in which they are underrepresented.
• Requirements: Outstanding academic record, leadership potential, and passion for specific fields.
• Scholarship: Up to 50% of the tuition fee.

Science Talent Scholarship (Exact sciences, Technology, Engineering):

• Purpose: Promote diversity in educational backgrounds, especially in STEM fields.
• Requirements: Outstanding academic record in STEM, leadership potential.
• Scholarship: Up to 50% of the tuition fee, with a chance to be awarded one of the two full scholarships sponsored by the Martine & Philippe Van den Poel-Haspeslagh Fund, the Marion Debruyne Fund and the Conny Vandendriessche Fund.

Equal Opportunity Scholarship: 

• Purpose: Encourage social diversity and individual commitment.
• Requirements: Represent diversity (e.g., minority group, underprivileged community) or actively promote diversity and inclusion by engaging in long-term initiatives that have a clear social impact.
• Scholarship: Up to 50% of the tuition fee, with a chance to receive one full scholarship sponsored by alumnus the Jan Toye Fund. Applicants who fit the criteria will be automatically considered for this full scholarship.

European Talent Scholarship: 

• Purpose: This scholarship specifically aims to promote educational mobility within Europe and to strengthen cultural diversity among our student population.
• Requirements: For students with citizenship in an EEA country (outside of Belgium) or in Switzerland.
• Scholarship: This is an automatic scholarship amounting to 4000€ and combinable with other scholarships. To be considered, candidates must tick the consent box in the application form and submit before 30 April 2027.
   

Need-based Scholarship

Financial need scholarship: 

• Purpose: Support students with financial need.
• Requirements:
  • A realistic financial plan.
  • Proof of financial need (e.g. previous scholarships or grants).
  • This scholarship can be combined with any other scholarships
• Scholarship: Amount and allocation decided on a case-by-case basis. Full scholarships sponsored by the MGM alumni Fund, and 3dD Investors. Applicants who fit the criteria will be automatically considered for this full scholarship.

If you're planning to apply for a scholarship, make sure you apply early and submit your scholarship applications alongside your application file. Please check the application form for full conditions.

Loans 

You may consider getting a loan to cover your programme fees. 

• Regular loans: A loan from your bank could cover your tuition fees – get in touch with them for more information.  
• Lendwise loans: Lendwise provides loans to international students at the world’s top business schools. Lendwise loans cover your living expenses and up to 100% of your tuition fees minus your course deposit (which must be paid by you), less any scholarship you may be awarded. Click here to learn more.
• Boost your Vlerick journey with Lendorse: Lendorse offers German students at Vlerick Business School between €3,000 and €20,000 to cover tuition and/or living costs. In return, you commit to repaying a fixed share of your future income. Learn more

Paying in instalments  

You can choose to pay your tuition fees in four separate instalments in October, November, January and March.

If you want to pay by instalments, you need to sign a contract and pay an admin fee of €250. 

There are four steps to start your Vlerick journey: 

1. Check your eligibility 

What you need: 

• Candidates studying in Belgium need a Masters degree from a recognised institution  
• Candidates from outside Belgium can apply with a Masters degree or a 3 to 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised institution (there may be additional requirements too)

Our Masters programmes are designed for young graduates, with an average age of 23 and little-to-no professional experience. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact our admissions team. 

2. Submit your application 

We process applications on a rolling basis from October for the 2027-2028 September intake. If you need a visa to study in Belgium, we expect your application by 30 April at the latest.

Complete your personal details and upload all necessary documents to our application tool. If you don’t need a visa to study in Belgium, you have until June to apply. However, we advise early application as we allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis.   

3. Take your admissions test 

There are two elements in your admissions test:  

1. Online test: We accept our own in-house online test: numerical reasoning (and abstract reasoning if applicable), GMAT (minimum 555) or GRE (157 verbal and 158 quantitative). You can also apply with a CFA for our Masters in Financial Management programme.
2. Interview: We will look at your motivation, fit and background and understanding of finance. Show us clear goals, curiosity for management, and awareness of business news. This interview also takes place online and lasts about 30 minutes.

Want to prepare for your admissions test? Discover our tips and tricks.   

4. Register for the programme 

The Masters in Financial Management programme has a capped number of seats and a selective admissions process organised in rounds. We therefore strongly advise applying as early as possible:

First admission round
Applications submitted:                  28 September 2026 until 13 December 2026
Decisions issued:                             28 January 2027* at the latest

Second admission round
Applications submitted:                   14 December 2026 until 14 March 2027
Decisions issued:                             22 April 2027* at the latest

Third admission round (last round for non-EU applicants!)
Applications submitted:                  15 March 2027 until 30 April 2027
Decisions issued:                            2 June 2027* at the latest

Fourth admission round (if seats are still available)
Applications submitted:                   1 May 2027 until 15 July 2027
Decisions issued:                             On a rolling basis (maximum 3 weeks after application completion)

_{*Admissions results are communicated on a rolling basis, but at the latest by the deadline mentioned. If you need a decision sooner, please send an email to admissions@vlerick.com with a detailed motivation.}

Once you’ve been admitted, you can go ahead and register.

Discover what it’s like to study in Belgium as well as practical information on how to organise your stay.