Master of Science in Business Administration (Finance and Risk Management)

The focus of Business Administration is on how a business is organised, and on how it does business. You gain insight into the structure of a business, its internal dynamics and its external relationships with stakeholders, and you learn to understand those stakeholders better. This will enable you to make successful business decisions. The Master’s programme offers you an understanding of one of the domains that traditionally constitute an important challenge for businesses. We prepare you for managerial positions in one of the functional management domains (e.g. HRM, taxation, finance). You learn how customers think, what the importance is of a fiscal environment, how to set up an efficient HR policy, how to use IT to monitor profitability, what points to consider when financing new activities, or how to make strategic goals more feasible by means of an optimal business structure.

The Finance and Risk Management main subject offers you insight into the institutions in the financial sector: banks, insurance companies, brokerage firms and investment companies. You become acquainted with the day-to-day management of an insurance company, and the strategic use of insurances in a company’s risk management. You will learn how to compose, manage and evaluate an investment portfolio, and you will be able to identify the financial management challenges and opportunities of international businesses. In addition, you will study the various types of (European) banks and their added value, and how these institutions are managed and regulated. You will also learn to identify, measure and monitor financial risks. Finally, you will acquire the competencies necessary for financial data collection, data analysis and data modelling as well as for the automation of data analysis processes in the financial sector.

We offer a choice of five main subjects: Taxation, Finance and Risk Management, Management and IT, HRM and Organisational Management, and Commercial Management. Each of these main subjects encompasses a work placement in the second term, as well as the course unit ‘Strategic Management’, including a business game.

In addition to the (domain) Master’s programme described above, you can also choose a Master’s Programme in Teaching (in Dutch: Educatieve Master). Find out more at www.ugent.be/educatievemaster (in Dutch).

The Master of Science in Business Administration opens doors to executive positions in corporate life, where management is key. You acquire a broad range of competencies, allowing you find your way in the many challenges a modern business has to face. You will find yourself holding a responsible position, in which you will experience personal fulfilment. Other options are the government, public institutions or non-profit organisations. Finally, there is the option of becoming a self-employed accountant, tax advisor or management consultant.

Finance and Risk Management graduates find employment at banks, insurance companies, brokerage firms and investment companies. You may likewise find job opportunities at the finance department of industrial companies.