Master of Science in Business Economics (Corporate Finance )

In the Business Economics programme students become acquainted with almost every functional aspect of the business world: how and why a company is established, how it is financed, how it organises itself administratively, how it produces goods and services, how it markets and sells those goods and services, how it deals with personnel and how the company’s management co-ordinates and steers all those activities. The emphasis is on the inside of the business. The Master’s programme offers three disciplines that allow you to tailor your curriculum according to your own interests, and become an expert in one of the three functional fields.

In the Corporate Finance main subject, we develop your understanding of the core financial dimensions of a company and prepare you to become a specialist in financial management. This specialist main subject will provide you with a detailed understanding of financial statements and how to use them for financial decision-making. We will develop your ability to value companies and manage financial risks. The main subject delves deeper into advanced corporate finance topics, such as financial modelling, banking, mergers & acquisitions, and addresses more recent developments, including crowdfunding, green finance, and FinTech. The focus is not only on established companies but also the on the financing of entrepreneurial ventures; how do professional investors (such as venture capitalists) screen new ventures, how do they value ventures, and how are “term sheets” negotiated? Throughout the course units, you will have numerous opportunities to analyse important case studies in small groups. A Corporate Finance in Practice course unit will prepare you further for a job in corporate finance and bring you into contact with finance professionals. The curriculum also covers research methods related to the field of corporate finance. The research methods toolbox will allow you to develop answers to new problems, which also have important implications for practice and policy-making. A dedicated team of professors and support staff, with experience in teaching as well as professional practice at national and international business schools, policy-making institutions and/or businesses, will guide you.

The Master’s programme has a modular structure that differs from the traditional semester system. Course units are organised into six-week modular blocks. Each block consists of only two course units, allowing students to engage with the material in a more focused and in-depth manner.

The teaching methods are challenging and varied, including case studies, group assignments, discussion panels, lectures, business games, and more. At the end of each modular block, students take examinations for the two course units. In addition, the blocks include interim assessments and (group) assignments. As a result, there are no examination periods in January or June. You can take up an internship as an elective course during the months January, Easter break or June.

In the second term, you will follow a practical course unit related to your specialisation, providing you with direct exposure to the professional field. The programme also offers sufficient time to work on your Master’s dissertation, which is a key component of the degree. The dissertation demonstrates your ability to independently apply acquired knowledge to a specific problem.

Students who wish to combine a Master’s degree with a teaching qualification may opt for the Master’s Programme in Teaching (in Dutch: Educatieve master) instead of the programme described above. Please note that the Master’s Programme in Teaching is taught in Dutch. www.ugent.be/educatievemaster.

Finally, it is possible to participate in a double degree programme with Georg-August-Universität Göttingen or the University Clermont Auvergne. In a double degree programme, students obtain a degree from both the home university and the host university.

The primary career destination for graduates in Business Economics is the business sector. Alumni can be found in a wide range of positions across companies and non-profit organisations. Most graduates start their careers in the specialisation they selected during the Master’s programme, although this often evolves over time.

Some graduates take on increasing responsibilities within their original field, progressing to roles such as marketing manager or financial director, and eventually advancing to positions such as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), or even Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Others broaden their careers by moving into different functional areas or by being promoted to general management positions. The broad orientation of the programme facilitates such career mobility.

A substantial number of graduates pursue careers in economic professions, such as accountant, corporate consultant, tax advisor, or marketing consultant. These professions can be practised either as an employee or as a self-employed professional. Finally, Business Economics graduates are also employed in banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and organisations closely affiliated with the public sector.

Some examples of jobs for graduates in Business Economics:

• auditor
• accountmanager
• digital marketeer
• credit control officer
• executive director
• business advisor
• marketing & communication officer
• project finance consultant
• M&A analyst
• treasury analyst
• financial controller
• business consultant
• senior accountant
• ...