International Finance

The programme in International Finance leads to an internationally recognized and renowned Master of Science degree.

Our mission is to qualify students to become experts in the international financial world and to prepare them for top positions in finance departments within globally operating companies, banks and other financial institutions.

The rigorous curriculum delivers a thorough foundation in financial principles and theory while providing practical applications to the world of international finance.

Location:
Nürtingen

Language of Instruction:
English

Degree:
Master of Science (M.Sc.)

90 ECTS

Period of Study:
3 Semesters or 4 Semesters with Double-Degree Option

Start: Winter Semester
Application Deadline: June 1^st

A summer semester start is not possible.

1st & 2nd Semester
Studies in Nürtingen

Option 1
3rd semester at the HfWU in Nuertingen & Master thesis

Option 2
Double Degree as Freemover (3rd +4th semester)

Applications for a semester start in October 2025 are now open! You will find all the details on admission requirements and the application process below.

Don't miss the deadline—submit your application by June 1st, 2025!

If you have any questions about the International Finance programme, our team is here to help. Feel free to reach out—we look forward to hearing from you!

Programme Modules

Below is a list of the modules, a more detailled description can be found in the module handbook at the end of this section.

1st semester modules taking place in Nürtingen (winter semester):

Financial Management

Management Accounting
Financial Modeling
Applied IFRS

Financial Analysis

Portfolio Management
Bond Analysis
Equity Analysis

Management Skills

Strategic Management
Intercultural Management and Communication Psychology
Project

Quantitative Research

Quantitative Risk Management with Matlab
Designing and Publishing Empirical Research in Business Studies

2nd semester modules taking place in Nürtingen (summer semester):

Applied International Corporate Finance

Mergers and Acquisitions
Private Equity & Acquisition Financing
IPO & Investor Relations

Applied Quantitative Corporate Finance

Company Valuation
Corporate Finance on Imperfect Capital Markets

Research in Empirical Finance

Predictive Analytics
Empirical Finance

Derivatives & Financial Engineering

Financial Engineering
Derivatives

For IFM students, it is optional to spend their 3rd semester either in Nuertingen or their 3rd and 4th semester as a Freemover at a university of their choice to receive a Double Degree.

Option 1: 3rd semester modules taking place in Nürtingen (winter semester)

Innovation in the Financial Industry

Digital Finance/ Fin Tec
Data Science & Data Science in Finance: Financial Analytics
Prompt Engineering for Finance & Investment Analysis

Master Thesis

Option 2: Double Degree as a Freemover. For more information on this option, please check the tab "Optional Studies Abroad"

Besides the option to spend their third semester at the HfWU Nuertingen-Geislingen University, students also have the opportunity to complete a Double Degree as a Freemover at a university of their choice worldwide. Freemovers organise their studies abroad independent from the HfWU and are not part of any specific exchange programme.

By choosing the Double Degree option, students spend their first two semesters at the HfWU and then go abroad to study approx. an additional year at a university of their choice. After completion of the required coursework, students will be awarded the MSc International Finance degree from the HfWU Nuertingen-Geilsingen University, as well as a master degree from the university abroad.

How Do I Apply to the International Finance Programme (IFM)?

The application and selection process for the 2025 intake has now started. Please check out the information provided by our Student Administration Office for a detailled step by step guide and link to our application portal Selma. Below you can find a short summary of the process:

Step 1: Register with our application portal Selma, which will be open from March 2025 until June 1st 2025.

Step 2: Upload all necessary documents to Selma (e.g. bachelor certificate, proof of English proficiency, motivation letter). Important: International applicants who received their former degree abroad have to get it first recognized by the Studienkolleg Konstanz . This recognition can be requested throughout the year.

Step 3: Make sure to complete your application in Selma until our deadline of June 1st 2025

Additional Information:

The application portal for the intake of 2025 will be open from March 2025 until June 1st 2025
Application Deadline: Each year June 1^st - for admission to the winter semester which usually starts towards the end of September/beginning of October each year . The deadline applies to all applicants (EU and Non-EU).
The programme only starts in the winter semester each year. A start in the summer semester is not possible

Admission Requirements

For a detailled list of the necessary documents, please check the information provided by our Student Administration Office. Generally the following documents are needed:

Proof of a degree in Business, Business Law, Economics or Management from a German institute of higher education or vocational college or a comparable degree from a foreign institute of higher education.
Declaration of study motivation, typewritten, max. 2 pages, in German or English language
Evidence of proficiency in English, at least at level B2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Please note that you have to submit only one of the following:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language -TOEFL- with at least 500 points (paper based) or 173 points (computer based) or 61 points (internet based)
- International English Language Testing System Academic - IELTS with at least a 5.5 overall band score
- Cambridge English: Business Vantage - BEC Vantage
- Cambridge English: First – FCE
- Cambridge English: Advanced – CAE
- Cambridge English: Proficiency – CPE
- Advanced Placement International English Language Exam (APIEL) with a minimum rating of 4
- Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) with at least 785 points
- Language certificate for B2 level according to the "Common European Framework for Languages"
- First degree from a programme conducted completely in the English language
Curriculum Vitae with personal details, education and work experience (optional)
Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese applicants also need to attach the Original Certificate of the "Akademische Prüfstelle des Kulturreferates der Deutschen Botschaft" (APS) from their country

Application Results

The results of the selection process will be available to all applicants by approx. beginning of July . Applicants can access the acceptance/decline decision within their personal user account in the application portal Selma.

Accelerate Your Career

Studying in the Master of Science International Finance programme at the Nürtingen-Geislingen University will equip you with the tools necessary to succeed in the financial world. You can consider it your best investment!

Our graduates start exciting careers worldwide in the fields of:

Investment Banking
Mergers & Acquisitions
Consulting
Corporate Finance
Private Equity
Portfolio Management
Financial Engineering
Bank Management

Accommodation

Application for Student Dormitory in Nürtingen
As rooms in the student dormitory fill up quickly, new students are encouraged to apply for a room as soon as possible!

Enrolment

For questions on enrolment and fees please first read the information provided on our homepage before contacting the Student Administration Office:

Semester Start

The study programme starts only once a year in autumn. The semester opening will take place on October 7th. More information will follow end of September here. For a first semester booklet and overall information please check out the follwing links:

University Account

All enrolled students will receive their log-in data for all online services of the University automatically before the start of lectures by email. A separate request is not necessary. Please keep in mind that only fully enrolled students can get access!

Once you have received your log-in data you have access to Neo - our Learning Management System where you can find information on your schedule, lecture scripts etc.

Semester Dates Winter Semester 2025

Semester Opening: 6th October 2025
Lecture Period: 6th October 2025 - 30th January 2026
Exam Period: 2nd February 2026 - 20th February 2026

Registration and Tuition Fees

All enrolled degree seeking students (EU and non-EU) are required to pay registration fees amounting to approx. 190 € each semester.

From winter semester 2017/2018, international students (non-EU) are also required to pay tuition fees amounting to 1500 € each semester. For more information, please consider the following link:

- Information on fees and exemptions (click on Fees and Degree Seeking)

If you are interested in a Double Degree, please enquire about the fees of your preferred university. As we offer the Double Degree only for Freemovers, we cannot offer any reduction of fees.

The International School of Finance is comprised of all finance related study degree programmes at the HfWU Nuertingen-Geislingen University as well as their institutes and student/alumni activities.