Masters of Finance in Germany: Top Universities, Fees, Eligibility, Scholarships, Jobs

A postgraduate degree in Master of Finance in Germany is a professional and competitive postgraduate-level education focusing on those students wishing to pursue a post in banking, investment management, corporate finance, fintech, or risk analysis on a higher level. The program (approximately 1.5 to 2 years) combines substantive financial theory and quantification with business analytics, knowledge of regulations, and business. Often, internship or thesis-based research forms part of the program.

The undergraduate degree generally needs to be a good financial/economics degree in Germany to get access to leading schools like the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Mannheim Business School, WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management, and ESMT Berlin. When applying to English-taught courses, it is necessary to demonstrate English proficiency by showing the result of the IELTS/TOEFL examination; certain courses are considered to be more competitive with the help of GMAT/GRE results.

The ability to study tuition-free or at a low fee at any state school, the high level of integration with industry, and the reputation of Germany as a financial hub within the European location are also the factors that attract international students to Germany. Programs also have tie-ups with banks, consulting firms, and international corporations that provide practical exposure. Graduates can mostly find jobs in larger international banks or Big Four advisory agencies or European financial hubs and have starting salaries of between €45,000 and €65,000 per year. Indian and foreign learners find the 18-month job seekers visa that follows the study even more attractive.

Masters in Finance in Germany: Quick Highlights 

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Masters in Finance in Germany: Important Dates and Events

Application Start & End Dates for Top Universities

Top universities for Master’s in Finance in Germany and their application dates are listed below:

Visa Application Timeline

Including the time needed to schedule an appointment and the actual processing period, the visa application process for a master's degree in finance in Germany takes about three months. Since the application procedure can take some time, especially for non-EU citizens, it is advised that you apply as soon as you receive your acceptance letter from the university.

Scholarship Deadline for 2025

There are a number of scholarships available to foreign students studying for a Master of Finance degree in Germany. The Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships, Deutschlandstipendium, and DAAD Scholarships are well-known choices that offer monthly stipends that may be sufficient to pay living expenses.

Masters in Finance in Germany Fees

Tuition Fees

The range of tuition costs for an overseas student enrolled in a German university in the Master's in Finance program is ₹3 to 67 lakhs per year, depending on the university and program of study. 

Living Cost

The monthly breakdown of the essential living costs for international students is provided below:

Why Choose a Master’s in Finance Degree in Germany?

Due to its booming economy, excellent universities, and affordable cost of education, even in state-funded universities, Germany has become one of the most preferred destinations for higher education studies, especially in the field of finance. The students also enjoy an integrated curriculum with theoretical underpinnings and practical training that is highly influenced by industry leaders and other multinational companies. The financial sector within the country is strong, especially within financial status hubs such as Frankfurt (financial hub of Europe), which offers a strategic edge to students of finance to obtain real-life exposure, internships, and job opportunities.

The German universities are research-oriented and globally oriented. Most of the Master's in Finance programs are being taught in English, which draws a multiethnic international student population. It is not just the atmosphere of this rich, multicultural world that benefits the individual learner in terms of peer learning, but this environment also creates valuable international networks. The general course of study tends to provide a wide variety of specialities, such as corporate finance, investment analysis, risk management, and fintech, ensuring the graduates will be able to be assigned to both legacy sectors of the financial market and emerging trends.

In addition to academics, life in Germany as a student is a pleasant experience. With their fine public transport systems, student cities, and culture, students have a very high quality of life. Graduates with international status may also enjoy the 18-month post-study visa offered in Germany, which gives them sufficient time to find a job and settle down in Europe. Germany is a good mix of education, work, and life in terms of finance professionals of tomorrow, and has low living costs compared to other Western countries.

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Other Popular Countries for Studying Masters of Finance

Masters in Finance in Germany: Qualification

In order to apply to an M.Sc. program in finance, candidates will need:

• The basic requirement is a bachelor's degree in finance, business, economics, or a similar discipline.
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher (83–86%) is often preferred.
• If the program is taught in English, you will need to demonstrate your fluency in the language, usually with IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher or TOEFL scores of 80 or higher.
• You must demonstrate your German language proficiency, usually at a B2 level (e.g., TestDaF (TDN 4), DSH-2, or Goethe C1), if the program is taught in that language.
• Resumes, LORs, and SOPs are also crucial prerequisites.

Masters in Finance in Germany: Eligibility Criteria 

The following table provides a summary of the fundamental eligibility requirements that students are supposed to go through while selecting the course of their interest and the university.

Application Process: 

SOP, LOR, and Resume

• Their academic enthusiasm, quantitative background, and future goals are all expected to be explained in the SOP.
• Professors or others who know your working and learning potential should write your LORs.
• The resume should focus on quantitative internships, research, work experience, or coursework.

Top Masters in Finance in Germany: Entrance Exams for Germany

Entrance Exams Tips:

• IELTS: Learn how to answer sample questions, focus on improving your weak areas, and become familiar with the test's format.
• TOEFL: Utilize the official TOEFL materials and practice tests to get acquainted with the structure and kinds of questions that will be asked.
• PTE: Acquire knowledge of the scoring system and utilize PTE-specific materials.

Masters in Finance in Germany: Cut-Offs in Germany

IELTS / TOEFL / PTE  Score Cut-Offs:

A GMAT score of 640 and German proficiency (TestDaF TDN 4 or DSH-2) is required for German-taught programs. The following are the cutoff scores for additional entrance examinations according to the universities:

Masters in Finance in Germany: Syllabus

Here is the Master's in Finance basic syllabus for students: 

Core Modules

• Corporate Finance
• Financial Markets
• Quantitative Finance
• Financial Management
• Business and Financial Analysis

Electives & Projects

• Derivatives and Alternative Investments
• Risk Management
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Private Equity
• Islamic Banking Operations
• Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions and IFRS
• Economics of Financial Markets and Crises

Best Universities/Colleges for Master's in Finance in Germany

Public and private schools (in Germany and internationally) are listed below:

Public Universities

• Technical University of Munich (TUM)
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)
• Goethe University Frankfurt
• University of Mannheim
• University of Cologne
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• University of Bonn
• University of Hamburg
• Heidelberg University

Private Institutions

• WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management:
• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
• GISMA Business School (Berlin)
• Berlin School of Business & Innovation (BSBI)
• International School of Management (ISM)

Global Rankings for Indian Applicants

Masters in Finance in Germany vs India (Comparison Table)

This is a summary of how master's degrees in finance in Germany and India compare in terms of length, learning objectives, employment prospects, tuition, and living expenses.

Career Scope After a Masters in Finance Degree in Germany

Graduates with an M.Sc. Finance from Germany, find roles in:

• Financial Analyst
• Investment Banking Analyst
• Risk Manager
• Corporate Finance Associate
• Portfolio Manager
• Financial Controller
• Compliance Officer
• Treasury Analyst
• Fintech/Quant Analyst
• Management Consultant (Finance)

Top Recruiters / Placement Companies

Major Banks

Two financial institutions of Germany are Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank. Deutsche Bank is a global bank with a large international presence, and Commerzbank concentrates on commercial banking and has a range of positions that are finance-related, as per their departments.

Consulting Firms

The finest consultation organizations in Germany include McKinsey and Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Accenture; all these organizations provide fine careers in finance consultancy. The big four firms also have a strong presence, namely KPMG and EY, which offer opportunities in financial advisory, auditing, and strategy.

Large Corporations

Large companies in Germany like Siemens, Bosch, BMW Group, SAP, and Audi provide a variety of positions in finance. These are in the areas of corporate finance, financial planning, and business strategy in some of the legacy brands in technology, automotive, and the software industry.

Other prominent businesses

The flagship airline of Germany, Lufthansa, provides finance opportunities in operations and logistics departments. Zalando, one of the most recognizable fashion e-retailers, additionally possesses an emerging finance department with an interest in both digital business and financial analysis.

Salary Packages for Masters in Finance Graduates in Germany

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: What makes Germany the desired place to study finance?

Ans: Germany integrates the high quality of education with exposure to the industry. It has global banks, new fintech companies, and leading real estate firms operating in the neighborhood, making it an ideal location to start the international finance profession.

Ques: What is the duration of a master's in finance in Germany?

Ans: Most of the programs take about 2 years and are a very good balance of theory and practical application. Usually, there are internships, projects, and research.

Ques: What are the most reputable universities of finance in Germany?

Ans: Some of the best choices include

• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
• WHU School of Management Otto Beisheim
• The University of Mannheim
• Technical University of Munich (TUM)
• Goethe University Frankfurt
• LMU Munich
• Free University of Berlin

Ques: What are the minimum requirements for admission?

The requirements will be a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business, or a related subject; proof of English (IELTS/TOEFL) or German (depending on the program), such as an SOP, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a resume.

Ques: Am I required to have work experience to apply?

Ans: No. Although some programs would wish their students to have little experience in work, most of them would embrace new graduates on the basis of their academic qualification and their morale.

Ques: Do they have English-taught programs?

Ans: Absolutely. Most of the finance courses are provided in English, but it is a wise thing to know at least some German, as it will facilitate anything concerning employment and day-to-day life.

Q: Do international students get any scholarships?

Ans: Yes! The most popular ones include

• DAAD Scholarships
• Deutschlandstipendium
• Erasmus+
• Scholarships based on merit or need in colleges and universities.

Ques: What type of skills will I attain in the program?

Ans: You’ll develop a strong foundation in such areas as financial analysis, risk management, portfolio strategy, corporate finance, and even fintech tools—everything that is required for the current job market.