Requirements
To graduate from the Master’s degree programme in Banking and Insurance Management, you must:
- successfully complete all the classes
- produce a Master’s thesis, which must be approved
- pass the Master’s examination
Your title on graduation will be “Master of Arts in Business (MA)”.
Master’s thesis – your strategic contribution to financial practice
The Master’s thesis is the academic conclusion of the Master’s degree programme in Financial Management. It demonstrates that you are able to work independently on a complex financial issue in a scientifically sound and practice-orientated manner. You will combine specialist knowledge, analytical thinking and methodological expertise – skills that are crucial at management level in the world of finance.
Scientifically sound & practically relevant
The aim of the Master’s thesis is to provide a theoretical basis for a current and relevant topic from the field of financial management – such as investment, corporate finance, risk management, sustainable finance or digital finance – and to work on it in a solution-oriented manner. Both conceptual-theoretical work and empirical analyses, case studies or practice-related projects with data reference are possible.
The work must meet academic standards: This includes a clear research question, methodologically comprehensible approach, structured composition, correct citation, sound literature work and an independent argumentation.
Timing and support
Finding a topic and conceptualising the thesis begin in the third semester as part of the research seminar, in which you develop your idea into an exposé. The Master’s thesis itself is regularly completed in the fourth semester. Throughout the entire process, you will be supported by an accompanying Master’s seminar and individually tailored supervision from experienced lecturers. Feedback, methodological coaching and interim presentations will accompany you on your way to completing your thesis.
Practical relevance and cooperation with companies
Particularly noteworthy is the opportunity to write your Master’s thesis in cooperation with a company, bank, insurance company or international institution. Topic suggestions can either be submitted by the students themselves or developed together with the supervisors and practice partners. It is important that the topic is scientifically sound and suitable for supervision.
These collaborations not only offer valuable insights into real-world problems, but often also open up career entry opportunities, for example through internships, working student positions or direct follow-up projects.
Individual work with room for depth
The Master’s thesis is designed as an individual piece of work. Group work is not planned, as the focus is on individual academic analysis and the ability to reflect. The thesis offers you the opportunity to further develop the knowledge you have acquired during your studies at a high level – with direct relevance for your future career in financial management.
Conclusion:
The Master’s thesis is your personal contribution to the further development of financial practice – whether by analysing innovative investment strategies, designing digital financial solutions or investigating sustainable management models. It combines theory and practice, science and career – well-founded, supervised and with real impact.
Master’s examination – the final proof of your financial expertise
The Master’s examination is the final proof of achievement in the Master’s degree programme in Financial Management and marks the successful completion of your academic education. It takes place at the end of the fourth semester and documents that you have the professional, academic and strategic skills required for demanding roles in the field of finance – for example in investment, controlling or corporate management.
Structure of the Master’s examination
The Master’s examination consists of three parts:
1. Defence of the Master’s thesis
You present your Master’s thesis to the examination board, explain your methodological approach and answer in-depth questions on relevance, data basis, theory integration and interpretation of results. In doing so, you demonstrate that you can work on a complex issue independently, systematically and with a practical orientation.
2. Specialised examination in investment management
This part of the examination focuses on content relating to capital markets, asset allocation, portfolio optimisation, valuation methods and sustainable finance. The aim is to test your analytical skills in dealing with investment decisions, financial instruments and risk management.
3. Specialised examination in the area of Financial Steering & Controlling
This part of the examination focuses on strategic corporate management by the CFO or financial management. Topics include integrated planning, budgeting, forecasting, performance measurement, liquidity management and financial decision-making.
The examination board
The Master’s examination is conducted by a three-member committee. This is usually made up of
- the supervisor of the Master’s thesis
- another relevant teacher
- the chairperson of the examination committee (usually the head of the degree programme or an experienced professor)
The committee ensures a fair, respectful and transparent examination procedure and assesses the academic quality of your Master’s thesis as well as your professional expertise and argumentative skills.
The Master’s examination proves that you have internalised the knowledge, methods and mindset of a modern leader in financial management. It is the last step on the way to an academic degree – and the first step in a career with responsibility, impact and prospects.
