ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training Structure
School of Economics
Language(s) of Instruction
French
Overview
The Financial Engineering track of the MBFA Master’s program is designed to train bothprofessionals and specialized researchers. It prepares students to become experts inadvanced financial engineering techniques, capable of analyzing and solving complex problems within a strategic and global framework.
The program emphasizes the international dimension of financial markets and institutions, enabling graduates to understand global economic and financial issues. Students develop both technical and analytical skills, allowing them to devise innovative solutions, structure complex financial products, and address the strategic challenges faced by banks, asset management firms, insurance companies, and international financial institutions.

The Benefits of the Training Program
- A VARIETY OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- MASTERY OF ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
- OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A MASTER'S DEGREE (MASTER 2) THROUGH AN APPRENTICESHIP
Objectives
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Develop proficiency in advanced financial engineering techniques.
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Prepare students to analyze and solve complex financial problems.
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Develop a comprehensive and strategic understanding of financial issues.
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To raise students' awareness of the international environment of financial markets and institutions.
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Provide training on the design and structuring of complex financial products.
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To enable graduates to hold key positions in banks, asset management firms, insurance companies, and international financial institutions.
Expertise and Skills
Expertise
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Analyze and evaluate companies, assets, and financial projects
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Structuring complex balance sheet transactions (LBOs, mergers and acquisitions, private equity)
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Implement financial and international risk management techniques
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Design and use financial models and risk analysis tools
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Apply tax, legal, and banking regulations to financial transactions
Skills
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Expertise in finance, law, and taxation for complex transactions
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Ability to analyze stakeholders and adapt one's role to the context.
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Ability to design, evaluate, and manage strategic financial projects.
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Understanding of the international environment and strategic market issues.
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Ability to perform specialized duties.
International Dimension
Starting in their second year, students can spend a year (two semesters) at one of the 60 universities with which the School of Economics has exchange program partnerships.
Organization
Knowledge Assessment
Master’s programs at the School of Economics are structured over two years and four semesters and are based on an assessment system designed to measure students’ learning progress in a gradual and comprehensive manner. At the end of each semester, the skills, competencies, and knowledge acquired in each course unit (UE) are assessed in one of two ways: through continuous assessment or a final exam.
Continuous assessment allows for regular monitoring of student progress through various forms of evaluation: proctored exams, graded tutorials, presentations, projects, document analyses, and active participation in class. This approach encourages regular attendance, consistent work, and the gradual acquisition of skills.
The final exam, on the other hand, consists of a written or oral test administered at the end of the semester. Its purpose is to assess the student’s overall mastery of the concepts taught and their ability to apply their knowledge in a structured and in-depth manner.
Depending on the learning outcomes or educational objectives, some courses may combine both assessment methods. These approaches ensure fair, diverse, and appropriate assessment tailored to the nature of the course, while allowing students to develop methodological skills, rigor, and independence throughout their academic journey.
Special Features
Students with disabilities, young entrepreneurs, and elite athletes can receive personalized support.
This may take the form of academic accommodations, pedagogical adjustments, or specific rights, in order to enable students to best balance their personal or professional commitments with their university studies. Depending on the situation, these measures may include an adapted class schedule, modified assessment procedures, attendance accommodations, individualized support, or dedicated support services.
Open on an alternating basis
The apprenticeship program is based on the principle of alternating between academic and practical instruction provided at the university and the acquisition of practical skills at a workplace. The frequency of this alternation varies depending on the program but follows a schedule established in advance.
The apprenticeship contract is a special type of employment contract that allows the student to hold dual status: as a student and as a full-fledged employee of the company.
APPRENTICESHIP AVAILABLE IN THE SECOND SEMESTER OF THE MASTER 2 IF PROGRAM
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Possible |
|---|---|
Duration of the internship | A maximum of 924 hours, or 6 months |
Internship Abroad | Possible |
A true immersion in the professional world, it allows students to apply the knowledge they’ve acquired in class, discover how organizations operate, and compare theory with practice. To get the most out of it, thorough preparation is essential: learn about the host organization, define your goals, draw on what you’ve learned, and prepare for professional demands.
All Master's programs offer the opportunity to complete an internship.
In the first year of the master's program, an internship is possible but optional. It must be related to the program.
The internship may begin at the end of the second-semester exams or take place during university breaks. In any case, it must end no later than August 31, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a Bachelor’s program, a first-year Master’s program, or a University Diploma program.
In the second year of the Master's program, the internship is required.
The start date is set in consultation with the academic advisor, generally between February and March, to align with the academic calendar and the requirements for the final thesis. Regardless of the period chosen, the internship mustend no later than September 30.
Program
The program lasts 2 years, or 4 semesters
120 ECTS
Choose one of the following two options:
Financial English 1
2 creditsSpanish 1
Theoretical Econometrics
5 creditsMarket Finance
4 creditsMonetary and Financial Macroeconomics
3 creditsForecasting Methods
5 creditsAlgorithms and Programming
3 creditsData Mining and Big Data
Data Warehouse
The Economics of Bancassurance
3 credits
Choose one of the following two options:
Financial English 2
2 creditsSpanish 2
2 credits
Introduction to Stochastic Calculus
4 creditsCorporate Finance
4 creditsIntroduction to SAS / Excel VBA
2 creditsProject Financing Using Excel VBA
3 creditsTime Series Econometrics
5 creditsCorporate Taxation
3 creditsTechnical Analysis
2 creditsApplied Econometrics Project
5 creditsOptional
Mergers, Spin-offs, LBOs, Bankruptcies, Restructuring
2 creditsQuantitative Risk Management
2 creditsFinancial Markets and Financial Theory
2 creditsInvestment Science
3 creditsPortfolio Management Using R
1 creditInnovative Financing Transactions
1 creditFinancial Analysis (Bank of France)
1 creditAdvanced Financial Management: "Case Studies"
2 creditsStochastic Calculus
2 creditsTax Optimization: "Case Studies"
2 creditsAudit and Control: "Case Studies"
1 creditFinancial English
1 creditExploratory Statistics (SAS)
1 creditComputer Skills (VBA)
1 creditInternational Accounting (GAAP or IFRS)
2 creditsProject Management and Implementation
1 creditPanel Econometrics
2 creditsFinTechs, Blockchain, and Cryptocurrencies
1 creditBanking and Insurance Regulations
1 creditStrategy and Corporate Governance
1 credit
CHOICE 1
30 creditsChoose 1 or 2 out of 2
Research thesis as part of a research track in
30 credits3- to 6-month internship
30 credits
Introductory Research Seminars
IGF M2 Theses
30 creditsChoose one of the following two options:
Internship (Apprentices)
30 credits
Admission
Admission Requirements
- For the Master 1 program: Applicants must hold or be in the process of earninga bachelor’s degree (or equivalent, bac+3) in economics or a related field, recognized in France or Europe.
- For the Master 2 program: Applicants must have completed at least 4 years of higher education (Bac +4 / 240 ECTS) in fields related to economics or similar disciplines. A strong academic record and, in some cases, professional experience are highly valued.
Registration Procedures
First year of the master's program
If you wish to apply for admission to the first year of a master's program, you must submit your application through the Mon Master platform .
Second year of the master's program
To gain admission to the second year of the master's program based on academic equivalence, the ecandidat application process is required.
For more information: economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/candidatures/candidatures-et-admissions/
Target Audience
Students from the Montpellier Academy, the Occitanie region, France, and abroad
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are set each year by the Ministry of Higher Education. They are accompanied by the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC).
The entire program is free for students receiving scholarships.
Capacity
40
Recommended Prerequisites
A strong background inmicroeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematics, statistics, and econometrics is essential. Depending on the intended career path, certain course options may be particularly valuable.
And then
Continuing Education
Master’s degree graduates can continue their studies, notably bypursuing a Ph.D. in economics, either in France or abroad, particularly those interested in research or higher education. Additional specialized programs (university degrees) may also be considered depending on one’s career goals.
Employment Placement
The Master's in Financial Engineering is a career-oriented program that leads to employment. Students may continue on to a Ph.D. program, depending on the quality of their applied research thesis.
This program is designed to trainsenior executives pursuingcareersin banks, private equity firms, audit and consulting firms, and large corporations.
Graduates of the Master 2 in Financial Engineering will pursue careers such as: key account managers in retail banking; financial analysts at venture capital firms; mergers and acquisitions analysts at investment firms or corporate and investment banks; and corporate transaction services consultants...
https://osipe.edu.umontpellier.fr/masters/