ADVICE
Finance courses can give you a headstart in your career
Finance courses have seen an uptick in applications since the pandemic broke out, as the credential offers value to students graduating in a volatile job market. Advance study in the field can not only help finance professionals improve their career opportunities across a range of industries, but also the potential to boost their earnings.
According to the GMAC – the owner and administrator of the GMAT – via the Financial Times, “two-thirds of all business school applicants consider a specialist business masters degree, with master’s in finance (MiF) courses the most popular programme in this group”.
| Jun 16 | 2 mins readGMAC said the MiF programme has fared better than other courses in what has been a difficult few years for graduate management education as US MBA programmes seeing a decline in applications for four straight years.
In a separate report, FT said applications are up 55% year-on-year for the full-time MiF programme at London Business School. Meanwhile, Singapore Management University has seen 52% more applications than last year for the school’s upcoming masters in finance course, and made 25% more offers and had 40% more acceptances.
Postgraduate finance courses for professionals
There are numerous finance courses for professionals to choose from. The MiF, for instance, exposes students to areas such as financial theory, investments, current trends in the market as well as the tools needed to navigate the ever-changing industry.
Students may also pick electives in areas such as FinTech and Data Analysis, depending on their programme. The duration of the programme varies between institutions, with some programmes are a year-long, and others stretch to 18 months.
IE Business School notes that their MiF programme gives students a first-hand insight into the realities of the modern markets and understanding the newest trends in corporate finance and private equity, which can increase students’ recruitment appeal in top financial institutions.
MiF graduates can typically go into roles such as financial analyst or financial advisor, investment banker, to name a few.
Those who prefer something more specialised can choose from other finance-related postgraduate programmes, some of which include finance and investment, islamic finance, banking and finance, international finance, and financial management.
If you’re looking to pursue a career in islamic finance, a postgraduate degree in the field could be in the books. A Research and Markets report said the global Islamic finance market is growing moderately due to strong investments in the Halal sectors, infrastructure and sukuk bonds, especially through electronic modes in all products and services. “The factors driving the growth of the market are directing investment toward the tremendous growth opportunities in the promising Islamic sectors,” it said.
You’ll develop knowledge in key areas of Islamic finance, Islamic economics and Shariah from both theoretical and applied aspects, and develop an understanding in the economic and financial aspects in which Islamic financial services operate.
Without a doubt, finance courses can help professionals in the field stand out from a crowd and gain an edge in the job hunt, what with the added knowledge and technical skills gained from a postgraduate degree in the field. Which one you choose would ultimately depend on your career goals, but with so many finance courses at your disposal, the world of numbers will become your oyster.
ADVICE
