Why do a Master 1 in Finance after a Bachelor’s degree?

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You have recently obtained your bachelor’s degree or a diploma at the bac +3 level? Are you ambitious and want to deepen your knowledge in the field of finance? Do you dream of holding an important position after your studies? This article will explain why you should do a master 1 in finance after a bachelor’s degree. Discover in the following lines all the reasons to become professional in this fascinating sector.

In summary:

A master 1 finance :

  • is accessible after a diploma of level bac + 3;
  • offers many specializations in French and English;
  • allows you to enter a Master 2 in Finance;
  • gives you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in the field;
  • offers better professional opportunities.

Why choose to enroll in a Master 1 in Finance?

You have just obtained your bachelor ‘s degree? You’ve probably noticed that the teaching of finance or any other related field has been more generalized up to this point. Indeed, the license consists of giving students an excellent foundation in a field.

However, if you want to deepen your knowledge and perfect your mastery of a field such as finance, enrolling in a master 1 finance is the logical path to follow. The courses and subjects taught are more specific and give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with all the specifics of the field.

Many schools that offer a Master 1 in Finance even allow you to choose a speciality from the first year of the Master. This is the case atESCE, for example, which gives you a choice of 12 specializations in the master’s cycle of the Grande École program. You can also opt for the International Corporate Finance specialization of ESCE’s MSc.

What studies allow you to integrate a master 1 finance in school?

If you wish to enter a Grande Ecole to do a Master 1 in Finance, the most important requirement is to have a degree of Bac + 3, i.e. to have validated 180 ECTS credits. It may be a Bachelor’s degree that you obtained in France in a field related to finance, or it may be a Bachelor’s degree that you obtained in an international institution.

Indeed, a Master 1 is equivalent to a level of study Bac + 4. This is why you naturally need a bachelor’s degree + 3 years to be able to move to the next level. This is the first year of a 2-year Master’s program. At the end of these, you normally obtain a master’s degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

What specialization can I choose in a Master 1 in Finance at ESCE?

If you want to choose a specialty in Master 1 finance, make sure you choose a school that gives you the opportunity to do so. AtESCE, we offer several specializations from the moment you enter the first year of the Master’s program.

The corporate finance specialization, an internationally oriented course

Do you have the ambition to work internationally? Do you have a good knowledge of the English language? The corporate finance specialization of ESCE’s Grande École program is conducted entirely in English. It trains you to understand all the theories of financial decision making. You will then be able to put your expertise at the service of an SME or a large structure.

Opt for a work-study program with the management control/finance specialization

You want to be operational and work in your dream job as soon as possible? Choose to specialize in management control/finance, a course that ESCE offers in alternating years. In this way, you have the opportunity to reinforce your theoretical knowledge while practicing it.

Become an expert in market finance with the financial markets specialization

Do you want to advise, or even lead, the decision-making process for an investment in a company? Do you want to become an international market finance expert? Opt for ESCE’s financial markets specialization, also taught in English. If you are interested in the training, you can always find out more on our website or visit our FAQ section.

What jobs does a Master 1 in Finance prepare you for?

Depending on the specialization of your choice, a Master 1 in finance can prepare you or give you direct access to many professions. For the most popular ones, we can mention the following:

  • Finance Officer;
  • financial analyst ;
  • trader ;
  • business manager ;
  • portfolio manager.

That said, there are positions that will only be accessible to you with a Master’s degree, but for which you can prepare yourself as early as Master 1 Finance. These are, among others, those of :

  • administrative and financial manager ;
  • administrative and financial director ;
  • financial director of industrial and commercial companies.

What kind of salary can I expect after completing a Master 1 in Finance?

If you stop at Master 1 Finance, your annual income will naturally depend on the position you hold and the size of the company you work for. As a beginner, you can earn approximately 34,000 to 35,500 euros per year. With more experience, or if you decide to do a master 2 in finance, you can earn up to 45,000 euros per year, or even more.

Is a Master 1 in finance enough to find a job?

Considering the skills you acquire in Master 1 Finance, it is sufficient to find a job. If you choose the right specialization and excel in languages, you can even go straight to a position in an international company. However, it is always advisable to do a Master 2 to complete one’s studies and access more prestigious jobs such as director or manager.

Updated 17 April 2023