Your Guide to the MBA in Finance

In an MBA programme, as part of your core curriculum, you’ll take courses in several business-related topics, such as economics, financial reporting, marketing, corporate finance, and supply chain management. Outside of that core curriculum, you must often take electives specialised courses in designated subject areas.

Some schools designate electives or specialisations in certain areas, such as finance, as part of your elective coursework. This is a great option for those with a general interest in finance. However, for those looking to go one step further, several universities offer an MBA in Finance, a specialised MBA focusing on financial skills and procedures. Discover more about MBA in Finance programmes, including coursework, requirements, duration, and benefits of pursuing this degree. 

What is an MBA in finance?

An MBA in Finance focuses on the business and financial skills required to excel in the business world.

Many MBA programmes require introductory finance or accounting courses in their core curriculum. Candidates who pursue a specialised MBA in Finance will examine financial markets and policy more in-depth by taking courses in economic activity, managing assets, financial tracking, organisational decision-making, and more. This will prepare MBA graduates for many career opportunities in finance, including consulting, structured finance, stocks, equity analysis, financial planning, investment banking, and wealth analysis.

Types of coursework

If you decide to pursue an MBA in finance, you’ll take various financial courses. Some subjects you may be able to take include:

• Financial risk management

• Managerial economics

• Macroeconomics

• International finance

• Taxation and tax planning

• Business and corporate laws

• Fixed income markets

• Bank management

• Trading strategies

• Money and banking

• Acquisitions and mergers

• Portfolio management

On top of required core courses, you can also take electives, depending on your programme and availability. For example, you might take more specialised courses in financial technology, financial risk, behavioural finance, venture capital, or other areas of interest. 

Entry requirements

To enter an MBA in Finance programme, you’ll need to meet academic and performance-based criteria. Entry requirements will differ depending on your institution; however, you’ll generally need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum percentage requirement (often 50 to 60 percent). You’ll also need to take an entrance exam, if required by your programme, such as the CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, or CMAT.

In some cases, you may also need a certain amount of work experience, especially if you apply for an executive MBA in finance, which educational institutions typically design for working professionals. Later in the admissions process, you might also have group discussions and personal interviews.

Programme duration and delivery

MBA in Finance programmes typically take two years of full-time study. While traditional MBAs are often in-person, you may have flexible options for taking your courses, including online, hybrid, and weekend immersion options. 

Benefits of an MBA in finance

An MBA in finance can help deepen your understanding of financial institutions and banking while developing the skills you need to succeed in these areas. When deciding whether this postgraduate degree is right for you, consider some of its benefits.

1. Explore an area of interest.

Many MBA programmes offer more general coursework in business, which means you have the freedom to take whatever electives you want to take to fulfill your graduation requirements. However, if you enjoy finance, you can tailor your MBA to financial topics and deepen your understanding of this space. This would enable you to participate in higher-level discussions, explore niche interests in-depth, and surround yourself with classmates and professors who share your passion.

2. Apply for careers in finance.

This degree can demonstrate your advanced knowledge to potential employers, potentially helping you get a job working in finance or financial institutions. Additionally, you can build confidence in your financial skill set by completing the necessary upper-level coursework and seeking finance-related business positions.

Some examples of fields that finance MBA graduates may decide to pursue include:

• Financial analyst

• Portfolio manager

• Investment banker

• Merchant banker

• Private equity analyst

• Financial advisor

• Risk manager

• Credit analyst

Additionally, a finance MBA can be helpful if you aspire to become a chief financial officer (CFO).

3. Nurture a lucrative skill set.

According to Glassdoor India, the average annual base pay for someone with an MBA in Finance in India is ₹4,00,000. Still, additional yearly cash compensation can add an average of ₹2,00,000 as of January 2025 [1]. Many factors can influence your post-MBA salary, including location, institution attended, and years of experience. However, if you have ambitious salary goals, completing a finance degree may help you reach those goals faster. For example, finance managers bring in an average of ₹15,60,000 annually [2], which increases to ₹23,50,000 as you advance to senior finance manager positions [3]. 

Why get an MBA?

If you want to advance your business career, you’ll find several reasons to pursue your MBA. You can broaden your business perspective, expand your professional network, and enhance your career opportunities, amongst other benefits. 

Other advanced finance courses of study

Generally speaking, candidates for an MBA in Finance begin their programmes to move into financial management or senior-level financial leadership positions. However, you do have other options, too. Depending on your experience and desired outcomes, you may want to consider alternatives, such as a master’s degree in finance or a finance certification. For example, if you are in a separate field and want a quick way to boost your financial knowledge, you might take a short programme in finance for non-finance professionals. 

If you are strong in maths and science, you might choose a Master of Science (MSc) in Finance, which is an advanced degree programme that focuses on finance and financial theories with a strong foundation in statistics and mathematics. If you’re farther in your career, you can also complete an advanced management programme in business finance, a one-year programme for executives who want to grow in corporate finance. 

Keep exploring whether an MBA in finance is the right path

An MBA in finance is a specialised master’s degree where you focus on financial topics such as economics, financial reporting, financial analytics, banking, acquisitions, and more. To decide whether this is a suitable degree, consider enrolling in the Financial Management Specialisation from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business, available on Coursera. Get started today, and should you decide to enroll in the iMBA programme, you may be able to receive credit towards your degree programme for these completed courses.