Finance
- Degree
- Graduate school
- Credits
- 120 ECTS
- Duration
- 2 Years
- Language
- English
- Year
- 2027/2028
Luiss's Master's Degree in Finance, ranked among the best in the world by the Financial Times, provides a deep understanding of the financial dynamics that influence business decisions and prepares students to operate in a global environment marked by increasing complexity and competition.
Taught entirely in English, the course provides a solid, up-to-date, and highly professional education in corporate finance and financial markets. The aim is to produce graduates who can operate competently in a rapidly changing international economic and financial system, developing advanced knowledge in financial planning and valuation, capital markets, corporate governance, asset pricing, risk management, and corporate finance.
The teaching approach combines lectures, case study analysis, the use of professional software, simulations, and interaction with industry professionals. Recreating market scenarios and complex business decisions fosters a dynamic learning environment where students can experiment with effective financial strategies and hone their analytical and decision-making skills.
At the end of the first semester, students can tailor their course by choosing one of two majors:
- Corporate Finance, which prepares students for careers in corporate finance and financial consulting;
- Financial Markets, which focuses on careers in financial markets and investment management.
In line with the educational objectives of the LM-77 master's degree class, the course prepares professionals who are capable of:
- integrate corporate finance tools, quantitative and statistical analysis with management and strategy approaches to support decision-making, planning, control, and financial innovation;
- interpret and guide financial and organisational innovation processes, promoting the responsible adoption of data-driven models;
- design, evaluate, and implement complex financial solutions using advanced data analysis, quantitative modelling, and artificial intelligence techniques;
- operate with independent judgement, ethical awareness, and a strategic vision, considering the regulatory, social, and economic implications of financial decisions;
- working with and leading interdisciplinary teams, integrating economic, quantitative, legal, and organisational skills.
The course also includes at least one experience abroad, lasting a minimum of 30 consecutive days, to be undertaken during the two-year period.
Directors
Andrea Polo
Andrea Polo is an Associate Professor of Finance at Luiss and a Research Affiliate at the Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance. Before joining Luiss he was an Associate Professor of Finance at Universitat Pompeu Fabra and an Associate Research Professor at the Barcelona School of Economics. He is also a research affiliate in financial economics at the Center for Economic Policy Research and a research member of the European Corporate Governance Institute and an associate editor of the Economic Journal. In the past, he has been an academic fellow at the Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University. He holds a Master from Cambridge University and a PhD from Oxford University.
Paolo Santucci De Magistris
I am Professor of Econometrics at DEF since February 2018, and prior to that, I was an Associate Professor at the Department of Economics and Business Economics of Aarhus University (Denmark). Since June 2021, I hold the position of Head of the Department of Economics and Finance at Luiss. My main research fields are time-series and financial econometrics. I earned my PhD at the University of Pavia in February 2010 and held various research positions after that (visiting PhD at CREATES in 2008-2009; post-doctoral research fellow at the Department of Economics of the University of Padova in 2010-2011; FSE Post-Doc fellowship spent at CREATES from April 2011 to May 2013). During 2014, I spent a research period at the Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University.
The curriculum allows you to build an academic and professional profile aligned with your interests and career goals, combining specialist training, a personalised pathway, and learning through real-world experiences.
The educational offering is divided into:
- Essentials: courses that provide the theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary foundations of the degree programme, developing the core knowledge upon which to build the subsequent specialisation pathway.
- Majors (where included in the study plan): in-depth courses focusing on specific subject areas or professional fields, allowing students to develop advanced and distinctive skills in their area of interest.
- Profile: elective courses that allow you to further personalise your learning path by selecting content that aligns with your academic and professional aspirations.
- Certificates: distinctive elements of the Graduate School’s educational model, integrated into the study plan to offer students the opportunity to choose learning activities developed in collaboration with Corporate and Institutional Partners. With a strong focus on practical application, the Certificates enable students to gain specialised skills, engage with industry professionals, and delve deeper into methodologies and experiences gained across various professional settings. Upon completion of each Certificate, a notarised digital micro-credential is issued on the blockchain. This securely and verifiably attests to the skills acquired and can be shared on major professional profiles, enhancing one's educational background.
- Field Experience: real-world professional experiences that allow you to put the skills you've developed during your studies into practice and foster the connection between your academic training and the world of work.
- Final Thesis: the culmination of the educational journey, dedicated to research, critical analysis, and the application of acquired knowledge.
🇬🇧 Major: Corporate Finance
Semester I - Essentials
Cases in Business Law
The skills developed in the course enable students to manage the fundamental tools of business law both at domestic level and in international practice.
Advanced Corporate Finance
The course encourages students to build Excel-based operational models for studying capital budgeting, cost of capital and business valuation decisions. It strengthens theoretical and methodological foundations and presents case studies to apply theories and methods to real-world problems.
Financial Statement Analysis
The course focuses on the use of financial statements for analysis and valuation. Students will learn how to use accounting and financial information to analyse corporate financial performance and for valuing equity and investments.
Quantitative Methods for Finance: Probability and Statistics
This course explores the fundamental concepts of probability theory and statistical inference, providing the tools needed to model real-world problems and interpret complex financial models.
Quantitative Methods for Finance: Financial Econometrics
The course covers quantitative methods for analyzing and forecasting economic and financial phenomena using statistical and econometric software, with a focus on: linear regression models for cross-sectional and panel data; OLS, GLS, and IV estimators; time-series models (ARMA, ARCH, and GARCH); linear stochastic processes; and stationarity.
Semester II - Major
Business Valuation
The course provides the tools to perform advanced business valuations. It focuses on the main theoretical valuation models, identification of valuation problems and analysis of possible concrete solutions.
Asset Pricing
The course combines asset pricing techniques and derivative instruments, emphasising a practical approach with examples and applications on software packages. It addresses pricing and hedging methodologies within the framework of stochastic modelling.
International Financial Economics
The course teaches students about macroeconomic fluctuations and financial dynamics in relation to economic policies, exchange rate regimes and currency markets. Students learn how to assess whether and how economic policies influence investment and financing decisions.
M&A and Investment Banking
The course is an introduction to investment banking and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with a focus on the practical side of M&A transactions and recent trends.
Semester I - Major
Corporate Governance
The course examines models and theories for understanding different approaches to corporate governance as well as for analysing and designing corporate governance mechanisms.
Risk Management
The course teaches students about managing banking, financial and business risks. It examines methodologies and techniques for measuring risks and the value of capital.
Profile
2 elective courses
Certificate
Certificate 1
Certificate 2
Field Experience
Internship
Create
Final Thesis
Total ECTS
🇬🇧 Major: Financial Markets
Semester I - Essentials
Cases in Business Law
The skills developed in the course enable students to manage the fundamental tools of business law both at domestic level and in international practice.
Advanced Corporate Finance
The course encourages students to build Excel-based operational models for studying capital budgeting, cost of capital and business valuation decisions. It strengthens theoretical and methodological foundations and presents case studies to apply theories and methods to real-world problems.
Financial Statement Analysis
The course focuses on the use of financial statements for analysis and valuation. Students will learn how to use accounting and financial information to analyse corporate financial performance and for valuing equity and investments.
Quantitative Methods for Finance: Probability and Statistics
This course explores the fundamental concepts of probability theory and statistical inference, providing the tools needed to model real-world problems and interpret complex financial models.
Quantitative Methods for Finance: Financial Econometrics
The course covers quantitative methods for analyzing and forecasting economic and financial phenomena using statistical and econometric software, with a focus on: linear regression models for cross-sectional and panel data; OLS, GLS, and IV estimators; time-series models (ARMA, ARCH, and GARCH); linear stochastic processes; and stationarity.
Semester II - Major
Asset Management
The course analyses the theory and regulation of capital markets, with a focus on securities analysis, international investment and portfolio management, as well as the latest developments in asset management.
Investments
The course introduces students to the fundamentals of investment theory and financial analysis. The approach is geared towards understanding the dynamics of risk and return as well as portfolio construction and management and the selection of securities and capital allocation strategies.
Empirical Finance
This course provides econometric methods for the applied analysis of financial data, enabling students to empirically test market theories and valuation models.
Derivatives
The course analyses the main types of derivatives in detail, distinguishing between forwards, futures, options, swaps, over-the-counter and exchange-traded instruments, initial and maintenance margins, and call and put options.
Semester I - Major
Financial Intermediaries and Monetary Policy
The course analyses the role of financial intermediaries and central banks in the economic system. It explores the transmission of monetary policy, the functioning of credit markets and regulatory implications.
Equity Markets and Alternative Investments
The course offers a rigorous and intuitive introduction to equity markets and alternative investments. Topics covered include IPOs, equity analysis, types of investors, follow-on equity issues, bond markets, emerging trends in ESG, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), real assets, structured finance and the role of hedge funds in financial markets. Performance analysis and various alternative investment strategies are also explored.
Profile
2 elective courses
Certificate
Certificate 1
Certificate 2
Field Experience
Internship
Create
Final Thesis
Total ECTS
Luiss offers various opportunities for international experience and the development of skills that are valuable in global academic and professional settings.
Students can take part in Double and Triple Degree Programmes, QTEM Masters Network programmes, Erasmus and International Exchanges, Free Mover semesters abroad, international Summer Schools, the Joint Programme in Digital Transformation, and ENGAGE.EU international mobility programmes.
Admission depends on the course of study and the requirements set out in the individual calls for applications. Explore all the international experiences offered by Luiss and choose the one that best aligns with your educational and professional goals.
Admission procedures and requirements for 2027/2028
To enroll in the Luiss Master’s Degree in Finance, you must follow the admission procedures for the 2027/2028 academic year.
In October 2026, the competition notices will be published, detailing the requirements, selection methods, and application deadlines. Check the Luiss admissions section for updates and to find the procedure that applies to your profile.
Tuition fees
The single annual fee for enrolment in the first year of the Master’s Degree in Finance for the 2027/2028 academic year is €18,000, payable in three instalments, plus the regional tax.
Scholarships and financial support
Luiss offers scholarships and partial or full exemptions from tuition fees, thanks in part to support from public and private partners. This enables students to access tangible support throughout their academic journey.
Explore all the opportunities for Luiss scholarships and financial aid, and check the requirements, deadlines, and how to apply.
The Master's Degree in Finance prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities: from the finance departments of industrial and service companies, to corporate banking, M&A, and advisory roles at investment banks, to positions in investment funds, financial advisory firms, asset management companies, and regulated financial institutions.
The graduate profile is that of a professional capable of understanding, assessing, and managing the complexity of financial phenomena, with a solid analytical foundation and a strong ability to apply this knowledge in real-world and international contexts.
Career paths for the Corporate Finance major
Roles held by recent graduates include:
- Investment Banking Analyst
- M&A Advisor
- Financial Analyst
- Corporate Treasurer
- Private Equity Associate
- Financial Controller
Career paths for the major in Financial Markets
Roles held by recent graduates include:
- Trader
- Portfolio Analyst
- Asset Management Analyst
- Credit Risk Analyst
- Fintech Consultant
Luiss Alumni Network
With over 70,000 alumni worldwide, the Luiss Alumni Network is a dynamic and ever-growing community, created to keep the connection with the university alive after graduation. With 19 active international chapters, alumni and students take part in local initiatives that strengthen their sense of belonging and foster intergenerational dialogue.
The activities on offer include professional discussions, networking events, opportunities for training and in-depth study on current issues, class reunions, cultural visits, and initiatives aimed at enhancing the Alumni community.
Discover the Luiss Graduate School’s Employability Journey and the initiatives designed to support students as they develop their skills, build their professional networks, and enter the world of work.
