Master of Science in Financial Engineering

Data Science, Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics

Our Master’s program in Financial Engineering offers you a unique combination of finance theory, engineering methods, management tools, mathematical and computational techniques – blended with new developments from the field of artificial intelligence and data science. Financial Engineering introduces you to these techniques in a practical way, with a focus on hands on applications implemented in the Python programming language.

Focus Points of Financial Engineering

  • Data science
  • Machine learning for business and finance innovations    
  • Data-driven decision making
  • Financial and risk management with python

Key Facts

  • Structure: Part-time (but enrolled as a fulltime student)
  • Duration: 15 months plus time needed for master's thesis (varies)
  • Costs: 36,000.00 € (thirty-six thousand Euro) overall (detailed information on our costs and fees webpage)
  • Language: English
  • Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.) of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 90 ECTS
  • Start: Every year in October (flexible schedule possible)
  • Application deadline: There is none. We have a rolling application process.
  • Admission requirements: First academic degree (e.g. Bachelor, Master or Diploma), at least 2 years professional experience, English language proficiency. Find more here.
  • Accreditation: by aaq

 

Modeling and Understanding Data to Untap Hidden Value

The master's program Financial Engineering is divided into 5 engineering and 5 management modules of 2 weeks each, over a period of 15 months. The modules are followed by a master thesis written in the company (6 months) and often used as an innovation project for the company. The overall duration is approx. 20 months.

Engineering Modules Management Modules
  • Digital Financial Markets
  • Financial Economics for Data Scientists
  • Machine Learning for Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Engineering Aspects of Financial Markets
  • Alternative Data and Machine Learning for Business Applications
     

Preparatory Courses*:
"Probability and Statistics"

  • Marketing & Data Science
  • Finance & Value
  • Decisions & Risk
  • Innovation & Projects
  • Strategy & People
Ms. Katrin OlböterHECTOR School, KIT
Find out if this program is right for you!

Katrin Olböter (she / her)
Junior Manager Recruitment & Admissions

info does-not-exist.hectorschool com

+49 721 608 47019

Program details

The Master´s program in Financial Engineering provides innovative solutions of pricing, hedging, trading and portfolio management problems by employing advanced mathematical methods and computer technology. Graduates will be qualified to consider challenges in the financial sector from an engineer’s point of view and to develop and optimize innovative solutions on the basis of fundamental economic laws. 

Knowing the Right Answer

After completing the Financial Engineering Master program you will have answers to vital questions like:

  • Should company X manufacture product Y?
  • Should company X build a warehouse in Z?
  • How does a delay change the value of the project?
Making Better Decisions

Understanding projects strategically helps to make better decisions:

  • Learn which decisions need to be taken in order to leverage the value of the company/product.
  • Recognize the strategy behind the project and understand the big picture
  • Know what mergers, acquisitions and changes mean and how you can influence the consequences.
  • Create compelling evaluation systems and key figures to present your project, your department and yourself the best.

The right decision: With this Master´s program prepares you are prepared for a vibrant future!

Download the program catalogue.

Timetable 2025/26 HECTOR School
Academic Calendar Intake 2025

Program Structure

The concurrently taught Executive Master’s program is designed for working professionals. Block lectures scheduled at intervals allow participants to continue their demanding careers while acquiring new skills.

The Master’s program is divided into 10 modules: 5 Management modules present broader knowledge in management know-how and 5 Engineering modules provide deeper knowledge in technological topics.


Download the  Academic Calendar Intake 2024 (PDF)

 

Order now our "Content Overview and Learning Targets" (COLT) to get a better understanding of your favored Master Program. You will get an overview over

  • Study objectives (e.g. professional qualification for certain activities, scientific practice, knowledge of methods)
  • Structure of the program
  • Content and definition of courses (sub-areas, focal points)
  • Study plan

Click here to request your "Content Overview and Learning Targets" handbook.

Participants of Financial Engineering

Participants of Financial Engineering strive for a demanding career in a financial company such as an investment or commercial bank, an exchange or a rating agency. The techniques are also to the utmost benefit for candidates who pursue a career in a non-financial corporate, since the topics covered are well applicable to corporate finance, and corporate risk management.

Professionals working in financial product-oriented service sectors, e.g.:

  • Consulting agencies
  • Investment and private banks
  • Corporate departments in industry
  • Insurance companies

 
 

 

Career Perspectives after Graduation

With the pace of financial innovation, the need for highly qualified people trained in financial engineering also increases.
In many areas, the financial industry is currently facing structural changes to its offerings, IT systems and processes. The operational picture is characterized by a high project volume. Due to the high cost and competitive pressure, employees must be able to think and act in a cost-conscious, networked and innovative manner. This increasingly requires an interdisciplinary academic education for managers and future managers with modern IT skills, skills in designing industrial processes up to skills in managing large change programs.

Alumni Voice

"HECTOR School is the school of life. You rise coping with the challenges and each module is the next step of your progress."
Ekaterina N. Sereda/HECTOR School Intake 2007
RWE Supply & Trading

Find more Alumni Voices of our Master´s Programs

Academic Requirements

  • University degree in a relevant subject
  • Professional experience (at least 1-2 years) & current employment
  • English proficiency

Detailed description of all admission requirements

Admission Statutes

Download the statutes for admission to the Master's program in Financial Engineering (only available in German).

Program Directors

Prof. Dr. Maxim Ulrich
Institute for Finance, Banking and Insurance (FBV), KIT    

Prof. Dr. Martin E. Ruckes
Institute for Finance, Banking and Insurance (FBV), KIT

    

KIT Teaching Quality

The HECTOR School offers top-level teaching derived from state-of-the-art research at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Numerous institutes and departments of the KIT are involved in the HECTOR School Master´s program Financial Engineering: 

 

 

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If you have any inquiries regarding our programs, the application process and more, our Program Consultants are happy to help.

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*Preparatory Courses

Crash Course “Probability and Statistics” - October 28 - November 8, 2024: Participants without experience in the field of probability are highly recommended to take part in the crash course “Probability and Statistics”. Thanks to the blended learning format you can schedule the courses yourself within these two weeks. You have an exchange with the lecturer during video meetings in order to prepare yourself optimally for the start of your studies.
We highly recommend all applicants to participate in the courses to update the technical knowledge, as it might be a crucial factor for a successful Master degree at HECTOR School.