Master of Science in Finance in Germany


I am from greece and i got a bachelor of science in economics (240 ects)
i want to work in finance sector of germany like big 4 financial services,investment banking,private equity,venture capital etc.
I got no previous expirience so i would like to help in
1) finding the best programme in germany! i saw b-schools offer good programmes but too expensive and as it is full time you cant work while studying.
2) does it matter if you are from a b-school or a public uni?
3) i was thinking joining goethe univrsity msc in money and finance . is it worth it?
4)i can also study in Dortmund so what is good there?
5) i saw that many ppl study in Hochschule.are msc from hochschule good?
6)should i join a programme outside frankfurt if it is b-school? or a public uni in frankfurt? what is better?

I am from greece and i got a bachelor of science in economics (240 ects)
i want to work in finance sector of germany like big 4 financial services,investment banking,private equity,venture capital etc.
I got no previous expirience so i would like to help in
1) finding the best programme in germany! i saw b-schools offer good programmes but too expensive and as it is full time you cant work while studying.
2) does it matter if you are from a b-school or a public uni?
3) i was thinking joining goethe univrsity msc in money and finance . is it worth it?
4)i can also study in Dortmund so what is good there?
5) i saw that many ppl study in Hochschule.are msc from hochschule good?
6)should i join a programme outside frankfurt if it is b-school? or a public uni in frankfurt? what is better?
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Duncan

You describe a wide range of roles, and I'm not really sure what you describe as the big four (I think the big four are the four large accounting firms, but you are perhaps not focussed on them). 

The best roles go to the most valuable students: they are the ones with the highest capability, the best German-language skills, and the most experience. Generally speaking, those are in the best schools, because the best students understand the need to invest in the best experience, so they can get the best internships, career services and education. 

You can use Xing and LinkedIn to see where the graduates of various programmes end up. German students graduating from the top English-language degrees are very well placed. However, foreigners struggle to develop high German-language skills and that, in turn, limits their ability to gain good internships and entry-level positions. 

The FT MiF rankings and the German CHE rankings are great tools here. 

Generally, good advice here would be:

- If you do not speak and write professional German, to attend a state university DSH course then take a MSc degree taught in German at a state university.

- if you do speak and write German at a high professional level, to take the MIF at WHU or Frankfurt. 

You describe a wide range of roles, and I'm not really sure what you describe as the big four (I think the big four are the four large accounting firms, but you are perhaps not focussed on them).&nbsp;<br><br>The best roles go to the most valuable students: they are the ones with the highest capability, the best German-language skills, and the most experience. Generally speaking, those are in the best schools, because the best students understand the need to invest in the best experience, so they can get the best internships, career services and education.&nbsp;<br><br>You can use Xing and LinkedIn to see where the graduates of various programmes end up. German students graduating from the top English-language degrees are very well placed. However, foreigners struggle to develop high German-language skills and that, in turn, limits their ability to gain good internships and entry-level positions.&nbsp;<br><br>The FT MiF rankings and the German CHE rankings are great tools here.&nbsp;<br><br>Generally, good advice here would be:<br><br>- If you do not speak and write professional German, to attend a state university DSH course then take a MSc degree taught in German at a state university.<br><br>- if you do speak and write German at a high professional level, to take the MIF at WHU or Frankfurt.&nbsp;
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What’s your opinion about the English master program in money and finance from Goethe university?
it doesn’t have fees and I see that it is a very good university .

What’s your opinion about the English master program in money and finance from Goethe university?<br>it doesn’t have fees and I see that it is a very good university .
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Duncan

Looking at the THE world university ranking, Goethe is a totally normal German state university, ranked more or less in the middle of the German schools. It seems like a heavy academic course, with assessment by individual exams. Looking at the alumni on LinkedIn, they are not in the most desirable roles.  

Looking at the THE world university ranking, Goethe is a totally normal German state university, ranked more or less in the middle of the German schools. It seems like a heavy academic course, with assessment by individual exams. Looking at the alumni on LinkedIn, they are not in the most desirable roles.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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So for investment banking ,pe,vc, you can only go to bussines schools ? Is there any public uni that is good for this roles ?

So for investment banking ,pe,vc, you can only go to bussines schools ? Is there any public uni that is good for this roles ?
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Duncan

Honestly, there is no arbitrage opportunity in the business school world. Well funded schools can support group work, formative assessment, strong careers services and an active alumni network. That all costs money. Assuming that you don't speak German at a high professional level or have German working experience, an MSc taught in English at an average university would not be an option I would actively recommend.

[Edited by Duncan on Jan 10, 2021]

Honestly, there is no arbitrage opportunity in the business school world. Well funded schools can support group work, formative assessment, strong careers services and an active alumni network. That all costs money. Assuming that you don't speak German at a high professional level or have German working experience, an MSc taught in English at an average university would not be an option I would actively recommend.
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Duncan

Graduates of public universities can certainly end up in those role but, again, you can see the difference by searching in LinkedIn. If you are a German, speak German, have had German internships in the industry, and are an outstanding performance with strong recommendations, then it's a unlikely but possible route. 

Graduates of public universities can certainly end up in those role but, again, you can see the difference by searching in LinkedIn. If you are a German, speak German, have had German internships in the industry, and are an outstanding performance with strong recommendations, then it's a unlikely but possible route.&nbsp;
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In your opinion should I choose whu for better rankings or Frankfurt school because it’s in Frankfurt ?

In your opinion should I choose whu for better rankings or Frankfurt school because it’s in Frankfurt ?
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Duncan

Those are not the criteria to use to make a choice. Consider the three variables I mentioned: capability; language/acculturation; experience. If you do not already have a high professional level of German, those programmes will not provide it. 

Those are not the criteria to use to make a choice. Consider the three variables I mentioned: capability; language/acculturation; experience. If you do not already have a high professional level of German, those programmes will not provide it.&nbsp;
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i kinda struggle to understand you,
i have a bsc from a european university, english proficiency and b2 german
what should i do then? whats the best path?

i kinda struggle to understand you,<br>i have a bsc from a european university, english proficiency and b2 german<br>what should i do then? whats the best path?
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StuartHE

B2 is not professional fluency. Even many people with C1 will not have the functional vocabulary or acculturation. Take a semester in a DSH course and then find an MSc taught in German: that way you will be studying with Germans rather than Asians and will both acculturate and build specialist vocabulary.

B2 is not professional fluency. Even many people with C1 will not have the functional vocabulary or acculturation. Take a semester in a DSH course and then find an MSc taught in German: that way you will be studying with Germans rather than Asians and will both acculturate and build specialist vocabulary.
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is it wise to get into MSc in Finance of WHU?(english)

 i target PE,IBD,VC and Big4

[Edited by Michail Minos on Jan 11, 2021]

is it wise to get into MSc in Finance of WHU?(english)<br><br>&nbsp;i target PE,IBD,VC and Big4
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StuartHE

I think finance opportunities are rather limited if you cannot work in German and, in particular, even if you can get an entry level role it will be very hard to progress without professional German. You will not learn German while in a demanding English-language masters or a back-office role where you are working with other foreigners.  

For PE and VC, honestly you are very unlike to work in that field in Germany. If it was your only goal, learn German perfectly and then later attend WHU or Frankfurt.

For the Big 4, this depends on the role you are targeting. 

For IDB, again this depends on what and where.


I think finance opportunities are rather limited if you cannot work in German and, in particular, even if you can get an entry level role it will be very hard to progress without professional German. You will not learn German while in a demanding English-language masters or a back-office role where you are working with other foreigners.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>For PE and VC, honestly you are very unlike to work in that field in Germany. If it was your only goal, learn German perfectly and then later attend WHU or Frankfurt.<br><br>For the Big 4, this depends on the role you are targeting.&nbsp;<br><br>For IDB, again this depends on what and where.<br><br><br>
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