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Master of Science in Finance

Skip Navigation LinksEffat University > Effat University > Academics > Graduate > Effat College of Business
Key Fact
  • Program name
    Master of Science in Finance
  • Program code
    MSF
  • Program director
    Dr. Edib Smolo
  • Program length
    2 Years
  • Credit hours
    54

 About the Program

​Overview 

Effat University's Master of Science in Finance (MSc) degree encourages graduates to develop the skills and knowhow to make a meaningful contribution within the financial sector and support the continued growth of Saudi Arabia's economy.

The primary aim of the MSc Finance Degree program is to support the Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia's commitment to the development of a highly-skilled and qualified Saudi manpower and human capital. This is to cope with the expected economic growth and increase productivity.

In this regard, the National Qualifications Framework was established in order to guide the higher education institutions in developing suitable programs and in equipping their graduates with the appropriate skills.

The Masters in Finance program will contribute by producing world-class graduates who will become highly-qualified professionals in their field and top national and international leaders in this growing financial sector.

The Master of Science in Finance (MSc) program successfully acquired AACSB accreditation in Fall 2021 for a ​period of five years.


Curriculum

The Masters Degree in Finance has been designed to equip students with a solid understanding of financial theory and research methodology and to prepare graduates for successful careers in analysis and consultancy in the private and the public sectors.

Additionally, the program provides an excellent preparation for students planning to pursue Doctoral studies by enhancing their research and analytical skills.

MSc Finance students can choose from three course program plans, with the option to specialise in Islamic Finance or Entrepreneurial Finance & Strategy. Students can also choose to complete the program without a concentration.

The Islamic Finance concentration will allow students to build knowledge of common practices and techniques across various areas of accounting specifically within Islamic finance and banking. Students will also develop the understanding to apply that theory in practice, preparing them for their future careers.

Students who choose the Entrepreneurial Finance & Strategy concentration will focus on the development of skills in entrepreneurial strategy and business innovation. This will equip graduates with the knowledge needed to implement an effective financial strategy that will help businesses to grow and thrive on an international scale.

With a Masters Degree in Finance, you will have the  essential knowledge of key areas such as financial reporting and analysis, giving them the confidence and understanding needed to effectively present and communicate with company directors and key stakeholders.​

 Vision, Mission, and Goals

Vision

The MSF program develops quantitative and analytical skills and transfer to all business disciplines, industries and research.​

Mission

The Program offers the latest data-driven advanced knowledge in the field of finance under the fast growing and innovative financial and business world. ​​

Goals

  1. Ensure that the MSF program is at the forefront of research education and community engagement.
  2. Maintain the program Accreditation at the national and international levels and ensure participative decision-making.
  3. Deliver quality teaching and learning based on international and local university rankings.
  4. Prepare students for the complexity of financial markets by providing them with research skills.
  5. Retain faculty who have diverse backgrounds, qualifications, and industry connections, which are compatible with program needs.
  6. Enhance the learning environment by optimizing the use of all available facilities and enhancing the learning resources to meet changing program needs.
  7. Encourage faculty and students to conduct research that not only increases the finance literature, but also contributes to the development of the national economy and finance.
  8. Develop strong partnerships and collaborations with the financial institutions and community to maintain a culture of service.​

 Objectives

Program Objectives
  1. Gain a unique national positioning of the program.        
  2. Sustain the program's academic excellence by adhering to the national and international accreditation quality standards.
  3. Stimulate and support the program's research activities
  4. Maintain and strengthen valuable relationships with graduates, employers and the community in general.
  5. Build and maintain valuable partnerships with international academic institutions​​​​​​

 Concentrations

Students can choose to graduate with a general master of science in finance or follow one of the two concentrations offered in the program:
  1. ​Islamic Finance (IF) Concentration:

  2. Islamic finance concentration will allow students to build knowledge and to apply techniques in different areas of Islamic finance and banking.
  3. Entrepreneurial Finance & Strategy (ES) Concentration: 

  4. The Entrepreneurial Finance & Strategy concentration aims to provide graduates with a unique profile combining expertise in different conventional finance areas and enhanced by managerial, entrepreneurial strategy and business innovation, consultancy and corporate strategy skills.

 Career Opportunities

Career Path

Graduates of our Masters in Finance Degree program can look forward to lucrative career opportunities in a wide range of roles and industries, both in B2B and B2C capacities.

With more data available to us than ever before about customer demographics and behaviour, businesses are paying even closer attention to how and where they’re spending money. This has created a wealth of opportunity for budding financial planners and analysts to thrive.

Other popular career routes for graduates include positions as investment bankers, financial planners and analysts, brokers and risk consultants, as well as various opportunities in real estate. 

Additionally, banking remains a popular choice for graduates due to clear progression routes across both conventional and Islamic banking. ​​

The Master of Science in Finance will produce outstanding graduates who will be able to efficiently work as:​


              • Middle and top managers in banks with conventional and Islamic banking
              • Financial Manager multinational companies
              • Financial Analyst
              • Portfolio Manager
              • Risk Management Specialist
              • Investment Banker
              • ​Financial Planner
              • Broker
              • Risk Consultant
              • Real Estate Financier
              • Regulator in the central banks of countries with Islamic Finance
              • Corporate Strategist
              • Islamic Finance Entrepreneur
              • Incubator Manager​​​

 Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and critical knowledge of theconceptual framework and the contemporary issues to develop skills in the field of advanced practices in finance.

Skills

  1. Identify problems and make financial decisions within a risk-return framework using specialized skills, techniques and practices.
  2. Plan, develop and implement quantitative and analytical skills needed for effective financial management and decision making needed for creative research projects.
  3. Apply and evaluate various financial management issues through the application of critical thinking and reasoning skills linking knowledge and skills.

Competencies

Independance and Responsibility


  1. Innovate and Identify the ethical and legal responsibilities applicable in the field of finance to take a lead initiating a new way of thought.
  2. Conceptualize and initiate independently and responsibly financial management issues into coherent written statements and oral presentations and research.

Practice

  1. Utilize creatively data, software, and integrate information technologies in identifying complex problem solving, research and effective decision making using strategic and creative thinking.

Characteristics

  1. Ethically analyze with determination complex problems and challenges and demonstrate awareness of their socio-economic impact. 

 Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

The program duration is two years and the number of credit hours required for graduation is 54. Extension of the program duration is regulated according to Effat University Graduate Studies Bylaws.

Major Core courses: 24 credit hours - 8 courses

Technical Elective courses: 21 credit hours - 7 courses

Thesis: 9 credit hours - 2 courses

Total: 54 credit hours - 17 courses

 Program Plan (Master of Science in Finance)

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Pre-requisite

MFCF 510

Fundamentals of Conventional Markets

3-0-3

None

MFCF 511

Analysis & Management of Conventional Derivatives

3-0-3

None

MFCF 512

Corporate Finance

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 513

Fixed Income

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 514

Merger & Acquisitions and Investment Banking

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 515

Corporate Valuation

3-0-3

MFCF 512

MFEC 550

Financial Econometrics

3-0-3

None

MFAC 540

Financial Reporting and Analysis

3-0-3

None

Total

24


Technical Electives: Select a total of 07 courses (21 credit hours) from the two panels

Technical Elective Courses 1: Any Two of these

Course Code

Course Title

Credits Hours

Pre-requisite

MFIF 521

Fundamentals of Islamic Finance: Markets & Instruments

3-0-3

None

MFIF 522

Islamic Economics, Business & Finance

3-0-3

MFIF 521

MFIF 524

Islamic Quasi Fixed Income Financial Instruments: Sukuk

3-0-3

MFIF 521

MFIF 525

Hedging Techniques in Islamic Finance

3-0-3

MFIF 521

Total

06 only

Technical Elective Courses 2: Any Five of these

Course Code

Course Title

Credits Hours

Pre-requisite

MFCF 516

Financial Decision Making & Computational Finance

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 517

Asset Management

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 518

International Finance

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 519

Investments & Alternative Investments

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 520

Real Estate Finance

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 521

Risk management

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFBM 573

Private Equity and Venture Capital

3-0-3

MFCF 510

Total

15 only

Total Technical Electives

21 credit hours

Thesis

Course Code

Course Title

Credits Hours

Pre-requisite

MFRS 590

Research Proposal

3-0-3

None

MFRS 591

Thesis

6-0-6

MFRS 590

Total

9

Total Credit Hours of the Degree

54

Free Tracks (Students have to take 07 courses from the following)
Financial Decision Making & Computational Finance
Asset Management
International Finance
Investments & Alternative Investments
Real Estate Finance
Risk management
Private Equity and Venture Capital
Fundamentals of Islamic Finance: Markets & Instruments
Islamic Economics, Business & Finance
Islamic Quasi Fixed Income Financial Instruments: Sukuk
Hedging Techniques in Islamic Finance​

 Program Plan (Concentration in Islamic Finance)

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Pre-requisite

MFCF 510

Fundamentals of Conventional Markets

3-0-3

None

MFCF 511

Analysis & Management of Conventional Derivatives

3-0-3

None

MFCF 512

Corporate Finance

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 513

Fixed Income

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 514

Merger & Acquisitions and Investment Banking

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 515

Corporate Valuation

3-0-3

MFCF 512

MFEC 550

Financial Econometrics

3-0-3

None

MFAC 540

Financial Reporting and Analysis

3-0-3

None

Total

24

Technical Elective Courses (Any Seven)

Course Code

Course Title

Credits Hours

Pre-requisite

MFIF 521

Fundamentals of Islamic Finance : Markets & Instruments

3-0-3

None

MFIF 522

Islamic Economics, Business & Finance

3-0-3

None

MFIF 523

Islamic Financial Instruments Management : Cash Flow Analysis

3-0-3

MFIF 521

MFIF 524

Islamic Quasi Fixed Income Financial Instruments: Sukuk

3-0-3

MFIF 521

MFIF 525

Hedging Techniques in Islamic Finance

3-0-3

MFIF 521

MFIF 526

Islamic Asset Allocation

3-0-3

MFIF 521

MFIF 527

Portfolio of Islamic Financial Instruments

3-0-3

MFIF 521

MFIL 560

Islamic Law of Financial Contracts

3-0-3

MFIF 521

MFAC 541

Islamic Accounting and Reporting

3-0-3

MFIF 521

MFET 581

Entrepreneurial Finance

3-0-3

None

MFCF 520

Real Estate Finance

3-0-3

MFCF 510

Total

21 only

Thesis

Course Code

Course Title

Credits Hours

Pre-requisite

MFRS 590

Research Proposal

3-0-3

None

MFRS 591

Thesis

6-0-6

MFRS 590

Total

9

Total Credit Hours of the Degree

54

Free Tracks (Students have to take 07 courses from the following)
Fundamentals of Islamic Finance : Markets & Instruments
Islamic Economics, Business & Finance
Islamic Financial Instruments Management : Cash Flow Analysis
Islamic Quasi Fixed Income Financial Instruments: Sukuk
Hedging Techniques in Islamic Finance
Islamic Asset Allocation
Portfolio of Islamic Financial Instruments
Islamic Law of Financial Contracts
Islamic Accounting and Reporting
Entrepreneurial Finance
Real Estate Finance​

 Program Plan (Concentration in Entrepreneurial Finance & Strategy)

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Pre-requisite

MFCF 510

Fundamentals of Conventional Markets

3-0-3

None

MFCF 511

Analysis & Management of Conventional Derivatives

3-0-3

None

MFCF 512

Corporate Finance

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 513

Fixed Income

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 514

Merger & Acquisitions and Investment Banking   

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFCF 515

Corporate Valuation

3-0-3

MFCF 512

MFEC 550

Financial Econometrics

3-0-3

None

MFAC 540

Financial Reporting and Analysis

3-0-3

None

Total

24

Technical Elective Courses (Any Seven)

Course Code

Course Title

Credits Hours

Pre-requisite

MFET 580

Entrepreneurship and Business Planning

3-0-3

None

MFET 581

Entrepreneurial Finance

3-0-3

None

MFCF 520

Real Estate Finance

3-0-3

MFCF 510

MFBM 570

Business Process Management and Modelling

3-0-3

None

MFBM 571

Project Management and Financing Strategies for Green Business

3-0-3

None

MFCS 531

Structured and Project Finance

3-0-3

None

MFBM 572

Entrepreneurial Strategy

3-0-3

None

MFBM 573

Private Equity and Venture Capital

3-0-3

None

Total

21 only

Thesis

Course Code

Course Title

Credits Hours

Pre-requisite

MFRS 590

Research Proposal

3-0-3

None

MFRS 591

Thesis

6-0-6

MFRS 590

Total

9

Total Credit Hours of the Degree

54

Free Tracks (Students have to take 07 courses from the following)
Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
Entrepreneurial Finance
Real Estate Finance
Business Process Management and Modelling
Project Management and Financing Strategies for Green Business
Structured and Project Finance
Entrepreneurial Strategy
Private Equity and Venture Capital

 Fact Sheet

Student Enrollment for Master of Science in Finance​ ​





Number of International Students for Master of Science in Finance​ ​




Admissions
Bachelor GPA
Cum GPA
2.75/4 or 3.75/5
Major GPA
2.75/4 or 3.75/5
Rank
Very Good
Effat Placement Tests
Test
TOEFL / Linguaskill / IELTS
Cut-Score
546 / 169 / 6.0
Definitions & Conversion Charts
 
Additional Department Requirement
Interview
Required
Recommendation Letter
2
Personal Statement
Required
CV
Required
Contact Information
Program Chair
Tel.+966 122137832
Assistants
Tel.+966 122137834 

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    Master of Science in Finance Brochure

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