A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in finance is the perfect way to take your career in finance to the next level. You will be gaining a world-class award qualification, as well as a broad range of knowledge from a variety of perspectives. An MBA programme will have a larger proportion of mature students, as they will have come to study after gaining work experience.
An MBA degree will build on your existing knowledge of key finance and business concepts, and the principles that are already in place. You will develop your theoretical understanding of these concepts, and have opportunities to apply your practical skills. Your degree will also add to your knowledge and ability, and you will gain a new set of advanced skills that are applicable in the financial world.
Your degree will be delivered in a mixture of modes. These will include lectures and seminars, as well as practical sessions. You may be required to take part in a work placement as part of your degree.
Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise throughout your degree. This specialisation can influence the way in which your career progresses after you have graduated. Specialisations include:
If your degree requires you to write a dissertation or submit a major final research project, this will give you an opportunity to further explore a favoured area of finance and business.
The accreditation of an MBA is internationally standardised. This means that no matter where you choose to study, you will be awarded a Master of Business Administration. The only element of your award that may differ is the specific title.
Some degrees may be accredited or approved by professional bodies of business and management. These might include the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), or the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
The duration of an MBA in finance will depend on where you choose to study. It will also depend on the country in which your institution is located. Generally, an MBA can take up to three years when studied full-time, and can take up to eight years if studied part-time.
An MBA is generally studied as a final degree, so further study does not tend to be common. However, if you do wish to continue your studies, this could be in the form of a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), a different masters degree, or a graduate diploma or certificate.
Finance MBA graduates will usually already have an idea of their career path after they have graduated. You might wish to progress in your current career, for example moving from a middle management job to a senior management job. You might also wish to change your career completely, and an MBA in finance can help you to make this transition. Gaining an MBA is a good way to display to international companies that you have a developed expertise in the finance area, as it is an award that is recognised around the world.
Study in Italy
Home to some of the world's oldest universities, Italy has a long history of providing high quality higher education to both domestic and international students. The country has not only played an integral part of the Bologna Process education reform, it was also one of the four countries that created the European Area of Higher Education. Both of these play an important role in widening the access to higher education across Europe, with international students from all over the world now able to experience an Italian university education, thanks to the country's contributions.
See our detailed guide to studying in Italy for international students.
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