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Studies & Degrees in Corporate Finance

Corporate finance is the part of finance that deals with the money decisions of a company: which projects to invest in, how to pay for them, and how much cash to keep or return to the owners. It differs from investment management, which looks at the same companies from the side of the investor, although the two share most of their tools.

Students learn to read financial statements, to forecast cash flows and to value a project or a whole company. They study the cost of capital, the choice between debt and equity, working capital and treasury, risk management, and transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes this work in its profile of financial managers: treasurers and finance officers oversee investments and plans to raise capital, such as issuing stocks or bonds, and develop financial plans for mergers and acquisitions.

Qualifications and levels

Corporate finance is rarely a degree title of its own at bachelor's level. It is usually a core subject or a specialisation within a degree in finance, business administration, economics or accounting, and it becomes a named programme at master's level and in professional courses.

  • Bachelor's degree. A degree in business, finance or economics with corporate finance modules. In Spain a bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits under Royal Decree 822/2021.
  • Master's degree. Spanish official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Elsewhere in Europe the two-year model is common: the Master of Science in Finance at Bocconi University in Milan lasts two years, is taught in English and has 120 credits (CFU), and covers corporate finance alongside investment banking, risk management and asset pricing.
  • Specialisation tracks. Some schools offer corporate finance as a track within a finance master's. The MSc Banking & Finance at Kedge Business School is taught full time in English, and its Corporate Finance & Value Creation specialisation is taught on the Marseille campus.
  • Professional courses and certifications. Escuela FEF, the school of the Fundación de Estudios Financieros in Madrid, runs a Máster en Finanzas Avanzadas in collaboration with the Universidad Nebrija. It is taught online and combines the master's with the CEFA certificate of the European federation of analyst societies (EFFAS). The CFA Program of the CFA Institute consists of three exams plus qualifying work experience.

Programme names say little about recognition. Before enrolling, ask the school whether the qualification is an official university degree in its country or the school's own diploma, and which professional certifications it prepares for.

Where to study corporate finance

SpainExchange lists 11 active schools for corporate finance: seven in Spain and one each in Italy, the United States, France and Austria.

In Spain the list combines universities and specialised finance schools. It includes the Universidad de Almería and the Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes in Valladolid, ESADE in Barcelona, and two Madrid institutions focused on finance training, FEF - Fundación de Estudios Financieros and CIFF, Centro Internacional de Formación Financiera. Spanish universities teach mainly in Spanish, while business schools often offer programmes in English, so check the language of each programme.

Outside Spain the list has Bocconi University in Milan, Kedge Business School in Marseille, Fachhochschule Salzburg in Austria and the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies. The finance master's programmes at Bocconi and Kedge described above are taught in English.

Careers

Graduates work in the finance departments of companies as financial analysts, controllers, treasurers and, with experience, finance directors. Others work on the advisory side, in investment banks, consultancies and audit firms that value companies and arrange financing or acquisitions.

The BLS publishes figures for the United States. It counted 879,700 financial managers in 2025 and projects employment to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035. These are not entry-level jobs: according to the BLS, financial managers typically need a bachelor's degree and five years or more of experience in another business or financial occupation, such as accountant or financial analyst. For financial analysts the BLS counted 443,100 jobs in 2025 and projects growth of 7 percent from 2025 to 2035. Analysts typically need a bachelor's degree, and some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree. These figures describe the US labour market and do not apply directly to other countries.

Frequently asked questions

Is corporate finance a degree on its own?

Mostly at master's level. At bachelor's level it is normally a subject or specialisation within a degree in finance, business administration or economics.

How long does a master's in corporate finance take?

One to two years. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits, and the Master of Science in Finance at Bocconi University lasts two years with 120 credits.

Can I study corporate finance in English?

Yes. The finance master's programmes at Bocconi University and Kedge Business School are taught in English. At Spanish universities most programmes are in Spanish, so check the language before applying.

Do I need a professional certification as well as a degree?

It is not a requirement for most jobs, but certifications are common in the sector. The CFA Program requires passing three exams and completing qualifying work experience, and some master's programmes include preparation for a certificate such as the CEFA.