MBA in Finance syllabus includes Financial Planning, Financial Management, Cost of Capital, Corporate Taxation, Financial Risk Management, Financial Markets, Quantitative Methods, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, and Managerial Economics. MBA in Finance deals with the management of an organization’s finances and other related responsibilities in a manner that leads to the accomplishment of the company’s financial goals. Proper management of financial accounts is indispensable to a profitable organization.
Thus, the demand for an MBA in Finance graduate is and always will be high in the job market. If a student has strong mathematical and financial knowledge, such a degree will make them prime candidates for employment in most top MNCs with a lucrative MBA in Finance salary. Since an MBA in Finance course focuses more on the financial aspects of an organization, the curriculum for this course consists of subjects that are relevant to this field.
MBA in Finance subjects train students to undertake responsibilities like financial planning, pricing, risk management, asset management, etc., and become eligible for MBA in Finance jobs. This course is offered by most business schools and universities across the country and is also a coveted postgraduate degree in some of the premier management institutes around the globe. Check out the detailed MBA in Finance syllabus and subjects provided on this page.
As we know, the MBA in Finance course has a broad curriculum with numerous subjects included in each semester of the course. Some of the central MBA in Finance subjects, along with their contents and detailed description are given below.
MBA in Finance Subjects | Topics Covered |
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Corporate Finance |
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Macro Economics & Global Economics |
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Investment Management |
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Financial Derivatives |
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International Financial Markets and Cryptocurrencies |
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Real Estate Finance: Investment and Analysis |
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Fixed-Income Securities |
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International Corporate Finance |
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Global Financial Institutions |
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Data Science for Finance |
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An MBA in Finance course consists of a range of core subjects that are essential for the completion of the course. Some of the core MBA in Finance subjects have been mentioned below.
Subject | Description |
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Financial Statement Analysis and Reporting | It involves the examination and interpretation of a company's financial statements to assess its financial performance, health, and viability and make informed decisions. |
Microeconomics | It focuses on the behaviour and interactions of individual agents, such as consumers, producers, and firms, and the markets in which they operate. |
Macroeconomics | It focuses on the behaviour and performance of entire economies or large sectors of economies, rather than individual markets or agents. |
Business Statistics | It involves collecting, organizing, summarizing, analyzing, and presenting data to inform decision-making and solve business problems. |
Corporate Finance | It is a specialized area of finance that deals with the financial management of corporations and involves making strategic decisions to maximize shareholder value and achieve organizational goals. |
Indian Financial System | It refers to the structure, organization, and functioning of financial institutions, markets, and instruments within the Indian economy. |
Financial Services | It refers to a broad range of economic activities and products offered by financial institutions to individuals, businesses, and governments to manage their financial resources, achieve their financial goals, and mitigate financial risks. |
Managerial Economics | This subject teaches how to analyze and solve managerial decision-making problems in business organizations. It integrates economic concepts with managerial theory to help managers make informed decisions |
Accounting for Managers | It focuses on providing financial information and analysis to internal users, primarily managers and decision-makers within an organization. |
Business Environment | It refers to a wide range of factors, including economic, political, legal, social, technological, and environmental forces that influence the operations, performance, and decision-making of businesses. |
Besides core subjects, an MBA in Finance syllabus also consists of optional subjects or electives. These electives represent a range of subjects that students may choose based on their personal preferences. The common elective MBA in Finance subjects have been provided below.
Subject | Description |
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Wealth Management | It focuses on providing financial services and investment advice to high-net-worth individuals/ institutions to preserve and grow their wealth over the long term while addressing their financial goals, preferences, and risk tolerance. |
Mergers and Acquisitions | It involves the combination of two or more companies to form a new entity or the acquisition of one company by another, resulting in changes in ownership, control, and management structure. |
Advanced Corporate Finance | It focuses on complex financial issues, strategic decision-making, and sophisticated financial techniques encountered by large corporations and financial institutions. |
Alternative Investments and Portfolio Management | It refers to investment assets that fall outside of traditional asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and cash. The alternative investments have unique characteristics, risk-return profiles, and investment strategies compared to traditional investments. |
Principles of Banking | It encompasses fundamental concepts and practices that govern the operations, functions, and responsibilities of banks in the financial system. |
Foreign Exchange Management | It is the process of overseeing and controlling foreign exchange transactions and exposures to manage risks, optimize currency positions, and facilitate international trade and investment activities. |
Credit Analysis and IPO Analysis | Credit analysis is evaluating the creditworthiness of borrowers or counterparties to assess their ability to repay debt obligations. IPO analysis involves evaluating initial public offerings of companies seeking to raise capital by offering shares to the public for the first time. |
Corporate Taxation | It is the system of levying taxes on the profits earned by corporations or business entities. It plays a crucial role in generating revenue for the government, regulating business activities, and promoting economic development. |
Like regular MBA programs, an MBA in Finance course spans a two-year duration. The two-year course is divided into four semesters with each semester consisting of core and elective subjects along with projects, seminars, and internships. At the end of each semester, students are assessed on their academic progress in the MBA course. Check out the semester wise MBA in Finance subjects given below.
Management Process and Organisational Behaviour | Business Statistics | Micro Economics |
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Corporate Social Responsibility | Managerial Economics | Accounting for Managers |
Business Environment | Corporate Finance | Computer Applications in Business and Cyber Security |
Principles of Accounting | Principles of Marketing Management | Tools and Frameworks for Decision Making |
Quantitative Methods and Statistics | Business Communication And Soft Skills | - |
Financial Planning | Management Science | Valuation of Bonds & Shares |
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Indian Financial System | Financial Services | Financial Modeling |
Time Value of Money | Marketing Management | Calculus for Business |
Leverage | Business Research Methods | Business Intelligence |
Strategic Management | Capital Structure | Advance Marketing |
Corporate Governance and Business Ethics | - | - |
Capital Budgeting | Risk Management | Working Capital Management |
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Principles of Banking | Models for Determining Optimal Cash Needs | Foreign Exchange Management |
Cash Management | Macro Economics | Treasury Management |
Management Control System | Business Law | Theories of Capital Structure |
Business Policy and Strategic Management | Operations Management | Corporate Management |
Optimization and Project Research | - | - |
Portfolio Management | Financial Derivatives | Principles of Insurance |
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Portfolio Analysis | International Financial Management | Entrepreneurship Development |
Dividend Decisions | Business Legislation | Internship Projects |
Project Submissions | Organization Behaviour II | Project Management |
An MBA in Finance examines the development of policies and financing options for national and international business and making standard financial decisions. The syllabus for MBA in Finance helps students to apply the theory and tools of financial management to take business decisions. For those who are unable to attend full-time MBA classes, the MBA in financial management distance programs provide opportunities to complete the course without having to attend classes regularly. Here is an overview of the MBA in finance syllabus for distance programs:
Semester | Topics |
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Semester 1 | Financial Reporting and Decision Making |
Management of Financial Services | |
Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation | |
Accounting for Managers | |
Applications of Disruptive Technologies in Business | |
Managerial Economics | |
Marketing Management | |
Organizational Behavior | |
Statistics for Management | |
Professional & Business Communication | |
Foreign Business Language | |
Semester 2 | Financial Modeling |
Management Control System | |
Security Analysis and Portfolio Management | |
Business Analytics and Modelling | |
Business Research Methods | |
Financial Management | |
Human Resource Management | |
Legal Aspects of Business | |
Operations Management | |
Cognitive Analytics & Social Skills for Professional Development (Behavioural Science) | |
Foreign Business Language | |
Semester 3 | Behavioural Finance |
Corporate Tax Planning and Management | |
Cost and Management Accounting for Decision Making | |
International Finance and Forex Management | |
Mutual Fund Management | |
Principles and Practices of Banking | |
Project Planning Appraisal and Control | |
Wealth Management | |
Strategic Management | |
Entrepreneurship Development and Venture Creation | |
Strategic Information Technology Management & Solutions | |
Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility for Sustainability | |
Semester 4 | Dissertation |
Advanced Corporate Accounting | |
Corporate Restructuring, Mergers and Acquisitions | |
Financial Analytics | |
Financial Engineering | |
Private Equity and Venture Capital | |
Risk Management | |
Strategic Financial Management | |
Management in Action - Social Economic and Ethical Issues |
Admissions to most MBA in Finance programs are dependent on a candidate’s performance in the standard entrance exams that business schools and universities accept as part of their selection process. Appearing for exams like CAT, XAT, SNAP, CMAT, NMAT, and others is a mandatory requirement for aspirants who wish to pursue an MBA degree with a Finance specialization. The syllabus for most of these standard MBA entrance exams is similar due to their nearly identical exam pattern. Here's the MBA in Finance syllabus for entrance exams.
Section | MBA Entrance Exam Syllabus |
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Verbal Ability (VA) |
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Reading Comprehension (RC) |
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Logical Reasoning (LR) |
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Data Interpretation (DI) |
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Quantitative Ability (QA) |
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General and Business GK (Elementary Level) |
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Regular course material may not always suffice when a student is preparing for exams, especially exams during a postgraduate degree course. Reference books are essential for a student in addition to regular course material. Some important books for students pursuing an MBA in Finance are given below.
Name of the Book | Author(s) | Description |
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Principles of Corporate Finance | Richard A. Brealey, Stewart C. Myers, and Franklin Allen | Covers fundamental concepts in corporate finance such as valuation, capital budgeting, risk management, and capital structure. |
Investments | Zvi Bodie, Alex Kane, and Alan J. Marcus | Focuses on the principles and strategies of investing, including asset allocation, securities markets, and portfolio management. |
Corporate Finance | Stephen A. Ross, Randolph W. Westerfield, and Jeffrey Jaffe | Covers topics like financial analysis, financial planning, and valuation techniques. |
Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives | John C. Hull | Provides insights into the derivative securities and their role in financial markets. |
Financial Modeling | Simon Benninga | Provides insights into constructing financial models using Excel, including topics like valuation, forecasting, and risk analysis. |
Financial Statement Analysis and Security Valuation | Stephen Penman | Offers a comprehensive approach to analyzing financial statements and assessing the value of securities. |
Security Analysis | Benjamin Graham and David Dodd | Covers the principles of investing in securities, focusing on fundamental analysis. |
Financial Markets and Institutions | Frederic S. Mishkin and Stanley G. Eakins | Explores the structure and functioning of financial markets and institutions, including banking, securities markets, and regulatory frameworks. |
The Theory of Corporate Finance | Jean Tirole | Provides a theoretical foundation for understanding corporate finance decisions, including issues like agency theory, corporate governance, and capital structure. |
Advanced Corporate Finance | Joseph P. Ogden, Frank C. Jen, and Philip F. O'Connor | Covers more advanced topics in corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and international finance. |
Most MBA specializations aim at providing students with more practical knowledge than theoretical information. In a corporate environment, managers have to rely on their experience and problem-solving skills to tackle issues that occur on a daily basis. Thus, the goal of an MBA course is to equip students with the necessary skills to carry out their professional responsibilities.
Most MBA courses are structured around a mix of subjects and extracurricular activities. The curriculum for such postgraduate programs includes core subjects, optional courses, projects, and internships. The course structure for an MBA in Finance degree is no different than most MBA courses and consists of the standard course elements of an MBA program. The table below shows a detailed breakdown of an MBA in Finance program.
Course Element | MBA in Finance Management Course Curriculum | Objectives |
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Foundational Subjects |
| These subjects address the concepts that students have already come across in high school or during their undergraduate courses. These subjects are mandatory for building a foundation in management and pursuing managerial disciplines in the future. |
Core Subjects |
| Core subjects teach students concepts and notions relevant to the specialization they have chosen. These subjects help gain the necessary knowledge related to managerial principles, issues, and problems in a corporate environment, and other aspects of the business world. |
Electives |
| Optional subjects or electives provide an added advantage to students, by helping them explore more areas of study and expand their horizons of knowledge. This creates more opportunities besides allowing them to explore their fields of interest. |
Projects |
| Projects and reports are included in the curriculum to help students develop skills and practical knowledge about the relevant industry. These projects enhance essential skills required in a corporate environment. |
Internships |
| Internships are a great opportunity for students to utilize their skills in a real-life corporate organization with higher stakes. These internships are more of a learning experience rather than a test of their knowledge and skills. |
Seminars/Workshops |
| Seminars and workshops are usually conducted by industry experts. They help students by giving them insights into the current climate of the ecosystem that they will be a part of in the near future. |
Various top colleges in India like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Kozhikode, NMIMS Mumbai, and XLRI Jamshedpur offer MBA in Finance courses. Take a look at the MBA in Finance syllabus and subjects included in the curriculum of these colleges.
IIM Ahmedabad offers an MBA with a specialization in Finance and Accounting. Check out the MBA in Finance subjects taught at IIM Ahmedabad
Financial Reporting and Analysis (FRA) | Costing and Control Systems (CCS) |
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Financial Markets (FM) | Corporate Finance (CF) |
Alternative Investments and Hedge Funds (AIHF) | Applied Value Investing (AVI) | Asset Backed Securitization (ABS) |
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Behavioural Finance (BF) | Bitcoin and the Blockchain (BB) | Corporate Governance (CG) |
Financial Statement Analysis (FSA) | Financial Risk Management (FRM) | Financing of Firms (FoF) |
Fixed Income Securities (FIS) | Fraud Risk Assessment and Governance Mechanisms (FRAGM) | Futures, Options, and Risk Management (FORM) |
International Corporate Finance (ICF) | Issues in International Finance (IIF) | Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Restructuring (MACR) |
Microfinance Management (MFM) | Modern Investment and Portfolio Management (MIPM) | Optimization Methods in Finance (OMF) |
Principles of Transfer Pricing (PTP) | Quantitative & Algorithmic Trading (QAT) | Securities Regulation (SR) |
Stochastic Calculus in Finance (SCF) | Structured Products (STP) | Trading Strategies (TS) |
Valuation of Firms (VoF) | Agricultural Finance (AF) for PGP-ABM | - |
IIM Kozhikode offers a two-year six-term PGP (Finance) programme with in-depth coverage of core finance topics. Here’s the year wise MBA in Finance syllabus at IIM Kozhikode.
Term I | Term II | Term III |
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Term IV | Term V | Term VI |
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Term IV | Term V | Term VI |
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NMIMS offers MBA - Finance Management in an online distance learning mode to help students grasp the fundamentals of finance, auditing, accounting, and capital management. Check out the MBA in Finance syllabus at NMIMS.
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
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XLRI Jamshedpur offers a Postgraduate Programme in Business Management with a specialisation in Finance. Check out the MBA in Finance subjects included in its curriculum.
Financial Management-I | Financial Management-II |
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Management Accounting-I | Management Accounting-II |
Behavioral Finance | Business Analysis and Valuation | Capital Expenditure Planning and Control |
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Management of Banking | Commodities Derivatives Market | Corporate Taxation |
Financial Analysis, Planning and Control | Financial Considerations & GST for Sales Functions | Financial Decision Making under Information Asymmetries |
Financial Markets | Financial Modeling Using Excel | Advanced Financial Modelling Using R |
Financial Risk Management | Financial Technical Analysis and Introduction to Global Intermarket Analysis | Fixed Income Securities |
Indian Accounting Standards | International Business Economics | International Financial Management |
Issues in Empirical Finance | Mergers, Acquisition and Corporate Restructuring | Options and Futures |
Risk Management and Insurance | Security Analysis and Portfolio Management | Social Finance, Impact Investing & Insurance |
Structured Finance | - | - |
Students in the final semester of the MBA in Finance course will likely be required to complete a research project as part of their coursework. Choosing the right topic for your project can be a critical factor in determining its success. The key is to select a topic that you are passionate about and that aligns with your career goals. Some popular MBA in Finance project topics have been mentioned below.
Fintech Innovations: The Future of Banking | Impact of Global Economic Events on Local Financial Markets |
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Behavioural Finance: Decoding Investor Psychology | Risk Management Strategies in Modern Corporations |
Evolution of Cryptocurrencies and their Role in Modern Finance | Mergers and Acquisitions: A Decade Review |
Credit Scoring Models in the Age of AI | Sustainable Financing: Green Bonds and Their Growing Significance |
The Dynamics of Stock Market Volatility | Personal Finance: The Shift Towards Automated Investment Platforms |
The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Predictive Financial Analytics | Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges for Investors |
Financial Ethics and Corporate Governance | Real Estate Financing in the Modern Age |
Mobile Banking: Growth, Challenges, and Opportunities | Wealth Management in the Digital Era |
The syllabus for MBA in Finance entrance exams can vary depending on the specific exam and the institution conducting it. The common topics covered in MBA entrance exams are Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, Data Interpretation, etc.
The MBA in Finance subjects for distance courses are Management of Financial Services, Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, Accounting for Managers, Applications of Disruptive Technologies in Business, Managerial Economics, Business Analytics and Modelling, Business Research Methods, Financial Management, International Finance and Forex Management, Mutual Fund Management, Principles and Practices of Banking, Project Planning Appraisal and Control, etc.
The online MBA in Finance subjects have the same difficulty level as the full-time courses. However, online programs offer greater flexibility in terms of scheduling, allowing students to balance their studies with work and other commitments. This flexibility can be advantageous for individuals who need to manage their time effectively.
Yes, MBA in Finance syllabus includes mathematical concepts and quantitative methods, as these are essential for understanding and analysing financial data, making informed decisions, and developing financial models. However, the level of mathematical rigour may vary depending on the program and the target audience.
MBA in Finance syllabus is designed to teach students the management of an organisation’s finances and other related responsibilities. It covers subjects like Financial Planning, Financial Management, Cost of Capital, Corporate Taxation, Financial Risk Management, Financial Markets, Quantitative Methods, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, and Managerial Economics.
The MBA in Finance subjects at IIMs include Corporate Financial Reporting & Analysis, Cost Management, Corporate Finance, Financial Risk Management, International Finance, Structured Finance, Infrastructure and Project Finance, Behavioural Finance, Financial Modelling, Infrastructure Finance, Behavioural Finance, Financial Modelling, etc.
The MBA in Finance syllabus for IGNOU includes subjects like Management Functions and Behavior, Management of Human Resources, Economic and Social Environment, Accounting and Finance for Managers, Managerial Economics, Information Systems for Managers, Management of Machines and Materials, etc.
Yes, MBA Finance syllabus has various subjects related to accounting in various semesters like Accounting for Managers and Principles of Accounting which cover topics such as financial reporting, budgeting, and cost analysis. These subjects are aimed at enhancing the accounting skills of students and preparing them for a successful career in finance and accounting.
Some of the best books for MBA in Finance syllabus are The Big Short, MBA Fundamentals Accounting and Finance, How Finance Works, The Intelligent Investor, Finance and Accounting for Nonfinancial Managers, Ha-Joon Chung, Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits and Other Writings, Macroeconomics for MBAs and Master of Finance, Pat Dorsey, and Steven M. Bragg.
The MBA in Finance syllabus can be difficult for students who are new to this field and have no knowledge of the subjects involved in it. However, if a candidate has graduated in a related field, then MBA in Finance subjects may not seem that difficult.
The elective MBA in Finance subjects are Wealth Management, Derivatives and Financial Risk Management, Mergers and Acquisitions, Advanced Corporate Finance, Alternative Investments and Portfolio Management, Principles of Banking, Foreign Exchange Management, Credit Analysis and IPO Analysis, Business Valuation and Modelling, Corporate Taxation, etc.
The subjects included in 2nd year MBA in Finance syllabus Capital Budgeting, Risk Management, Working Capital Management, Principles of Banking, Models for Determining Optimal Cash Needs, Foreign Exchange Management, Cash Management, Portfolio Management, Financial Derivatives, Principles of Insurance, Portfolio Analysis, International Financial Management, etc.
The 1st year MBA in Finance syllabus includes Management Process and Organisational Behaviour, Business Statistics, Micro Economics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Managerial Economics, Accounting for Managers, Business Environment, Corporate Finance, Financial Planning, Management Science, Valuation of Bonds & Shares, Indian Financial System, Financial Services, etc.
The common MBA in Finance subjects include Financial Statement Analysis and Reporting, Micro-Economics, Macro-Economics, Business Statistics, Corporate Finance, Indian Financial System, Financial Services, Managerial Economics, Accounting for Managers, Business Environment, etc.
MBA in Finance syllabus includes subjects like Financial Planning, Financial Management, Cost of Capital, Corporate Taxation, Financial Risk Management, Financial Markets, Quantitative Methods, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Managerial Economics, etc.