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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes DDM International Financial Management
Header image DDM International Financial Management

DDM International Financial Management

Study international financial management in Groningen and Milan and gain an exceptional preparation for a successful career in financial markets, international finance and risk management.

In this double degree master’s, you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, analyze, and assess real complex international financial management issues on both the level of companies and institutions, as well as on a societal level.

You start the first year in MSc International Financial Management in Groningen. You will learn about the different aspects of financial management in an international business environment. In Milan, during the second year, you will study integrated financial models, and firm-specific as well as industry and macroeconomic factors in their decision-making process. You gain knowledge from various study fields, including accounting, finance, control, and management applying sustainable, ethical, and responsible principles. You will learn how to think strategically, investigate innovative ideas, use research techniques, and handle challenging financial opportunities and issues in multinational businesses and international financial institutions and organizations.

By the end of this double degree programme, you will graduate with two diplomas from two highly ranked universities: MSc International Financial Management (MSc IFM) from the University of Groningen and Laurea Magistrale in Banking and Finance from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in International Financial Management
Course type
Double Degree master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60683
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Economics and Business
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • The teaching philosophy of the MSc IFM programme at the UG is unique as it relies on thinking strategically and exploring how new ideas can be initiated and managed. Our professors teach research methods to address financial decisions and problems that multinational companies and financial institutions are faced with.
  • Internationalization, diversity, and inclusion are prioritized in all courses. For example, political risk factors faced by multinational companies when engaging in other countries are examined from several points of view, including some intercultural aspects.
    • You are prepared to become a professional who can understand and apply the latest finance and risk management tools, management control techniques, and international accounting principles in managing international financial activities or providing consultancy services to different types of organizations.
    • You can earn two Master's degrees by studying at two top-level universities, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and the University of Groningen in just two years.
    • The programme in Groningen has been internationally accredited by the AACSB and EQUIS, ensuring a high-quality education, which only 1% of universities reach worldwide.
Programme

The Double Degree master's programme is a two-year degree with a study load equivalent to 120 ECTS/120 CFU. In the first year in Groningen, you gain advanced knowledge in several specific fields in international financial management, such as international risk management, including exchange rate and political risks, international financing opportunities, as well as corporate governance and social responsibility. Courses like international management accounting and control, and international financial reporting examine accounting and control aspects of international business and the international economic environment in which multinational companies operate.

To specialize in an area of your interest, we give you the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of elective courses in topics such as trade, environment and growth, inclusive finance, sustainability in business and economics, energy transition and many more (check the Ocasys course catalogue for the full list).

You will learn to collect and analyze data, plan and design a research project, and undertake academic writing. You will also build computer models, present in public, and work in diverse teams. The academic and professional skills you develop are highly sought after and will give you access to exciting job opportunities. You will wrap up the first year by writing and presenting a research paper.

For an overview of all the courses taught during the MSc IFM in Groningen, please check the Ocasys course catalogue: https://ocasys.rug.nl/(...)/programme/PROG-6828

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
MSc International Financial Management (60 EC)

You will spend the second year in Milan, taking nine courses (in total 61 CFU). The courses of MSc IFM in year 1 are counted by UCSC as 59 CFU for the Laurea Magistrale in Banking and Finance degree.

The Banking and Finance programme is a specialized degree designed for students who wish to concentrate their career in financial markets and institutions. The programme provides advanced training in the key areas of trading and risk management. A significant feature of this programme is the combination of strong analytical foundations and applications that deal with real-world issues. Students will learn to integrate financial models, firm-specific as well as industry and macroeconomic factors in their decision-making process.
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Derivative Securities Pricing
Market Microstructure
Quantitative Methods for Finance
Risk Management
Advanced Microeconomics
Applied Statistics for Finance
Corporate Finance
Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish or Italian for foreign students)
Monetary Economics
Programme options
Master Internship (specialization)

Opportunity to gain work experience by doing an internship in the second semester of your study.

You will be rewarded 15 ECTS on top of your programme. Your thesis will be postponed to the third semester.

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is required
Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

The DDM programme consists of two phases:

  • Phase 1 is the first year at UG in Groningen
  • Phase 2 is the second year at UCSC in Milan

Students at University of Groningen (UG) To be admitted to the MSc IFM programme in Groningen, you need to meet the entry requirements. Please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc. Candidates that want to progress to Phase 2 of the programme at UCSC, starting in September, need to apply for admission to UCSC's Laurea Magistrale degree programme in Banking and Finance by the end of April. Students will be selected based on the average GPA of the six compulsory courses in the MSc IFM and must successfully complete the programme by the time of their departure. For more information about UCSC Milan, visit https://international.unicatt.it/ucscinternational-graduate-programs-banking-and-finance.

Students at the UCSC Milan Students who are admitted to UCSC Milan and who have successfully completed the required courses of the programme at UCSC, meet the entry requirements of MSc IFM at the University of Groningen. There will be selection criteria decided by UCSC Milan.In case there are more candidates for the programme than places available, candidates will be selected according to selection criteria jointly defined and agreed upon by the partner universities.

Registration procedure

Students have to first apply to the MSc International Financial Management via Studielink and the Online Application System (OAS) of the University of Groningen. After you apply for the programme of your choice, the Admissions Office will evaluate your educational background and assess your eligibility. Your application will be assessed on an individual basis. More information on how to apply. Once you start the programme in Groningen, you can apply to the Double Degree with Milan.

For more information about the UCSC Milan selection procedure and deadlines, please feel free to contact the programme coordinator dr. H. (Halit) Gonenc at h.gonenc rug.nl.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

The DDM programme consists of two phases:

  • Phase 1 is the first year at UG in Groningen
  • Phase 2 is the second year at UCSC in Milan

Students at University of Groningen (UG) To be admitted to the MSc IFM programme in Groningen, you need to meet the entry requirements. Please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc. Candidates that want to progress to Phase 2 of the programme at UCSC, starting in September, need to apply for admission to UCSC's Laurea Magistrale degree programme in Banking and Finance by the end of April. Students will be selected based on the average GPA of the six compulsory courses in the MSc IFM and must successfully complete the programme by the time of their departure. For more information about UCSC Milan, visit https://international.unicatt.it/ucscinternational-graduate-programs-banking-and-finance.

Students at the UCSC Milan Students who are admitted to UCSC Milan and who have successfully completed the required courses of the programme at UCSC, meet the entry requirements of MSc IFM at the University of Groningen. There will be selection criteria decided by UCSC Milan. In case there are more candidates for the programme than places available, candidates will be selected according to selection criteria jointly defined and agreed upon by the partner universities.

Registration procedure

Students have to first apply to the MSc International Financial Management via Studielink and the Online Application System (OAS) of the University of Groningen. After you apply for the programme of your choice, the Admissions Office will evaluate your educational background and assess your eligibility. Your application will be assessed on an individual basis. More information on how to apply. Once you start the programme in Groningen, you can apply to the Double Degree with Milan.

For more information about the UCSC Milan selection procedure and deadlines, please feel free to contact the programme coordinator dr. H. (Halit) Gonenc at h.gonenc rug.nl.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time

The tuition fees above are for the one year of studying in Groningen. For an estimation of the total tuition fees for the double degree, please see DD fees.

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

The knowledge of academic theory and practical tools that you will have acquired are highly valued in the labor market and your specialized expertise will contribute enormously to your employability. You will be able to take up positions in which you contribute as a specialist in international financial management, as well as to decision-making in multinational companies and financial institutions. You will also be in demand among consultancy firms, and multinational public organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, European Central Bank (ECB), and other governmental institutions.

As a graduate of these two degrees, you will be able to:

  • make decisions at the strategic level in many different private and public organizations that are internationally oriented,
    • choose the appropriate analytical techniques for analyzing and managing international financial decisions and problems,
    • provide and present relevant information for businesses operating internationally,
    • apply the theory of international finance and accounting in practice,
    • carry out research and present research findings on issues in international financial management.

Job examples

  • Financial manager
  • Corporate finance consultant
  • Internal or external financial consultant
  • Financial or accounting controller
  • Financial analyst
  • Governance and compliance officer
  • Audit trainee
Research

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our research-driven education is strongly rooted in business practice and society. At the heart of our teaching approach is (interdisciplinary) research. In collaboration with external partners, students and professors conduct projects on societally relevant topics such as healthy society and the economics of healthcare systems, digitalization, and how AI is shaping business and societies, leadership and governance, future prosperity and sustainability, climate change and how to tackle the shift to renewable energy. From day one of your degree, the focus is on making a real impact.

Study associations

Financial Study Association Groningen

Financial Study Association Groningen, FSG, is the study association for the financially interested student at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen.
FSG is, with over 1800 members, one of the most active and professional study associations of the Netherlands. The goal of FSG is to close the gap between theory and practice that exists in the areas of:* Accountancy & Controlling (A&C)* Finance* International Financial Management (IFM)* Management Accounting & Control (MAC)
https://fsgroningen.nl/home
Read more