Emlyon Master in Finance Review: Curriculum, Careers & Admissions

Table of Contents

Emlyon Master in Finance Review Overview

The Master in Finance (Diplôme Spécialisé en Finance) is authorized by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation to award a recognized BAC+5 degree, Master’s Grade, to its students. Our Master in Finance program has been accredited for a four-year period after a rigorous assessment by the National Management Programmes Assessment Commission (CEFDG).

Step into a program designed to launch your career in the dynamic and demanding world of investment banking, whether in Corporate Finance or Financial Markets.

Now , Let's deep dive into Emlyon Master in Finance Review.

Key Highlights

• Diversity: International cohort with varied nationalities, genders, and backgrounds.

• Expert Faculty: Combination of 20 academic professors and 90 industry professionals.

• 2-Year Program: Year 1 common track; Year 2 specialization in Financial Markets or Corporate Finance.

• Unique Pedagogy: “Learning by doing & doing by learning” approach.

• Financial Challenges: Opportunities to participate in ARE, CFA, BBG, and Trophée des futures licornes.

• Certifications: AMF, CFA (Levels 1 & 2), Bloomberg Certification.

• Career Support: Summer internship preparation with training for top investment banks.

• Finance Career Forum: Networking and industry insights through forums and dedicated conferences.

Discover the program content for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Academic Content

Year 1

September to March – Lyon

• Core Courses: Economics, Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, Portfolio Management, Mathematics, Strategic Analysis, Applied Statistics, Negotiation Techniques, Financial Maths, Digital Tools for Finance, Geopolitics, Data Analytics, Derivatives, Fixed Income, Ethics & Governance, Alternative Investments.

• Optional: French for foreigners, AMF/Bloomberg/CFA prep.

• Professional Project & 1-Week International Seminar.

• Career Workshops for internship readiness.

April to September – France or International

• Internship (4–6 months): Apply academic knowledge in real-world finance.

• Support: Individual coaching, workshops, and digital tools for internship search.

• Deliverable: Internship essay reflecting professional experience.

Year 2

August–September – Online

• Preparatory modules (optional): Economics, Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, Mathematics, Portfolio Management, Advanced Fixed Income, Strategic Analysis.

October–April – Lyon

Specializations (choose one):

1. Corporate Finance & Innovation

• Mandatory Courses: Modelling, Advanced Accounting, Financial Analysis & Forecasting, Financial Structuring, Markets Operations, Leverage Finance, Valuation, ESG & Climate Change, Venture Capital, Forecasting Methods.

• Optional: French for foreigners, AMF/Bloomberg/CFA prep.

• Soft Skills & Implementation: Team Communication, Innovation Seminar, M&A Implementation, Strategic & Financial Case, Financial Negotiation Simulation, 1-Month International Academic Period.

• Professional Project & Research: Career workshops, Research methodology, Internship, Master dissertation.

2. Financial Markets

• Mandatory Courses: Stochastic Calculus, Advanced Portfolio Management, Risk Management I & II, Derivatives Trading, Time Series Analysis, Machine Learning with R, ESG & Climate Change, Alternative Investments, Commodities & Energy.

• Optional: French for foreigners, AMF/Bloomberg/CFA prep.

• Soft Skills & Implementation: Team Communication, Global Asset Allocation, Professional Project, 1-Month International Academic Period.

• Professional Project & Research: Career workshops, Research methodology, Internship, Master dissertation.

Careers

Career Prospects after Emlyon Master in Finance

Job Roles

• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

• Financial Analyst

• M&A Business Associate

• Audit Consultant

• Treasury Manager

• Portfolio Manager

• Sales-Trader

• Wealth Advisor

Placement Statistics (Class of 2023, survey in 2024)

• Net employment rate at 3 months: 93.4%

• Students employed before graduation: 76.2%

• Students employed within 6 months: 99%

• Average starting salary: €70,000

Choosing Your Career Path

Your job profile depends on your background and specialization (Corporate Finance or Financial Markets). Emlyon graduates are recruited by leading firms in France and worldwide across different sectors:

• Banks - BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Natixis, Crédit Suisse, HSBC, UBS, Barclays, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Bank of America Securities, Tokyo Mitsubishi Bank.

  
  

• Insurance Companies - AXA, Allianz, Generali, Münich Ré, Swiss Ré, Scor.

  
  

• Investment Funds - Axa Private Equity, BNP Paribas Développement, Butler Capital Partners, Siparex, Naxicap Partners, Activa Capital, MBO Partenaires.

  
  

• Financial Institutions - Caisse des Dépôts, Coface, GE Corporate Finance Bank, Arkeon Finance, Swicorp.

  
  

• Consulting Firms - Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG.

  
  

• Financial Computing & Advisory - Murex, Capgemini Consulting, Boston Consulting Group, Mazars, Grant Thornton, Oddo & Cie.

  
  

• Industrial Groups - Air France, Bouygues, EDF, France Telecom, Suez, Thales, Veolia, Vivendi, General Electric.

Eligibility & Admissions

Year 1 Entry

• 3-year Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS)

• OR attestation of 180 ECTS in a State-recognized Master’s degree

  
  

Year 2 Entry

• 4-year Bachelor’s degree (240 ECTS)

• OR completion of Year 1 of a State-recognized Master’s degree

• OR attestation of 240 ECTS in a State-recognized Master’s degree

You may apply while still in the final year of your qualifying degree.

Application Timeline (2025–2026 Intake)

*Deadlines keeps on changing according to intake , click here for updated timeline

Application Process

Step 1 – Online Application File - Mandatory documents (English or French):

• Resume / CV

• Passport or national ID

• Certified copies of degrees & transcripts

• Enrollment certificate (if still studying)

• Aptitude test (GMAT, GRE, CAT, TAGE-MAGE, or Emlyon’s own test)

• English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, Cambridge, Duolingo)

Optional: Motivation letter, recommendation letters.

Step 2 – Digital Test (1 hour, in English)

• Motivation questions (video + written format)

Step 3 – Admissions Committee

Possible outcomes: Admitted, Non-Admitted, Requalified (to Year 1), or Waitlisted.

Admission Stats & Fees

• Acceptance rate (2024 intake, former MSc in Finance): 37.3%

• Enrollment deposit: €4,500 (non-refundable, within 10 days of admission)

• Application fee: €120

  • Exemptions: CROUS scholarship holders, High-Level Athletes (with proof)

Support for Students with Disabilities

The Emlyon Disability Unit provides individualized assistance, access arrangements, and guidance throughout studies. Contact: handicap@em-lyon.com

Financing

Included in Fees

• Tuition fees

• Enrollment & administrative fees

• Travel & lodging expenses for International Seminar (if relevant)

• Career Center services (during program + 3 years post-graduation)

• Individual career coaching sessions

• Lifetime membership in emlyon alumni network

Not Included in Fees

• CVEC, social security, sports club enrollment fees

• Personal computer hardware/software, books (outside course materials)

• Optional courses or certifications

• Accommodation & travel expenses (including abroad programs)

How to Finance Your Program

Emlyon Scholarships

• Up to 50% tuition fee waiver for eligible students

• Contact program advisor for specific scholarship policy details

Government Scholarships

• French Embassy / Cultural Service scholarships (country-specific)

• Campus France database of scholarships

• EIFFEL Scholarship: prestigious excellence-based grant (apply by December each year via emlyon)

CROUS Social Scholarship (for France-based students)

Waiver ranges from 5% to 100% of tuition fees, based on CROUS level:

Loan Opportunities

• Bank Loans (France): Available if you have a French fiscal guarantor

• Prodigy Finance Loan: Open to non-French international students

• Lendwise Loan: Open to non-French international students

Student Life

Living in Lyon

Since the Renaissance, Lyon has been known for its beautiful riverside setting on the Rhône and Saône, the iconic Fourvière Basilica overlooking the city, and the charming Old Lyon district. Together, these landmarks make Lyon one of the most attractive and livable cities in France.

But beyond its lifestyle appeal, Lyon is also a hub of business, innovation, and education.

A City of Business & Innovation

• Long history as a trading crossroads between Northern Europe and the Mediterranean

• Entrepreneurial roots dating back to the silk industry of the 19th century

• Today’s economy is powered by diverse industries: energy, chemicals, life sciences, vaccines, and laser technology

• Home to many major French corporations and a growing base of international companies

Strategic & Dynamic Region

• Rhône-Alpes: Ranked 6th highest GDP region in Europe (Eurostat 2014)

• #1 region in France for incoming international companies: over 900 foreign-owned firms employing ~165,000 people

• A major European higher education hub with 150,000 students

Frequently Asked Questions