University of St Gallen

Master's Programme in Banking and Finance (MBF) · St. Gallen, Switzerland · 18 months (3 semesters, 90 ECTS)

Ranked #9 worldwide in the Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-Experience Ranking 2025, the best-ranked programme in the German-speaking region
Holds the Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA)
Official academic partner of the CFA Institute, CAIA Association, and GARP; curriculum covers more than 70% of the CFA Program's candidate body of knowledge across all three levels
Seven optional subject tracks (e.g. Alternative Investments, Corporate Finance, Sustainable Finance), each earning a Diploma Supplement
100% of graduates receive a job offer prior to or within three months of graduation; average salary after graduating is CHF 100,000

At a glance

Duration

18 months (3 semesters, 90 ECTS)

Location

St. Gallen, Switzerland

Language

English (a small number of elective and Contextual Studies courses are offered in German)

Tuition

CHF 3,557.50 per semester for foreign nationals (CHF 1,524.50 for Swiss nationals), as of Autumn Semester 2026 - approximately CHF 10,670 total for foreign nationals across the 3-semester programme, plus a CHF 268 application fee

Admissions requirements

Program

Master's Programme in Banking and Finance (MBF)

Degree expectation

A recognised Bachelor's degree worth at least 180 ECTS credits in a similar subject, via one of three routes: (a) a Bachelor's in Business Administration or Economics from a recognised university with at least 60 ECTS in Business Administration/Economics and at least 6 ECTS in Mathematics or Statistics; (b) a Bachelor's in Business Administration from a recognised University of Applied Sciences with at least 90 ECTS across core areas and a grade point average of at least 5.00 on the Swiss grading system (Germany/Austria 2.00, Netherlands 7.5); or (c) a consecutive Master's degree in the same discipline, together totalling at least 270 ECTS credits.

GMAT

GMAT waivable
GMAT or GRE makes up 30% of the admissions assessment and is required for most applicants (best result counts if taken multiple times); no published minimum score. Students with a Bachelor's degree from the University of St.Gallen or another Swiss university (not a Swiss University of Applied Sciences) can choose to skip GMAT/GRE, in which case the average grade is double-weighted instead.

GRE

Accepted. Accepted alongside GMAT; the Quantitative Reasoning section is decisive in the assessment. GRE institution code 7202.

CFA in lieu of GMAT/GRE

Work experience

Work experience, challenging internships or exchange semesters are considered under 'extracurricular activities' (15% of the admissions assessment) if evidenced via the CV. Not a prerequisite for entry, but factors into the holistic evaluation alongside average grade (30%), GMAT/GRE (30%), and letter of motivation (25%).

Application & outcomes

Application notes

Five admission rounds run each year between October and April, e.g. first round due 30 November 2026 (decisions by 24 December 2026) through a fifth round due 30 April 2027 (decisions by 31 May 2027). Overall application window 1 October to 30 April; application fee CHF 250.

Career outcomes

100% of MBF graduates receive a job offer prior to or within three months of graduation (per the University of St.Gallen); average salary after graduating is CHF 100,000. 32% of graduates start their careers in Banking and 29% in Consulting. Ranked #9 worldwide in the Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-Experience Ranking 2025, the highest-ranked programme in the German-speaking region.

Official admissions page →

Last verified 16 Aug 2026. Figures change, always confirm time-sensitive details (deadlines, current GMAT medians) directly with the school before applying.

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