CUNEF - Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros

The Master Programmes in Finance at CUNEF can be attended by university graduates with less than three years professional experience who wish to commence or continue a professional career in the field of finance. Participants have a wide variety of previous university degrees (engineering, mathematics, law, ….). Statistically, however, around 70% come from backgrounds in economics, business administration, or similar degrees. In addition to holding university degrees, all participants must pass the CUNEF admission tests.

The presentation of applications of new students begins in the month of November for programmes commencing the following month of October. Admission is a continuous process during which candidate profiles are filtered, interviews are held and admission decisions are taken during the entire process. Since the number of places is reduced, interested candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible. The working language is Spanish and foreign candidates should therefore be able to accredit a high level of Spanish during the admission process.

Yes, the possibility exists of carrying out admission tests without being physically present. This possibility is restricted to candidates who are resident abroad or to those who are able to accredit that for professional reasons they are unable to carry out the admissions tests in Madrid.

Prior to commencing the master programme, all candidates who have been admitted must present the following documentation:
:

University of origin	Documentation required
Spanish universities	1. Authenticated photocopy of the degree certificate or acknowledgement of receipt of the aaplication to obtain it. 2. Authenticated photocopy of the academic record which accredits having achieved the standards required for completing the degree.
Universities of other European Union countries	1. Authenticated photocopy of the degree certificate or acknowledgement of receipt of the application to obtain it. 2. Authenticated photocopy of the academic record which accredits having achieved the standards required for completing the degree. 3. Document from the university which accredits the official degree; the option conferred by the degree of undertaking doctoral studies in the country of origin; and the duration of the degree (stated in terms or courses).
Universities of non-member countries of the European Union	1. Authenticated photocopy of the degree certificate (apostil of The Hague or Spanish Consulate or embassy). 2. Authenticated photocopy of the academic record which accredits having achieved the standards required for completing the degree. 3. Document from the university which accredits the official degree; the option conferred by the degree of undertaking doctoral studies in the country of origin; and the duration of the degree (stated in terms or courses).

The programmes last for 9 months from October to July. The International Finance programme is complemented with a further period of study abroad, which takes place in EBS-London.

Yes. CUNEF has a grants and financial aid system sponsored by the Spanish Bankers Association for the purpose of facilitating access to university education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and fostering research into all aspects of financial knowledge and activity. Candidates interested in obtaining a grant for postgraduate studies should first go through the admission process and afterwards apply for a grant or financial aid. The following invitations to apply for grants are currently available:

Partial grant to study a postgraduate programme at CUNEF for candidates who have completed their university degree at a Spanish or European Union university (maximum five years prior to the commencement of the master programme).
Partial grant to study a postgraduate programme at CUNEF for candidates who have completed their university degree at a university of the Latin-American community (maximum five years prior to the commencement of the master programme).

The partial grants for new students in postgraduate programmes are for an amount which varies between 20% and 50% of the total academic fees for the programme. The concession of grants takes into account the academic record of the candidate during undergraduate studies and the admission tests, and attention is given in particular to the economic and family circumstances of each candidate.

In addition, companies and institutions which cooperate with CUNEF may invite students to apply for complementary study grants or financial aid which may involve the obligation to carry out practical work for the sponsoring company or to complete specific final project during the master programme.

The Master Programmes in Finance at CUNEF require a high degree of commitment and time on the part of participants. Each of the subjects requires participants to prepare the different classes, prepare practical cases, and work in teams together with other participants, ….

CUNEF admits a maximum of 30 participants in each of the different groups, thus ensuring highly personalised and interactive training in each group and in each subject.

CUNEF works in cooperation with a large number of companies that each year offer internship programmes for students of the master programmes. Internships are a magnificent opportunity to reinforce the academic training received at CUNEF and in many cases give rise to the beginning of a professional career for many participants. In any event, internships are a complementary activity – never obligatory – for which reason CUNEF does not guarantee that students of the master programmes will be selected for an internship.

CUNEF pays special attention to facilitating different employment possibilities for its graduates and postgraduates. Participants in the master programmes have a career orientation service available and a personalised mentoring programme which is very useful for:

obtaining internships in companies, unless participants are already working whilst they complete the master programme.
accessing the careers department of the Centre in the case of those who have completed or are about to complete their studies.

One of the most important services of the Alumni Association is to facilitate access to available jobs through the careers department of CUNEF.

CUNEF has an excellent teaching faculty composed in the case of master programmes of professors who make their teaching task compatible with professional practice in different fields of activity. The professors of the postgraduate programmes at CUNEF for the most part discharge management responsibilities in different companies and institutions in the financial sector.

The teaching language is Spanish. Participants, however, should have a command of English which allows them to read and understand texts and documentation which at times are in English. The International Week in London takes place entirely in English.

The students in the Master Programme in International Finance must provide evidence of a high level of written and spoken English during the admission process since more than 50% of the programme is given in English.

At least 90% of the sessions in each subject must be attended personally, unless a reason exists which justifies absence that has been verified by the Programme Director.

The different master programmes in finance are highly interactive. They combine academic thoroughness with a necessarily practical approach to real business and financial practices. The different methodologies used during the programmes are designed precisely to ensure both a theoretical and practical education in all subjects. Personal work, teamwork and shared decision making are fostered. Theory and practice go hand in hand in the different learning modules.

The programmes take place in the afternoons and from the point of view of the timetable are therefore compatible for participants who can discharge their professional responsibilities in the morning only.

Yes. CUNEF has an active Alumni Association which is the main channel for communications and relations amongst past students and between past students and CUNEF. The Association has 2,000 members who actively participate in continuous formation activities, seminars and conferences and who can benefit from the list of jobs available reported by the careers department of the association.

By all means. If you are interested in doing so, let us know and we will put you in contact with several past students who can share with you the experience of their time at CUNEF.

he Master Programmes in Finance at CUNEF are particularly relevant for those who wish to follow a professional career in one of the following areas of activity:

Investment banking or commercial banking
Investment management: hedge funds, investment fund, pension funds,…
Securities investment and brokerage firms, capital markets.
Financial management of companies and institutions
Financial analysis and company valuation
Corporate finance and strategic consulting
Auditing and commercial law firms
Quantitative finance and advanced financial modelling
Strategy and corporate development
Asset management and portfolio management
Consulting in investment management
Internal audit and control
Investor relations
Company valuation
Public administration (central banks, international institutions, national, regional or local government,) or NGO finance, ....

CUNEF does not have its own residential facilities. The international information office of the Complutense University of Madrid provides information to CUNEF students concerning different alternatives for finding lodgings in Madrid.

If you wish to obtain further information concerning the Master Programmes in Finance at CUNEF you may contact:

Anna Williams awilliams@cunef.edu (902 21 00 91 or 91 448 08 92)
María Piera mpiera@cunef.edu (902 21 00 91 or 91 448 08 92)
Ana González agonzalez@cunef.edu (902 21 00 91 or 91 448 08 92)