Can A Finance Master’s Change The World? IESE Is Betting On It

IESE Business School is launching a Master in Finance — and it’s not your typical quant-heavy degree.

Set to debut in fall 2026, the 11-month program is designed not just to teach technical excellence, but to develop future CFOs as strategic leaders in an increasingly complex business environment. The curriculum draws from IESE’s hallmark general management approach while weaving in AI, sustainability, data fluency, ethics, and real-world crisis navigation.

“We’re training students to do much more than financial modeling,” says Marc Badia, associate dean and academic director of the program. “The modern CFO is a strategic partner — someone who understands how technology, regulation, and sustainability are reshaping business and knows how to lead through those changes.”

WHY FINANCE — AND WHY NOW

Beyond the expanding role of the CFO, IESE sees finance itself as a pivotal lever for shaping the future of business and society. According to the program’s academic leadership, the rationale for launching the degree rests on three core beliefs.

First, finance leads business—and shapes society. Those who allocate capital today influence the rise of industries, the direction of innovation, and even the survival of entire firms. “In many cases, it’s the allocators of capital — from private equity and venture capital to sovereign wealth funds — who are setting the agenda,” Badia tells Poets&Quants. “We need to train these people as leaders.”

Second, finance has enormous power—for good and for harm. The industry can drive inclusive development and support entrepreneurs, but it also has a history of triggering systemic crises with devastating social consequences. “Between 1970 and 2017, the world experienced 151 banking crises,” Badia notes. “This fragility makes character as essential as competence.” That’s why IESE’s values — integrity, service, and professional excellence — are embedded across the curriculum.

Third, access to the financial sector increasingly requires technical fluency. As regulation, risk, and incentives ripple across tightly linked subsectors, future professionals need more than instinct. They need deep understanding — of both traditional financial tools and modern AI-driven analysis. IESE’s program aims to deliver both, bridging the gap between technical capability and strategic insight.

A CFO FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

IESE’s new Master in Finance reflects this broader ambition. Students will study capital markets, corporate finance, and asset management — but they’ll also gain foundational exposure to programming, databases, data visualization, and business intelligence.

“It’s not about becoming coders,” Badia says. “But they need to know how to work with data, structure problems, and speak the language of tech.”

The program also incorporates change management and sustainability — two areas increasingly falling under the CFO’s purview. In many companies, finance leaders are spearheading ESG strategies and overseeing the impact of digital transformation. “That’s why sustainability isn’t treated as a side topic,” Badia says. “It’s integrated throughout the experience.”

AN INTENSIVE STRUCTURE — AND A GLOBAL OUTLOOK

Tuition for the program is set at €52,000, the same as IESE’s Master in Management. A robust scholarship program will be available, reflecting the school’s commitment to access and inclusion.

The curriculum is split into five periods. The first three cover the rigorous core. The fourth includes a mandatory immersion module in New York City — offering exposure to global finance in one of its top hubs. The fifth period allows students to specialize, choosing between a capital markets track or a fintech and technology focus.

To ensure depth, the program flips the traditional case method model. Students prepare fewer cases — but prepare them more thoroughly, often sourcing and cleaning real-world data in advance. Technical sessions with teaching assistants support that pre-class work, allowing for higher-level discussion in the classroom.

ETHICS IN EVERY COURSE

IESE has long emphasized ethics, but in the Master in Finance, those principles are interwoven into every subject.

“There’s no separate ‘ethics class,’” Badia says. “Ethical considerations are embedded in corporate finance, capital markets, everything. The techniques we teach only have value if they’re applied responsibly.”

All professors are also mentors — required to spend time outside the classroom helping students navigate both academic and personal development. “If we say business is about people,” says Badia, “then our school has to model that — in how we teach, how we treat students, and how we serve.”

A STRONG STARTING POINT FOR CAREERS

IESE expects the program to appeal to a wide range of recruiters — from investment banks and asset managers to fintechs and corporate finance departments. And with more firms scaling back MBA-level recruiting, Badia sees growing demand for top talent at the pre-experience level.

“Analyst pipelines remain strong,” he says. “But candidates need to stand out. This degree gives them a leg up — and access to IESE’s global network.”

The Master in Finance will be housed alongside the school’s successful Master in Management program, which enrolls roughly 150 students annually. IESE expects an initial finance cohort of 50–60 students, with room to grow. The combined talent pool will help attract more employers to campus, Badia says — creating a stronger platform for career outcomes.

CONSTANTLY EVOLVING

Like its peer programs, the Master in Finance is designed to adapt. An advisory board of senior alumni and industry leaders is helping shape both curriculum and recruiting strategy. Guest speakers and practitioner-led electives will ensure the content stays relevant to today’s rapidly shifting financial landscape.

“Things change fast,” says Badia. “We need to be agile. And we need to stay grounded in both excellence and ethics.”

For IESE, that combination — cutting-edge financial training and a mission-driven approach — is what sets the program apart.

“We’re forming the people who will direct capital, shape strategy, and influence outcomes across the global economy,” Badia says. “The stakes are high. That’s why we built this program.”

Learn more about the IESE Master in Finance here.

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