UBC Masters in Finance Review

Introduction

The UBC Masters in Finance is a tough and rigorous programme for students interested in research. It is designed to prepare students for a PhD degree and a later academic career, as an MSc student at UBC Sauder MFin program, you will not only join a vibrant and dynamic academic environment that places a strong focus on research, but you will also have the opportunity to work with some of Canada’s greatest research faculty.

Sauder School of Business is a premier academic institution and Canada’s top research business school. Sauder is the most frequently awarded research funds from Canada’s major federal organisations, and it consistently surpasses other Canadian business schools in terms of research publications and citations.

UBC Masters in Finance Class Profile

The UBC Masters in Finance program is a rigorous, one-year program that prepares students for successful careers in the field of Finance. The program attracts a diverse group of students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds.

On average, the program admits around 50 students per year, with a mix of domestic and international students. The class profile typically includes students with undergraduate degrees in fields such as computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, economics, business, and social sciences. The program also attracts professionals with relevant work experience seeking to upskill and transition into the field of UBC Masters in Finance.

Acceptance Rate

The UBC Masters in Finance has, the acceptance rate of approximately 14.2%. It's worth noting that acceptance rates can vary from year to year and depend on a range of factors, including the number of applicants and the competitiveness of the applicant pool. Therefore, the actual acceptance rate for a given year may differ from the overall average rate.

Program and Curriculum

The UBC Master in Finance typically takes two years to complete. Students usually enrol in four courses per semester, although during semesters with unusually intense workloads, they may choose to enrol in only three program and currciulum at UBC Masters in Finance. The three types of courses are required, i.e., core courses, supporting/preparatory courses, and electives.

Core Courses

The core courses offered in the UBC Sauder Master in Finance program are carefully designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of key concepts and skills essential for success in the finance industry. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from foundational principles to advanced techniques, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to excel in their careers.

Preparatory courses

Preparatory courses for the UBC Sauder Master of Finance (MFin) program are designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to excel in the rigorous curriculum of the program. These courses serve as a bridge for students with varying backgrounds, ensuring that all participants are well-prepared to tackle the advanced coursework and demanding academic environment of the MFin program.

Electives

At the Master’s or PhD level, up to twelve credits of electives can generally be taken from any faculty on any subject. However, it is expected that UBC Masters in Finance students will select at least some of their electives from the MBA program’s many applied finance courses. Students who prefer to take fewer classroom courses and instead write an MSc thesis during their second year may do so as part of their electives in Terms 3 and 4 with approval from the finance MSc advisor. 

UBC Masters in Finance Eligibility and Requirements

Admission to the UBC Masters in Finance is extremely competitive due to the limited number of spots available. Students who pursue a finance MSc often have excellent academic records and undergraduate (or even graduate) degrees in a quantitative field such as commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics, science, or engineering. It is not necessary to have prior work experience.

• Three or four-year Bachelor’s degree with a B+ average or recognised equivalent from an accredited institution.
• 667 GMAT with at least a 50th percentile in the quantitative and verbal sections of the test or 155 GRE score on both the verbal and quantitative sections.
• English proficiency

Document Related to the Application

• Transcripts/degree certificates/translation letters of reference
• GMAT/GRE
• English Proficiency Exam (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, MELAB, CAEL)
• Applicant Photo
• Other (e.g. proof of name change)

Deadlines

The UBC Masters in Finance program begins in September each year. UBC has a rolling admissions system, meaning applications are considered in the order in which they are received. As a result, it’s in your best interest to submit your entire application as soon as possible.
 

Employment And Placement

UBC Sauder provides career services throughout the journey. From day one, personal and professional development is woven throughout the program—from specific career services to embedded curriculum content, such as the Career Development course and tailored one-on-one coaching. It organises networking events to help students make connections around the world. Through these services, 91% of graduates get MFin jobs within three months of graduation.

Top Sectors Hiring 

UBC Sauder has a strong record of placing graduates into top finance positions. The school's Career Centre offers a range of services to help students secure internships and full-time job opportunities, and the school has partnerships with a variety of top employers in the finance industry.

Companies Recruiting From UBC Sauder Master in Finance

With a strong foundation in finance theory and practical skills, graduates from UBC Sauder Master in Finance are highly sought after by a wide range of companies spanning various industries including investment banking, asset management, consulting, corporate finance, and more.

UBC Masters in Finance Alumni Info

The UBC MFin prepares applicants to become data-driven business leaders by providing them with sought-after analytical capabilities in a business setting. In addition, MFin alumni from UBC may use advanced analytical tools and approaches to meet today’s business challenges. Note that UBC Sauder School of Business has a network of more than 40,000 alumni.

An active UBC Sauder alum community may be found on practically every continent. They provide private art excursions in London, cryptocurrency seminars in Hong Kong, and Thanksgiving feasts for Canadians in San Francisco. They already have over 40,000 members, which means you’ll have access to over 40,000 prospective contacts to help you advance your career.

Some Famous Alumni at UBC Masters in Finance

• Amy Chen, Business Analyst
• Vaishali Nirvana, Senior Analyst
• Haider Shah, Data Scientist, Microsoft
• Kemjika Ananba, Business Analyst
• Chen Chen, Data Analyst

Application Essay

The specific essay requirements for the UBC Masters in Finance program may vary from year to year, so it is important to consult with the program or check their website for the most up-to-date information. However, in general, the application process for the program typically involves submitting the following essays:

• Statement of Purpose: This essay is an opportunity for you to explain why you are interested in pursuing a Masters in Finance and how the program fits into your academic and career goals.
• Personal Profile: This essay allows you to share more about your personal background, interests, and experiences that have shaped your perspectives and influenced your decision to pursue a Masters in Finance.
• Additional Essays: Some programs may require additional essays on specific topics, such as leadership experiences, challenges overcome, or research interests.

Letter of Recommendation

Q: How long and in what capacity have you known the candidate? (No word limit)
Q: If this is a work-related reference, in what position is/was the candidate employed, and for how long? (No word limit)
Q: What do you consider to be the candidate’s principal strengths/talents? (No word limit)
Q: What do you consider to be the candidate’s weaknesses or areas that need improvement? (No word limit).

Three letters of recommendation should be obtained to support the applicant’s application. The school seeks proposals from those familiar with the rigours of a demanding, research-oriented MSc programme. It can confidently remark on the applicant’s capacity to complete the programme as well as their research potential.
Referees are usually academicians familiar with the applicant’s academic and research ability.

Non-academic references may be substituted when applicants have been away from an academic setting for an extended period. In this scenario, it’s important to stress to the referee that the Admissions Committee is more interested in the applicant’s academic research potential than in their administrative or teaching abilities.

Referees will have to submit e-references. On the online application form, the applicant must include the email addresses of each referral. Please be aware that the school is unable to accept free email accounts for referees, such as those using Gmail or Yahoo email addresses. Referees will be asked to provide their references via a secure link after they have completed the online application form. They can use the online reference form or upload a reference letter.

Interview Questions

Q: What can you tell me about yourself?
Q: Could you please walk me through your resume?
Q: Why pursue a master’s in finance? Why did you choose UBC Sauder?
Q: Why an MFin now or at this point in your career?
Q: What are your immediate and long-term objectives?
Q: What is your backup plan if consulting/investment banking does not pan out?
Q: What are your main assets? Could you please provide some examples?
Q: What is your most significant flaw? Could you please give some examples?
Q: What value can you bring to the class?
Q: Why should we bother you?
Q: Is there a reason why we shouldn’t choose you?
Q: Which destination, if you had to choose one, would you choose and why?
Q: Why did you choose Canada?
Q: Why not China, for example? If it were China, what would be the comparative advantages?
Q: When you were working with your clients, what was the most exciting event?
Q: What do you like to do when you have free time?

What Makes UBC Master in Finance Unique

Is MFin worth it? Here are a few facts about master in finance UBC that makes it unique-

• The Finance Division at UBC is one of the world’s top finance departments in terms of research and teaching, and it has a strong reputation for preparing graduate students for tough careers.
• The MSc Program Office has a list of faculty members, their core research and teaching interests, and a list of electives given each year.
• In 2019, Reuters identified UBC as one of Canada’s “most innovative universities.”
• UBC has invested more than $1.5 billion in infrastructure and facilities in the last five years.
• In its “World University Rankings 2020,” Times Higher Education named UBC the most international university in North America.
• UBC has routinely been ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world for research and teaching.
• UBC is committed to your success and offers a variety of professional development and career courses throughout your programme.

Conclusion

The MSc in Finance program emphasises academic research. It is intended for students who are considering pursuing a Ph.D. after earning their MSc. The demanding and demanding master in finance UBC Sauder is a means to prepare students for a Ph.D. degree and a future academic career.