The course load of the program consists of ten courses in the project program and nine courses in the thesis program. The dissertation must be a deeper and more comprehensive study compared to the project.

The final step before graduation for students who have successfully completed the courses is the graduation project or thesis. The aim of this study, which will be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member, is for the student to have in-depth knowledge on the chosen subject and to make an original contribution to the subject in accordance with scientific criteria.

The program also provides students with the opportunity to specialize in Quantitative Finance. The choice of this specialization is indicated in the diploma.

The course load for the major program and Quantitative Finance specialization is as follows for the programs with project and thesis:

Financial Economics (with thesis): 4 Core Courses / 3 Elective Courses / 1 Seminar Course

Financial Economics (with project): 4 Core Courses / 6 Elective Courses

Financial Economics-Quantitative Finance (with thesis): 4 Core Courses / 3 Elective Courses (2 courses from Quantitative Finance course list) / 1 Seminar Course

Financial Economics-Quantitative Finance (with project): 4 Core Courses / 6 Elective Courses (4 courses from Quantitative Finance elective course list)

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) University Joint Program (with project): 4 Core Courses / 6 Elective Courses (5 courses from CFA elective course list)

One can transition from project program to thesis program. For this, a minimum score of 55 from ALES and a grade point average of at least 2.80 out of 4.00 are required. In addition, the third academic semester must not be completed for the transition from the project program to the thesis program and the application must be made by the deadline specified in this semester.

Students who wish to transfer from the thesis program to the project program must not have completed the second semester of education and must have made their applications by the deadline specified for the transfer in this semester.

Transfer between both programs is subject to the approval of the program director.

Elective courses can be taken from finance, accounting, economics, business administration and law. In addition to the curriculum, seminars on finance, econometrics and applied economics are organized by academics and professionals from Türkiye and abroad during the program.

The duration of the program with thesis is at least 4 semesters and maximum 6 semesters. The duration of the program without thesis is 3 semesters. The program is structured by taking into account the time constraints arising from the working life of our students. Each course is given one day a week. Classes are held from Monday to Friday between 19.00-22.00. Rarely, classes are also offered on Saturdays.

After completing the course load, a student must also submit a final project to graduate. The final project, which is supervised by a faculty member, requires the student to put into applied use the analytical and quantitative skills acquired through his or her course work.

The duration of MSc in Financial Economics Program (without thesis) is maximum 3 semesters and with thesis is maximum 6 semesters. However, in consideration of the time restrictions of students, the program is designed in a flexible manner, allowing them to arrange their own schedules. Students are required to register in at least two per semester. Students are obliged to complete the program in maximum six semesters. Courses are held between 19:00 and 22:00 during weekdays and between 10:00-16.00 on Saturdays.

A student who does not have time constraints to focus on the project program can graduate in two semesters if he/she wishes. In order to do this, he/she needs to complete his/her courses in two semesters and finish his/her project in the second semester. Otherwise, it is possible to extend this period up to three years by taking only one or two courses per semester. The preference of our students is usually between these two extremes, taking two to four courses per semester and graduating in four semesters.

In the thesis program, in order to take the thesis course, all core and elective courses must be passed and the GPA must be at least 2.80.

What is CFA?

The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Program/Title is one of the most respected and prestigious designations in the financial markets, awarded to finance professionals through a 3-stage examination administered by the London-based CFA Institute. The CFA Program curriculum covers academic theory, current market practices, ethical and professional standards, advanced investment analysis, portfolio management and other skills that can be used at all stages of a career to provide a strong foundation.

What is the CFA University Joint Program?

The CFA Institute has been implementing this program for a long time and it is a CFA certification given to certain programs in higher education institutions that certify that they cover 70% of the CFA curriculum. As part of the program, 8 students each year enrolled in certified programs are awarded scholarships to be used to pay for the 3-stage FA exams.

Programs with CFA certification indicate a curriculum that is very close to the CFA curriculum for prospective students and is a suitable program to prepare them for the CFA.