A promising and expanding market: the financial, banking, insurance and consulting sectors have a major need for data scientists.
MSc Finance & Big Data
MSc Finance & Big Data
Programme presentation
The financial industry has a major need for professionals with data science skills, but it is crucial for financial institutions to have data scientists who also have the latest financial skills in the broadest sense.
They need to master a wide range of skills from market finance to corporate finance as well as insurance. They have to be operational as soon as they accept the positions so that they can offer genuine, immediate value to the company. It’s this need that this MSc-Master of Science part-time at NEOMA Business School responds to.
Thus, our graduates will be prepared to put into practice their technical skills in big data processing, applied to market forecasts, portfolio allocation, market/credit risk management and operational risk. They will have access to data scientist positions in front and middle office teams for company divisions that handle trading, risk-management, IT, investment bank compliance divisions, funds management and insurance companies as well as specialised financial consulting firms.
5 good reasons to join the programme
A unique programme in finance and data science, taught entirely in English, on a part-time basis and recognised by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles.
An innovative training course in direct contact with the latest developments in data science applied in the financial sector that will help learners become real specialists who can be immediately effective in the jobs.
A teaching approach based on learning by doing: trading room simulations, project management, direct skills application.
A work-linked training programme that boosts entry in the professional world and tuition funding assured through professional training contracts.
Messaoud CHIBANE
Head of programme
Data science expertise applied to finance
Programme objectives
The programme MSc – Master of Science Finance & Big Data consists of seven modules that combine know-how and interpersonal skills. The skills taught in this programme enable learners to become experts in specialised financial engineering applied to big data processing where the graduates will master theoretical and operational aspects of data science applied to finance.
In addition to this imparted knowledge, many different professional skills are put into practice so that the students can be immediately effective at their companies.
This programme enables students to:
- Translate financial business issues into BI solutions
- Deploy tools for managing massive financial data
- Analyse massive financial data models
- Manage a Data activity as part of a continuous improvement approach
The course is intended for students and professionally active managers who want to undertake additional training and specialise in all the professions associated with data science applied to the financial sector. Its part-time schedule is compatible with professional activity.
All of this programme’s courses are taught completely in English.
Skill sets
RNCP title: Expert in massive financial data – File no. 38500
TheMSc-Master of Science Finance & Big Data programme is based on four skill fields:
- Identify and promote companies, sectors and/or markets with high potential for added-value creation in France and abroad
- Make or support decisions concerning financial investments in France and/or abroad while overseeing associated risk control
- Guide financial decisions and associated risks using financial-decision analysis and monitoring tools
- Create and implement data-based descriptive and forecast models to facilitate the financial analysis of companies, sectors and/or markets
This programme is accessible via the « VAE » (awarding a qualification based on relevant professional experience).
The skills blocks of the certification may not be acquired separately. The proposed curriculum covers all skills blocks.
Programme highlights
Data use
Exploration of big data through simulations and practical studies that companies present during the courses.
Big data application in finance
Digital methods and AI in the following areas:
- Portfolio allocation
- Financial market forecast models
- Detecting market sentiment
- Algorithmic trading
- High-Frequency Trading
Adapted programme for high-level athletes and artists
High-level athletes and artists may benefit from an adapted programme in order to pursue both their studies and their passion.
Professional thesis
The professional thesis is a project whose purpose is to identify an issue important to companies and respond to it by using a conceptual approach and empirical research. This project must lead to practical recommendations for companies. Its additional purpose is to help students acquire technical expertise while also developing important soft skills for the job market: critical thinking, complex problem resolution, etc.
Evaluation procedures
The programme is recognised through a dual validation:
- Ongoing assessment: evaluations conducted throughout the length of the programme in the form of individual or collective reports to be submitted
- A professional thesis: submission of a written document and an oral defence before a jury made up of an academic tutor and a company tutor
At the end of the programme and after a validation of the ongoing assessment and professional thesis, the Level-7 RNCP of Expert in massive financial data is awarded to the participants.
If some modules were not validated and thus no credits were earned, the programme participant can redo the evaluation during a period set up for this purpose.
Evaluation results
- Percentage of students sitting final examinations*: 100%
- Graduation rate*: 100%
Source: *2023-2024 Jury
The part-time format allows you to remain at your company and promotes your entry and development in the professional world
Targeted professions
- Data Scientist
- Quantitative Analyst
- Quantitative Trader
- Portfolio Manager
- Chief Data Officer
- Risk Manager
- Credit Analyst
Our graduates will be prepared to put into practice their technical skills in Big Data processing, applied to:
- Market forecasts,
- Portfolio allocation,
- Market/credit risk management
- Operational risks
They will have access to data scientist positions in front office and middle office teams for company divisions that handle trading, risk-management, IT, investment bank compliance, funds management and insurance companies as well as specialised financial consulting firms.
Our students positioned in companies
Students from the class of 2024 have part-time contracts in companies such as:
ACCENTURE, ARKEA BANQUE ENTREPRISES ET INSTITUTIONNELS, BNP PARIBAS, CACIB, CHRISTAL UNION ETS DE BEZANES, EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD ASSET MANAGEMENT, HSBSC CONTINENTAL EUROPE, IVESTA, MOET HENNESSY DIAGEO, NATIXIS, OSTRUM ASSET MANAGEMENT, PANDAT FINANCE, SOCIETE GENERALE, TIKEHAU CAPITAL, ZARA FRANCE, etc.
Performance indicators
100%
Part-time (work-study) format1
1 month
Average time to secure employment2
100%
Employment rate
at 6 months2
100%
Percentage of graduates entering targeted professions at 6 months2
Sources: 1 Course data 2023-2024 | 2 Graduate Employment Survey 2022 & 2023
Eligibility
This programme is intended for young graduates who want to develop a specialisation or earn a double skill and professionals who want to complement their skills.
We accept applications from students holding one of the following diploma:
- Four-year Bachelor’s degree
- Three-year Bachelor’s + 3 years of professional experience*
- Level-7 RNCP certification
- Level-6 RNCP certification
- International degree equivalent to the required French degrees noted above
*apart from internship and work/study contract.
Nationals of the European Community as well as international students aged under 25 years old and who have been residing in France for at least 12 months are eligible for this programme.
This programme is accessible to people with disability.
Apply
1st step: Application
You need to fill out the application online.
You must include the required documents:
- CV
- Two letters of recommendation
- Academic transcripts achieved during your higher education
- Level of English*
The selection jury will decide on an applicant’s admissibility after reviewing their application.
The applications must be finalised no later than 10 days before the date of the interview.
2nd stage: Admission tests
Applicants deemed admissible after review of their applications then have a motivation interview.
Definitive admission is communicated to each candidate within 7 days of the date of the motivation interview. Application fee: 100 €
Calendar
Applications are accepted between October and August, subject to availability.
Given the limited number of places available, we advise applicants to apply as soon as possible.
Calendar of admissions interview sessions
Applications for the 2025 academic intake are now closed
Participant testimonials
The MSc Finance and Big Data is a truly professionalising program: first, the work-study format allows us to immediately apply what we learn, and secondly, the course structure, organised around thematic seminars, lets us fully dive into the subjects. This training enabled me to join BNP Paribas ...
Romain LAMIRAND
Financial Engineer – BNP Paribas Group LuxembourgAfter completing a curriculum focused on financial engineering, I wanted to join the MSc Finance and Big Data, which seemed like a natural next step. Indeed, seeking a dual “skill set” within a business school, the courses offered in the MSc are especially geared toward professional application, ...
Ethan DRAY
Structurer/Analyst – I-KapitalAfter two years of preparatory classes, I earned my degree from the Grande École Program with a specialisation in sustainable finance. Wanting to combine market finance and data, I chose the MSc Finance and Big Data, an English-taught program perfectly aligned with my ambition to pursue an intern...
Hafssa HALOUANI
Financial Analyst – INDITEXWith a scientific background and a degree from a Grande École program, joining the MSc Finance and Big Data was a crucial step in refining my career plan. Indeed, beyond the fact that this MSc combines traditional finance with data analysis—a rapidly growing field—it allows me to master risk mana...
Yvan Loic DJOKO TEKEU
Market Risk and P&L Analyst – Société Générale Corporate & Investment BankingContact
Our dedicated point of contact for personalised advice and support.
Practical information
Programme duration :
12 months
(One week of lessons, two weeks in the business)
Tuition fee :
€18,500
Location :
Paris
Language of instruction :
English
Next intake date :
September 2025
Entry level :
Four-year Bachelor’s degree
Degree awarded :
MSc-Master of Science accredited by the "Conférence des Grandes Ecoles" / Level 7 Qualification on the RNCP (French Register of Professional Certifications) / RNCP sheet No. 38500, Expert in massive financial data
Registration date: 21/12/2023 - NEOMA
