ESCP’s Master’s in Finance tops the Financial Times 2026 ranking

According to Thomas, the programme was designed from the outset to enable students from diverse backgrounds to excel in a highly competitive sector such as finance. “Year after year, we continue to deliver on this promise thanks to the quality of our programme, the dedication of our teaching staff and support staff, and the talent and commitment of our students,” he emphasises.

One of the distinctive features of the Master’s programme is the combination of academic rigour and practical application. The programme offers specialisations in Corporate Investment Banking and Financial Markets, as well as the option to follow a Global Track, allowing students to tailor their study plan to their professional aspirations.

On an international level, the programme ranks second in the world both in terms of the international experience it offers students and the international career mobility of its graduates, confirming a global outlook that is one of the business school’s defining characteristics.

“ESCP is redefining management education by nurturing students’ so-called ‘mad skills’—those unique and unconventional talents that complement traditional technical, leadership and ethical skills,” says Professor Léon Laulusa, Executive President and Dean of ESCP Business School. “This distinctive educational ecosystem ensures that ESCP graduates are not merely highly qualified, but truly unique and irreplaceable in the world of work. Being ranked number one in the world for the fourth consecutive year is a powerful recognition of our commitment to training responsible, courageous and creative leaders.”

The teaching approach of the Master’s in Finance is designed to produce well-rounded professionals, combining technical expertise with the development of soft skills, the ability to make ethical decisions, and critical thinking. The curriculum includes core modules such as financial economics and business ethics and conduct, and also comprises a compulsory four-month placement and the completion of a Master’s thesis based on academic research.

The international dimension is also evident in the composition of the class. Students come from a wide variety of academic backgrounds — ranging from engineering to pharmaceutical sciences, and from the humanities to political and social sciences — and represent numerous nationalities, helping to create a multicultural environment that fosters collaboration and the exchange of perspectives.