EDHEC's MSc in Finance programme has just been selected as a programme partner with the CFA institute, offering more students the chance to graduate with  an MSc and at the same time, prepare a professional diploma.

The CFA programme sets a standard for developing the skills, standards, competence and integrity of financial analysts, portfolio managers, investment advisers and other investment professionals worldwide and is the investment profession's most rigorous credentialing qualification. Fewer than 1 in 5 candidates actually receive the charter.

David Hampton, EDHEC's MSc in Finance programme manager explained that his programme covers almost 100% of the Candidate Body of Knowledge, going far beyond the required CFA syllabus and exploring themes in much greater detail. By mastering these fundamentals, the MSc in Finance, students are well on their way to earning the highly-valued CFA charter. He explained that this recognition by the CFA and the fact that EDHEC is among only 26 other partner institutions worldwide, are proof that EDHEC's finance programmes correspond to what is expected in the industry's professional exams. It also corresponds to the quality of EDHEC's Finance and Risk & Asset Management faculty of which more than 50% are directly involved in the major professionally designated programmes such as the Professional Risk Manager Programme (PRMP), the Financial Risk Manager Programme (FRMP) and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) programme.

The MSc in Finance is geared to prepare a career in corporate or capital market finance and its contents are based on a rich blend of CFA programme material and the findings of EDHEC's own Risk and Asset Management Research Centre. It provides students with a course unparalleled in terms of quality and originality and paves the way for high-potential graduates seeking a career in corporate financial strategy, investment banking, financial accounting, reporting & analysis, risk management and equity & fixed income traditional and alternative portfolio management.

The new partnership offers scholarships worth US $585 of the usual US $735 fee which will be given to five EDHEC students registering for the exam each year and institute textbooks, journals, webcasts, and other educational resources will be made available. EDHEC's MSc in Finance students will also benefit from professional development events held in conjunction with the CFA Society, charter holders, and members.

EDHEC hopes this new partnership with the CFA Institute will lead to the development of future professional events and research work in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.