MBA Finance Syllabus 2026: Subjects, PDF, Semester-Wise Syllabus, Books
The MBA Finance course is one of the most in-demand MBA streams. This is a two-year programme in which you study the planning and management of financial resources. Along with this, you also learn relevant managerial and administrative skills. Pursuing this course, pass-outs can easily work in top managerial positions in the financial domain. Since an MBA in finance is a very field-specific study, a background in accounting, taxation, or banking helps you excel fast in this course. However, those having no prior exposure in these fields can also opt for this specialisation. Although you’ll have to put in a little extra effort to excel in the finance subjects.Â
The MBA in finance course, like other MBA specialisations, is a 2-year course. It’s divided into 4 semesters and contains subjects like Managerial Economics, Macroeconomics, Corporate Finance, Credit Analysis, Financial Services and Wealth Management, Business Statistics, etc. Moreover, this MBA stream is offered in more than 8000 MBA colleges in the country. In this article, we break down the MBA Finance syllabus, along with exhaustive subject lists, books and more. We have also attached the MBA in Finance PDF, along with the syllabus of top MBA Finance colleges.
The MBA in Finance program is spread across 2 years or four semesters. The MBA Finance subjects build expertise in financial decision-making, markets, institutions, and related areas. Moreover, the programme includes 22 core courses (4 credits each) and various electives. This credit system may vary from institute to institute; however, the main structure remains the same. The exhaustive course structure helps to specialise in corporate finance, market finance, financial innovation, and strategy. Non-credit or foundation courses may also be offered, depending on the institution.
MBA Finance Subjects: Core Subjects
The MBA Finance core subjects form the foundation of the curriculum. They cover essential concepts in economics, accounting, financial management,t quantitative methods, financial systems, and more. These are mandatory, and they total have around 88 credits. Below is a semester-wise table listing of the core MBA finance subjects:
Semester
Course Name
Brief Description
I
Managerial Economics
Develops the ability to apply concepts and tools of microeconomics to business problems, focusing on decision-making under constraints, demand-supply analysis, market structures, and pricing strategies.
I
Business & Corporate Laws
Provides foundational knowledge of legal frameworks governing business operations, including company law, contracts, intellectual property, and corporate governance, to ensure compliance in financial decision-making.
I
Financial Accounting & Reporting
Introduces principles of financial accounting, preparation of financial statements, and reporting standards to enable accurate financial analysis and valuation for business decisions.
I
Business Mathematics & Statistics
Equips students with mathematical and statistical tools for financial modelling, data analysis, probability, and decision-making under uncertainty.
I
Management Concepts and Organisational Behaviour
Takes a functional approach to management processes, emphasizing organizational behavior, leadership, motivation, and team dynamics for effective managerial roles in finance.
I
Indian Financial System
Offers in-depth knowledge of India’s financial structure, institutions, markets, and regulations, including banking, money markets, and non-banking financial companies.
I
Financial Management
Acquaints students with analytical techniques for financial decision-making, including capital budgeting, cost of capital, leverage, and dividend policies.
II
Macro Economic Theory and Policy
Explores macroeconomic principles, fiscal and monetary policies, inflation, unemployment, and their impact on financial markets and business environments.
II
Quantitative Techniques for Management
Focuses on solving complex real-world problems using operations research tools like linear programming, network analysis, simulation, and decision theory.
II
Financial Analysis and Valuation
Enables understanding, analysis, and interpretation of financial statements for valuation using techniques like ratio analysis, cash flow forecasting, and discounted cash flow models.
II
Management Accounting and Control System
Develops skills in using accounting information for planning, control, and decision-making, including budgeting, variance analysis, and performance measurement.
II
Introductory Econometrics
Builds proficiency in econometric methods for financial data analysis, including regression models, hypothesis testing, and time-series forecasting.
II
Investment Analysis
Provides in-depth knowledge of investment vehicles, risk-return analysis, security valuation, and market efficiency theories.
II
International Finance
Offers an overview of international financial systems, exchange rates, balance of payments, and multinational financial management strategies.
III
Financial Services and Wealth Management
Familiarises students with financial services like banking, insurance, mutual funds, and wealth management strategies for high-net-worth individuals.
III
Financial Derivatives & Risk Management
Introduces tools and techniques for using derivatives (futures, options, swaps) in hedging, speculation, and risk management.
III
International Accounting
Develops conceptual understanding of international accounting standards, foreign currency transactions, and consolidated financial reporting for multinational enterprises.
III
Portfolio Management
Delves into financial markets theory, portfolio construction, asset allocation, performance evaluation, and active/passive strategies.
III
Marketing Management
Familiarises students with marketing principles, consumer behaviour, segmentation, product strategies, and digital marketing in a business context.
IV
Financial Econometrics and Equity Research
Provides knowledge of time-series econometric tools for equity valuation, forecasting, and research in financial markets.
IV
Project Planning, Appraisal and Financing
Covers aspects of project management, including planning, feasibility studies, appraisal techniques, and financing options.
IV
Strategic Financial Management
Offers insights into advanced financial techniques for decision-making in organisational structures, including mergers, restructuring, and value-based management.
MBA Finance Subjects List: Elective Subjects
The Elective subjects in MBA Finance allow students to mould their learning in their preferred niche. Varying slightly among institutes, they total to 24 credits (one 8-credit elective and 4 4-credit electives, including 2 open electives). Moreover, they are grouped into 3 elective groups, offering choices in specialised areas. These areas include fixed income, taxation, global economics, behavioural finance, and fintech. Open electives (marked with (O)) in the table below are available to students from other departments.
Elective Group 1 (Semester III: Choose any two for 8 credits total)
Course Name
Credits
Brief Description
Fixed Income Securities
4
Introduces the world of bonds and fixed income markets, focusing on valuation, risk management, yield curves, and derivatives like interest rate swaps.
Tax Planning & Management (O)
4
Covers tax laws, planning strategies for individuals and businesses, deductions, exemptions, and international taxation to minimise liabilities legally.
Global Macro Economy and Financial Crisis
4
Analyses global economic trends, macroeconomic policies, financial crises, and their impacts on markets and institutions.
Behavioural Decision Making & Negotiation Skills
4
Explores psychological aspects of decision-making, biases, negotiation techniques, and their applications in financial and business contexts.
Corporate Governance and Business Ethics
4
Equips students with knowledge of corporate conscience, ethical practices, governance mechanisms, and regulatory compliance.
Elective Group 2 (Semester IV: Choose any one for 8 credits)
Course Name
Credits
Brief Description
Research Project
8
Introduces business research methods, project design, data collection, analysis, and reporting, with evaluation including a viva-voce.
Financial Technology Innovation Project
8
Focuses on fintech concepts, innovation in financial services (e.g., blockchain, AI), project development, and business planning.
Elective Group 3 (Semester IV: Choose any two for 8 credits total)
Course Name
Credits
Brief Description
Business Analytics and Financial Modelling (O)
4
Teaches data analytics tools, financial modelling using Excel/VBA, predictive analytics, and applications in finance.
Business Strategy
4
Provides practical understanding of strategy concepts, models for decision-making, and frameworks for organisational success.
Management of Financial Institutions
4
Develops skills for applying management principles to banks, insurance companies, and other financial entities, including risk and asset-liability management.
Real Estate and Alternative Investments
4
Acquaints students with real estate markets, valuation, financing, and alternative assets like hedge funds, private equity, and commodities.
Marketing of Financial Services
4
Familiar with marketing strategies for financial products, consumer behaviour in finance, branding, and digital promotion.
Detailed MBA Finance Syllabus Semester Wise
The MBA in Finance syllabus is exhaustive and provides you with a mix of core and elective subjects. The first year of the MBA in Finance programme, covering Semesters 1 and 2, delivers a strong foundation in core management disciplines. Moreover, the second year of the MBA Finance programme, spanning Semesters 3 and 4, shifts focus to advanced and specialised finance subjects.
MBA in Finance Syllabus 1st Year
The initial year of the two-year MBA Finance emphasises core management fundamentals and involves compulsory subjects.
Semester
Subject
Key Focus Areas
Semester 1
Management Concepts & Organisational Behaviour
Principles of management, organisational design, motivation theories, and leadership styles
Managerial Economics
Demand and supply analysis, market equilibrium, pricing under different market structures
Accounting for Managers
Preparation and interpretation of financial statements, cost concepts, and ratio analysis
Business Environment and Law
Macro-economic policies, legal aspects of business, corporate governance, and ethics
Business Communication / Managerial Communication
Effective written and verbal skills, business correspondence, and negotiation techniques
Quantitative Techniques / Statistics for Management
Probability distributions, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression for decision-making
Semester 2
Financial Management
Financial planning, capital budgeting techniques, cost of capital, working capital management
Marketing Management
Marketing mix, consumer behaviour models, branding, market research fundamentals
Human Resource Management
Manpower planning, training and development, compensation management
Operations Management
Process design, inventory control, quality management basics
Business Research Methods
Formulation of research problem, sampling techniques, and data analysis tools
Strategic Management – Introductory Concepts
Strategic analysis frameworks, mission and vision formulation
MBA in Finance Syllabus 2nd Year
The second year of MBA Finance introduces advanced and specialised finance subjects. Students typically pursue elective MBA Finance subjects based on career interests in domains such as investment, banking, or corporate finance.
Semester
Subject
Key Focus Areas
Semester 3
Strategic Financial Management
Leverage decisions, dividend theories, corporate restructuring, and valuation models
Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
Equity valuation methods, modern portfolio theory, and performance evaluation metrics
Management Accounting / Advanced Cost Management
Standard costing, activity-based costing, balanced scorecard
Indian Financial System and Banking
Structure of financial markets, regulatory framework, role of RBI and SEBI
International Financial Management
Exchange rate determination, currency risk management, and international capital budgeting
Elective / Specialisation Subject I
Common options: Financial Derivatives, Corporate Taxation, Behavioural Finance, Financial Modelling
Semester 4
Financial Derivatives
Pricing of forwards, futures, options, Greeks; hedging and arbitrage strategies
Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (Advanced)
Technical and fundamental analysis, asset allocation, portfolio rebalancing
Global Finance / International Finance
Multinational financial decisions, foreign direct investment, and balance of payments
Project Finance / Infrastructure Finance
Project appraisal techniques, risk analysis in large projects, and PPP models
Elective / Specialisation Subject II
Common options: Risk Management, FinTech and Digital Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Treasury Management
Project Work / Dissertation / Summer Internship Report
Independent research or applied project in the finance domain, often linked to industry exposure
Download MBA in Finance Syllabus PDF
Below is the MBA in finance syllabus in a downloadable PDF for your reference.Â
MBA in Finance programmes in India rely on a mix of standard international textbooks and Indian-authored reference books. These resources cover foundational management subjects in the first year and advanced finance topics in the second year.
MBA Finance Books for First Year (Semesters 1 & 2)
Subject
Recommended Book
Author(s)
Management Concepts & Organisational Behaviour
Organisational Behaviour
Stephen P. Robbins, Timothy A. Judge, Seema Sanghi
Managerial Economics
Managerial Economics
D.N. Dwivedi
Accounting for Managers
Financial Accounting for Management
Amrish Gupta / T.S. Grewal (adapted versions)
Financial Management
Financial Management: Theory & Practice
Prasanna Chandra
Marketing Management
Marketing Management
Philip Kotler, Kevin Lane Keller, Abraham Koshy, Jha
Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management: Text and Cases
K. Aswathappa
Quantitative Techniques / Statistics for Management
Quantitative Techniques for Managerial Decisions
R. B. Khanna / Levin & Rubin
Business Research Methods
Business Research Methods
Donald R. Cooper, Pamela S. Schindler / Uma Sekaran
MBA Finance Books for Second Year (Semesters 3 & 4)
Subject
Recommended Book
Author(s)
Strategic Financial Management
Strategic Financial Management
Prasanna Chandra
Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
Frank K. Reilly, Keith C. Brown / Prasanna Chandra
Indian Financial System and Banking
Indian Financial System
M.Y. Khan
International Financial Management
International Financial Management
Jeff Madura / Cheol S. Eun, Bruce G. Resnick
Financial Derivatives
Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives
John C. Hull
Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (Advanced)
Security Analysis
Benjamin Graham, David Dodd (classic) / Investments by Bodie, Kane, Marcus
Management Accounting / Advanced Cost Management
Management Accounting
Anthony A. Atkinson, Robert S. Kaplan / M.N. Arora
FAQs
Is MBA Finance Difficult?
MBA in Finance is considered moderately challenging. However, all depends on the candidate’s background. It requires strong analytical skills, a clear understanding of financial markets, and quantitative aptitude. It has been seen that students with commerce, economics, or engineering backgrounds often find it manageable. However, students from non-stem streams may need extra effort in subjects like financial modelling and derivatives. Consistent practice and case studies make it achievable for most.
Is MBA Finance Full of Maths?
MBA in Finance involves a significant amount of mathematics, but not at an advanced theoretical level. Core subjects like Financial Management, Investment Analysis, Derivatives, and Portfolio Management use concepts such as time value of money, probability, statistics, calculus, and linear algebra. The focus remains on application rather than pure mathematics. Students weak in maths can cope with regular practice and the use of financial calculators or software.
How Many Semesters Are in MBA Finance?
The standard MBA in Finance programme in India is a full-time two-year course divided into four semesters. This structure applies to most institutions, including IIMs, XLRI, FMS, and private B-schools. Some executive or part-time programmes may vary in duration, but the full-time flagship MBA remains four semesters.
Is MBA Finance Equal to CA?
No, MBA in Finance and Chartered Accountancy (CA) are not equivalent. CA is a professional accounting qualification focused on auditing, taxation, and compliance, governed by ICAI. MBA in Finance emphasises strategic financial management, investment, banking, and corporate finance. While there is some overlap in financial accounting, the two differ significantly in scope, depth, and career paths.
Who Is Eligible for MBA Finance?
Eligibility for MBA in Finance typically requires a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) from a recognised university. Candidates must appear for national-level entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, CMAT, or GMAT, followed by group discussions and personal interviews. Final-year students can also apply, subject to completing their degree before admission.
How to Prepare for an MBA in Finance?
To prepare for MBA in Finance, focus on clearing entrance exams like CAT or XAT by practising quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, verbal ability, and logical reasoning. Strengthen basics in accounting, economics, and finance through standard books. Read financial newspapers, understand market trends, and practise case studies. Gain work experience if possible and prepare for GD/PI rounds to showcase analytical and communication skills.
What Kind of Jobs After MBA Finance?
Graduates with an MBA in Finance secure roles such as Investment Banker, Financial Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Corporate Finance Manager, Risk Manager, Treasury Manager, Equity Research Analyst, and Credit Analyst. Opportunities exist in banks, NBFCs, mutual funds, investment firms, consulting companies, and corporates. Top recruiters include Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Deloitte, KPMG, HDFC Bank, and multinational financial institutions.
Abhijeet Chatterjee is a professional Content and Copy specialist with over five years of experience in crafting compelling content around the Edtech domain. His portfolio includes notable work for companies such as PhysicsWallah, Roar Media, Jagran Josh, etc. Academically, Abhijeet holds a Master's in Mass Communication, where he was awarded a gold medal for his outstanding performance. He has also qualified for the UGC NET in Mass Communication, demonstrating his expertise and a deep understanding of the field. His academic foundation is built on a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. Beyond his professional work, Abhijeet is an avid writer and a cinephile. His personal interests include scriptwriting, film criticism, and reading novels.
