International finance

FACULTY Faculty of social, business and computer science
DEPARTMENT Department of Economics
PROFESSIONAL AREA Economics

Speciality: International finance

Awarded qualification: Financier

Level of qualification: Master

Length of programme: 1 year

Number of credits: 60

Field(s) of study (ISCED-F): 0412: Finance, banking and insurance (343)

Specific admission requirements: Successfully completed secondary/higher education.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning:
Formal: diplomas and academic transcripts from accredited universities.

2 semesters for Bachelors or Masters in Economics. In order to be awarded the qualification 60 credits are necessary.

Qualification requirements and regulations, including graduation requirements*:

In order to get their qualification two semester students must be allocated 60 credits -25, 5 credits from compulsory courses, 17,5 from elective courses, 2 credits from optional courses, and 15 credits from State Examinations (Thesis defence).

Profile of the programme:
Master's program "International Finance" offers specialized training on topical issues of international financial activities and in accordance with international, European and national criteria and requirements.
The program is designed for preparation of students for executives and experts with professional interests in the field of international finance, financing of international trade relations, financial analysis and reports, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, investment valuation of companies, financial and banking management, transnational nature of the banking sector.
For this purpose the study plan includes basic and specialized courses, developing knowledge and skills of students in finance, banking, financial markets and investments, sustainable finance, international finance and financial institutions on national and especially international level. Graduates of the Master's program "International Finance" can work as managers and specialists in commercial banks and insurance institutions, state and local administrations, national and international financial organizations, as well in industrial and commercial organizations, as this specialization offers a broad profile of skills suitable for the modern international activity on macro and micro level.

Programme learning outcomes:
Students who finish this specialty acquire knowledge and skills about banking, financial activities, international financial institutions, financing of international trade and the EU, analysis and evaluation of companies with international activities, preparation of financial statements, international finance and financial reporting standards, forms and methods of payment in international business, management and control of enterprises and banks.

Programme structure diagram with credits *:

№	Code	Course Title	Lectures and seminars	Out-of-class workload	Number of credits
1	38-707	International financial system	60	120	6
2	38-701	Foreign Commercial Operations	60	120	6
3	38-709	Sustainable finance and reporting	45	90	4.5
4	38-722	Banking and alternative forms of financing	45	90	4.5
5	38-705	Mergers and acquisitions in financial sector	45	90	4.5
6	38-720	Elective course – International financial reporting standards			4.5
Total for semester I					30
1	38-804	Elective course - Investment valuation	45	90	4.5
2	38-805	Elective course - International finance centers	45	90	4.5
3	38-807	Elective course - International payment methods	30	60	4.0
4	76-104	Optional course - Sport	30	30	2.0
5		Master Thesis Development		450	15.0
Total for semester II					30

* In Varna Free University, a credit equals 30 lessons, of which 10 contact hours (lectures and seminars) and 20 hours independent work.

Mode of study: full time, part time, distance learning.

Examination regulations and grading scale:
The grading of semester exams is conducted on the basis of a written examination or other form of written assessment performed in an auditorium or online and covering the entire learning material. Students are familiar with the evaluation criteria for each course.

Obligatory or optional mobility windows (if applicable): no

Work placement(s) (if applicable): no

Work-based learning: no

Occupational profiles of graduates: The specialty provides a wide-range and specialized professional realization for the graduates, who can work as corporate financial managers, financial analysts, specialists in financial budgeting, investments and restructuring capital in companies, commercial banks, non-bank institutions, fiscal and public administration specialists in operations management in commercial banks, financial houses and investment funds, consultants in the area of international finance and economic relations, consultants in the field marketing and promotion of financial services, financial - accounting advisers, portfolio and risk managers, credit experts, analysts in the field of monetary policy and monetary interventions, such as business consultants in departments of finance and accounting of national and international corporations.

Access to further studies:
Those who wish to continue their education can apply and all other master and doctoral programs at VSU.
The PhD programmes in the professional area 3.8. Economics аre:

Global Economy and International Economic Relations;
Political Economy;
Accounting, analysis and control of economic activity.

Programme Director:
Аssoc. prof. Nikolina Grozeva, PhD
tel: +359 52 359 631
e- mail: nikolina.grozeva@vfu.bg