For Francisco Malheiro, enrolling in the Master in Finance at IE Business School was a strategic decision. After completing his bachelor’s degree in economics and gaining experience in M&A at Deloitte, he knew he wanted to move into private equity. To make that transition, he needed a program that would strengthen his technical foundation and accelerate his career.
Francisco was looking for more than academic knowledge. He wanted a program that reflected the realities of the finance industry and offered direct exposure to practitioners. And after speaking to alumni of IE Business School, he decided to apply.
Real-world learning and career-relevant skills
When asked what he values most about his experience so far, Francisco cites the applicability and practicality of the program.
“The Master in Finance gives me the skills to succeed in the job market. I see it like a one-year bootcamp that prepares you for real work life. The approach is very practical and the courses are extremely relevant.”
One reason for this, he says, is the faculty’s high level of industry experience. “The professors are all practitioners working in the industry, which means you’re actually learning what you need to learn to be a successful professional.”
For him, that industry connection was essential. Learning from professionals who actively work in investment banking, private equity and global markets ensures that classroom content is aligned with current market demands. This practical orientation, combined with clear specializations, made the program feel targeted and purposeful.
A collaborative environment
The Master in Finance goes beyond classroom learning, using projects to help students put their skills to work from day one. Rather than focusing primarily on theory, the program emphasizes application and teamwork. Francisco explains, “They teach you how to work in teams, how to manage your time effectively and how to present a good deliverable at the end.”
These projects simulate real business scenarios, pushing students to collaborate under pressure and deliver results at a professional standard. This applied approach continues into the final stage of the program with the final Capstone Project, where students work on a valuation for a real financial institution.
For Francisco, this directly supports his career goals. “Instead of spending my time doing academic research, which, personally, for me, doesn’t make that much sense according to my objectives, I will be spending that time valuing a company in partnership with a bank. And that, for me, is practical and useful.”
Clear differentiators in a competitive market
In a crowded landscape of finance master’s degrees, Francisco sees distinct differences that set this program apart and give him a competitive advantage in the job market.
“Most of the people who are doing the master’s already have some relevant work experience. So we are in the middle of the class discussing a situation, and there’s always someone who has some experience related to what we are discussing.”
This professional maturity, combined with the diversity of cultures and backgrounds in the IE Community, enriches classroom discussions and creates a more dynamic learning environment. Students are not only absorbing content but also sharing insights drawn from real transactions and real clients.
Another differentiator has been the career support provided. “IE Talent & Careers gives us access to many ways of preparing for interviews, including platforms to train for online assessments. Every time we have an interview, we can talk to them, and they can do a mock interview with us.”
This proactive guidance ensures students are ready for competitive recruitment processes in investment banking, private equity and beyond. Importantly, the support does not end at graduation.
“After you graduate, they try to make sure that everyone is happy with their careers, and if there’s anything that they can do to help us, they will.”
The Master in Finance is more than a one-year degree; it’s a career-accelerating platform that will serve you throughout your professional life.
A globally oriented, career-driven experience
For Francisco, the Master in Finance represents more than a degree. It is an intensive pathway into competitive areas of finance, supported by practitioner faculty, an ambitious international cohort and strong career services.
When asked to share advice for prospective students, Francisco does make one recommendation. “Things happen quite fast in this master’s, so having some work experience helps you develop the resilience and work ethic that you need.” The structure is concentrated and demanding, designed to replicate the speed of real financial environments.
Through authentic industry exposure, practical learning and long-term support, the program delivers on its promise: equipping motivated professionals with the tools, mindset and network needed to succeed in global finance.
Benjamin is the editor of Uncover IE. His writing is featured in the LAMDA Verse and Prose Anthology Vol. 19, The Primer and Moonflake Press. Benjamin provided translation for “FalseStuff: La Muerte de las Musas”, winner of Best Theatre Show at the Max Awards 2024.
Benjamin was shortlisted for the Bristol Old Vic Open Sessions 2016 and the Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize 2023.
