On June 17th, the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University celebrated a remarkable milestone as its Master of Finance (MF) Program was ranked No.8 globally by the Financial Times Masters in Finance 2024 Ranking. This achievement marks a new pinnacle for the program and solidifies its status as a world-class finance education provider.
Established in 2011, the FT Masters in Finance Ranking is one of the most respected and influential evaluations of its kind on a global scale. The SAIF MF Program has been ranked No.1 in Asia by FT for three consecutive times.
This year's list of FT ranking includes 65 business schools which are evaluated across three dimensions, "Alumni Career Progress", "School Diversity", and "International Experience, Research and Carbon Footprint".
SAIF's MF Program demonstrated its comprehensive competitiveness and industry impact through outstanding performance in several crucial criteria, such as “Salary today” (2nd globally), “Careers service” (3rd globally and 1st in Asia), and “Alumni network” (7th globally).
Prof. Shijun Cheng, Executive Dean and Professor of Accounting at SAIF, commented on this achievement, stating that the MF program's achievement is a testament to SAIF's strategy of internationalization and its commitment to the goal of becoming a world-class institution of finance education, striving both for advancements in talent training and for excellence in academic and applied research.
As the flagship program of SAIF, the MF program, since its inception in the fall of 2009, has always been aiming at cultivating future leaders in the field of finance. The program currently provides two tracks: the MF-General track and the MF-FinTech track. The MF-FinTech track was launched in 2019, and its graduates participated for the first time in the ranking this year.
The MF program has comprehensive collaborations with renowned international institutions, including Columbia University, the University of California at Berkeley, and the London School of Economics and Political Science. Moreover, SAIF has established an International Expert Board of Program Development composed of senior executives from leading global financial institutions to invaluable strategic guidance.
"SAIF's MF program strives not only to equip students with robust professional skills but also to cultivate their independent critical thinking and a global mindset," stated Professor David X. Li, Academic Director of the MF program. "The program boasts a faculty of rich research and practical experience, a leading and continually innovative curriculum, an engaging career development center, and a committed operations team. By initially pioneering a Master of Finance program that assimilates the best finance knowledge in China and globally and later introducing the new FinTech track, incorporating advances in machine learning and computer science, SAIF continues to innovate in finance education. The program has also done meticulous work in admissions, curriculum, career development, operations management, and alumni networking. It is precisely this spirit of continuous innovation and down-to-earth pursuit of excellence that has garnered high recognition from both academia and industry. Looking ahead, we will continue with this spirit to groom globally competitive financial talents for China and the world."
SAIF's Career Development Center (CDC) actively adapts to the ever-changing industry landscape, inspiring students to explore their career paths, aligning their personal choices with global industry demands. The CDC meticulously designs customized training programs (CPTP), covering various job sectors, and partners with outstanding domestic and international platforms to introduce activities such as career assessment workshops, specialized training camps, and mock interviews. Students not only gain access to opportunities at renowned financial institutions or multinational companies, but also discover the fit of their unique personal qualities with industry needs. Additionally, CDC actively engages the students with alumni and industry partners through the AiM+ Mentorship Program, deepening their understanding of development in finance and most promising career paths.
The MF program accepts applications internationally. In the Class of 2023, for instance, international students come from 10 countries and regions. Applicants from mainland China are typically recommended by top universities. Students at SAIF not only learn cutting-edge knowledge in finance but also enjoy a diversified life.
As a leading business school with a focus on finance, SAIF currently offers five degree programs: Master of Finance, Finance MBA, Finance EMBA, PhD, and Global Executive Scholars (GES), as well as executive education and certificate programs, such as the newly launched Chartered Global FinTech (CGFT) Certificate Program. Looking forward, SAIF as an institution of higher education will continue to contribute to research and education in finance and management.
