A STEM-designated master's from one of the top US business schools, in the heart of Boston's finance industry. Questrom's MSF gives you rigorous training in corporate finance, investments and financial modelling — and qualifies you for up to three years of work in the US on OPT.
~1 year
Full-time duration
$69,870
Tuition / year (intl.)
Aug 2026
Next intake (Fall)
TOEFL 100
English requirement
Overview
✓ Study at a top US business school(AACSB · QS #88) in the heart of financial Boston
✓ A STEM-designated MSF — qualify for 36-month OPT work authorisation
✓ Specialise in corporate finance, asset management, fintech or investment analysis
This full-time MSF builds rigorous, applied expertise in modern finance — corporate finance, investments, financial econometrics, derivatives and fixed income. You'll work with real market data and build a professional network across Boston's asset-management and banking sector.
Graduates step into investment banking, asset management, corporate finance and fintech roles across the US and the GCC — and, because the program is STEM-designated, qualify to work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Your counsellor helps you compare and apply to multiple programmes simultaneously — at no cost.
Entry requirements
What you'll need
Academic
Bachelor's degree in any discipline, GPA 3.0+
Background
Quantitative coursework (statistics, calculus); finance exposure a plus
English
TOEFL iBT 100 / IELTS 7.0
GMAT / GRE
Required (waivers for strong quantitative profiles)
Documents
Resume, essays, 2 recommendations, passport
💡
Worried about the GMAT/GRE or your quantitative background? We match you to the right MSF — including waiver-friendly options — at no cost.
What you'll study
Core modules
01 Corporate Finance
02 Investments & Portfolio Management
03 Financial Econometrics
04 Derivatives & Risk Management
05 Fixed Income & Valuation
06 Applied Finance Project
After you graduate
Career outcomes
$80,000+
Median starting salary in US finance roles
3-year OPT
STEM-designated work authorisation
92%
Employed within 3 months of graduating
Top recruiters
Fidelity, State Street, Goldman Sachs, PwC, Wellington
How to apply
Application timeline
June – September 2025
Prepare your application
Take GMAT/GRE (or request a waiver), draft your essays, update your resume, and gather two recommendations. Your counsellor reviews everything free of charge.
October 2025 (R1) / January 2026 (R2) / April 2026 (R3)
Submit your application
BU Questrom reviews applications in rounds with a priority deadline (typically January). Applying early gives the best funding consideration. Your counsellor submits and tracks your application.
4–6 weeks after submission
Interview & decision
Selected candidates are invited for an interview (virtual or in-person). Decisions and scholarship offers follow within 2–3 weeks.
April – July 2026
Accept, I-20 & F-1 visa
Accept your offer, pay your deposit, receive your I-20 from BU, pay the SEVIS fee ($350), and attend your F-1 visa interview.
August 2026
Orientation & start
Arrive in Boston for orientation, then begin your first semester at BU Questrom.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees & costs
Tuition (international)
Per annum
$69,870
Total programme cost
~1 year (full programme)
~$70,000
Enrolment deposit
Required to confirm seat & I-20
$1,000
SEVIS fee (I-901)
One-time US government fee
$350
Scholarships
Funding you may be eligible for
Questrom Dean's Scholarship
Boston University · Merit-based
$10,000–$25,000
Coverage: Tuition fee reduction per year
Eligibility: Admitted MSF students with strong GMAT/GRE + academics
Duration: Full programme
Deadline: Round 1 applicants get best consideration
Source: bu.edu/questrom, 2026
Forté Fellowship (Women in Business)
Forté Foundation · Women only
$20,000+
Coverage: Tuition fee reduction + networking community
Eligibility: Women admitted to Forté-member business master's
Duration: Full programme
Deadline: Automatic consideration on admission
Source: fortefoundation.org, 2026
Government Scholarships (home country)
Saudi SACM, Kuwaiti MOHE, etc.
Full award
Coverage: Tuition + living expenses + flights
Eligibility: Varies by country — master's at a ranked US school
Duration: Full programme
Deadline: Varies — your counsellor checks eligibility
Source: sacm.org.sa / mohe.gov.kw, 2026
Loans & financing
Alternative funding options
Prodigy / MPOWER Finance
International student loan · No cosigner
Up to $100,000
Designed for international master's students at top-ranked US universities. No cosigner required; rates based on future earning potential. Boston University is an eligible school.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Paid internship during your master's
Full-time in summer
Finance students can do paid internships via CPT. Summer finance internships in Boston pay $6,000–$10,000/month at asset managers and banks — offsetting costs and building your US resume.
Living costs
Monthly budget in Boston
Boston is a major (and pricier) US student city, but it places you at the centre of one of the world's largest asset-management hubs — with unmatched internship and career access.
Rent (shared apartment)$1,200–$2,000
Food & groceries$350–$550
Transport (MBTA pass)$90
Health insurance (univ.)$200–$280
Books & supplies$50–$100
Personal & leisure$200–$450
Estimated total$2,140–$3,540/month
F-1 visa financial proof: Boston living expenses run ~$25,000–$32,000/year in addition to tuition — shown via bank statements or a sponsor letter.
Student visa
F-1 visa requirements
Visa type
F-1 Student Visa
I-20 required
Certificate of Eligibility issued by Boston University
SEVIS fee (I-901)
$350 (one-time, paid before interview)
Visa application fee
$185
Financial proof
~$100,000 for the programme (tuition + Boston living)
Post-graduation (OPT)
12 months + 24 months STEM extension = 36 months
📋
Your counsellor guides you through the full F-1 process — from I-20 to embassy interview preparation.
Student stories
Hear from our students
"BU's MS in Finance put me right in Boston's asset-management world. The STEM designation gives me 3 years to work in the US. My internship at a Boston fund turned into a full-time offer. My counsellor guided the whole application."
TK
Tariq K.
MS in Finance, BU Questrom — Class of 2026 · 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
"Boston is perfect for finance — Fidelity, State Street and dozens of funds are right here. The applied finance project gave me real-world experience with live market data that made all the difference in interviews."
SM
Salma M.
MS in Finance, BU Questrom — Class of 2025 · 🇪🇬 Egypt
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a GMAT waiver?
Many US master's programmes, including BU Questrom, offer GMAT/GRE waivers for candidates with strong quantitative academics or professional certifications. Your counsellor assesses your waiver eligibility and advises whether a score strengthens your application.
What does STEM-designated mean for me?
A STEM-designated degree qualifies graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension — giving you 36 months total to work in the US after graduation (vs 12 months otherwise). BU's MSF is STEM, so you get the full 3 years — a major advantage for international students.
What background do I need?
The MSF is designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals with a quantitative foundation (statistics, calculus) — no work experience required. A finance or economics background helps but isn't mandatory. Your counsellor helps position your profile.
Can I do a paid internship during the master's?
Yes. Finance students do paid internships via CPT (Curricular Practical Training). Boston finance internships pay $6,000–$10,000/month at asset managers and banks — and many full-time offers come from internships.
Why study finance at BU Questrom?
BU Questrom pairs a STEM-designated, quantitatively rigorous MSF with an unbeatable location — Boston is one of the world's largest asset-management centres (Fidelity, State Street, Wellington). AACSB-accredited, strong placement, and a direct pipeline into US finance careers.
