Start Your Financial Career in Geneva
The Finance and Economics majors at Webster Geneva Campus are designed for students
who are looking for a personal, rigorous business education that leads to: entry-level
positions in financial, managerial and administrative areas of companies in the private
sector or similar public sector roles; or entry into graduate and professional schools
of business, economics, law and social sciences. Courses are taught by PhD faculty
who are highly qualified and renowned experts, many of whom publish articles and books
in their respective fields.
Following a core set of courses that are common to all business majors (Business Administration, Management, etc), students branch out into their major subjects (see below). Students often pursue internships at the end of their second or third year — a unique opportunity arising from strong ties to the local business community in Geneva.
Many of the courses that make up the Finance and Economics majors are taught across the global Webster network of campuses, and all business majors are encouraged to consider a Study Abroad experience. This gives students the opportunity to gain a truly global perspective while advancing toward graduation with their major course requirements.
Bachelor Programs in Finance and Economics
Academic Catalog Links
The following are links to the specific program requirements and courses in each major in Webster University's official academic catalog:
Minor in Economics
Minor in Finance
As a Finance major, you’ll learn from expert faculty with global experience, like Dr. Fabio de Castro, who teaches Investments and is an expert on financial markets, derivatives and asset management. Previously, de Castro was in business development and marketing positions at Unilever and IFF (International Flavors and Fragrances) in Brazil, France, Spain and Singapore.
You’ll learn about commodities, trade finance, digital economy, the energy sector and international economics from a leading expert, Dr. Rouben Indjikian, who worked nearly 30 years at UNCTAD where, as an economist and manager, he was in charge of analysis, policy advice and technical assistance in the areas of international trade, finance, and e-commerce. His course on the Digital Economy is a popular elective in the program.
Students interested by entrepreneurial aspects of financial management can also take our Certificate in Entrepreneurship as part of their degree program.
Geneva is a great place to gain real-world experience as you study Finance and Economics. Our city has an international reputation as a financial center, with a 500-year tradition as a center of trade, an ideal geographic location in a secure and competitive economy, and because of the city’s reliability and trust for quality standards.
Multinational Companies
Geneva's location in the heart of Europe and its proximity to Africa and the Middle East, its highly skilled, multilingual workforce and its political stability and safety make it particularly attractive to multinationals. Around 130 multinational companies are based in Geneva Lake region. They are predominantly involved in trading, banking, watchmaking, fragrances, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology and in luxury.
All of these firms need new, highly-trained talents, and many provide internship opportunities. The quality of universities and research in Lake Geneva region contributes to making Geneva a key player in the future — including in sustainable finance — and Webster Geneva Campus provides talented alumni employed by major companies across the region.
Geneva as a Finance Center
Studying Finance in Geneva gives you access to a rich and forward-thinking business community in the world of Finance. More than 3,200 finance-related companies operate here and account for more than 35,600 jobs in our region. There are 92 banks in Geneva, including 22 commercial and investment banks and 51 foreign-owned banks. In addition, there are hundreds of independent financial advisors, financial intermediaries, insurance companies and accounting firms based here.
Trade Finance
No other financial center in the world boasts the same concentration of skills as
Geneva in areas related to commodity trading. This unique constellation comprises
the main banking institutions with expertise in trade financing, leaders in this sector,
including the global leader in inspection and certification, not to mention the large
numbers of consulting firms and law firms that provide essential services to this
industry. Geneva is the global leader in trade finance.
Shipping
Most goods traded internationally are transported by ship. A unique feature of Geneva
is the interconnectedness of service providers for the shipping industry, from banks
to inspection companies, and this explains why the world's second largest shipping
company chose to locate in Geneva — even while Switzerland is located in a landlocked
country. Today, the Lake Geneva trading center accounts for around 22% of the total
volume of commodities shipped worldwide.
Sustainable Finance
Geneva has become a veritable laboratory of sustainable finance, due to the convergence
of finance and international development in the city. Sustainable finance seeks to
incorporate environmental and good governance criteria into investment decisions,
for the benefit of clients as well as society as a whole. The Geneva Financial Center
endorses this initiative through its support for Sustainable Finance Geneva.
Fintech
Financial services are in the midst of a digital transformation. And Geneva banks
are not only well positioned to manage this transition, but are also playing a central
role in shaping the industry’s digital future. Geneva boasts outstanding infrastructure
and experience in data management. The Geneva Financial Center takes part in the activities
of the association Swiss FinTech Innovations.
Universities and Research
Geneva boasts first-rate universities and research institutes specializing in areas as diverse as international relations and life sciences. The presence of 600 companies actively pursuing research and development make Geneva a center of innovation and technical excellence. Geneva's Financial Center supports educational initiatives that range from apprenticeships to basic research, as well as professional and continuing education.
“Transferring my prior Swiss university credits to Webster allowed me to complete a bachelor’s degree, a highly valuable internship and a thesis in only 2 1/2 years, preparing me for my postgraduate studies.”
Alec Rochat
BS in Finance, ’19
Alec on Building a Professional Network
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