bachelor thesis example finance

Best Online Bachelor's in Finance

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Updated November 30, 2023

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An online bachelor's degree in finance prepares students for careers in the financial industry and for graduate study.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that roles for financial advisors — a popular job for graduates with a bachelor of finance — will grow by 13% from 2022-2032. Financial advisors enjoy lucrative careers, earning a median annual salary of $95,390.

Featured Online Bachelor's in Finance Programs

Best online bachelor's in finance degrees programs.

The school and/or program descriptions below were drafted using natural language generation technology and have been edited for clarity and accuracy. The data is primarily sourced from government databases such as IPEDS – see sources section for more details.

These rankings include TheBestSchools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. from our partners. We use publicly available provisional datasets from Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to inform the data for these schools. All data is current as of the date this article was published. Program-specific information may vary.

#1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Florida International University

• Online + Campus

Florida International University boasts a robust hybrid learning environment, supporting both in-person and online education modalities across 81 bachelor's degrees. The school's bachelor of business administration in finance is an ideal choice for students seeking to advance in a finance-related career. Graduates can enter the workforce or pursue further education, such as a master's degree.

Learners can receive guidance throughout their finance studies, through career services, academic advising, and other resources. Degree-seekers can connect with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities, such as scholarships and federal financial aid. Incoming enrollees receive an average of $9,917 in financial aid awards.

Florida International University at a Glance:

Type of School: Public

Admission Rate: 58%

Student-Faculty Ratio: 25-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $4,721

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $16,529

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $41,500

#2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Southern New Hampshire University

• Manchester, NH

Southern New Hampshire University, a private school located in Manchester, supports both in-person and online learning across 63 bachelor's degrees. Of these online programs, the bachelor of science in accounting finance stands out as a wise option for students seeking flexible, industry-relevant study. Graduates can enter the workforce or pursue further education, such as a master's degree.

Degree-seekers can access career services, academic advising, and other success-geared resources while enrolled in the finance program. Enrollees can meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss funding opportunities, available scholarships, and their eligibility.

Southern New Hampshire University at a Glance:

Type of School: Private

Admission Rate: 94%

Student-Faculty Ratio: 21-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $9,600

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $9,600

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $43,300

#3 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Excelsior University

Learners who need flexible study options can choose from in-person and online bachelor's degrees at Excelsior University. Students seeking the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the finance field can enroll in the school's online bachelor of science in business program. Graduates can apply their knowledge to further studies in business or finance, such as a master's degree.

Enrollees benefit from institutional resources throughout their program. Prospective applicants can meet with financial aid counselors to determine their eligibility for scholarships, grants, and other financial aid.

Excelsior College at a Glance:

Student-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1

#4 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Grand Canyon University

• Phoenix, AZ

A leader in hybrid education, Grand Canyon University supports 67 bachelor's degrees, 39 of which are available online. For those interested in the finance field, the school's bachelor of science in finance is a wise choice. The bachelor's program prepares students for the demands of a finance career or for graduate studies.

Career services and academic advising are just two of the numerous institutional resources centering on student success. Learners can meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss funding opportunities, available scholarships, and their eligibility.

Grand Canyon University at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 81%

Undergrad Tuition In State: $16,424

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $16,424

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $36,000

#5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Thomas Edison State University

• Trenton, NJ

Individuals seeking flexible study can choose from in-person or online bachelor's degree options at Thomas Edison State University. The online bachelor of science in business administration in finance program helps participants develop industry-relevant knowledge and skills. Graduates can pursue an industry-relevant career or go on to study at the graduate level.

Learners can receive guidance throughout their studies, through career services, academic advising, and other resources. Prospective students may be eligible for funding options, such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants.

Thomas Edison State University at a Glance:

Student-Faculty Ratio: 20-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $7,182

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $9,342

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $50,900

#6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

• Birmingham, AL

The University of Alabama at Birmingham boasts a robust hybrid educational environment, supporting both in-person and online learning modalities across 51 bachelor's degrees. The online bachelor of science in finance program helps learners gain industry-relevant knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field. The program prepares students for the demands of a finance career or for graduate studies.

Career services and academic advising are just two of the numerous institutional resources centering on student success. Enrollees also gain access to financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, depending on their eligibility. The average financial aid award available through the school is $8,815.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham at a Glance:

Undergrad Tuition In State: $8,568

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $20,400

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $39,400

#7 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Capella University

• Minneapolis, MN

Capella University, a Minneapolis-based private school boasts in-person and online study across 28 bachelor's programs. For students seeking to advance in the finance field, the bachelor of science in business with a concentration in finance is a wise choice. The finance program helps participants gain the discipline needed to complete graduate studies.

Undergraduates benefit from institutional support throughout their program. Learners can meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss funding opportunities, available scholarships, and their eligibility.

Capella University at a Glance:

Student-Faculty Ratio: 32-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $14,148

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $14,148

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $51,500

#8 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is a leader in hybrid education, supporting 39 bachelor's degree options, all of which are available online. Individuals seeking flexible study relevant to the finance field can benefit from the school's bachelor of science in business with a financial planning certificate. After completing the program, learners can apply their knowledge to a finance career or graduate studies.

Finance students can access institutional support throughout the program. Prospective applicants may be eligible for funding options including scholarships and federal aid.

University of Phoenix at a Glance:

Student-Faculty Ratio: 77-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $9,552

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $9,552

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $34,200

#9 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

National University

• San Diego, CA

National University, located in San Diego, California, provides 52 bachelor's programs and offers dual modalities. Students seeking the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the finance field can pursue the school's online bachelor of science in financial management. The finance program prepares participants for the demands of a career or graduate program in the field.

Learners seeking academic or professional guidance can benefit from career services, academic advising, and other institutional resources while enrolled. Degree-seekers have access to financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, depending on their eligibility.

National University at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 89%

Student-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $13,320

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $13,320

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $51,900

#10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Dakota State University

• Madison, SD

A leader in hybrid education, Dakota State University supports 28 bachelor's degrees, 13 of which are available online. Individuals seeking the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the finance field can enroll in the school's online bachelor of business administration in finance program. After graduating, learners can pursue careers or postgraduate study relevant to the finance field.

The college provides comprehensive support for new students, including financial aid advising. Dedicated financial aid counselors can help degree-seekers understand available funding options, including scholarships and student loans. The school reports that enrollees are awarded $4,424 in financial aid, on average.

Dakota State University at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 84%

Student-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $7,541

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $10,611

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $35,400

#11 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Johnson & Wales University

• Providence, RI

Johnson & Wales University, a private school based in Providence, Rhode Island, supports online learning across 27 bachelor's programs. The school's bachelor of science in finance stands out as a competitive option for students looking to succeed in the field. Finance graduates can pursue industry-relevant careers or go on to study at the master's level.

The institution connects learners with success-oriented resources, such as career services and academic advising, throughout their program. Enrollees also gain access to financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, depending on their eligibility.

Johnson & Wales University at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 36%

Student-Faculty Ratio: 11-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $13,365

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $13,365

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $33,400

#12 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Louisiana State University Shreveport

• Shreveport, LA

Learners seeking flexible study can choose from in-person and online bachelor's degree options at Louisiana State University Shreveport. The school's bachelor of science in finance prepares graduates for the demands of a career in the field through rigorous study, relevant coursework, and experiential learning opportunities. After graduating, individuals can pursue finance careers or postgraduate study relevant to the field.

Undergraduate students benefit from institutional support throughout their program. Enrollees also gain access to financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships and federal funding, depending on their eligibility. Incoming degree-seekers receive an average of $10,090 in financial aid awards.

Louisiana State University Shreveport at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 83%

Student-Faculty Ratio: 28-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $5,656

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $5,656

#13 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Dickinson State University

• Dickinson, ND

Learners seeking flexible study can choose from in-person and online bachelor's programs at Dickinson State University. The school offers a bachelor of business administration in finance, which equips participants with the skills needed to succeed in a finance career. Graduates can apply their knowledge and skills to graduate-level studies in the field or a finance position.

Students can access career services, academic advising, and other success-geared resources while enrolled in the finance program. Degree-seekers can meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss funding opportunities, available scholarships, and eligibility requirements. Financial aid enables student success, with 93% of all enrollees receiving aid and 36% graduating.

Dickinson State University at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 99%

Student-Faculty Ratio: 13-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,474

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $8,294

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $42,300

#14 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

University of Maryland Global Campus

• Adelphi, MD

Based in Adelphi, University of Maryland Global Campus supports remote study opportunities for learners across the country. The school's bachelor of science in finance introduces participants to foundational finance concepts while helping them build general skills, such as communication and critical thinking. After the program, graduates can pursue a finance-specific career or master's studies.

The college provides comprehensive support for new students, including financial aid advising. Dedicated financial aid counselors can help learners understand available funding options, including scholarships and student loans. Enrollees receive $3,784 in financial aid on average, with 55% of all degree-seekers benefiting from aid of some kind.

University of Maryland Global Campus at a Glance:

Undergrad Tuition In State: $7,200

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $11,976

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $47,700

#15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

The University of Massachusetts Amherst

• Amherst, MA

The University of Massachusetts Amherst, a leader in hybrid education, offers 84 bachelor's programs, nine of which are available online. The school delivers a bachelor's degree in corporate finance, with a robust curriculum that equips learners with the skills needed to succeed in a finance career. The knowledge and skills gained from these studies can benefit graduates in a finance career or in further educational pursuits.

The college supports degree-seekers through institutional resources including career services and academic advising. Prospective students can meet with financial aid counselors to determine their eligibility for scholarships, loans, and other financial aid. The average financial aid package for undergraduate enrollees is $9,215.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 65%

Student-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $15,791

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $35,779

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $44,200

#16 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Rasmussen University-Topeka Campus

Learners seeking flexible study can choose from in-person and online bachelor's degree options at Rasmussen University. The school's bachelor's in finance features rigorous study, relevant coursework, and experiential learning opportunities. The finance program prepares participants for their postgraduate path, whether that be a finance-specific career or graduate studies.

Enrollees can access career services, academic advising, and other institutional resources throughout their program. Students can meet with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities and determine their eligibility.

Rasmussen University-Topeka Campus at a Glance:

Undergrad Tuition In State: $11,369

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $11,369

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $29,900

#17 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

West Texas A&M University

From its main campus in Canyon, West Texas A&M University provides in-person and remote learning opportunities across 57 bachelor's degree options. The online bachelor of business administration in finance program connects students with the industry-relevant knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the finance field. The program prepares learners for their postgraduate path, whether that be a business-specific career or graduate studies.

Undergraduates benefit from institutional support throughout the finance program. Degree-seekers can meet with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities and determine their eligibility. Financial aid enables student success, with 84% of all enrollees receiving aid and 44% of them graduating.

West Texas A&M University at a Glance:

Student-Faculty Ratio: 15-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $5,748

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $7,195

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $39,300

#18 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Missouri State University

• Springfield, MO

From its main campus in Springfield, Missouri State University facilitates in-person and online learning across 90 bachelor's programs. The online bachelor of science in finance provides students with the industry-relevant knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field. The finance program also prepares participants for advanced educational pursuits, such as graduate studies.

The college connects degree-seekers with institutional resources throughout their program. Prospective enrollees can connect with financial aid counselors to explore funding opportunities, determine their eligibility, and apply for student loans. Learners receive an average of $5,055 in financial aid awards.

Missouri State University at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 87%

Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,840

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $15,510

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $34,300

#19 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Ottawa University

Ottawa University delivers in-person and online programs, including a bachelor of science in finance. The bachelor's program prepares participants for the demands of a finance career through rigorous study, relevant coursework, and experiential learning opportunities. The finance program also prepares enrollees for further education, such as graduate studies.

Finance degree-seekers can access institutional support throughout the program. Students can qualify for financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships and federal aid, depending on their eligibility.

Ottawa University at a Glance:

Student-Faculty Ratio: 2-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $10,856

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $10,856

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $41,600

#20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance

Rasmussen University-Ocala Campus

A leader in hybrid education, Rasmussen University supports in-person and online study across 22 bachelor's programs. For those interested in the finance field, the school's online bachelor's in finance is a wise choice. After the program, graduates can apply their knowledge to a finance career or master's studies.

Undergraduate students benefit from institutional support throughout their program. Learners can meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss funding opportunities, available scholarships, and eligibility requirements.

Rasmussen University-Ocala Campus at a Glance:

Student-Faculty Ratio: 12-to-1

Undergrad Tuition In State: $11,105

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $11,105

Online Bachelor's in Finance Degrees Programs Ranking Guidelines

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools  cannot buy better rankings  at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

• Affordability
• Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The  Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System  (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's  National Center for Education Statistics  (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the  College Navigator .

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from  AcademicInfluence.com , subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About our ranking factors.

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

• Collapse All

Academics - 75%

Affordability - 15%, online enrollment - 10%.

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through  contact page .

We thank you for your readership and trust.

Choosing an Online Bachelor of Finance Degree Program

When researching the best finance schools , students should consider several factors, such as cost, transfer policies, and on-campus requirements. We cover several important program considerations for prospective bachelor of finance students below.

Program Cost

Students can typically save money by attending a public institution rather than a private institution. Additionally, some online programs offer tuition discounts to in-state students, while others charge all distance students the same tuition rate, regardless of residency.

Transfer Policies

Transfer policies vary by school. Students who already hold some college credits should look for schools with generous transfer policies to ensure they can receive credit for prior academic work. Some schools also offer transfer credit for professional, military, and volunteer experience.

School Size and Type

Some students prefer to attend larger schools, which typically provide more diverse course offerings and programs than small schools. Alternatively, some learners prefer the more individualized attention often found at smaller schools.

Program Length

A bachelor of finance program typically takes four years of full-time study to complete, but some programs offer accelerated timelines that may allow students to graduate in less time.

On-campus Requirements

Some online programs may offer or require on-campus requirements. Students should ensure they can meet all of a program's requirements before committing to a school.

Thesis, Fellowship, and Work Requirements

Students planning to pursue graduate school benefit from attending a program with a thesis requirement, while students planning to work immediately after graduation may benefit more from a program with a fellowship or internship requirement.

Accreditation for Online Finance Degrees

Accreditation indicates that a school meets high academic standards with respect to faculty qualifications, student learning outcomes, and academic rigor. Attending an accredited school expands a student's employment, education, and financial aid opportunities. Schools may hold national or regional accreditation, with regional accreditation generally considered the more prestigious of the two. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education oversee six independent regional accrediting bodies that accredit schools based on where a school is located.

Certain programs within a school may also receive specialized accreditation. Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in finance should look for programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor's Degree in Finance?

An online bachelor's degree in finance typically takes four years of full-time study to earn. However, some programs offer accelerated timelines, allowing students to expedite graduation. Additionally, students seeking to balance their studies with work and family obligations may prefer to study part time, which extends the length of a program.

Online Finance Degree Curriculum

Courses vary by program, but online bachelor's degree in finance programs typically cover topics like investments, bank management, and financial statements. We cover several common courses for bachelor of finance students below.

Investments

Bank management, introduction to financial management, applications for managerial finance, finance jobs.

Graduates of top finance schools can pursue many positions in corporate and personal finance, such as financial advisor, budget analyst, and financial analyst. We cover several common jobs for graduates below.

Financial Advisor

Financial advisors provide professional money management advice to clients. They meet with clients to assess financial goals and help clients make informed decisions about their finances. Financial advisors may offer information and recommendations on topics such as estate planning, taxes, retirement savings, and investments. They also regularly monitor clients' financial accounts and make adjustments as needed.

Median Annual Salary

Projected Growth Rate

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts help individuals and businesses make important investment decisions. They assess financial records, create investment portfolios aligned with clients' goals, and monitor the economy to predict investment performance. These professionals typically form long-term relationships with clients, working with them to meet investment goals and advising them on proper risk management. They frequently provide written reports on investment activities and recommend changes as needed.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysts work with corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, and other types of organizations to assist with budget management. They often work with other finance professionals to develop comprehensive budgets and review proposed departmental budgets to ensure they meet regulations and compliance standards. These professionals also ensure a budget is followed throughout the calendar year, make recommendations for adjustments, and use various budgeting tools and methodologies to project spending needs and goals.

Top Executive

Chief financial officers (CFOs) are top company executives that manage other financial professionals, develop organizational policies, and set strategic company goals around income and losses. They may negotiate with vendors, contractors, and other providers to lower spending while liaising with sales and marketing staff to set goals for increased earnings. CFOs often need to make high-level decisions in the face of budgetary constraints, including cutting costs associated with staffing when necessary.

Common Questions About Bachelor's in Finance Degrees

What can you do with a major in finance.

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in finance can work in roles such as financial planner, financial analyst, and actuary.

What is the best degree in finance?

The best bachelor's degree in finance is one that aligns with a student's academic abilities, career aspirations, and financial needs.

How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in finance?

Full-time students can typically earn an online bachelor's degree in finance in four years.

Is a degree in finance a BS or a BA?

Typically, schools offer a bachelor of business administration in finance or a BS in finance.

What types of finance degrees exist?

Aside from generalist finance studies, some programs offer concentrations in areas such as financial accounting, risk management, and corporate finance.

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Bachelor's Theses

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Use the search bar below to find our published BSc theses. You can narrow your search by selecting a specialization.

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The preparation for the application as well as the writing of the Bachelor or Master's thesis at the DBF entails different steps, whereby the application process is described in detail here.

• You find your own topic, write a Research Proposal and submit it via DBF Thesis Market.
• Choose one of the provided Topic Proposals and apply for the corresponding topic on the DBF Thesis Market including a letter of motivation.
• Supervisor: If your Research Proposal has been accepted or your application for an existing topic has been successful, you will be contacted by the person who will supervise you in your thesis. Based on your Research Proposal inputs, your supervisor will formulate the thesis assignment.
• Thesis assignment on OLAT: The task assignment includes your official thesis assignment for the written thesis. It can be collected on OLAT from the moment you have been informed by your supervisor. Once you collect the thesis assignment on OLAT, the time limit of six months starts.
• Time limit: Start working on your thesis early and discuss problems with your supervisor. Nevertheless, remember that a Bachelor or Master’s thesis is to be written independently.
• Submission: You must submit your thesis via OLAT i.e. you upload your thesis and any additional documents/attachments as a ZIP-file to OLAT.
• Grading of task: You receive your grade within a month after submission.

The following Video in German shows the recording of a presentation in which the students were informed. It goes more into detail about the individual steps.

The prerequisite for writing a Bachelor and Master's thesis at the DBF is relevant prior knowledge in the corresponding subject area. In particular, the relevant lectures must have been attended and passed. Provided Topic Proposals may contain further requirements, which you will find in the respective proposal.

It is also important that the rules and instructions of the Dean's Office ( study and graduation ) are generally to be noted. The responsibility regarding compliance with these regulations lies with you.

Application

In order to write a thesis at the DBF, a digital application via the DBF Thesis Market is required. You will need the following documents for the application:

• Curriculum Vitae (as PDF)
• Transcript of records (as PDF, current export from the Module Booking)
• Research Proposal (if you propose a topic of your own)

For the application via the DBF Thesis Market, you also need your UZH login credentials (shortname and password).

There are two ways to apply for a thesis at the DBF:

Option A: Own topic

Elaborate your own suggested topic and write a Research Proposal. On two to three pages, the Research Proposal summarises your motivation, the objectives, the planned procedure and the expected results. The following documents serve as a guide:

• Instructions for writing a Research Proposal (PDF, 114 KB)
• Example of a Research Proposal (PDF, 205 KB)

If you would like to write an empirical paper, check before submitting your application whether the data you need can be found in the available databases . It is advisable to check with a concrete example whether the data quality is sufficient (e.g., availability of time series).

It is important that you assign your Research Proposal to the correct research area so that it can be made available to appropriate supervisors. The research areas and fields of interest listed in the table below can serve as a decision-making aid. The links of the Professors lead to the Bachelor and Master's theses that they supervised so far. They can give an intuition on typical topics for writing a thesis.

Based on your Research Proposal, the final thesis assignment will be issued. However, the DBF reserves the right to ask for improvements to the proposal, to make changes, to provide a different topic or to reject the application.

Option B: Provided topic

Apply for a topic provided by a supervisor via DBF Thesis Market . Look at the topics on the marketplace, choose one and apply. Note that in addition to a CV and transcript of records, a short letter of motivation is also required for the application. Describe how the provided topic matches your skills and interests, and how the topic fits into your course of study.

Useful documents

As guidance to help you estimate the length of a thesis, we provide you with two sample theses:

• Bachelor’s thesis: The different theories of the 2010 Flash Crash with main focus on high-frequency trading (PDF, 1 MB)
• Master’s thesis: Strategic Allocation to Return Factors (PDF, 1 MB)

Additionally you can find a template for LaTeX (ZIP, 414 KB) .

Further notes

The DBF strongly recommends that you start finding a topic for your Bachelor or Master's thesis at an early stage. The application must be submitted at least one month before the desired starting month. For example if you want to start writing your thesis at the beginning of May, you must apply by the end of March. 

The matching process usually takes about a month, sometimes longer (especially for your own proposals), since all supervisors supervise several theses, and your own proposal must match the interests of your supervisor in terms of content. We will inform you as soon as the matching process is completed, or if we need further information or adjustments from you. If you want/need to start as soon as possible, you also have the option to apply to one of the posted proposals.

The DBF endeavours to offer all applicants the opportunity to write a thesis at the DBF, but we cannot guarantee a specific topic or a specific supervisor. Temporary bottlenecks may occur in the supervision. If you have any questions or problems in connection with your application, please contact the study coordinator and Managing Director of the DBF, Dr. Benjamin Wilding, at [email protected] .

Research interest

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Bachelor theses Finance, Accounting and Statistics

E-mails please send to: [email protected]

General criteria for evaluation of bachelor theses:

BaWiSo: Successful completion of

all business-related courses of the CBK,

the PI Statistik, and

the PI Grundlagen wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens or Forschungsmethoden

BaWiRe: Successful completion of

the CBK courses, and

the PI Grundlagen rechtswissenschaftlichen Arbeitens

BBE: Successful completion of

the Introductory Phase and

the two courses in the area of Academic Skills

Applications:

Finance: September 25 - October 20, 2023

SBWL Accounting & Taxation (ReSt):  October 6 - October 20, 2023

SBWL International Accounting & Controlling: October 6 - October 20, 2023

Statistics and Mathematics: September 25 - October 20, 2023

Please find the details of the application procedures for your preferred field below.

Each semester, the following number of bachelor theses are assigned:

70 bachelor theses in the field of Finance,

36 bachelor theses in Statistics and Mathematics:

5 theses are assigned by Dr. Ronald Hochreiter

31 theses are assigned with a preference system (application via a LEARN Club, see below)

as well as 54 bachelor theses in the field of Accounting:

27 in the SBWL Accounting & Taxation

27 in the SBWL International Accounting & Controlling.

Except for the 5 thesis that are assigned by Dr. Hochreiter, all topics are assigned through a centralized process that is described below.

Mode/Requirements:

Some bachelor studies at WU require students to take the course "Principles of Scientific Work" (Grundlagen wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens - GWA). The Department of Finance, Accounting & Statistics does not recommend a specific course. Students can choose any "Principles of Scientific Work" lecture from any subject area.

Students of the BaWiSo12 and BaWiRe12 curricula can take the lecture "Numerical Methods in Finance" instead of a GWA course.

Bachelor thesis topics in Finance and Accounting are assigned via an application tool . Applications are ranked by grade average (see details below).

Students can complete the course “Principles of Scientific Work” or "Numerical Methods in Finance" while working on the bachelor thesis. Completion of the course is not a prerequisite for the application process.

Mode for Finance

The assignment of bachelor thesis topics is based on a preference system and the students’ grade average.

Details of the process:

Students are invited to submit topic proposals (using a standardized form). Supervisors can take these suggestions into account within their own topic proposals. There is no guarantee that a students’ proposal will be accepted.

After reviewing student topic proposals, you find an overview of the bachelor thesis topics in the Learn-Club "Topic Assignment Bachelor Theses Finance". Then you will indicate three topics you want to be assigned to (if you submitted a topic, please indicate your topic and two more) and one topic you do not want to be assigned.

An optimization program assigns topics to students. It maximizes the number of topics assigned to students considering their indicated preferences of topics. Students of the SBWL Finance have priority over other students in this optimization. We cannot guarantee, however, that you will be assigned to one of your three preferences. The topic that you indicated as “don´t want to work on” will not be assigned to you (even if that means, you are not assigned a topic at all).

To sum up, the topic allocation algorithm takes into account the following parameters:

preferences chosen

academic success (grade average - GPA)

completed course I of the SBWL Finance

possible bonus for your own topic proposal

We recommend that registering students have at least positively completed Course I of the Finance specialization. Students who have not yet completed Course I, can still register, but have a lower chance of being assigned a bachelor thesis.

In the LEARN Club you will be asked to submit information about the completion of the basic course (Course I) of the SBWL. Please upload between September 25 - October 20, 2023 in the LEARN Club a corresponding proof of success, where the relevant course is highlighted. This is mandatory.

Schedule for the upcoming term:

September 25 - October 20, 2023 : Registration Finance open

September 25 - September 29, 2023: You can upload your own topic suggestions to the Learn-Club "Topic Assignment Bachelor Thesis Finance". You will find a standardized form there.

October 16 - Ocotber 20, 2023: The topic proposals (including accepted topic suggestions from students) are briefly described in the Learn- Club in the corresponding folder. It is mandatory to fill in your preferences via the online survey in the Learn-Club.

November 10, 2023: If you are assigned a topic, you will be notified about which one and who your supervisor is. You will then contact your supervisor for an initial interview within one week . If you have not been assigned a topic, we will inform you too.

Registration

Registration for Finance takes place in the Learn-Club "Topic Assignment Bachelor Theses Finance" after logging in with your ID.

If you wish to unsubscribe again, you can do so directly at the club within the registration deadline.

Go to the details/ registration (currently inactive)

From the date of the allocation, students have exactly 6 months to process and submit their bachelor theses.

Mode for Accounting - SBWL Accounting & Taxation (ReSt)

The allocation of bachelor thesis for SBWL Accounting and Taxation will take place again in winter term 2023/24 . There will be 27 bachelor thesis topics available and will be supervised by the employees of the Financial Accounting and Auditing Group (Univ.-Prof. Aschauer), Business Taxation Group (a.Univ.-Prof. Dr. Petutschnig) and Accounting, Taxation and Auditing Group (Univ.-Prof. Hirschler).

A positive grade in Course I of SBWL Accounting and Taxation is a requirement for writing a bachelor thesis within the SBWL Accounting and Taxation.

The ranking of the candidates is based on the grade of Course I of the SBWL and the average grade of all completed courses from the STEOP. Although it is generally possible to write the bachelor thesis parallel while taking the course "Basics of Scientific Work", we recommend you to write the bachelor thesis after its successful completion.

SBWL Accounting & Taxation (BBE): Grades of Course I and II of the SBWL Accounting & Taxation

A mandatory preliminary meeting takes place for those students only, who have received a bachelor thesis from the SBWL Accounting & Taxation field.

When: November 16, 2023, 1 pm

Where: TC.3.07

During the registration period, all students of SBWL ReSt can access a registration link on Learn@WU  (under "Topic assignment Bachelor theses Accounting" on MyLearn). At the end of the registration period, those students who receive a topic for a bachelor thesis will be notified by email. All other students will be added to a waiting list and will be followed up if a bachelor thesis topic is not assigned.

From the date of the allocation, students have exactly 6 months to process and submit their bachelor thesis.

The topics have not yet been determined. However, they are likely to consist of current questions from the research fields of the scientific staff who are supervising and the scientific disciplines of the chairs involved.

Please contact [email protected] for content-related questions about the bachelor thesis on this field.

By clicking on the respective links, you are automatically logged on/off. You may also need to log in to Learn@WU. The links react at single click immediately and overwrite each time the last received command!

It is possible to deregister within the registration period. Please be careful not to accidentally click on the unsubscribe link!

Registration and unsubscribe links (currently inactive)

Mandatory registration for a bachelor thesis in the field of SBWL Accounting & Taxation:

Registration Unsubscribe

Mode for SBWL International Accounting & Controlling

The Department, where a preregistration is required for a topic assignment, assigns the topics from International Accounting & Controlling centrally. All students of the WU who meet the curriculum-specific requirements for the allocation of a bachelor thesis can register.

The ranking of the students, according to which the allocation is made, is based on the grades of courses I - III from the SBWL Int. Accounting & Controlling as well as the general GPA.

For the determination of the average grade and the completion of the courses, the deadlines are end of February (for the allocation in the summer term) and end of October (for the allocation in the winter term).

A completed SBWL International Accounting & Controlling is not a formal allocation requirement, but it is advantageous for the allocation process!

By clicking on the respective links you are automatically logged on/off. You may also need to log in to Learn@WU. The links react at a single click immediately and overwrite each time the last received command!

Mandatory registration for a bachelor's thesis in the field of SBWL International Accounting & Controlling:

Mode for Statistics and Mathematics:

Registration for Statistics and Mathematics takes place in the Learn- Club "Topic assignment Bachelor thesis Statistics and Mathematics" after logging in with your ID.

From September 25 - September 29, 2023 you can submit your own topic suggestions (using a standardized form - see LEARN Club). Supervisors can consider these suggestions in their own topic proposals. There is no guarantee that a topic proposal will be accepted by a supervisor.

Accepted topic suggestions are proposed together with all supervisor topics. Each student can include their own topic proposal in their preferences. Students, whose topics are accepted will receive a "start advantage" in the allocation process, but no guarantee that “your topic” will be assigned to you.

In the Learn- Club you will get an overview of the topics (complexes), which are offered by October 16, 2023 .  You have to select three topics in a survey ( October 16 - October 20, 2023 ) that you particularly like, and one that you do not want to work on under any circumstances. Participation in the survey is mandatory .

As far as possible (but not guaranteed) you will then be assigned a topic from your first three preferences. However, you will not receive the selected topic you do not want to work on (even if you are not assigned a topic at all).

The following parameter are taken into account for ranking the candidates:

Grade STEOP Mathematics and Statistics

For BBE Students the

grades in Quantitative Methods I and II

will be considered instead.

In the LEARN Club you will also be asked to provide information about your grades from the SBWLs Business Mathematics, Data Science or Finance or from the electives Econometrics or Mathematical Methods. Please upload between September 25 - Ocotber 20, 2023 in the LEARN-Club a corresponding proof of success, where the relevant grades are highlighted. This is mandatory.

September 25 - October 20, 2023: Registration Statistics and Mathematics open

September 25 - September 29, 2023: You can upload your own topic suggestions to  the Learn-Club "Topic assignments Bachelor thesis Statistics and Mathematics". A corresponding form to fill out can be found the

October 16 - October 20, 2023 : The topics proposals (including accepted topic suggestions from students) are briefly described in the Learn-Club in the corresponding folder. You fill in your preferences via the online survey in the Learn- Club ( mandatory) .

Mode for Business and Economics (BBE)

Before writing your bachelor thesis, you will have to attend the information session on the BBE bachelor thesis process given by the BBE Program Coordinator. We recommend attending the session between semester 3 and 5. You can find more information about how to write a Bachelor Thesis for the BBE here .

If you want to write a bachelor thesis for the BBE at our department, the following rules apply:

First register for the centralized WU-LEARN Club " BBE Bachelor's Thesis Agreement " (Please only register for this LEARN club in the semester you are writing your thesis).

Then register for your chosen LEARN-Club "Topic Assignment Bachelor Theses Finance", "Topic Assignment Bachelor Theses Statistics and Mathematics" or "International Accounting & Controlling"  (Club currently inactive).

Find the details in the area of your spezialisation above and in the LEARN-Clubs you registered for.

A topic and a supervisor will be assigned to you on the allocation date (for winter term 2023/24: November 10, 2023 ). In the topic sheet, you will find the exact content-related criteria that you have to meet with your bachelor thesis or your supervisor will discuss them with you in the first meeting.

Please fill out the Bachelor Theses Agreement , have it signed by your supervisor at the first meeting and upload your signed Bachelor Theses Agreement on LEARN in the centralized WU-LEARN Club "BBE Bachelor's Thesis Agreement".

From the date of the allocation, students have exactly 6 months to write and submit their bachelor thesis.

Multiple registrations:

Multiple registrations are allowed. You can freely register for the various preregistration clubs from Finance, Statistics and Mathematics and the accounting fields. If you receive a topic from more than one field, you will be informed and then have to choose a topic within 48 hours. The rejected topics will be passed on to students ranked on the waiting lists.

Timeframe and lock

From the date of allocation, students have exactly 6 months to write and submit their bachelor thesis.

In the new allocation system, NO postponement of the bachelor thesis to subsequent terms nor seat reservation is permitted. By registering, you explicitly declare that you want to write your bachelor thesis in winter term 2023/24. If you refuse to accept an assigned topic, you will be automatically blocked from participating in the allocation process in the following term!

However, it is possible to unsubscribe from the clubs within the registration period.

In the event of unjustified delays, supervision can be withdrawn and the topic may be blocked. In any case, a new registration for the allocation process is required - in a future semester!

The completed thesis must to be uploaded as a PDF to LEARN under the item " My Applications/ Final papers " – at which point it will automatically be checked for plagiarism. The file name is assigned according to the pattern "Students ID Number.pdf".

Please note that the time between submission and grading can be up to 4 weeks !

The grading is carried out purely electronically, as soon as the supervisor has entered and signed the grade in the system, it can be viewed by you in the LPIS system.

The submission of any supplied, separate forms, data sets, calculations, illustrations, etc. is usually not done via LEARN, but directly to the supervisor and should be discussed directly with them.

Please observe the general formal regulations and citation rules as well as the requirements of your supervisor !

Together with the thesis, the cover page must be submitted with the date of submission and signature . This can be the first sheet in the PDF file of the bachelor thesis. No grading without cover!

Some examples of the topics assigned so far, depending on their specialization, can be found here .

Finance, Accounting & Statistics

• Department Structure

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