The courses in the MSc in Banking and Finance are composed of students from various countries and backgrounds. About 30% of the students have an international background. Such a class composition guarantees an exciting exchange as well as interesting cooperation among students. This was especially noticed and appreciated during group works, presentations, and case studies.
The last semester was still strongly influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic. On-site classes were held on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesday classes were taught online. This combination of physical and digital instruction was found to be comfortable by the MSc students. This form of teaching allowed students to still maintain personal points of contact despite the limitations due to Covid-19. Students who were directly affected by the pandemic were able to request streaming of classes on site.
Unfortunately, the situation became increasingly worse during the semester, making certain measures such as the mandatory use of masks unavoidable. The students overcame this obstacle and finished the last weeks of the semester despite those restrictions.
When the students were still able to meet on-site, events such as a get-to-know-you (“Apéros”, in German) were held. The joint tour of one of the world's largest bunkers in Lucerne or the seminar day in the capital city of Bern were highly appreciated. Social exchanges as well as networking was very important to the MSc students and could be realized at such events.
However, how was the content of the master's program perceived by the students? The first semester was an exhausting yet instructive time for many. The group work made the semester more interesting – and stressful but helped varying the contents. The classes were taught by lecturers with practical experience, who were highly regarded by the students.
In summary, we can look back on a very instructive semester. The students have learned important models and theories that can now be applied in case studies in the currently ongoing semester.
