Two Porto universities among the world’s top finance master’s programmes in the Financial Times 2026 ranking
Católica Porto Business School and the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Porto reinforce Porto’s position as a leading hub for finance education.
InvestPorto
· 07 Jul 2026
Two universities from Porto have secured places among the world’s leading finance schools in the Financial Times Masters in Finance 2026 ranking.
The Master in Finance at Católica Porto Business School climbed nine places to rank 54th worldwide and 45th in Europe, while the Master’s in Finance (MIF) at the School of Economics and Management of the University of Porto (FEP) achieved 43rd place globally among 70 ranked institutions.
At Católica Porto Business School, the programme’s rise was driven by strong outcomes in graduate employability and career development. 100% of graduates are employed within three months of completing the programme, while the school improved by 22 places in the careers service indicator, reaching 29th worldwide. It also achieved 10th place globally for alumni career progression, an indicator in which Católica Porto Business School is the highest-ranked Portuguese institution.
Following its direct entry into the Financial Times ranking in the previous edition, Católica Porto Business School has consolidated its position among the world’s leading finance schools. The programme moved into Tier III, which includes institutions ranked between 31st and 59th worldwide, and was among the schools with the strongest improvement in this year’s edition.
Following its direct entry into the Financial Times ranking in the previous edition, Católica Porto Business School has consolidated its position among the world’s leading finance schools. The programme moved into Tier III, which includes institutions ranked between 31st and 59th worldwide, and was among the schools with the strongest improvement in this year’s edition.
The results reflect Católica Porto Business School’s focus on combining academic rigour, practical learning and close connections with the financial sector. The school highlights the development of students’ technical and professional skills, as well as the importance of its links with employers in supporting graduates’ career progression.
Católica Porto Business School is also featured in the Financial Times Top 100 European Business Schools and Executive Education rankings and holds Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS), a distinction held by around 1% of business schools worldwide. It is the only business school in northern Portugal with this recognition.
At FEP, the Master’s in Finance continues to consolidate its international standing, maintaining its position as one of Portugal’s most competitive finance programmes. For the second consecutive year, FEP ranked 1st in Portugal and 7th worldwide in the "Value for Money” indicator, which assesses the relationship between programme investment and graduates’ professional outcomes.
The programme also recorded an average 50% salary increase three years after graduation, underlining its impact on career progression. In the Career Progress indicator, FEP reached 18th place worldwide, reflecting its ability to prepare graduates for increasingly demanding roles in a global financial market.
FEP attributes these results to a strategy centred on academic excellence, strong links with the market and a sustained commitment to internationalisation. The programme’s performance in the ranking reinforces its ability to deliver strong professional outcomes while maintaining international competitiveness.
The student experience remains another area of strength. Alumni satisfaction reached 9.21 out of 10, improving on the previous year, while the programme continued to expand its international dimension through a growing community of international students and faculty members, supported by a fully international Advisory Board. FEP ranks 17th worldwide for international course experience, placing it among the global leaders in this area.
FEP’s commitment to diversity and sustainability is also reflected in the ranking results, with 48% female faculty members and 46% female students, as well as a 12th-place global ranking in the "Carbon Footprint” indicator.
FEP attributes these results to a strategy centred on academic excellence, strong links with the market and a sustained commitment to internationalisation. The programme’s performance in the ranking reinforces its ability to deliver strong professional outcomes while maintaining international competitiveness.
The student experience remains another area of strength. Alumni satisfaction reached 9.21 out of 10, improving on the previous year, while the programme continued to expand its international dimension through a growing community of international students and faculty members, supported by a fully international Advisory Board. FEP ranks 17th worldwide for international course experience, placing it among the global leaders in this area.
FEP’s commitment to diversity and sustainability is also reflected in the ranking results, with 48% female faculty members and 46% female students, as well as a 12th-place global ranking in the "Carbon Footprint” indicator.
The Financial Times Masters in Finance 2026 ranking evaluated 70 schools worldwide, including six Portuguese institutions, based on 19 indicators covering areas such as alumni career progression, diversity, internationalisation, research and ESG criteria. The ranking combines information provided by schools with surveys of alumni who completed their master’s degree in 2023.
The full ranking is available here.
