Key information
- UCAS code
- GGC3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- BSc (Hons)
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
If you’re looking for a career in the world of finance and love mathematical challenges, then a BSc in Financial Mathematics is the degree for you. Just as civil engineering deals with the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and roads, financial mathematics is concerned with the design, construction, and maintenance of financial products. Careers in financial mathematics offer some of the best salaries of all professions, and graduates working in this area thrive on being presented with interesting challenges on a day-to-day basis.
Our Financial Mathematics programme develops the skills and knowledge required by the modern investment and asset management industry, where structured finance and relative value trading strategies dominate. The emphasis is on developing a range of practical skills relevant to the increasingly mathematical and ever-evolving world of contemporary finance.
Financial Mathematics graduates are in demand for careers in banking, investments, trading, or risk management in any business sector.
Our programmes are designed with flexibility in mind, so if you fancy a change of direction you can transfer to a range of other mathematical, statistical or actuarial programmes during the first two years.
What Financial Mathematicians do
- They manage financial risk and design new financial products
- They are experts in deciding which assets to choose to fit the investment needs of their clients
- They do this by analysing the past and modelling the future
- They apply financial mathematics, probability, statistics, economics, and finance to solve problems in banking and investment
Global College
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, have a look at Heriot-Watt Global College, where you can follow an accelerated pathway which will get you onto the second year of this degree.
Your student experience
Your Financial Mathematics learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics whose work covers the following areas:
- Quantitative Finance Modelling: Mastery of mathematical and statistical methods for financial analysis and modelling.
- Derivatives and Risk Management: Expertise in asset valuation, hedging strategies, and risk management principles.
- Computational Finance: Development of efficient algorithms and programming for financial analysis and decision-making.
- Machine Learning for Finance: Utilizing AI, predictive analytics, and big data to enhance financial decision-making and trading strategies.
- Financial Mathematics: Equipping students with advanced quantitative and analytical skills for success in the financial services industry.
- Research Excellence: In the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), we ranked first in Scotland for Mathematical Sciences research. This underscores our commitment to excellence in applied mathematics fields like optimization, computation, statistics, and analysis that drive innovation across industries.
Go Global
There are currently no Go Global opportunities for this particular programme. However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for more information.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
You will build a strong foundation in core mathematical and statistical concepts. You will also gain the professional and practical skills you need to succeed in your studies and future career.
Mandatory September
- Calculus A
- Topics in Statistical Practice
- Introduction to University Mathematics
Optional September
- Mathematics in Context
- Logic and Proof
Mandatory January
- Calculus B
- Becoming a Professional
- Elements of Probability
Optional January
- Problem Solving
- Discrete Mathematics
Programme Video
Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics at Heriot-Watt
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,250 |
| International | £19,456 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AAAB including Mathematics at A
- A-Levels AAB - AAA including Mathematics at A
- Int. Baccalaureate 28 points with higher level Mathematics at 6
- BTEC DDD including sufficient Mathematics
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements*
- Highers ABBC including Mathematics at A
- A-Levels ABC including Mathematics at A
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
- are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Employability
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Business, Research and Administrative professionals
- Finance professionals
Student life
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