MSc Quantitative Finance and Mathematics

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    Key information

    Location
    Edinburgh
    Mode of delivery
    On-campus
    Delivery type
    Full-time
    Start date
    September
    Duration
    1 year
    Qualification
    MSc

    Contact

    Contact our enquiries team

    Contact us

    Overview

    This masters in Quantitative Finance and Mathematics course introduces innovative modern mathematical techniques and financial modelling. It focuses on probability and stochastics, which are often not included in standard mathematics degrees. It's been designed to include the practical and pragmatic aspects of mathematical finance – offering you relevant and modern skills relating to structured finance in demand in the UK and internationally. The aim is to understand, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the risks and uncertainty involved. And, the wide range of optional courses offers you the chance to tailor your learning experience to suit your interests.

    Course length

    This full-time Quantitative Finance masters course starts in mid September and lasts one year. The course can also be taken part-time over two years, or as a nine month Postgraduate Diploma.

    September 2022 entry

    The deadline for applications from Scottish and RUK students is 31 August 2022. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by the 8 August 2022.

    Video

    Course content

    Year 1

    Students will take a total of 8 courses, 4 in each of the 1st and 2nd Semesters followed by a 3-month Project in the summer. A typical distribution for this programme is as follows:

    Core Courses:

    • Modelling and Tools;
    • Derivative Markets and Pricing;
    • Research and Industry Topics. 

    Optional Courses:

    • Optimisation
    • Statistical Machine Learning
    • Functional Analysis (excludes F11DC and FUBC)
    • Statistical Methods
    • Financial Markets
    • Quantitative Risk Analysis
    • Stochastic Simulation
    • Numerical Analysis (PDE's)
    • Bayesian Inference
    • Modern Portfolio Theory
    • Advanced Derivative Pricing
    • Time Series Analysis
    • Financial Econometrics
    • Applied Risk Management

    Progression to the MSc project phase is dependent on assessed performance. Typical project topics may include:

    • Applications of multilevel Monte-Carlo sampling in finance;
    • An investigation of new numerical methods for stochastic interest rate models;
    • Space time adaptivity for Fokker—Planck equations

    Go Global

    Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.

    Fees and funding

    Tuition fees

    Tuition fees
    Status [footnote 1] Full-time
    UK 27200
    Overseas [footnote 2] 27200

    Footnotes

    1. 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
    2. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

    Scholarships and bursaries

    We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

    View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.

    Entry requirements

    Entry

    Entry is aimed at graduates with strong mathematical knowledge and skills. A good honours degree in mathematics, statistics or a related subject with a substantial mathematical content is required. Motivation and a willingness to work hard are also important pre-requisites.

    We are looking to train those who not only have a strong background in mathematics, but who also possess the ability to communicate effectively, and have the desire to succeed in a dynamic and competitive industry.

    The programme is not suitable for finance professionals without graduate-level mathematical training.

    English language requirements

    If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

    We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:

    • 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
    • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
    • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
    • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

    Employability

    Students who graduate from the programme will have excellent employment prospects that are not restricted to any one narrow sector of financial services. Watch the video.

    Watch a video

    Visit our YouTube channel to see videos from our Staff, students and recent graduates

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