Finance - Quantitative Finance

The MSc in Quantitative Finance is a balanced programme of finance and computational methods, which will suit numerate, competitive students looking for careers in finance that stretch their quantitative talents.

Overview
Ambitious students with an educational background in Economics, Finance or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects and with a proven quantitative talent will be ideally suited to this programme.

This course covers a broad range of subjects related to the mathematical modelling of financial markets and the pricing and hedging of financial securities. The course equips you with the necessary theoretical, mathematical and computational skills needed to pursue a career in quantitative finance. If you are a competitive student looking for a career in finance that will use your quantitative talents to the full, this is the course for you.

For graduates wishing to pursue further the theoretical dimension to the discipline, the curriculum content provides the perfect basis for a Ph.D. in Finance.

The course was awarded Risk Management Accreditation by the Professional Risk Managers International Association (PRMIA), confirming the suitability of the course for preparing graduates for a career as professional risk managers. Graduating students obtain exemptions to PRMIA level 1 and 2 exams.

The programme can be undertaken on a part-time basis, thus enabling current professionals with the relevant background to combine working life with study, however this is dependent on students' employment commitments. Note that this is not a dedicated part-time programme and that students will be required to attend lectures, tutorials and complete group assignments in conjunction with the full-time cohort, for whom the schedule is primarily during working hours for a block of hours on several days a week. Modules in autumn trimester will be delivered in a compressed format meaning that modules are taught intensively over two 6 week periods, requiring additional attendance at lectures and tutorials. Employer support is therefore essential.

What will I learn?
The course achieves the ideal balance between financial and computational theory and methodology, thereby enabling graduates to critically analyse and develop financial decision-making and risk management tools but also understand specific quantitative models and strategies applied in financial markets.

1. Acquisition of the theoretical, analytical and practical skills needed to manage portfolios of equity, fixed income and derivative securities and develop the tools for managing corporate financial risk.

2. Assimilation of implementation methods for financial models using various programming languages and the application of critical evaluation techniques to the performance of models.

3. The ability to carry out independent research on the uses of financial models, their implementation and their limitations.

How will I benefit?
The course not only attracts graduates from a number of different backgrounds but can also be tailored to a wide variety of academic and professional objectives, providing an enviable array of career options upon graduation.

• A truly specialist preparation for a future career within the finance industry, in a variety of functions including funds management, investment banking, financial engineering and corporate treasury management.

• Exemption from Professional Risk Managers certification examinations, the global standard for the world's top financial risk professionals.

• In the summer term, students can choose from certain summer term modules, or a research project, or in a number of cases, from a limited number of possible internships. With any possible internship opportunity, students may have to go through a competitive process, including potential interviews. The last number of years two thirds of our students acquired internship placements for the summer semester.

VISION/VALUES STATEMENT
The MSc Quantitative Finance programme is aimed at students with a background in an economics, finance or mathematics related discipline to prepare students for a specialist career in the financial services industry as a quantitative analyst or risk manager. The purpose of the programme is to provide mathematically talented students with the knowledge and capacity to be experts in financial decision making under uncertainty using financial economics, mathematics, statistics and computer technology skills (Purpose).

The educational values of the programme are to provide students with the knowledge and capacity to: be experts in financial decision making under uncertainty using financial economics, mathematics and computer skills; be producers as well as informed users of financial models used to aid decision making; critically evaluate these financial models, understanding their uses as well as their limitations; appraise, evaluate and manage financial risk and return; and to manage portfolios of equity, fixed income, foreign exchange, derivative, commodities and energy securities. The programme is externally accredited by a major international risk management organization (education and subject/discipline/professional values).

The learning environment consists of both theoretical and applied components. The theory in lectures is further enhanced with specific examples in small group tutorials. The applied projects covered in lectures are further developed as autonomous group or individual projects using state of art financial databases available in our data room. An internship option is also integrated into the programme (the nature of the learning environment for students).

The programme uses teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as presentations, project work, decision making analysis, work placements, group work, case studies, examinations and includes many stakeholder groups and individuals in the design and delivery of the curriculum (key approaches to teaching, learning and assessment).

Programme Goals:
Programme Goal 1: Our graduates will be current in their knowledge of the theory and practice of quantitative finance and risk management.

Programme Learning Outcomes:
Critically assess financial theories with respect to their relevance and application in the financial industry.
Employ financial economics, mathematics, statistics and computer technology skills needed for problem solving in quantitative finance.

Programme Goals:
Programme Goal 2: Our graduates will be effective communicators in current topics of quantitative finance and risk management.

Programme Learning Outcomes:
Synthesise and summarise data, information and results from financial models and professionally communicate outcomes of the analysis & their recommendations to key stakeholders.
Select and use appropriate communication strategies (oral, written & visual) to communicate challenges in quantitative finance and to advance objectives to meet these challenges.

Programme Goals:
Programme Goal 3: Our graduates will be able to critically evaluate financial modelling issues and their relevance to finance and the wider economy.

Programme Learning Outcomes:
Undertake and present a detailed analysis of a core industry valuation/risk management situation in written and oral forms.
Utilise relevant financial and economic information required as per project specifications, drawing on appropriate databases and literature.

Programme Goals:
Programme Goal 4: Our graduates will be able to comment critically on the relevance and impact of valuation, asset allocation and risk management methods to the wider economy.

Programme Learning Outcomes:
Demonstrate an understanding of diverse business perspectives and the impact of financial models on the business environment.
Appreciate the impact of ethical considerations on individual and collective financial decision making.

Curriculum
The 12-month, full-time course covers a broad range of disciplines and skill sets, whilst the personal and professional development of each student is achieved through a defined series of actions and events.

To complete the programme, students must complete twelve core modules. In the summer term students can complete a research project, two option modules or in a small number of cases, apply for a limited number of possible internships. With any possible internship opportunity students have to go through a competitive recruitment process, including interviews with employers, to be selected.

Autumn Trimester
• Capital Markets and Instruments
• Derivative Securities
• Financial Analysis
• Financial Econometrics
• Financial Theory
• Quantitative Methods for Finance

Spring Trimester
• Advanced Derivative Securities
• Advanced Statistical Computing Methods for Finance
• Numerical Methods
• Portfolio & Risk Management

Summer Trimester
• Ethics in Financial Services
Students choose one of the Pathways below:

Pathway A:
• Fixed Income Securities

plus choose two modules from the list below
• Advanced Treasury Management
• Financial Technology
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Behavioural Finance

OR
Pathway B:
• Fixed Income Securities
• Summer Internship

OR
Pathway C: Research Dissertation

Please be advised that the above is the curriculum for the 20/21 academic year. Options listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years but what is offered each acadamic year is subject to change.

Note that on-campus teaching is delivered under prevailing public health guidelines. In the event of a required change to planned delivery, further information about alternative delivery methods (including online delivery) will be confirmed with prospective and incoming students.

• An honours bachelors degree in:

• Business/Commerce to include a number of quantitative subjects such as Economics or Finance

or
• a Finance-related-area, Mathematical Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering or Physics

• with a minimum 2.1 award at NFQ Level 8 (or international equivalent) in a. or b. above.

• Applicants should have demonstrated strong academic ability (a 1.1 or 2.1) in a number of quantitative modules in their degree, such as mathematics, statistics, or econometrics.

• Candidates may be asked to sit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) subject to individual application.

English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language, an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our programmes. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.

1. Collating Documentation
The first step is to collate the required documentation needed to assess your application. Please ensure that you have clearly scanned, titled and collated your documents in numerical order.

These can include but are not limited to:
• Transcripts
• CV
• English Language Test
• References
• Additional Documentation

Step 2: The Application Process
Once you have collated the required documentation and reviewed the entry requirements for your programme of interest, you can now apply online.

Apply Online
You must apply online using our dedicated student information portal. You will be required to enter contact details, upload your documents and answer two essay questions (each approximately 300 words). We would ask that you seriously consider both essays and answer these in the context of the programme you are applying to. Try to not replicate your CV and demonstrate what makes you different from other applicants. There are no right or wrong ways to complete these essays.

Application Deadlines:
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and courses will close once they are filled. We advise you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note certain scholarships may require you to apply before a certain date – please refer to our scholarship page here. If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie

Application fee:
You will then be asked to submit your application and pay the €50 application fee. No application can be assessed until the fee has been paid. You can apply for multiple programmes with the one application fee, but please be sure to mark your preferred course.

Application Review:
Once submitted, it usually takes 2-3 weeks before a decision is made on fully completed applications. This time period can sometimes be longer and can vary at different times in the year and in different regions. We may offer you a conditional place based on the completion of a number of criteria, such as degree, English test, or another qualification. This reserves you a place on the course and once you have fulfilled this criteria we will issue you a full offer.

Deposit
Acceptance is completed by paying a non-refundable deposit (varies from either €500 or €1000 depending on the programme. Most of our programmes require a €500 deposit). Your offer email will detail the exact deposit amount required. Once you have accepted you will then be supported by the Programme Office who will contact you with further course and start details.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Fees Full-Time EU:
€18,205 (academic year 2020/2021)

Full-Time Non-EU:
€23,950 (academic year 2020/2021)

Part-Time EU
€9,105 per year (academic year 2020/2021)

Part-Time Non-EU
€9,950 per year (academic year 2020/2021)

Important Note: Tuition fees and other charges are subject to change each year

Next Intake: September 2020

Career Opportunities
The MSc in Quantitative Finance from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is highly regarded within the financial services industry.

100% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in November 2021).

Potential careers for our graduates include:
• Investment banking
• Portfolio management
• Trading
• Quantitative analyst
• Risk manager
• Data Scientist

UCD Careers Network
The UCD Smurfit Career Development Centre team will work with you to define your career path and support you in developing the career-related skills, know-how, and confidence to pursue your post-MSc career goals.

Our holistic programme is designed to support you at key points in your career development. Our programme is structured into three key stages, designed to support you in building and driving your own career.

A variety of workshops, events, one-to-one career appointments and access to a range of online tools and resources prepare you for future opportunities.