Quantitative Finance

Overview

The MSc in Quantitative Finance provides a rigorous grounding across a wide range of mathematical modelling methods and techniques for financial markets. From the pricing and hedging of financial securities to managing the risk in portfolios of equity, fixed income and derivative securities. A challenging programme, it equips students with the necessary theoretical, mathematical and computational skills needed to pursue a rewarding career in finance. 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. For graduates wishing to pursue further the theoretical dimension to the discipline, the curriculum content also 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 full-time or part-time basis. The part-time option enables 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 part-time 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.

Stage 1 Core Modules

FIN41660 Financial Econometrics Autumn 5

FIN42000 Financial Theory Autumn 5

FIN42020 Derivative Securities Autumn 5

FIN42030 Financial Analysis Autumn 5

FIN42040 Capital Markets & Instruments Autumn 5

FIN42050 Quant. Methods for Finance Autumn 5

FIN40040 Numerical Methods Spring 7.5

FIN40060 Advanced Derivative Securities Spring 7.5

FIN40420 Fixed Income Securities Spring 7.5

FIN41360 Portfolio & Risk Mgt Spring 7.5

FIN40090 Advanced Statistical Computing Methods for Finance Summer 7.5

FIN41930 Ethics in Financial Services Summer 7.5



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:

Choose 2 x 7.5 ECTs options modules. If you would like to pursue Summer Internship (FIN42060) or Research Project (FIN42070), your Programme Manager will register you upon approval. Students will be able to register to Summer Trimester modules in March.

FIN40490 Advanced Treasury Management/Financial Engineering Summer 7.5

FIN41480 Mergers & Acquisitions Summer 7.5

FIN41950 Financial Technology Summer 7.5

FIN42060 Summer Internship Summer 15

FIN42070 Research Dissertation Summer 25

FIN42210 Structured Finance Summer 7.5

FIN42340 Business Communications Summer 7.5

Please review the entry requirements below. The UCD Smurfit Admissions Office staff have expertise in reviewing international qualifications from around the world and will be able to assess your application's comparability to the Irish entry requirement.



An honours bachelors degree in:



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

or

b. 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.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

B158 12 months full-time,

B282 24 months part-time.

Delivery: On Campus

B158 Quantitative Finance Master of Science Full-Time

Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught



B282 Quantitative Finance Master of Science Part-Time

Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught

(UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School)

Career Opportunities

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



93% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in September 2024.



Potential careers for our graduates include:



Investment banking

Portfolio management

Trading

Quantitative analyst

Risk manager

Data Scientist