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Queen's University Belfast

Quantitative Finance

Overview
You have an interest in quantitative finance. You want a career in areas such as trading, quantitative portfolio management, data analytics, risk management and academia

Studying quantitative finance looks at how mathematical, programming and statistical tools are used in the real world for the analysis and modelling of financial data.

The programme will equip students with the cutting-edge quantitative and computational techniques and strategies utilised by leading financial firms and will prepare students for future careers in a quantitative finance, trading or more general finance environment. The course aims to bridge the gap between quantitative models and financial decision making. Many modules focus on learning through simulation based teaching.

Entry requirements

Entrance requirements
Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Finance, Mathematics, Economics or other relevant quantitative subject. Science and Engineering disciplines will be considered where there is a significant mathematical component.

Applicants with a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University and sufficient relevant experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please note: a non-refundable deposit (which will be deducted from tuition fees) of £1,000 is required.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

1 year, full-time.

Learning and Teaching
Teaching Methods
The programme will equip you with leading-edge quantitative and computational techniques and strategies used by leading firms and will prepare you for future careers in a quantitative finance, trading or the more general finance environment. The course bridges the gap between quantitative models and financial decision-making and many modules focus on learning through simulation.

The top students at the end of the second semester can choose an industry-focused dissertation in partnership with a local employer. This is a unique opportunity to engage with a financial firm and work with them on a real world problem.

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
This MSc will equip students with the cutting-edge quantitative and computational techniques and strategies used by leading financial firms. Today, all full-service institutional finance firms employ quantitative finance professionals in their operations as well as other boutique firms, such as hedge funds, ranging from 20 or fewer employees to several thousand, which specialise in quantitative trading alone.

Many IT software organisations also specialise in the interface between computing and finance and would be very attracted to graduates from this programme. After completion of this MSc there is a wide variety of roles available for graduates, some of which will suit those with strong mathematical skills who wish to use cutting-edge quantitative modelling techniques and work in collaboration with traders to develop bespoke financial products.

Other roles will involve becoming part of a trading team to buy, sell and manage financial assets. The skills developed in this programme will also provide an excellent grounding for those wishing to pursue more general careers in finance, such as portfolio management.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Further enquiries

Dr Youwei Li, Senior Lecturer
Queen's Management School - Senior Lecturer
Finance Risk and Inequality
email: y.li@qub.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)28 9097 4826

Subjects taught

Course Structure
Semester 1
Asset Pricing
Corporate Finance
Market Microstructure
Research Methods in Finance

Semester 2
Computational Methods in Finance
Derivatives
Time-Series Financial Econometrics
Trading Principles

Semester 3
Dissertation

Modules are subject to change

Comment

Quantitative Finance highlights
Professional Accreditations
The programme has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. It aligns with the Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) - the core knowledge, skills, and abilities that are generally accepted and applied by investment professionals throughout the world.

Industry Links
The top students at the end of the second semester will have the option of choosing an industry focused dissertation in partnership with a local employer. This is a unique opportunity to engage with a financial firm and work with them to investigate a current empirical problem. Also those students who have been managing real money in the SMF will have the opportunity to develop their experience into an industry focused dissertation.

World Class Facilities
Many classes are held in the Trading Room. Students have access to Bloomberg software, a market leader in financial news, data and analytics, which is used by many financial institutions. Students also learn through using UpTick and Oxyor simulations and through programming and modelling using Python, Matlab and R. The Trading Room allows for an interactive and exciting learning environment which brings textbook theory to life.

Student Experience
Students are expected to join the Student Managed Fund where they will have a unique opportunity to manage real money. Queens Management School is one of only a handful of universities in the UK and Ireland to offer this experience which is a game changer when it comes to graduate employability.

Assessment method

Class tests, individual and group projects, oral presentations and case study investigations.

Application date

Postgraduate Taught
Closing dates do apply for some of our courses, and details of these are available on our Course Finder. We advise you to apply as early as possible, particularly for those courses where there is a high demand for places. Early application is also important for international applicants to allow sufficient time to obtain a student entry visa.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply. See application weblink below.