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University College Dublin

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.

Ambitious students with an educational background in mathematics or economics and a proven quantitative talent will be ideally suited to this course, as well as statistics, physics, computer science or engineering students capable of going through mathematically rigorous finance training. If you are in full-time employment, employer support is essential to undertake the part-time option as it requires class attendance during the working day.

What will I learn?
The course achieves the ideal balance between financial and computational theory and methodology, thereby enabling graduates to handle and develop management tools but also understand specific models and strategies in the future.

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.

In the summer term, students can choose from some summer term modules, or a research project, or in a small number of cases, from a limited number of possible internships. With any possible internship opportunity, students may have to go through a competitive process for these, including potential interviews.

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

Course features
Industry recognition and endorsement the course was awarded Risk Management Accreditation by the Professional Risk Managers International Association, confirming the suitability of the course for preparing graduates for a career as professional risk managers.

A customisable curriculum the course is available in three made-to-measure streams: 12 taught modules, research + major project, or modules + internship.

Possibilities within academia 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.

Entry requirements

A minimum second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Business, Mathematical Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering or Physics. To qualify one needs to show evidence of strong maths, statistics and finance skills.
And
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 courses. 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.

Transcripts
An academic transcript is a document(s) provided by the academic institution where you undertake your studies. This is an official document which states all of the subjects you have undertaken during your studies and what grade you have achieved in each of those subjects, including your overall final grade if you have completed your qualification. Official or original academic transcripts are documents printed on the official headed paper of the institution where you studied and should be stamped by that institution. If this document is not in English you should arrange to have it translated.

Visa Requirements
Some students might have to get a student visa in order to come and study in Ireland. Regardless, all non EU/EEA and non Swiss citizens have to register on arrival with the GNIB.

Duration

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

Careers or further progression

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

Quantitative Portfolio Manager
Quantitative Analyst
Interest Rate Derivatives Trader
Risk Manager
Financial Software Developer
Capital Markets Consultant
Financial Engineer
Structured Credit Analyst

Further enquiries

The Admissions Office can be contacted at smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie.

Subjects taught

Available in one-year full-time and two-year part-time formats, the curriculum 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.

To complete the course you have the option of completing either a taught stream which involves a total of twelve modules (ten core modules plus two option modules in the summer semester), a research stream which involves ten modules (all core modules) plus a research project in the summer semester, or an internship stream which involves ten modules plus an internship in the summer semester

With any possible internship opportunity, students may have to go through a competitive process for these, including potential interviews.

Core Modules
Financial Econometrics
Stochastic Calculus & Optimal Control
Derivative Securities
Financial Theory
Capital Markets & Instruments
Numerical Methods
Advanced Statistical Computing Methods
Fixed Income Securities
Empirical Finance
Portfolio & Risk

Option Modules
Advanced Treasury Management
Management of Banking Institutions
Mergers & Acquisitions
Financial Modelling
Aircraft Finance
Applied Investment Management
Research Project

Summer Term
Research Stream
Research Project
Internship Stream
Industry Internship
Taught Stream (Choose 2)
Advanced Specialist Course
Stochastic Calculus & Optimal Control
Advanced Treasury Management

Comment

Student profile
Ambitious students with an educational background in mathematics or economics and a proven quantitative talent will be ideally suited to this course, as well as statistics, physics, computer science or engineering students capable of going through mathematically rigorous finance training. If you are in full-time employment, employer support is essential to undertake the part-time option as it requires class attendance during the working day.