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Mathematical Finance (MSc) (2022 Entry)

About this taught graduate course

Course overview

This unique course provides training from three top departments at the University of Warwick: Mathematics, Statistics and Warwick Business School. Building on your strong mathematical background, you will develop and apply the quantitative skills in machine learning, computational statistics and mathematical finance that are used within the financial markets and finance industry.

Our compulsory modules focus on the four elements of the core skill set needed for careers in finance: Financial Statistics, Financial Mathematics, Asset Pricing and Risk, and Simulation and Machine Learning for Finance. In line with these modules, you will also learn programming for Quantitative Finance, focusing on C++, Python, and R.

Skills from this degree

  • Teaching by three world-leading academic departments helps you to gain a deep insight into mathematical finance
  • Specialist modules help you to uncover the newest quantitative theory and practice
  • Apply to the QTEM Masters Network Program and spend up to an additional 12 months studying at one or two International Academic Partners, completing an internship, and taking part in a global Data Challenge with fellow QTEM students
  • Access to dedicated CareersPlus service with specialist careers coaches

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

First Class Honours degree or a high 2:i undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, or another relevant quantitatively-focused degree.


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements. This course requires the following:

  • Band B
  • IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

We accept a range of language tests. Please refer to our website for more details.


International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.


Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

  • Programming for Quantitative Finance
  • Stochastic Calculus for Finance
  • Financial Statistics
  • Simulation and Machine Learning for Finance
  • Asset Pricing and Risk
  • Financial Econometrics
  • Applications of Stochastic Calculus in Finance
  • Dissertation

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

  • Advanced Risk Management
  • Statistical Learning and Big Data
  • Behavioural Finance
  • Brownian Motion
  • Advanced Trading Strategies
  • Partial Differential Equations in Finance

Read the module descriptions for this course on the Warwick Business School website.

Teaching

Modules are taught by staff from WBS, Statistics, and Mathematics, through a combination of lectures, classes, and computer lab sessions.

Seven compulsory modules cover the four key pillars of the core skill set you will need for a career in the finance industry: Financial Statistics, Financial Mathematics, Asset Pricing and Risk, and Simulation and Machine Learning for Finance.

Our optional modules help you to personalise the course to focus in on your own interests and future career path.


Class sizes

The typical class size for this course is around 31 students.


Typical contact hours

Students on this MSc will typically receive between 26 and 30 contact hours per module.


Assessment

Assessment is a mix of exams and coursework with your dissertation bringing all of your learning together at the end.


Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

There may be events taking place in the evenings. Classes may run up to 7pm and other events, such as careers presentations may take place later or on Saturdays. Occasionally, classes and exams may be held on Saturdays. We will notify you in advance if this is the case.

This is a full-time course, so there are no holidays as such. However, the two weeks covering Christmas and New Year are guaranteed to be free from lectures. There may also be weeks free over the Easter period (check with your programme team). Resit exams may take place outside of standard teaching periods.

Your career

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including:

  • Accenture
  • Amazon
  • Arup
  • BAE Systems
  • BNP Paribas
  • CitiBank
  • Deloitte
  • Delphi
  • European Central Bank
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • IBM
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Nielsen
  • Rolls-Royce
  • Shell
  • UBS
  • Unilever

They have pursued roles such as:

  • Management Consultants
  • Actuaries
  • Business and financial project management professionals
  • Chief executives and senior officials
  • Economists, estimators, valuers and assessors
  • Finance and investment analysts and advisers
  • Investment/merchant bankers
  • Taxation experts

Helping you find the right career

We have our own dedicated careers team at Warwick Business School called WBS CareersPlus. You will have access to one-to-one career guidance appointments, CV checks and tailored mock interviews.

Personalised support

The WBS CareersPlus team will support you and help you to understand yourself and your strengths. They can help you to identify possible career paths, and to set and achieve your career ambitions. This helps to boost your employability and helps you prepare for your career.

You can take advantage of personalised careers coaching and advice. Our one to one careers appointments can help you if you have a question about writing applications, wish to explore your career options, or need to prepare for interviews and assessment centres.

Warwick Business School

If you’re interested in the bigger picture, comfortable challenging assumptions and want a degree that will open doors, then WBS is the place for you. We will give you the foundation for change and prepare you for your future career. Are you ready to make your mark in the world of business?

Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window

The vision of WBS is to be Europe’s leading University-based Business School, developing transformational ideas and people that shape how we do business. We recognise that rankings are one way to profile our progress towards fulfilling this vision, and are proud to participate in the major global business education rankings.

QS Business Masters Rankings 2022

  • Masters in Business Analytics – 12th in the world, 3rd in the UK
  • Masters in Marketing – 7th in the world, 2nd in the UK
  • Masters in Management – 19th in the world, 4th in the UK
  • Masters in Finance – 20th in the world, 6th in the UK

Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2021

  • 15th in the world, 3rd in the UK

Financial Times Masters in Finance Ranking 2021

  • 13th in the world, 4th in the UK

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

MSc courses

MBA

Executive Diplomas

Our Postgraduate Research courses

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees  Research course fees


Fee Status Guidance

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.


Additional course costs

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

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Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

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