4 universities shaping quantitative finance students into industry experts

With major regulatory changes, the emergence of new types of financial risks, and exponential growth in data, skilled quantitative finance professionals are more in demand than ever. From the biggest banks to the smallest financial boutiques, these organisations are recruiting those who know how financial instruments are designed, priced, traded and deployed in competitive and volatile markets. They are especially on the lookout for those who can add a human touch to analysing financial markets and securities, the kind who can guide companies toward making strategic financial decisions.

To become this sought-after professional, in-depth, specialised knowledge of financial markets, institutions and the latest analytics techniques is required. A master’s degree provides just this, plus a whole suite of soft skills crucial for professional success, like critical thinking, creative problem-solving and effective communication. For a selection of the programmes most impactful in achieving this, head to the universities listed below:

The one-year, STEM-designated Master of Quantitative Finance at the Rady School of Management is hardcore, rigorous, and practical. Source: University of California, San Diego

University of California, San Diego

What sets the University of California, San Diego Rady School of Management apart from other business schools is its challenging Master of Quantitative Finance (MQF) programme that emphasises financial modelling and data analysis. This rigorous and practical one-year programme prepares you to solve complex financial problems within the industry using statistical analysis and data science tools. STEM-designated and affiliated with the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute and Global Association of Risk Professionals, the MQF programme will ensure you gain the strong quantitative and analytical skills that are in demand by top employers.

The MQF has four core courses. These include Investment Analysis, Advanced Financial Risk Management, Financial Econometrics and Empirical Methods, and Collecting and Analysing Financial Data. There are also 19 electives to choose from, including Financial Accounting and Data Science for Finance. All of this leads to a capstone project where you will have the opportunity to collaborate with firms in the industry, providing you with real-world experience that will be valuable in your career.

Located in La Jolla, CA, not far from the coastline, the university offers more than just salt air, sunshine, and oceanic views. It is also home to state-of-the-art labs and research centres that offer opportunities to collaborate with other students and professors. If you are looking for some downtime, there are niche eateries, outdoor activities, and a vibrant nightlife to explore too. “I applied everywhere and thought San Diego would be a great place to study and live,” graduate Anjali Thanam says. Apply to the UC San Diego Rady School of Management today.

The MQF at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business focuses on pricing and hedging, risk analytics and management, and quantitative trading and investment. Source: SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business/Facebook

Singapore Management University

The MQF at Singapore Management University‘s Lee Kong Chian School of Business addresses three key areas of the financial industry: pricing and hedging, risk analytics and management, and quantitative trading and investment. These are packaged in a curriculum that bridges theory and practice, providing you with skills applicable to real-world financial situations.

The curriculum consists of core modules that include Asset Pricing, Derivatives, Econometrics of Financial Market, Fixed Income Securities, Numerical Methods, Programming and Computational Finance, Quantitative Analysis of Financial Markets, Risk Analysis, and Stochastic Modelling in Finance. In addition to these nine modules, you can also choose to specialise in either Algorithmic Trading, Financial Data Science, or Risk Analytics elective tracks.

“The MQF programme taught abstract mathematical concepts, as well as the practical application of those concepts in real life,” graduate Anirudh Somani says. “Training in abstract concepts helped me develop new solutions in my work while the application part of the course helped me develop my modelling skills.”

Located in the heart of Singapore’s business district, the university promises a memorable experience through an array of clubs, programmes, and events that you can participate in. With an exclusive gym, multiple study rooms, and other facilities that you can access, the university is designed to support your educational journey in and outside the classroom.

The MQF programme at the Rutgers Business School consists of 11 core courses totalling up to 30 credits and 17 electives to choose from which you only need 15 credits to complete. Source: Rutgers Business School – Newark and New Brunswick/Facebook

Rutgers University

The Rutgers Business School at Rutgers University champions giving opportunities to students seeking a successful future in any business-related field, including quantitative finance. Its STEM-designated MQF, in particular, combines technical financial skills with strong business knowledge, ideal preparation for roles such as quantitative analysts, portfolio managers, traders, and many more.

This MQF programme consists of 11 core courses totalling up to 30 credits and 17 electives to choose from which you only need 15 credits to complete. An internship is an integral part of the programme too. This is to enhance your learning experience by applying theories learned to a practical setting. With the programme’s strong quantitative training plus the school’s reputation on Wall Street, signing up for an internship would be a breeze.

As the school is close to the global business hub of New York City, studying here means being immersed in a business environment that could give you early exposure to what to expect in the industry. Graduate Swetha Devireddy agrees that the MQF programme opens doors to vast opportunities in the city.

“The proximity to New York helps you get great jobs,” she says. “You get to meet a lot of professionals, speak to them, and know more about the industry”

Students can switch to either a master’s degree in Financial Mathematics or Mathematical Trade and Finance in their second term after understanding the foundations of the MQF. Source: City, University of London

City, University of London

At Bayes Business School, part of City, University of London, future quantitative financial analysts will focus on analytic tools and explore econometrics and forecasting models as part of the MQF‘s curriculum. Here, students will develop a practical, applied, and mathematical point of view regarding the quantitative aspects of finance with a chance to learn essential programming languages like Python, MATLAB, and VBA across three terms.

“The Quantitative Finance programme at Bayes Business School offered an equal blend of the theoretical and the practical part, which was the right balance for me to fuel my knowledge,” student Ahmed Kagigi says. 

“The MSc has provided me with a critical understanding of the world of Quantitative Finance and aided me to develop my technical and soft skills, such as identifying, forecasting and managing risk and discovering the importance and the thought-provoking nature of the financial industry.”

What is unique about the MQF here is that it shares similar first-term course contents with other quantitative finance degrees. This allows you to gain the core foundations of the field and then switch to either a master’s degree in Financial Mathematics or Mathematical Trade and Finance in your second term if those suit you better.

The school’s strong links with some of the world’s largest financial companies scattered around London might help with your education too. It’s a strategic base to develop your professional skills and engage with international corporations.  

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International