About this degree
As a student on the Computational Finance MSc, you will learn advanced quantitative, modelling and programming skills, which are essential for quant roles in trading, research, regulation, and risk. This applied taught postgraduate programme is distinctive in that it provides a combination of finance, mathematics, statistics, and computer science.
Computational finance is at the intersection of mathematics, statistics, computer science, finance and economics. Elevating your skills in these disciplines is essential if you want to make your mark as a quant in a large bank, hedge fund or financial regulator, or in the world of fintech and innovative start-ups.
You will learn from our world-leading experts in this field. The syllabus is constantly reviewed to stay ahead of the trends; core modules span financial engineering and numerical methods for finance, to data science and machine learning for finance.
Optional modules allow you to dive deeper into specific areas of interest, such as algorithmic trading, market microstructure, blockchain technologies, the management of markets, systemic and operational risk, numerical optimisation, and financial market modelling and analysis. You will conclude your experience with a project that brings an opportunity to work with an industry partner on a real-world problem, or to delve into a research project supervised by one of our leading academics.
This programme gives you key skills that will enable you to pursue a career as a ‘quant’, while you immerse yourself in London life and the benefits of living in a global financial centre.
Who this course is for
The Computational Finance MSc requires previous studies in a quantitative subject which includes exams in mathematics. This should cover calculus and linear algebra, and optionally also differential equations, probability, statistics, econometrics and similar.
Typically, applicants’ undergraduate degrees are in mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, computer science (with exams in mathematics), economics or finance. If you aim to work as a ‘quant’ in finance, you will need a desire to extend your skillset with an applied, computational focus.
What this course will give you
UCL is ranked 9th globally in the latest QS World University Rankings (2024), giving you an exciting opportunity to study at one of the world’s best universities.
UCL Computer Science is recognised as a world leader in teaching and research. The department was ranked 1st in England and 2nd in the UK for research power in Computer Science and Informatics in the UK's most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) You will learn from leading experts at the forefront of computer science innovation.
Additionally, the UCL Computational Finance MSc has been ranked 2nd in the UK, 6th in Europe and 24th in the world in the 2023 Risk.net Quant Finance Master’s Guide, which assesses the quality of quantitative finance programmes around the world.
The location in the global financial centre of London coupled with the Department’s extensive links with industry in the City give you ample opportunities for contact with potential future employers, as well as opportunities for practical, hands-on experience with these companies through the UCL Industry Exchange Network (IXN).