prospective students
MSc in Computational Finance
Aims and objectives of the scheme
The MSc aims to equip students with the core concepts and mathematical
principles of modern quantitative finance along with the operational skills to
use computational packages (mainly Matlab) for financial modelling. In addition
to traditional topics in derivatives and asset pricing, there will be special
emphasis on risk management in non-Gaussian environment with extreme events.
Further, the student has the opportunity to study methods of non-linear and
evolutionary computational methods for derivatives pricing and portfolio
management. The use of artificial financial market environments for stress
testing, design of auctions and other financial contracts will also be covered.
Duration of the scheme
The MSc is a 12 month programme with a project in the summer that is oriented
toward the computational implementation of financial models. The MSc consists of
185/190 credits with each 10-week lecture module constituting 15 credits (unless
otherwise stated).
Target students
Students should have a good 2.1 or First class first degree, with a
quantitative background such as in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics,
Statistics or mathematical Economics/Finance. However, no finance or computing
background is assumed.
Our expertise and reputation
Computational Finance at University of Essex has established its
international reputation as a centre that closely integrates finance and
computing. The recent high quality workshops and international conferences
hosted by CCFEA give a good measure of our national and international standing.
The market
The CCFEA MSc can be viewed as a high powered degree scheme combining
computing and finance. The MSc will be a unique experience for students in that
it will be run at a multi-disciplinary centre where students will get exposure
to cutting edge research, seminars and workshops. CCFEA students have gained
sought after City internships.
The course modules
The MSc consists of 185/190 credits. There are 8 taught course modules of
which 6 are compulsory and 2 are optional and a MSc project in the summer
oriented toward the computational implementation of financial models.
Full details of the course structure can be found
here. An overview of the compulsory modules for all of our schemes can be
found
here.
Note: some of these CE optional modules require previous experience and
students should refer to the University's
online module directory
for full module descriptions.
Further information
Applying