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prospective students

Student testimonials

MSc students

Nivesh Pawar, MSc Computational Finance 2007-08

"I really enjoyed my time at CCFEA. The courses offered in the department are excellent and provided me with a good transition from an engineering background into the finance domain. The key in all the areas is to develop a good theoretical understanding with practical knowledge. The faculty members are always available for help and support, it is more like a family than a centre. The faculty members are excellent and the Centre has very good connections with the City Associates. Everything in the course is very much relevant to a future career as this course is very specialized and career oriented. I am very much clear about my future and I have also discussed the possibilities with the CCFEA faculty members. The department has also provided me with a CCFEA bursary award to support my studies financially. My favourite place is the CCFEA Lab where I spent most of my time. It has good computer facility with all financial software and also it’s an excellent place for discussions. Overall, I must say, it was an excellent intellectual experience at CCFEA".   

Pankaj Shah,  MSc Financial Software Engineering 2007-8

"I was from a pure from IT background and wanted to breakthrough into the field of quantitative finance. MSc in Financial Software Engineering provided me with the opportunity to develop my skills in the field of computational finance by building on my previous experience in the technology sector. The course provided me with wonderful experience both in and out of classroom. The CCFEA course curriculum is designed to give students maximum exposure in real financial markets by providing opportunity to do sponsored projects from companies like Idea Group and HSBC. Working for these well known companies in the field of financial markets helped me to develop links in the world of financial markets. The CCFEA modules provided me theoretical knowledge of equity trading  strategies such as pairs trading and multiple stock rebalancing both of which I implemented and tested out on the CCFEA SETS Simulator in the course of my project work. CCFEA also provided me with the opportunity to do full time equity trader training at a joint summer school program with a city trading company “ The Institute For Marketing Technology”. Overall it has been very fascinating and a great learning experience to be part of CCFEA. "

Jenny Castellanos Pinzon , MSc Computational Finance- 2006/07

Jenny is continuing her studies at CCFEA with a PhD in Computational Finance.

Despite having no prior computing experience, Jenny not only achieved high level of skills for model implementation, she won the best student award for MSc Computational Finance in 2006/7. Jenny's MSc dissertation on CIR Modelling of UK Term Structure Using Kalman Filter received high commendation and we welcome Jenny as a new Phd student at CCFEA. Jenny has been selected to be an HSBC intern in the area of credit risk.

"Studying at CCFEA has been a very challenging and rewarding experience. The wide range of topics covered gave me an extensive theoretical and most importantly practical exposure to the world of finance. As I did not have any computing background when I started the MSc in Computational Finance, the training in Matlab, the hands on lab sessions and the projects in Finance were essential for me to program and implement models with confidence. I always found support and guidance in the excellent lecturers and friendly staff of the Centre. For me this year was a great learning experience, a rigorous program that really made me push my boundaries and that taught me new models, tools and skills that will certainly be very useful in my future research and career."

Chris Parker , MSc Computational Finance- 2006/7

Chris is intending to continue his studies with a PhD at the London Business School

"CCFEA has been a wonderful experience both in and out of the classroom.  The broad range of topics that was covered allowed me to find the specific area that interests me and the courses taught me everything necessary to delve into research.  The friendly and personalized nature of the program ensures that every student has open access to the lecturers".

Dimitris Kolomvas a Masters student 2005/06

Is now working for Interamerican, Greece as a financial advisor.

“Completing my MSc at CCFEA was a big advantage to qualify for my job. My role involves assisting clients regarding their financial decisions in order to achieve their personal goals”.

Dimitris Tsouknidis a Masters student 2005/06

" The CCFEA 'experience' was memorable. After completing MSc Computational Finance I was ready to undertake a research degree, since I was fully equipped with the theory, the methodology and the tools to conduct research on any field of finance and economics. I decided to leave my country and join CCFEA since there is no such program offered in Greece. In terms of a cost/benefit analysis I think the MSc Computational Finance is the number one value for money program in UK. I think Professor Markose has carefully balanced a wonderful blend of scientific fields in the curriculum of this masters program. I wish I was back 22 years old and enrolling again".

Dimitris is continuing his studies with an MBA then PhD in credit risk at the Department of Accounting and Finance at Athens University of Economics and Business.

Prasenjeet Bhattacharya - 2005/6

Having obtained a distinction in MSc Computational Finance, Prasenjeet joined Morgan Stanley Securities Integration Group and is currently with ING Investment Management (India).

“I am glad, I took Professor Markose’s advice and enrolled myself at CCFEA.  Personally, I learnt a lot of ‘new tools’, which are extensively being used in the financial industry.  The blend of courses from different departments and its laboratory based training gives the student a better understanding about financial markets from a practical point of view.  Courses are no doubt rigorous with top class teaching and excellent projects. Moreover, students are exposed to a wide variety of models & tools with their application in the financial world, and this in particular is extremely important if you want to land up with a job.  From my personal experience, whatever was taught by our faculty helped me get a job within a few days of finishing my curriculum.  If you are willing to understand and tackle the subtle & real financial world, I believe CCFEA is the stepping stone.  It has been a brilliant experience as an overseas student to be a part of CCFEA.”

Rishav Dev - 2004/05

Rishav has joined Lehman Brothers as a Team Analyst in their global strategy team.

"When I look back and think, I feel that doing my Masters in Computational Finance was one of my best decisions.  I thank you so much for your guidance and support throughout the one year programme." 

Yuan Yuan Sun - 2004/05

Yuan currently has an internship with Alders Consulting Ltd (CCA) following a distinction MSc degree.

"It was a very important period in my life - the studying of my Masters at CCFEA.  I not only obtained the academic knowledge more than that the experiences was important for my future.  I thank my Director Dr Markose for her help and support during my studies."

PhD students

Amadeo Alentorn (October 2003 - May 2007)

Amadeo has recently successfully completed his PhD in Computational Finance and is now the Deputy Head of Quant Research with Old Mutual Asset Management, following his internship with them during his studies at CCFEA. 

“I chose to study my PhD at CCFEA because, being an interdisciplinary centre, I was able to apply my Computer Science skills to problems in Economics and Finance.  The degrees at CCFEA are very challenging due to their interdisciplinary nature, but this allows students to conduct cutting-edge research in new areas.  The staff are extremely supportive, and actively engaged in the research of the students.  Also, the connections of the Centre with the City provide a great opportunity for students to collaborate in projects with the industry.  I personally obtained valuable internships during my PhD at the Bank of England and Old Mutual.  The group of research students at CCFEA is very diverse and from all over the world, and hence is a great place to discuss, exchange ideas, and get support.”

Vikentia Provizionatou (2002 - 2007)

Vikentia graduated from CCFEA with a PhD in Summer 2007.  She is currently working as a Quantitative Research Analyst for Franklin Templeton Investments in New York.  

"I would just like to thank you (CCFEA) for giving me the opportunity to complete a PhD that equipped me with the skills to enter the US job market during this unprecedented crisis!! The job market was tough to beat, but my CCFEA PhD did the trick!!" (July 2008)

Rafael Velasco Fuentes – current PhD student

“Being a “newcomer” to the world of finance I felt very lucky to have found the PhD Programme in Computational Finance at CCFEA.  While most graduate programmes in finance focus on teaching the foundations of what is now known as “modern finance”, there are very few places were students can come into direct contact with the newest developments in quantitative and computational finance and in CCFEA I found such a place.  Since coming here I have greatly improved my understanding of finance and my computational skills, which in turn have allowed me to analyse and consider some of the most challenging problems in finance today.  But what is life with all work and no play?  Although the whole programme has been very demanding I have still found time to meet new friends and undertake many new activities, which together with my academic progress have made my stay here a great experience for life.”

Pre-sessional students - 2006

Darragh Donnelly - current MSc student

"The 2006 pre-sessional course was extremely valuable in re-acquainting myself with some previously rusty mathematical skills, giving very advantageous familiarity with some of the software used extensively in CCFEA modules as well a great chance to meet and get to know fellow course mates in a relaxed atmosphere."

Anil Khuman - current PhD student

"I found the pre-sessional course at CCFEA to be an excellent path to gaining a practical insight into the area of computational finance.  Not having a background in finance, it was very advantageous to have the opportunity to familiarise myself with key concepts in both finance and mathematics that underpin much of the course."

Kuan-Chun Chen - current MSc student

"The pre-sessional course was very informative and gave me a very good foundation to start my studies.  The teaching standards exceeded my expectations as I feel more confident in understanding subjects, such as financial modeling, programming and research techniques.  It has also opened a new chapter of my career and new friendships that I hope will last forever.  Also, I was made very welcome right from the start by all staff and class colleagues and I no longer feel too far from home."

Pre-sessional students - 2005

Dimitris Kolomvas - 2005/06

Dimitris is continuing his studies with an MBA at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB)

"The pre-sessional course helped me a lot, not only for my masters degree, but to adjust to life in Essex as well"

Jose Antonio - current PhD student

"2005 pre-sessional course at CCFEA was an extremely useful learning experience.  Personally, I found an initial suitable link between financial quantitative methods and computational practices which triggered off my interest in elaborate topics during my subsequent studies."

Muhammad Ahmad - 2005/06

"The pre-sessional course was a well designed course tailored to suit the needs of new CCFEA students.  I really enjoyed the three week pre-sessional course last year."

Last modified: 28 August 2009