This course is aimed at students with a strong interest in financial trading in integrated financial markets. It addresses the needs of students who are looking to pursue a career in global financial trading and related fields, such as financial analysis.
You will focus on trading and the behaviour of global financial markets through the use of an on-campus simulated Trading Floor, which provides practical exposure and hands-on experience in the art of trading. This course explores the principles of equity trading and evaluation, bond trading and financial derivatives. In addition, you will gain career-ready business skills sought after by employers, including teamwork, communication, presentation and leadership skills.
By successfully completing this course you will not only gain a master's qualification, but also be prepared for the Financial Information Associate Certificate, which is recognised by the world’s leading financial information companies. You will be taught by industry-trained academics and practitioners, including some who are chartered accountants, chartered financial analysts and financial risk managers. In addition, you will also have an opportunity to gain industry experience through field trips. Previous trips have included visits to New York, the Bank of England and London Stock Exchange.
• Ethics and Quantitative Methods
• Understanding Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Trading Economics
• Global Financial Markets
• Valuation of Equity and Fixed Income
• Stochastic Finance
• Computational and Algorithmic Trading
• Empirical Finance and Accounting Research Methods
• Financial Derivatives Trading
Project options
• Internship
• Consulting Project
• Entrepreneurship Project
• Simulation
• Dissertation
MSc Global Financial Trading has start dates in January and October 2018.
Coventry University London is delighted to have recently launched a number of scholarships to UK and International students. You can find out more about our Scholarships by viewing our website.
“I had a fantastic experience at Coventry University London, studying with passionate and dedicated teachers, and an employability team always available to offer advice and support to help secure jobs and internships.” - Agathe Silvagni, France, Data Analyst at Bloomberg
The ICMA Centre’s financial engineering degree is highly respected by quantitative analysts and their employers. The credit crunch and subsequent events have emphasised the need to develop better pricing and better hedging models for all complex products. The practical and quantitative skills that you will develop on the programme will equip you to meet this challenge.
Our compulsory modules provide a firm grounding in probability theory, stochastic calculus, derivatives pricing, quantitative and numerical methods, structuring products, volatility analysis, and the modelling of credit, equity, foreign exchange and interest rate derivatives. We also provide a thorough training in C++ and other programming tools.
Optional modules will allow you to focus on risk analysis, portfolio management, designing trading strategies or econometric analysis. This newly structured degree aims to further enhance the strong reputation of its precursor – the MSc in Financial Engineering and Quantitative Analysis, which was established back in 1999. A good background in mathematics is required for acceptance to this programme (see entry requirements below).
October – December: Part 1 Autumn Term
January: Part 1 Exams
January-April: Part 2 Spring Term
May – June: Part 2 Exams
June – August (12 month programme only): Part 3
August/Sep (12 month programme only): Part 3 Coursework deadlines
Part 1 compulsory modules
Part 2 compulsory modules
Part 2 optional modules
Students on the 9-month (12-month) programme can select 40 (20) credits from the following modules:
Part 3 optional modules
Students on the 12-months programme should take 20 credits from the following:
Full-time: 9 months Full-time: 12 months
Students will be resident and undertake full-time study in the UK. Under both, the 9 and 12-month programmes students take compulsory and/or elective modules in Part 2.
The 12 month option involves taking an elective 20 credit module between July and August, which would also mean a 20 credit reduction in the number of taught modules taken in the spring term.
Many of our financial engineering graduates are now working as Quants in large London banks and other financial institutions. Others have pursued PhDs and have successful academic careers. Financial instruments are becoming ever more sophisticated, so graduates that understand complex modelling techniques are always in great demand. The high quantitative content of this programme opens many doors to a wide range of careers. You could structure and develop new debt or equity solutions to meet clients funding and hedging needs, or you could become a proprietary trader in exotic derivatives, or a software specialist or a quantitative analyst supporting the traders.
There are excellent opportunities on the buy-side, with hedge funds and investment institutions, as well as in investment banking and in software analytics. Opportunities in quantitative research, or with a rating agency, are among the many other attractive alternatives. Outside of mainstream banking and investment, you might also consider firms involved in commodity and energy trading, or the treasury divisions of leading multinationals and management consultancies.
ICMA Fixed Income Certificate
To obtain the requisite knowledge to pass the rigorous FIC exam, students are required to take the ICMA Centre Fixed Income Cash and Derivatives Markets module at Part 2. In order to receive the FIC certificate, students will need to register and pass the FIC exam through ICMA.
World-ranked for Masters in Finance by the Financial Times, this degree is widely regarded as one of the leading applied finance programmes in Europe. It has been specially designed with the support of industry practitioners to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the challenging field of international securities and investment banking. It enables our graduates to acquire the practical skills and knowledge sought by employers in the sector through a unique combination of interactive, technically advanced teaching and hands-on training.
It is our longest established programme with over 2,000 alumni around the world. It is also the most flexible finance programme with a choice of over 20 elective modules, providing a broad expertise to equip those who have yet to settle on a specialism, and who look to a wider choice of potential career paths. You will benefit from exposure to advanced analysis tools and resources valued by the financial markets that aim to enhance your practical skills and market awareness. As part of the programme, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the operations of financial markets, securities trading, corporate transactions, valuation, investment strategies and quantitative techniques.
October – December: Part 1 Autumn Term
January: Part 1 Exams
January-April: Part 2 Spring Term
May – June: Part 2 Exams
June – August (12 month programme only): Part 3
August/Sep (12 month programme only): Part 3 Coursework deadlines
Part 1 compulsory modules
Part 2 optional modules
Students on the 9-month (12-month) programme can select 100 (80) credits from the following modules:
Part 3 optional modules
Students on the 12-months programme should take 20 credits from the following:
Full-time: 9 months Full-time: 12 months
Students will be resident and undertake full-time study in the UK. Under both, the 9 and 12-month programmes students take compulsory and/or elective modules in Part 2.
The 12 month option involves taking an elective 20 credit module between July and August, which would also mean a 20 credit reduction in the number of taught modules taken in the spring term.
Those who graduate in ISIB will leave us well equipped to pursue a wide range of careers in financial services. Many join investment banks to train as financial markets professionals in trading, sales and research, whilst others specialise in complex derivative products and others join brokers and commodity bankers. In addition, many graduates follow other career paths including consultancy, accountancy, operations, IT, and higher education and doctoral research.
CISI Diploma
The ICMA Centre is a Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) Centre of Excellence. Centres of Excellence are a select group of UK universities, recognised by the CISI as offering leadership in academic education on financial markets. Students who are on a financially-related masters course recognised by the CISI are eligible for exemptions and membership.
ICMA Centre students who register and successfully complete two CISI Diploma in Capital Markets modules (Securities and Bonds & Fixed Interest Markets) are eligible for an exemption from the third module (Financial Markets).
ICMA Fixed Income Certificate
To obtain the requisite knowledge to pass the rigorous FIC exam, students are required to take the ICMA Centre Fixed Income Cash and Derivatives Markets module at Part 2. In order to receive the FIC certificate, students will need to register and pass the FIC exam through ICMA.
This highly specialised degree is designed to provide a practical understanding of a wide range of corporate finance services and corporate transactions. Both, corporate financial management and investment banking is at the core of the programme which is highly regarded in the City of London.
Through hands-on sessions and extensive use of case-studies and financial analysis simulations, participants will be fascinated by the exciting world of venture capital, private equity, corporate governance and mergers and acquisitions. You will specialise in corporate investment and capital budgeting decisions, IPOs, payout policy, capital structure, enterprise valuation, financial analysis and risk management. You will also gain an in-depth understanding of financial markets, securities trading and quantitative techniques, and be able to further specialise on a wide range of additional elective topics.
MSc Corporate Finance graduates have the advantage of exemption from the Corporate Investment exam of its CFC qualification.
October – December: Part 1 Autumn Term
January: Part 1 Exams
January-April: Part 2 Spring Term
May – June: Part 2 Exams
June – August (12 month programme only): Part 3
August/Sep (12 month programme only): Part 3 Coursework deadlines
Part 1 compulsory modules
Part 2 compulsory modules
Part 2 optional modules
Students on the 9-month (12-month) programme can select 80 (60) credits of electives from the following list
A minimum of 40 of those credits must be chosen from the following:
Part 3 optional modules
Students on the 12-months programme should take 20 credits from the following:
Full-time: 9 months Full-time: 12 months
Students will be resident and undertake full-time study in the UK. Under both, the 9 and 12-month programmes students take compulsory and/or elective modules in Part 2.
The 12 month option involves taking an elective 20 credit module between July and August, which would also mean a 20 credit reduction in the number of taught modules taken in the spring term.
There is a demand for professionals who combine an understanding of the financial markets with knowledge of the financial decisions facing companies in their day-to-day operations. Such professionals also need a clear insight into related fields including accounting, risk management, capital budgeting, debt and equity finance, financial planning, venture capital and mergers and acquisitions.
As a MSc Corporate Finance graduate, you will be well equipped to join careers in investment banks in the City of London and other international financial centres, professional services firms, including management consultancies and accountancy practices, and small, entrepreneurial ventures where an in-depth knowledge of finance will be of direct benefit to the owner/managers seeking to build their business.
CISI Diploma
The ICMA Centre is a Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) Centre of Excellence. Centres of Excellence are a select group of UK universities, recognised by the CISI as offering leadership in academic education on financial markets. Students who are on a financially-related masters course recognised by the CISI are eligible for exemptions and membership.
ICMA Centre students who register and successfully complete two CISI Diploma in Capital Markets modules (Securities and Bonds & Fixed Interest Markets) are eligible for an exemption from the third module (Financial Markets).
NDRCTC CFC Certificate
Students are eligible for exemption from the Corporate Investment exam. This will apply to graduates from 2011 entry onwards. (The CFC qualification comprises 3 exams: Overview and fundamentals of corporate finance; Corporate investment; Corporate financing)
This degree programme prepares students for entry into the fast growing and exciting investment industry. It provides a practical knowledge of portfolio management and quantitative finance, together with an applied set of courses looking at industry structure and trends. Students benefit from professional guest speakers drawn from the heart of the global investment industry in the City of London, only a short distance away.
During the course you will develop expertise in a range of specialised areas such as trading strategies, portfolio and fund management, alternative and responsible investments, ethics in investment management and risk management, among others. You will also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge in practice through the use of simulations, case studies and take part in the portfolio management challenge designed for MSc Investment Management students.
Integral to the academic course is the parallel study of the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA® ) programme, level 1. The two programmes support and reinforce the other, ensuring that graduates acquire both the academic and professional knowledge and qualifications required to succeed in the investment management industry.
The tuition for this programme includes the candidate’s registration in the June CFA Level I exam that is written just after the end of the academic year. The tuition also includes substantial CFA teaching outside of the academic teaching.
The ICMA Centre is a CFA University Affiliate; this is in recognition that this degree covers at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge, the CFA Institute Ethical and Professional Standards, and other requirements.
October – December: Part 1 Autumn Term
January: Part 1 Exams
January-April: Part 2 Spring Term
May – June: Part 2 Exams
June – August (12 month programme only): Part 3
August/Sep (12 month programme only): Part 3 Coursework deadlines
Part 1 compulsory modules
Part 2 compulsory modules
Part 2 optional modules
Students on the 9-month (12-month) programme can select 50 (30) credits from the following modules:
Part 3 optional modules
Students on the 12-months programme should take 20 credits from the following:
Full-time: 9 months Full-time: 12 months
Students will be resident and undertake full-time study in the UK. Under both, the 9 and 12-month programmes students take compulsory and/or elective modules in Part 2.
The 12 month option involves taking an elective 20 credit module between July and August, which would also mean a 20 credit reduction in the number of taught modules taken in the spring term.
After completion, our graduates are qualified to work in a variety of investment functions, including as portfolio managers, hedge fund managers and traders, within a diverse range of organisations such as investment banks, regulators, fund management firms and consultants.
The wide recognition of the programme contributes to the majority of our graduates securing employment offers within 6 months of graduation.
CFA Level 1
Studied alongside the degree.
CISI Diploma
The ICMA Centre is a Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI)
Centre of Excellence. Centres of Excellence are a select group of UK universities, recognised by the CISI as offering leadership in academic education on financial markets. Students who are on a financially-related masters course recognised by the CISI are eligible for exemptions and membership.
ICMA Centre students who register and successfully complete two CISI Diploma in Capital Markets modules (Securities and Bonds & Fixed Interest Markets) are eligible for an exemption from the third module (Financial Markets).
ICMA Fixed Income Certificate
To obtain the requisite knowledge to pass the rigorous FIC exam, students are required to take the ICMA Centre Fixed Income Cash and Derivatives Markets module at Part 2. In order to receive the FIC certificate, students will need to register and pass the FIC exam through ICMA.
The course provides you with a strong mathematical background with the skills necessary to apply your expertise to the solution of real finance problems. You will develop skills so that you are able to formulate a well posed problem from a description in financial language, carry out relevant mathematical analysis, develop and implement an appropriate numerical scheme and present and interpret these results.
The course lays the foundation for further research in academia or for a career as a quantitative analyst in a financial or other institution.
You will take three introductory courses in the first week. The introductory courses cover partial differential equations, probability and statistics and MATLAB.
The first term focuses on compulsory core material, offering 80 hours of lectures and 40 hours of classes/practical. The core courses are as follows:
In the second term, three streams are offered; each stream consists of 32 hours of lectures and 16 hours of classes/practical. The Tools stream is mandatory and you will also take either the Modelling stream or the Data-driven stream.
As well as the streams, the course includes a compulsory one-week (24 hours of lectures) intensive module on quantitative risk management which is to be held in/around the week before the third term.
The third term is dedicated to a dissertation project which is to be written on a topic chosen in consultation with your supervisor.
The second component of the financial computing course, Financial Computing with C++ 2 (24 hours of lectures and practicals in total), is held shortly after the third term.
The examination will consist of the following elements:
MSc graduates have been recruited by prominent investment banks and hedge funds. Many past students have also progressed to PhD-level studies at leading universities in Europe and elsewhere.
One of our flagship programmes with a leading world-class reputation for over 10 years and the first one in the UK to be accredited by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).
The financial system has undergone major restructuring in preparation for the new regulatory frameworks, affecting existing roles and creating different skillset requirements within risk management divisions of financial institutions.
This programme is tailored to the needs of the rapidly changing financial markets, providing graduates with an insight into the new innovations in the area of risk management. Through its long-term academic partnerships and accreditations by leading professional bodies, the MSc Financial Risk Management offers a cutting edge learning experience, aligning research excellence and current market intelligence.
The graduates benefit from exemptions to certain professional certifications from leading professional bodies worldwide. Click the ‘Careers & professional accreditation’ tab on the right for more information.
The MSc Financial Risk Management is accredited by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). The degree syllabus is enhanced with the most up to date professional practices in the area of risk management, integrating applied academic knowledge to industry needs and providing a competitive advantage to the graduates. Integral to the academic course is the parallel study of the GARP FRM Part I certificate. Upon successful completion of their degree, students will be registered to take the FRM Part I examination.
October – December: Part 1 Autumn Term
January: Part 1 Exams
January-April: Part 2 Spring Term
May – June: Part 2 Exams
June – August (12 month programme only): Part 3
August/Sep (12 month programme only): Part 3 Coursework deadlines
Part 1 compulsory modules
Part 2 compulsory modules
Part 2 optional modules
Students on the 9-month (12-month) programme can select 40 (20) credits from the following modules:
Part 3 optional modules
Students on the 12-months programme should take 20 credits from the following:
Full-time: 9 months Full-time: 12 months
Students will be resident and undertake full-time study in the UK. Under both, the 9 and 12-month programmes students take compulsory and/or elective modules in Part 2.
The 12 month option involves taking an elective 20 credit module between July and August, which would also mean a 20 credit reduction in the number of taught modules taken in the spring term.
After completion of this programme, students are well-prepared to follow a career in the challenging fields of risk management, or risk analysis with banks, regulators, portfolio managers, corporate treasuries, risk management software houses, specialist financial boutiques and hedge funds. Regulators, governments, advisors and commentators are unanimously endorsing the call for more and better qualified risk managers and analysts to join the financial industry.
Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP)
MSc Financial Risk Management is accredited by GARP and the degree syllabus is enhanced with the most up to date professional practices in the area of risk management, integrating applied academic knowledge to industry needs and providing a competitive advantage to the graduates. Integral to the academic course is the parallel study of the GARP FRM Part I certificate. Upon successful completion of their degree, students will be registered to take the FRM Part I examination.
Professional Risk Managers’ Association (PRMIA)
ICMA Centre MSc Financial Risk Management students are eligible for exemption from Exams I and II of PRM Certification. In addition MSc FRM students are provided with assistance to take PRM Exams III and IV.
CISI Diploma
The ICMA Centre is a Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) Centre of Excellence. Centres of Excellence are a select group of UK universities, recognised by the CISI as offering leadership in academic education on financial markets. Students who are on a financially-related masters course recognised by the CISI are eligible for exemptions and membership.
ICMA Centre students who register and successfully complete two CISI Diploma in Capital Markets modules (Securities and Bonds & Fixed Interest Markets) are eligible for an exemption from the third module (Financial Markets).
The financial services industry place great emphasis on raising the level of mathematics used in banks in applications to pricing, hedging and risk management. This MSc provides students with the skills necessary in mathematics, statistics and computation for a career in this fast-developing field.
Students will develop a detailed understanding of the application of mathematics, statistics and computation to problems in finance, and will gain the necessary practical tools for the pricing, hedging and risk management of a diverse range of financial products in several asset classes.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits) and the research dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma will be offered to the students that have completed 8 taught modules (120 UCL credits).
A Postgraduate Certificate will be offered to the students that have completed 4 taught modules (60 UCL credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Four modules must be chosen from the following list.
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project, which culminates in a research report of approximately 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, practical classes, tutorials and problem-solving exercises. Assessment is through written papers, coursework, examinations and the research report and presentation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Financial Mathematics MSc
Many students have progressed to careers in financial services in the City of London or in their home country; a number of graduates have proceeded to a PhD.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
The financial services industry requires quantitative finance professionals who are able to analyse data, to program, and who are expert in mathematics and computational statistics. Career prospects for graduates of this programme are excellent.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
UCL Mathematics is an internationally renowned department which carries out excellent individual and group research applying modelling techniques to problems in financial, industrial, biological and environmental areas.
The department hosts a stream of distinguished international visitors. In recent years four staff members have been elected fellows of the Royal Society, and the department publishes the highly regarded research journal Mathematika.
A notable aspect of this applied Master's programme is that students will be educated to an advanced level in statistics and computing.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Mathematics
82% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
Studying Finance Masters Degree at Royal Holloway means that you will learn from internationally renowned experts at one of the UK’s top ten teaching and research centres. This programme will provide you with intensive training in the analysis of issues in finance and corporate policy while improving your analytical and technical expertise. On graduation you will be in a strong position to start a career in the financial services, business and banking sectors; we have an impressive employment record, 90% of economics students have jobs in six months.
This is a challenging degree and to ensure all students are ready we hold a two week pre-sessional course. Through your studies you will gain a strong grounding in core areas of finance and have the flexibility to specialise, in areas such as: fixed income securities and derivatives, investment and portfolio management and decision theory and behaviour. On graduation you will be skilled in financial analysis techniques; understand mathematical statistics and theories that are applied in financial econometrics and have the tools to analyse how the financial markets function.
Our balanced approach to research and teaching guarantees high quality teaching from subject leaders, cutting edge materials and intellectually challenging debates. You will be taught by people who have worked and are still working in the finance industry in the broad areas of asset allocation and risk, as well as algorithmic trading.
Pre-course preparation
Core modules
Optional modules
In addition to these mandatory course units there are a number of optional course units available during your degree studies. The following is a selection of optional course units that are likely to be available. Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new units may be offered or existing units may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made.
Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including coursework, examinations and a dissertation.
A Finance masters degree at Royal Holloway will equip you with an enviable range of transferable skills and can lead into a variety of career paths as well as the knowledge and a solid foundation for continued PhD studies. Employers recognise and reward the real knowledge and skills developed in an Economics degree.
We will help students to recognise their own strengths, skills and abilities so that they can make strong applications for their chosen job or further study. We also provide careers support including application and interview coaching, career strategy discussions and the opportunity to network with major employes.
Studying Finance at Royal Holloway, University of London means that you will learn from internationally renowned experts at one of the UK’s top ten teaching and research centres. This programme provides you with an opportunity to study a portfolio of courses in the first year designed to bring you up to the entry standard for the Masters degree; ideal if you have graduated from disciplines other than Economics, Finance, and a highly quantitative discipline. You will learn how to analyse issues in finance and corporate policy and build your analytical and technical expertise. On graduation you will be ready to start a career in the financial services, business and banking sectors; we have an impressive employment record, 90% of our economics students have jobs in six months.
In the first year you will study undergraduate level courses and in the second year, subject to progression, you will progress to the year-long Masters in Finance. Through your studies you will gain a strong grounding in core areas of finance and have the flexibility to specialise in areas such as fixed income securities and derivatives, investment and portfolio management or decision theory and behaviour. On graduation you will be skilled in investment analysis, mathematical statistics financial econometrics and you will have the tools to analyse how investment decisions.
Our balanced approach to research and teaching guarantees high quality teaching from subject leaders, cutting edge materials and intellectually challenging debates. You will be taught by people who have worked and are still working in the finance industry in the broad areas of asset allocation and risk, as well as algorithmic trading.
In this module you will develop an understanding of basic mathematical methods that are used in the study of Economics and Finance, including basic matrix analysis, topology, statistics, and probability theory. You will look at differentiation and integration of standard functions, and basic manipulations of vectors and matrices. You will also examine various optimisation problems and theorems leading to certain basic results in calculus.
Year 1
Year 2
Optional modules
In addition to these mandatory course units there are a number of optional course units available during your degree studies. The following is a selection of optional course units that are likely to be available. Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new units may be offered or existing units may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made.
Year 1
Year 2
Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including coursework, examinations and a dissertation.
A Finance masters degree at Royal Holloway will equip you with an enviable range of transferable skills and can lead into a variety of career paths as well as the knowledge and a solid foundation for continued PhD studies. Employers recognise and reward the real knowledge and skills developed in a Finance degree.
We will help students to recognise their own strengths, skills and abilities so that they can make strong applications for their chosen job or further study. We also provide careers support including application and interview coaching, career strategy discussions and the opportunity to network with major employes.
