Financial Mathematics

Entry requirements

Entry requires a UK 2.1 degree or equivalent in Mathematics, Financial Mathematics, Actuarial Science or Statistics. Applicants are required to have completed courses on probability, statistics, analysis/calculus and ordinary differential equations. Knowledge of partial differential equations, time series and multivariate statistics is desirable.

MSc Financial Mathematics is not suitable for graduates in Financial Engineering, Finance, Accounting or non-STEM subjects.

We are looking to train those who not only have a strong background in mathematics, but who also possess the ability to communicate effectively, and have the desire to succeed in a dynamic and competitive industry.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This programme involves two taught semesters of compulsory and optional courses, followed by a dissertation project.

The teaching is shared between Heriot-Watt University (HW) and The University of Edinburgh (UoE). The timetable is arranged so that you spend three days a week at the Heriot-Watt Riccarton Campus and two days a week at University of Edinburgh’s King’s Buildings Campus.

The dissertation project is either carried out with an industrial partner (e.g. Aberdeen Asset Management, Moody’s Analytics and Lloyds Banking Group) or supervised by academics at Heriot-Watt University. The programme typically involves the following courses.

Compulsory courses:

• Credit Risk Modelling (HW)
• Derivatives Markets (HW)
• Derivative Pricing and Financial Modelling (HW)
• Discrete-Time Finance (UoE)
• Financial Markets (HW)
• Special Topics 1 (UoE)
• Special Topics 2 (HW)
• Stochastic Analysis in Finance (UoE)

Option courses:

• Optimization Methods in Finance (UoE)
• Financial Econometrics (HW)
• Portfolio Theory (HW)
• Numerical Techniques of Partial Differential Equations (HW)
• Simulation (UoE)
• Statistical Methods (HW)
• Statistical Inference (HW)
• Time Series Analysis (HW)
• Stochastic Control and Dynamic Asset Allocation (UoE)