Latest reviews

I thought the course was very well designed. Intensive and builds from the ground up. I found after a few levels I was no longer "thinking" as much while coding and it became more of "speaking" to the program. I came into the course with some experience in C++ but I felt that this program allowed me to substantially improve the foundational programming skills needed to advance further in this field. I loved the exercises and felt they all had something to offer. It did not get too repetitive and kept the challenge level high enough but not unachievable.

Experience was excellent, I really feel i have learnt something i can use. The greatest thing is I realized how many applications c++ has and i want to discover all of them. I found the course well structured and the ta are amazing. I started it because I'd like to work in quantitative finance

I enjoyed this program for its wide range of modules and the in-depth knowledge they provided. The curriculum was well-designed, the professors and lecturers were supportive and created many opportunities for professional growth and networking.

I entered BU MSMFT program on September 2022. There was a 2 weeks math/code camp before the start of the program. In the math part, it helps students to review Derivative, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations. For the coding part, it focused on some basic python syntax and projects and SQL. This pre-camp can help students smoothly transition to more advanced courses in the subsequent courses.

Students need to take four courses for the first semester including "Fundamental Math Finance","Programming for Financial Mathematics","Statistics for Financial Mathematics" and "Stochastic Calculus". As a student who studied mathematics on undergraduate and did not have too much experience on the finance field. These courses help me a lot. After taking "Fundamental Math Finance" I got a general framework in mind about financial mathematics. Since that I had a clear direction for my course selection next semester and my future career development.

Students have a great deal of freedom in selecting courses during their second and third semester. I wanted to learn more about the data and machine learning. So I took Advanced machine learning in finance, deep learning and high-frequency trading classes. The courses are really well-designed, teaching not just the theory but also incorporating plenty of industry-related projects. But if you are interested in math and want to be a Q quant, there are still plenty of courses you can choose like Computational method, Advanced Derivative and Credit Risk.

The MSMFT program also offers strong career service. Each semesters, students are required to take one career coaching course. It will invite guest speakers, many of them are alumnus from the project, to give students advice in hunting jobs. They are also willing to refer students as well. So Don't be shy, talking with them after lectures and they will definitely be willing to help you! Program also have resume book which they will directly send the resume of good students to some firms. The alumnus of this program are all around the U.S even the world. If you make full use of alumni resources, it can be very helpful for finding a job.

One of the reason I like the program is it has great professors. I took three courses, including machine learning from professor Hao Xing and he is amazing. His lectures are rich in content and very clear. He also enjoys communicating with students, listening to their questions, and offering help. Strongly recommend to his office hour. Professor Philip Sun is great as well. I took his high-frequency class and his courses are not only very interesting, but the projects are also closely aligned with the industry and real-world applications. Other professors are great as well! So please talks frequently with professors if you go to this program!

Overall, the BU MSMFT program has been an invaluable experience.I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in pursuing a career in quant finance industry

I was lucky enough to have this course recommended to me by some lovely seniors and sisters who were studying abroad. They told me this course is really well-known in the financial engineering program and is a great choice for students who want to build on their C++ skills. My learning process has been a bit of a journey! I'm studying by chance during the summer internship, so it's been a slow but steady progress. After that, I really focused on learning, completed all the levels from 3 to 8, and then prepared for Baruch's early program interview. I started level 9 later, and finished with only 5 days left from the deadline. I'm so happy to say that I finally completed the whole course! I thought the quality of the slides and homework was really good, and I found level 9 really useful because it's all about financial engineering, so there's lots of ready-made code for learning. There are also lots of helpful threads in the forum that can solve almost all problems, which I think is great!

Consistent with Boston University's strong academic reputation, this program is both rigorous and rewarding. With its intensive course schedule, students are always kept busy. To excel, you’ll need a solid foundation in probability, statistics, algebra, and programming. Along the way, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of how these natural science disciplines come to life in the context of finance, a fascinating social science.

The professors here are not only leading experts in financial mathematics, financial engineering, and fintech but also deeply passionate about teaching. They combine strong theoretical knowledge with a keen awareness of industry trends, making their guidance incredibly valuable. On top of that, the program is supported by a dedicated career team that offers exceptional help with résumés and interview preparation. It’s clear that the program is deeply invested in helping students succeed.

Many students join this program with aspirations of building a career in the United States, and most are international students. While the U.S. job market is currently quite competitive, making it tougher for international students to secure positions. It’s helpful to be aware of these challenges in advance and to stay positive and proactive about your goals.

One thing I’ve noticed is a bit of a gap between the professors’ high expectations and the general readiness of some students. The professors work hard to ensure we understand the material, but the content can be demanding, especially for those who may not have a strong mathematical background. It’s also worth noting that the connection between mathematics and finance can be complex, but that’s part of what makes it so interesting!

My advice for anyone considering this program is to gain some relevant work or internship experience beforehand. This will not only enrich your learning but also help you build your skills more effectively and give you a clearer understanding of how the knowledge applies in practice.

So 15 years in your industry and got rejected. I am wondering if they are specifically looking for youngsters fresh out of college with a few years experience. When I look at the classes NONE of the students are over 40.

I enjoyed the class. I found the TAs, the forum, and the professor helpful.
There are a lot of exercises and I believe there is a good combination of doing and lectures.
It's weighted towards doing.

It’s been two years since I graduated from this program and started my career in the industry. With gratitude, I am writing this review with the hope that more people can recognize this excellent program for what it truly looks like.

The students' backgrounds were quite diverse, with undergraduate majors ranging from mathematics, finance, engineering, computer science, and various interdisciplinary subjects and they had graduated from universities all around the world. Some of them even had full-time work experience, but the majority came directly from undergraduate programs.

The overall curriculum setting was very intense and hardcore, and I mean it in a good way. During the two-week review classes and first semester, all the students took the same courses involving stochastic calculus, statistics, programming and math. As you can see, the program effectively combined theory with practical courses to get you prepared for the future study. Differentiation started from the second semester when students had the opportunity to choose their concentration from asset management, Fintech, quantitative analytics, risk management and research according to their interests and career plans. Every concentration has different focuses and thus different course combination. Even though, it gave us enough flexibility to choose a specific course from other concentrations if you really wanted after talking to the executive director first.

Fintech was such an emerging field at that time that only a few program in a few school set up relevant courses, and this program was one of them. I took the fourth semester and obtained the GCAFT, finding out a whole new world out of there. On top of the related courses set by Questrom, we were allowed to take courses from other departments, such as math and statistics or computer science. Through a deep understanding of blockchain, cryptocurrency, advanced machine learning methods, and the mathematical principles behind them, I feel that the future is slowly unfolding before my eyes.

Professors consisted of esteemed academic experts and seasoned industry professionals, offering diverse perspectives and equipping us with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in various paths, whether we chose to pursue a career in industry or continue our academic journey with a PhD. I have been fortunate to learn from each of them who generously shared their insights and wisdom without reservation, and who patiently explained to me everything even when I was asking stupid questions. I would like to express my special thanks here to Prof. Lyasoff, Prof. Xing, Prof. Kelliher, and Prof. Jacquier on their dedicated teaching, valuable advice, and unwavering support throughout my time at the program and beyond.

The career team did a really good job too. Because the epidemic had just broken out when we enrolled the program, and the economy had just begun to recover when we graduated, finding internships and full-time jobs at that time experienced various difficulties and obstacles. In addition to the weekly career course of interview training, and alumni or employer presentation, the career team provided with one-vs-one personalized assistance with respect to resume modification, interview simulation and offer selection. Thanks to our brilliant alumni, many employers came back to this program and recruited for more people. I am so glad to be one of them now. Many thanks to the career team grouped by Jun, Jason and Joe. You are the best!

Looking back, I am still amazed by how much I was exposed to and how much I learnt during such a short period of time. I was having this conversation with my friends who graduated at the same time and are currently pursuing different career paths. We were all grateful for the program's comprehensive curriculum, practical skills, and networking opportunities, which had provided us with a strong foundation and prepared us well for our future careers.

This review aims to provide a genuine and comprehensive picture of the program. And for those of you who are looking for a decent program to have a quant finance master degree in US, I hope you take this program into serious consideration.

The MSc in Mathematical and Computational Finance at Oxford is an exceptional program for those aspiring to build a career in quantitative finance. Most of the faculty are leading researchers in mathematical finance, and the courses are meticulously designed to provide a strong foundation for quant careers. While the majority of the teaching is excellent, there may be a couple of courses where the experience is less polished.

The Oxford name undeniably opens doors—its prestige often increases your chances of getting shortlisted for interviews, a competitive edge in this field. Additionally, the Oxford experience itself is unparalleled, with traditions like matriculation, formal dinners, and the college system making it feel like stepping into a Hogwarts-like world. Studying in some of the most stunning libraries, including those featured in the Harry Potter films, adds to the magic.

The program is, however, incredibly demanding. What many universities in the USA cover over two years, Oxford condenses into just 10 months. The packed schedule leaves little time for breaks—you’re often balancing exam preparation, coursework, and job or internship applications simultaneously, making it a true test of resilience under pressure. Weekly seminars with leading companies in the first semester provide excellent exposure to the industry.

Despite the intensity, the journey is highly rewarding. Completing this rigorous program equips you with not only the technical expertise but also the grit needed for a successful career in quantitative finance. If you're ready for the challenge, the MCF at Oxford is an experience like no other.

I first became aware of this course because of Baruch's graduate program MFE. also I was well aware of the importance of C++ in the quantitative field. Looking at the results, I think my coding level has improved significantly.

They cover every aspect of Financial Engineering including advanced C++, Time Series Econometrics, ML/LLM. The program director herself is a great quant who worked at UBS doing market making. The career center is super supportive of finding students their first internship.

As with any program there are dipshits, but I think the time our program director has invested into getting good candidates into the MSFE has yielded great results, especially in terms of scholarships. The friends I've made here are definitely for life and we have supported each other a lot.

The program director does a lot to get people jobs by getting us into various corporate sponsored projects. For others this has helped them especially in the interview stage.

The administration/directors of the program are decent at responding to issues. For example, there recently was an issue with international students having to pay extra for OPT that was resolved. I have my old review regarding this issue for posterity on my profile.

One issue, however, is lack of teachers in the business department. This has led to two big issues. One is classes being overlapped with undergraduates. Normally, this wouldn't be the biggest issue, but the derivatives course is going to be at an undergraduate level, so it is less useful for graduate students. The professor has been great and will try to adjust the course just for graduate students but he shouldn't be forced to do that. Two, the program has professors who have influence on the curriculum and keep their outdated courses in it.

The program and Linda have managed to rope in a big figure as the new Director, this will make the program substantially better than it was for the past few years.