Masters selection (Netherlands)
I'm a maths bachelor who tailored all my electives to probability/stats. I have also followed lots of econometrics courses. I will graduate from my bachelors this summer. This makes me directly admissible to both mathematics masters and econometrics masters in the Netherlands. My ultimate goal is to work as QT/QR. I am yet to land an internship. Given this information and as I want to stay in the Netherlands, I believe my best options are the following.
- University of Amsterdam Double MSc Econometrics (Financial Econometrics track) and MSc Stochastics and Financial Mathematics (Financial Mathematics track) (2.5 years)
- Erasmus University Rotterdam MSc Quantitative Finance (1 year)
Pros University of Amsterdam:
- Can study much more new material
- Double degree probably looks good on a resume
- 2 summer internship opportunities
- I would like to keep on studying a bit longer
- Better shot at QR roles (I think)
- Proximity to companies
Cons University of Amsterdam:
- 2.5 year programme, will be 25 at graduation
- Weaker alumni network
- Less prestigious (at least both programmes individually)
- Financial mathematics masters/MFEs are becoming less valuable as more ML/stats approaches are being used (at least that's what I read on reddit)
- Maybe too old for QT
Pros EUR:
- Direct placement at lots of top tier firms
- Bigger programme, better connections to industry
- Only 1 year, can start working at age 23 already
- Integrated internship at a company
Cons EUR:
- "Only" 28 ECTS in new material
- Integrated internship could also just be at a bank
- Less mathematical (personal preference)
I am leaning towards UvA but I feel as if I am acting scared and delaying the move to industry as I quite enjoy my life studying now. Any advice or further insights are very much appreciated.
I'm a maths bachelor who tailored all my electives to probability/stats. I have also followed lots of econometrics courses. I will graduate from my bachelors this summer. This makes me directly admissible to both mathematics masters and econometrics masters in the Netherlands. My ultimate goal is to work as QT/QR. I am yet to land an internship. Given this information and as I want to stay in the Netherlands, I believe my best options are the following.
- University of Amsterdam Double MSc Econometrics (Financial Econometrics track) and MSc Stochastics and Financial Mathematics (Financial Mathematics track) (2.5 years)
- Erasmus University Rotterdam MSc Quantitative Finance (1 year)
Pros University of Amsterdam:
- Can study much more new material
- Double degree probably looks good on a resume
- 2 summer internship opportunities
- I would like to keep on studying a bit longer
- Better shot at QR roles (I think)
- Proximity to companies
Cons University of Amsterdam:
- 2.5 year programme, will be 25 at graduation
- Weaker alumni network
- Less prestigious (at least both programmes individually)
- Financial mathematics masters/MFEs are becoming less valuable as more ML/stats approaches are being used (at least that's what I read on reddit)
- Maybe too old for QT
Pros EUR:
- Direct placement at lots of top tier firms
- Bigger programme, better connections to industry
- Only 1 year, can start working at age 23 already
- Integrated internship at a company
Cons EUR:
- "Only" 28 ECTS in new material
- Integrated internship could also just be at a bank
- Less mathematical (personal preference)
I am leaning towards UvA but I feel as if I am acting scared and delaying the move to industry as I quite enjoy my life studying now. Any advice or further insights are very much appreciated.
