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UCL MFE options

ProgrammerRich

Joined
11/7/11
Messages
3
Points
11
Hi all,

I was wondering if anybody had an opinion regarding UCL's two relevant MFE options:

Financial Mathematics MSc
Financial Risk Management MSc

The course set for both these taught courses looks interesting and relevant. UCL obviously has a very good reputation, but how would this be received by employers / recruiters?

A bit about my background - I'm a long time software engineer (1st class honours in a math/compsci degree), and am looking to move into an Algo Trading role. My current job already involves a fair bit of Quant Development, and a lot of the low-latency and strategy based thinking that go into working into designing and implementing algo trading strategies.

Before somebody suggests that I simply go and apply for roles in the field, this is something that I could definitely do, but I am seeking to do an MFE because I am genuinely and greatly interested in the field of financial mathematics, and my mathematics is a long way from current, and I know that I would greatly enjoy studying the subject in detail for a year.

So the question is, given that they're new degrees, how do the UK based think they'll be received by employers and recruiters?

Also, could somebody add it to the tracker?

Thanks in advance,
Richard
 
There is tech of algotrading at UCL, but a reasonably standard MFE isn't really ideal preparation for working in this area.
 
Thanks very much for the feedback - I truly appreciate it.

At the present time, I am doing exchange development of an extremely high performance exchange. I have a lot of directly relevant experience in terms of the programming side, extreme performance in an ultra low-latency environment (in Java/C++).

Where I believe that I need to increase my knowledge is modelling and strategy - so the question is, would you consider something like the specialist Mathematical Trading and Finance MSc offered by CASS better preparation?

LSE's course makeup, particularly in terms of the electives available, looked very close to what I wanted, but unfortunately I didn't get in.

ICL's offerings look good, though not quite as strong as LSE, and I'm still hoping to make the cut. First round is definitely going to be published by 15th of Feb, so not long to wait. Many have had admissions though, so my application must be border line.

Thanks again
Richard
 
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