Quantitative Finance (with Singapore Management University)

Postgraduate Diploma

Master of Science

Postgraduate Certificate

Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Science, Postgraduate Certificate

PSQFSP

Compulsory

Compulsory Elective

5x elective modules. Credits will be allocated for elective modules.  However, as these will be offered at SMU individual modules will not be added to the SITS database. 

Elective

Core

Five core modules in term one (delivered at Singapore Management University), four core modules in term two (delivered at Bayes Business School), and five elective modules in term three (delivered at SMU).

Taught Modules

Programme Structure

This version of the MSc Quantitative Finance has been carefully designed together with Singapore Management University (SMU) and is jointly delivered by both Universities. It is modelled on the Bayes MSc Quantitative Finance programme and prepares you to pursue successful careers in quantitative areas of finance, both in the City or for further studies at PhD level. In term 1 you will study modules which provide you with the core knowledge about financial markets and financial instruments as well as mathematical, statistical and programming tools to pursue a career in a wider range of quantitative positions in the financial service industry. Those skills also provide you with a good foundation to pursue an academic career and continue your studies at PhD level.   
 
You will then join the Specialist Masters programme in London in term two where you focus on more specialist modules which require knowledge of the basic quants skills covered in term 1 in Singapore. In term 2 you will take two compulsory modules and choose one of three option blocks in either Quantitative Finance, Financial Mathematics or Mathematical Trading and Finance.  
 
The listing of the compulsory modules and option blocks is provided here.   
 
Term one – delivered at SMU 
<ul><li>Asset Pricing </li></ul>
<ul><li>Derivatives </li></ul>
<ul><li>Foundations of Econometrics </li></ul>
<ul><li>Stochastic Modelling Methods in Finance </li></ul>
As well as Matlab and Python programming 
 
Term two – delivered at Bayes 
<ul><li>Risk Analysis </li></ul>
<ul><li>Fixed Income  </li></ul>
 
Plus, one of the following blocks: 
 
Quantitative Finance block: 
<ul><li>Econometrics of Financial Markets </li></ul>
<ul><li>Numerical Methods: Applications </li></ul>
 
Financial Mathematics block 
<ul><li>Simulations Techniques and Financial Modelling </li></ul>
<ul><li>Advanced Stochastic Modelling </li></ul>
 
Mathematical Trading and Finance block 
<ul><li>Advanced Derivatives – Applications </li></ul>
<ul><li>Quantitative Trading </li></ul>
 
You will also have the opportunity to integrate your learning across a range of professional skills, delivered in a highly targeted and applied format. These skills are aimed at helping you develop your aspirations, plan your approach to your job search and help you create a strong base from which to manage your career long term. You will also be able to use the skills you learn to support your wider study, substantiate your arguments and make informed assessments about the material you are covering. 
 
Term three – delivered at SMU 
 
Elective study by taking elective modules to a total of 60 credits. 
 
Elective modules will be selected from those listed by SMU and deemed to be appropriate by both schools.

Discuss the use of statistics and mathematics in financial modelling. 

Values and attitudes

Collect data, work with data and to be able to use specialist software in analysing data.   

Skills

Explain the financial products available, their risk and returns characteristics and their use in hedging and for speculation.   

Knowledge

Reflect on the relationship between risk and return. 

Appreciate the importance of programming in quantitative finance, in particular its uses in the workplace. 

Apply the knowledge acquired in the programme to test theoretical models and to understand how the theory works in practice.   

Conduct research into issues of quantitative finance, such as pricing financial assets, risk management, asset management as well as the use and applications of sophisticated statistics applied to different problems in finance.   

Debate the theory and theoretical developments in the field of finance, econometrics, forecasting, asset valuation and practical applications. 

Communicate technical information to a non-specialist audience. 

Write clear, well-structured and well-argued reports. 

Debate the importance of financial risk and ways how to measure risk and deal with it.   

Apply the financial theory and use statistics to help us in understanding how the theory complies to data.   

Critically evaluate the use and importance of statistics and forecasting in asset pricing, asset management and risk management. 

Critically analyse existing valuation models and to apply sophisticated statistics in testing the validity of the models.   

Advise on the use of financial securities or statistical techniques by institutional investors such as banks or asset management companies for conducting their business. 

Analyse the existing valuation models used in finance, their assumptions, their weakness, an ability to propose efficient alternatives and their applications.  

Work effectively in groups to manage projects.   

PSQFSP - Quantitative Finance (with Singapore Management University)

Learning and teaching methods give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and expertise to problems beyond those generally encountered. A range of teaching and learning strategies are used to help you meet the different learning outcomes and to cater for the varied backgrounds and experiences of you and your fellow students. 
 
<ul>
<li>Lectures and directed reading are used to help to help you achieve an understanding of the current level of knowledge in the relevant areas. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Mini case studies, the use of specialist software package and real life exercises as well as contributions from outside speakers are used to achieve integration between theory and practice. </li>
</ul>
 
The assessment of the course will also support your learning: 
 
<ul>
<li>Coursework provides ongoing feedback on your programme. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Tests will assess the knowledge gained. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Examinations provide a more in-depth assessment of knowledge gained and also assess your problem solving abilities. </li>
</ul>
 
The MSc in Quantitative Finance is designed and structured to allow for intellectual progression through modules taught in terms 1 and 2. Modules taught in term 2 normally build on the knowledge and skill acquired in term 1. Term 3 allows for further progression by choosing specialist elective modules. 
 
A minimum of 10 learning and teaching hours (both contact and non-contact) are required for each credit awarded. The precise weighting of different types of learning and teaching depends on the modules you take and the breakdown is therefore provided within the appropriate module specifications.   
 
 
 
Non-contact hours are for self-directed study and account for the indicative amount of time you should spend studying independently, including subject research, reading, working in groups and completing assignments and other homework. 
 
Overall teaching and learning hours: approx 1800 hours  
Contact hours: approx 360 hours

Curriculum Catalogue

Quantitative Finance (with Singapore Management University) - MSc

PSQFSP