Statistics with Applications to Finance MSc

at University of Leeds

The first two semesters of your course will consist of taught modules and in the third semester you will devote your time to a major dissertation. Within each semester you will take compulsory modules, with some optional modules available to suit your individual needs to broaden your knowledge in statistics.
 

In the first two semesters you’ll be introduced to forecasting future values within a time series and explore financial investments such as stocks and shares and develop the necessary probabilistic tools to evaluate risks within the market.
 

You’ll also look at risk assessment in detail, gaining comprehensive knowledge of mathematical and practical approaches to financial risk management. Avoiding the disastrous consequences of badly managed financial risk requires detailed mathematical knowledge of how to quantify that risk. The course also covers the pricing of financial assets.
 

Your third semester will be taken up by a dissertation in statistics. This will consist of a three-month research project undertaken in the summer on a topic chosen in conjunction with project supervisors, culminating in a dissertation on that project.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Discrete Time Finance    
• Continuous Time Finance    
• Risk Management    
• Time Series and Spectral Analysis    
• Dissertation in Statistics    

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a subject containing a substantial mathematical and statistical component.
 

Successful applicants will have a foundation in Statistics including strong grades in statistical modules (no key marks below 2:2). We may ask for further detailed module information if these are not clear on your transcript. We do not normally accept degrees in Accountancy or Finance.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.
 

Fees

• UK: £11,750 (total)
• International: £25,000 (total)
   

There is a shortage of well-qualified statisticians in the UK and other countries. Numeracy, in general, is an attribute keenly sought after by employers. The emergence of data mining and analysis means that demand for statisticians is growing across a wide range of sectors, including:
 

• Actuarial, betting and gaming industries

• Charitable organisations

• Commercial, environmental and financial organisations

• Forensic and police investigation

• Government departments

• Market research

• Medical and pharmaceutical organisations