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MSc|Postgraduate Taught

Financial Analytics

Entry year
2024/25
Entry requirements
2.2 (minimum 55%)
Duration
1 year (Full-time)
Places available
tbc (Full Time)

The MSc Financial Analytics is the programme for you if you have an interest in financial markets or financial technology (FinTech) and enjoy working with data. It shows you how data science, analytics, statistics and programming tools are used in the real world for the analysis and modelling of financial and economic data.

The programme will equip students with cutting-edge quantitative and computational techniques utilised by industry leading firms. The course aims to bridge the gap between complex quantitative models and financial decision making and does so by equipping students with dual skillsets in both finance and data analysis.

It can lead to exciting careers in areas such as financial data science, trading, software development, portfolio management, consulting, data analytics, risk management, business analytics and academia.

Queen’s University is ranked third in the UK for Graduate Prospects in Accounting and Finance. (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)

Financial Analytics highlights

Professional Accreditations

The programme has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. It aligns with the Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) - the core knowledge, skills, and abilities that are generally accepted and applied by investment professionals throughout the world.

We are also a proud academic partner of the Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF) Institute. The CQF is the world’s most prominent professional qualification in quantitative finance and our partnership highlights our dedication to supporting the professional development of students studying in the field of finance and quantitative finance. Through our partnership MSc Financial Analytics students benefit from access to the latest CQF institute resources including events such as industry talks and workshops, research, networking opportunities and career tools.

World Class Facilities

Queen’s Business School (QBS) has recently undergone an innovative expansion that establishes a benchmark of global excellence for one of the top business schools in the UK and Ireland. A stunning new 6,000 square metre building, adjacent to the listed red-brick Riddel Hall has been designed with the latest digital infrastructure for media lecture capture, TED Talk provision and collaborative breakout sessions.

Fostering an enhanced social and educational experience the new state-of-the-art QBS venue boasts a 250-seat tiered educational space; 120-seat Harvard style lecture theatre; 150-seat computer laboratory; breakout study spaces; FinTrU Trading Room; a café, and a Business Engagement and Employability Hub.

Many classes are held in our state-of-the-art FinTrU Trading Room. This facility provides students with access to Bloomberg software, a market leader in financial news, data, and analytics as used by many leading financial institutions worldwide.

The trading room facilitates an interactive and exciting learning environment which brings textbook theory to life. Students will also have exposure to S&P Capital IQ and will learn in-demand programming and data science skills such as Python, R, SQL, Hadoop, Spark, Google Cloud, and Posit Workbench (posit.co), an Azure-based enterprise grade data science platform.

Student Experience

Students are strongly encouraged to join the Student Managed Fund where they will have a unique opportunity to manage real money. Queen’s Business School is one of only a handful of universities in the UK and Ireland to offer this experience which is a game changer when it comes to graduate employability.

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

This degree will equip you with the cutting-edge quantitative and computational techniques utilised by leading finance and FinTech firms.

It will prepare you for a career in quantitative finance, trading, portfolio management, data analytics or risk management. You’ll learn how data science, business analytics, programming and statistical tools are used in the real world for the analysis and modelling of complex financial data.

Semester 1

Asset Pricing
Pricing assets via a modern investor perspective where markets are dynamic and biases are prevalent.

Corporate Finance (optional)
Insights into Investment Appraisal, Corporate Governance; Capital Structure; Dividend Policy; IPOs; Mergers and Acquisitions.

Financial Market Structure (optional)
Provides an in-depth understanding of key participants, structures and trading processes that underpin capital markets.

Data Management
An exploration of the theory and practice of managing data, including identifying and extracting data, data pre-processing, data quality, data warehousing, relational databases, and big data solutions.

Financial Data Analytics
Introduction to applied econometric and data science techniques for contemporary financial data problems.

Semester 2

Advanced Analytics and Machine Learning
This module provides statistical and conceptual understanding for application of machine learning algorithms.

Financial Modelling in Python
This module combines Maths, Finance and Computing to tackle key quantitative finance problems using Python.

Advanced Financial Data Analytics
This module outlines the application and conceptual understanding of statistical modelling of financial data dynamics using R programming, GitHub and cloud computing tools.

AI & Trading
Introduction to the artificial intelligence techniques and algorithms to enable financial machine learning.

Semester 3

Academic Dissertation
A thesis-based research project motivated by contemporary quantitative academic research. Supervision is provided by an academic with expertise in the chosen area.
or
Applied Research Project
An industry-focused module which has a taught component at the start of the summer. The final report is an in-depth equity analyst report of a CFA standard.

Modules are subject to change.

People teaching you

Programme Director

Finance
Email: F.Kearney@qub.ac.uk

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:

  • Teaching Methods

    The programme will equip you with cutting-edge quantitative and computational analytical skills demanded by leading firms worldwide. It will prepare you for future careers in quantitative finance, trading or more general finance, FinTech and business consulting environments. The course bridges the gap between quantitative models and financial decision-making with many modules focusing on learning through simulation.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • Class tests, individual and group projects, oral presentations and case study investigations.

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    AI & Trading (15 credits)
    Data Management (15 credits)
    Asset Pricing (15 credits)

    Optional Modules

    Corporate Finance (15 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree (with minimum of 55%) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Finance, Mathematics, Economics or other relevant quantitative subject. Science and Engineering disciplines will be considered where there is a significant mathematical component. Performance in relevant modules must be of the required standard. Applicants with a 2.2 Honours degree (scoring below 55%) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University and sufficient relevant experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Please note: international applicants will be required to pay a deposit to secure a place on this course.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

This programme will equip students with cutting-edge quantitative and computational techniques and strategies used by leading finance and financial technology (FinTech) firms. Today, all full-service finance and business consulting firms employ Financial Analytics professionals in their operations as do many boutique firms, such as asset managers and hedge funds. Furthermore, many IT software organisations are attracted to graduates from this programme due to their specialism at the interface between computing, data analytics and finance.

For further opportunities to enhance your studies and career prospects please see the school website.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/student-opportunities/

Employment after the Course

Graduate prospects from the MSc Financial Analytics are excellent; culminating in Queen’s being ranked first in the UK for Graduate Prospects in Accounting and Finance (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023). Graduates from this programme have secured roles with employers such as Citi, Deutsche Bank, Bank of China, Davy Group, Citco, Amazon, FD Technologies, Data Intellect and many others.

Typical roles include data scientists, financial engineers, software developers, equity analysts, consultants, portfolio analysts, data scientists, risk analysts, software developers, business analysts, and traders.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £8,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £8,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £8,800
EU Other 3 £25,800 (less a £6,000 discount for 2024 entry)
International £25,800 (less a £6,000 discount for 2024 entry)

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications:

1.1  Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications. 
1.2  You will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the course.
1.3  This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions at the link below:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/about/Leadership-and-structure/Faculties-and-Schools/Arts-Humanities-and-Social-Sciences/WelcometotheFaculty/AHSSPostgraduateTaughtProgrammes/

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

When to Apply

The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2021. In the event that any programme receives a high volume of applications, the university reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Entry Portal (DAP) against the programme application page.

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus