Kenza Amira (Computational Finance MSc, 2023) is a Global Banking & Markets Engineering Associate at Goldman Sachs.

How would you describe the programme?

The Computational Finance MSc at King's College London is a mix of both computer science and finance, and it gives us a very diverse skillset. It helps a lot in the current finance world because everything is becoming more tech-driven. It’s a good way to get introduced to the fintech world. I expected something that would mirror what’s out there, and at the same time give us a strong foundation to understand it. I also wanted the flexibility to explore things independently, but within a supportive framework, and I definitely got that. There is always the theory part through standard lectures, but it also got very practical and we were able to see real-world examples. We got to talk to industry experts and interact with them, which helped link theory with real-world applications in finance and technology.

Has this programme boosted your career prospects?

One of the benefits of the programme was the opportunity to complete a placement while working on your thesis. You would be able to work throughout the summer with a company, and the company would be there for you during your whole thesis. So you still get to do your research in the same way as anyone else in your cohort, but you get the added advantage of being surrounded by people in the industry who work on this every day. The internship definitely helped because before doing my master’s, I knew I was interested in the finance and technology world. Even though I had worked in that industry, I was not very close to the front office. Our professors and tutors also made sure that we knew what we wanted to do afterwards. They would also share opportunities and help us have a seamless transition between the master’s and working life.

How are the professors on the programme?

The teaching at King's was great. I think that is one of the things I will remember most from my experience there. The professors are very knowledgeable, but also very supportive, which was the best part. They encourage you to dig deeper into every subject, but also make sure you are supported throughout the learning experience. 

How did the skills that you acquired during this programme help you in the real world?

When I finished my master’s, I realised that I had more options to choose from. Having worked in that industry, it also improved the way I work because I now better understand what users need. I didn’t only have a computer science perspective; I also had financial understanding, which made it easier to work with clients and users. We also had very interactive tutorial sessions. I am not afraid to say what I have in mind or share my ideas, or to suggest if something could be done differently. That is something I developed from being encouraged to speak in those sessions, and it is a skill I use a lot in the workplace.

I would definitely encourage anyone interested in pursuing a career in fintech to consider the Computational Finance MSc at King's College London because it is very different.