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Computational Finance MSc

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The Computational Finance MSc will introduce students to the computational methods that are widely used by practitioners and financial institutions in today’s markets. This course will provide students with a solid foundation not only in traditional quantitative methods and financial instruments, but also scientific computing, numerical methods, high-performance computing, distributed ledgers, big-data analytics and agent-based modelling. These techniques will be used to understand financial markets from a post-crisis perspective which incorporates findings from the study of financial markets at high-frequency time scales, modern approaches to understanding systematic risk and financial contagion, and disruptive technologies such as distributed-ledgers and crypto- currencies. The course is highly practical, and students will have the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world data and case studies in hands-on laboratory sessions.

Key benefits

  • Located in central London, giving access to major libraries and leading scientific societies, including the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
  • The Department of Informatics has a reputation for delivering research-led teaching and project supervision from leading experts in their field.
  • 92 per cent of research outputs ranked as world leading or internationally excellent – confirming the department’s position as a world-class institution for research in Computer Science (REF 2014).

Key information

Application status Open

Duration 1 Year

Study mode Full-time

Credit value UK 180/ECTS 90

Course leaders

Further details

Course contact for further information

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences

Department Department of Informatics

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Course detail

Description

This course provides an understanding of modern financial technology (FinTech) including electronic trading and distributed-ledger technology. You will gain practical hands-on techniques for working with and analysing financial data, which draw on modern developments in Artificial Intelligence and Big Data technology. There will be opportunity to understand the practical aspects of quantitative finance and FinTech from Industry experts located in the heart of one of the World’s financial centres.

Teaching

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.

You are expected to spend approximately 10 hours work per credit for each module you attend in your degree, e.g. 150 hours work for a 15-credit module. These hours cover every aspect of the module.

Assessment

The primary method of assessment for this course is a combination of written examinations, coursework, in-class tests, individual projects and oral presentations. The individual project will be assessed through a dissertation.

Structure

Year 1

You will complete the course in one year, studying September to September. You must take modules totalling 180 credits to meet the requirements of the qualification, 60 of which will come from an individual project.

Required Modules

You are required to take:

  • Individual Project (60 credits)
  • Scientific Computing for Finance (15 credits)
  • Quantitative Methods in Finance (15 credits)
  • Industry-Expert Lectures in Finance (15 credits)
  • Agent Based Modelling in Finance (15 credits)
  • High-Frequency Finance (15 credits)

 

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take 45 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:

  • Financial Markets (15 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing (15 credits)
  • Cryptography (15 credits)*
  • C++ for Financial Mathematics (15 credits)
  • Nature-Inspired Learning Algorithms (15 credits)*
  • Statistics in Finance (15 credits)
  • Incomplete Markets (15 credits)
  • Software Engineering & Underlying Technology for Financial Systems (15 credits)
  • Distributed Ledgers & Crypto-Currencies (15 credits)
  • Security Management (15 credits)

You will be able to select up to 30 credits from a range of level 6 modules but should note that there are specific regulations surrounding this option that must be carefully considered before making your module selection.  Modules may typically include:

  • Machine Learning (15 credits)*

* Cannot be taken by students who have previously studied in the Department of Informatics and have already taken this module at Level 6.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest that you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Entry requirements & how to apply

Computational Finance MSc Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements  2:1

2:1 undergraduate degree from a related quantitative or informatics discipline.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. 

Applicants should also provide evidence of studying calculus, linear algebra, programming and other related modules.
International requirements   Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band D Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

 

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £100 applies.

All applications are assessed by a committee of academic tutors. We aim to process all complete applications within four weeks; during February and March and over holiday periods, applications may take longer to process.

We run a rolling admissions system and aim to process all complete applications within four weeks; during February and March and over holiday periods, applications may take longer to process.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Personal Statement  Yes A personal statement of up to 4,000 characters (maximum 2 pages) is required, explaining why you wish to apply for this programme and why you feel it matches your interests, academic background, and, if relevant, your career plans.
Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Other Optional Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application

 

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 31 March 2020. After this date, applications will remain open if places are available, but programmes will be closed as soon as they are full. For programmes with spaces remaining, no further applications will be accepted from non-EU (Overseas) nationals after 31July 2020 or from UK/EU nationals after 28 August 2020.

Please note you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline and places are filled before the final deadlines above and we are unable to process more offers.

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Full time Home/EU fees: £29,850 per year (2020/21)
  • Full time overseas fees: £29,850 per year (2020/21)

Students starting their programme in 2020/21 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2021/22.

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31 March 2020, payment is due by 30 April 2020.
  • If you receive an offer between 1 April 2020 and 30 June 2020, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 1 July 2020 and 31 July 2020, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer on or after 1 August 2020, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.

    If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

 

Additional costs/expenses

In addition to your tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for: 

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions 
  • Course packs, which are a vital part of your learning at King's and normally contain extracts from books and other useful documents that will inform your study.
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 
  • Graduation costs

 Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

The Careers Service and the Department of Informatics run a careers programme for Informatics students, which includes skills sessions and visits from top employers.

Some graduates work in cyber security companies, general software consultancy companies, specialised software development businesses and the IT departments of large institutions (financial, telecommunications, and public sector). Recent employers include Hang Seng Bank, Lloyds Banking Group and Merrill Corporation.

Other graduates have entered into the field of academic and industrial research in areas such as machine learning, software engineering, algorithms and computer networks.

Testimonials

Rodolphe

Rodolphe

I chose King's College London because I wanted to study at a top university. It offers a world-class education as you are taught by renowned teachers in fantastic facilities and this explains its international reputation.

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