Course summary
This degree, offered by the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Economics, allows you to specialise in modern quantitative finance and computational methods for financial modelling, which are demanded for jobs in asset structuring, product pricing as well as risk management. Skills that you will acquire include the ability to:
- analyse, critically evaluate, and apply methods of computational finance to practical problems, including pricing of derivatives and risk assessment
- analyse and critically evaluate methods and general principles of computational finance and their applicability to specific problems
- work with methods and techniques such as clustering, regression, support vector machines, boosting, decision trees, and neural networks
- analyse and critically evaluate applicability of machine learning algorithms to problems in finance
- implement methods of computational finance and machine learning using object-oriented programming languages and modern data management systems
- work with software packages such as MATLAB and R
- work with Relational Database Systems and SQL
- Study in two highly-regarded departments, respectively ranked 11th and 8th in the UK for research quality (Research Excellence Framework 2014).
- Benefit from strong industry ties, with close proximity to ‘England’s Silicon Valley’.
- Graduate with a Masters degree with excellent graduate employability prospects.
- Tailor your learning with a wide range of engaging optional modules.
- Choose from a one-year programme structure or add an optional year in industry.
Modules
Core modules Data analysis Foundations of Finance Investment and portfolio management Programming for data analysis Individual project (*) This module is compulsory and available only for students who lack background in the corresponding area. A range of optional modules are also available.
Assessment method
Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including coursework and a dissertation.
How to apply
International applicants
With almost a third of our students joining us from outside the UK, Royal Holloway is a diverse community with a strong international spirit. Ranked highly in the UK and the world for international outlook in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Royal Holloway’s position recognises our global research impact and partnerships as well as student and staff diversity. Our alumni are found in 160 countries, working in industry, the arts, public sector and other areas, Royal Holloway is truly international both in ethos and impact. Within the 9,850 students enrolled at Royal Holloway, over 130 nationalities are represented, making our campus truly cosmopolitan. In addition, of the 104 societies and associations which enrich the post-study social life of our students, a quarter have an international flavour. We know a diverse community makes for a more creative and harder-working environment which benefits all our students, wherever they are from. Students from overseas can apply for all of our undergraduate degrees. We offer a range of additional support specifically for international students, including through our Centre for the Development of Academic Skills. For example, ‘Academic English’ for international students is provided for non-native speakers of English. The courses are designed to help you meet the challenges of academic work, including writing essays, following lectures, taking part in academic discussion and giving presentations. We also offer additional degree preparation courses for international students. See our website for full details. We have a number of scholarships that are dedicated to international students to help with tuition fees for undergraduate degrees. You can find a list of our current scholarship opportunities on our website.
Entry requirements
2:1 Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, or another subject that includes a strong element of both mathematics and computing. Normally we require a UK 2:1 (Honours) or equivalent in relevant subjects but we will consider high 2:2 or relevant work experience. Candidates with professional qualifications in an associated area may be considered. Where a ‘good 2:2’ is considered, we would normally define this as reflecting a profile of 57% or above.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £13200 | Year 1 |
| EU | £23900 | Year 1 |
| England | £13200 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £13200 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £13200 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £13200 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £13200 | Year 1 |
| International | £23900 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
All postgraduate fees are subject to inflationary increases. Please be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration). This means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2024/25. Find out more (https://royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/postgraduate/tuition-fees/)
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2024/25 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX