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Computing for Financial Markets – (M.Sc.)
University of Stirling
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
| Application Deadline: | 31 August (Applications may still be considered after this date) | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 3,700 ≈ € 12,100 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Stirling / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Stirling
Programme Objectives
The MSc in Computing for Financial Markets is an intensive 12-month programme for those who wish to obtain an up-to-date knowledge on key computing technologies as used by the financial sector, including:
* Decision Support Systems
* Object Oriented Design and Programming
* Database Technologies
The programme further includes key financial and economic topics, such as:
* The Pricing and Use of Derivative Financial Products
* Portfolio Management
* A Detailed View Into Energy Markets
* Environmental Finance
The MSc in Computing for Financial Markets will significantly enhance the employment prospects of students. Career prospects for computing postgraduates in the financial sector are excellent. You will have acquired expertise in the computing, financial and economics fields making you an ideal candidate for positions in the financial sector. You will have gained specific vocational skills in the design and development of computer applications and networks plus expertise in financial tools and markets.
Contents
Structure and content
The programme comprises three elements: two 15-week semesters of taught modules and a three-month dissertation. Semester 1 concentrates on fundamental techniques. Semester 2 integrates, develops and applies these skills.
In the autumn semester you will take the following modules:
* Financial Economics: Financial instruments and how they are traded; the major topics in financial economics including portfolio theory, the pricing of bonds, stocks, and other financial instruments
* Quantitative Methods in Finance: The statistical and computing skills necessary to understand fully and perform modern financial analysis
* Principles and Practice of Programming: The design and testing of programs written in Java. You will study good practice in program construction, programming with data structures and graphical user interfaces
* Database Principles and Applications: Provides a critical understanding of the role of database management systems and the ability to creatively design and implement practical databases.
During the winter break there is an extended programming assignment using Java.
In the spring semester you will study two core modules:
* Decision Support Systems: IT methods and techniques in the support of decision-making in organisations, in particular modelling, simulation and intelligent decision support systems
* Energy Markets: The function of the major markets for energy: oil, coal, natural gas, electric power, and alternative/renewable energy in a national and international context; the environmental issues related to energy use and consumption; the effect on energy markets of national and international environmental policy
Plus one of the following two modules:
* Object-oriented Software Design: How to analyse and model requirements and develop object-oriented software, through the use of UML and CASE tools
* Networking: Investigates the principles of data communications, including layered network architecture, services and protocols
Plus one of the following two modules:
* Derivatives: Provides an understanding of the uses and the valuation of the main derivative financial instruments. It covers the trading mechanisms used on derivative markets and explains the fundamental principles underlying the pricing of derivatives and their use in portfolio management, and risk management
* Investments and Portfolio Management: Provides an understanding of portfolio management principles and the valuation of equities and fixed-interest securities
You may graduate with the Postgraduate Diploma after two semesters, or you may continue with a three-month project and dissertation to qualify for the MSc degree. The subject of the dissertation will usually be a computer application for a financial purpose.
Delivery and Assessment
Students will learn about computing, finance and economics topics through lectures, tutorials/seminars and practical sessions. Lectures involve the whole class, while tutorials and practicals are for small groups. Practical work is a key component in our degrees, and provides the opportunity for hands-on experience. It builds from self contained tasks in the first semester, over a larger programming assignment in the winter break to a group project in Semester 2. Finally, the dissertation project is your largest single piece of work leading to your MSc dissertation.
After two semesters of classes you will embark on a three-month project working on your dissertation topic. At the end of the project you will write up your findings as your MSc dissertation. For the MSc projects, we will make a number of industrial placements (usually unpaid) available. These will be offered to the best students in the class. Other project suggestions both from external bodies and from within the university are also offered. Furthermore, students' own ideas for projects are encouraged and welcomed. Often students bring in their previous expertise.
Timetable
Contact the School for information on your timetable and reading lists.
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
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Register Now!Requirements
Entrance requirements
Applicants normally require a first or second class Honours Degree from an institution recognised by the University of Stirling.
English language requirements If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5.5 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 21.
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.0 |
Accreditation
In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 90 percent of research in Computing Science and Mathematics at Stirling was graded as ‘Internationally Excellent’, with the top five percent of that judged to be 'World-leading’.
Ask a Question
You can contact Dr Mario Kolberg to ask a question about Computing for Financial Markets at University of Stirling.
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