Length
18 months part-time,
36 months part-time
36 months part-time
School/department
MSc Mathematical Finance (online)
Equip yourself for a career in the finance industry
Taught entirely online, our MSc in Mathematical Finance will give you the skills you need to work in the financial sector and adapt quickly to new developments in the field.
This distance learning programme builds on the strength and success of the campus-based MSc Mathematical Finance. You'll develop your skills and competence in mathematical and quantitative finance in a flexible learning environment, suitable for a diverse range of students from across the world.
Our team of dedicated academic staff are leaders in their field, and you'll work closely with them through regular one-to-one online tutorials and supervisory sessions.
If you'd like to study this course but feel the need to revise and consolidate your mathematics background before starting, we offer an online pre-sessional course: Mathematics for Quantitative Finance.
Excellent textbooks and friendly tutors allowed me to master quite sophisticated mathematics and excel in most subjects. Interactive lectures just a mouse-click away provided me with opportunity to study at home, on the move, everywhere! The course is a great way to master a complex discipline for people who lead busy lives.
Fund Management Company, Australia
Course content
You'll complete modules to the value of 180 credits, including core taught modules and a dissertation.
The online degree is split into three stages:
- Certificate Stage
- Diploma Stage
- Dissertation Stage
You'll need to complete all three stages to achieve the MSc, but you can exit earlier with either a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma, depending on your progress.
Modules
Induction period
The induction period introduces you to teaching and learning using the online system. It carries no credits.
Certificate Stage
Core modules:
- Mathematical Methods of Finance (20 credits)
- Discrete Time Modelling and Derivative Securities (20 credits)
- Portfolio Theory and Risk Management (20 credits)
Diploma Stage
Core module:
- Stochastic Calculus and Black-Scholes Theory (20 credits)
Choose two of the following options:
- Numerical and Computing Techniques in Finance (20 credits)
- Modelling of Bonds, Term Structure and Interest Rate Diversities (20 credits)
- Credit Risk (20 credits)
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Dissertation
- Mathematical Finance Dissertation (60 credits)
You'll be provided with a list of topics to choose from, or you can propose your own topic (subject to approval). Dissertation topics are unique for each student, and are typically based on recent publications in leading journals or preprints by leading researchers in the field of mathematical/quantitative finance.
Previous topics include:
- Construction of martingale measures by maximizing entropy
- Continuous time limit of the binomial model
- Estimating volatility using ARCH models
- Optimal investments using utility functions
- Liquidity risk by means of VaR
- Valuation of companies
- Coherent risk measures
- Conditional Value at Risk
- Computer simulations of interest rate models
Throughout the dissertation process you'll submit drafts and received detailed written feedback. You'll have regular one-to-one meetings with your supervisor to discuss the drafts and feedback, review progress and receive advice on any problems you may encounter.
Learning outcomes
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
Learning outcomes for this course
- Use mathematical tools (stochastic analysis including stochastic differential equations, partial differential equations, optimisation techniques) as applied to pricing and hedging derivative financial securities, portfolio and management techniques.
- Have knowledge of a range of mathematical models of financial securities: stocks, bonds (including the term structure of interest rates), and derivative securities.
- Use mathematical techniques involved in pricing, hedging and analysis of derivative securities, in both discrete and continuous time market models; their relevance in modern financial practice.
- Have knowledge of modern portfolio theory, efficient portfolio and risk management.
- Know the most popular and efficient numerical methods and computational techniques (finite-difference, Monte Carlo) used in the solution of the mathematical problems arising in finance; the strengths and limitations of these methods as applied to practical contexts in finance.
- Price and hedge a variety of derivative securities using appropriate mathematical and numerical techniques.
- Manage and optimise investment portfolios; manage risk using a variety of risk measures and mathematical techniques.
- Use computing software (spreadsheets, programming languages and/or symbolic computation software) to implement solutions; develop and document software.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2025/26
| Study mode | UK (home) / International and EU |
|---|---|
| Part-time, distance learning (18 months) This is the fee per stage (stage 1 - Certificate; stage 2 - Diploma; and stage 3 - Dissertation). Each stage takes six months. |
£8,410 |
| Part-time, distance learning (3 years) This is the fee per stage (stage 1 - Certificate; stage 2 - Diploma; and stage 3 - Dissertation). Each stage takes one year. |
£8,410 |
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
- UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%).
- International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
I found my experience with the MSc programme to be very rewarding. Taking the course helped me to make the transition into quantitative finance coming from a more natural science (mathematical biology) background. I particularly liked the focus and care with which the course approached the mathematics.
Head of Data Analytics at Berenberg Asset Management, Germany
Teaching and assessment
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Teaching format
There are two four-month teaching periods in each academic year: 1 October to 31 January and 15 March to 15 July. There are two intakes per year, beginning in September and February, when we also run two-week induction periods for new students.
You'll have the option of following the programme either as fast stream or standard stream. Fast stream students complete each of the three stages, Certificate, Diploma and Dissertation within a single four-month teaching period. Standard stream students need two consecutive teaching periods to complete each stage. Therefore the course can take from 18 months (fast stream) to 36 months (standard stream). To allow maximum flexibility, it is possible to transfer between the two streams between stages.
Our teaching is informed by the latest research, meaning you can focus on the latest ideas and models. You'll make use of our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and a range of teaching methods including:
- Online one-to-one tutorials
- Interactive presentations
- Discussion forums
- Dissertations
Your regular one-to-one tutorials will make use of screen sharing and handwriting facilities to allow communication in the symbolic language of mathematics. Interactive presentations are used to describe new concepts you will have to learn and problems classes put them into practice. As well as supporting your learning online, the VLE gives you access to the wider community of staff and students in the Department of Mathematics and you'll be able to discuss modules and assignments with your peers through discussion forums.
You'll receive free electronic copies of books from the series Mastering Mathematical Finance, which have been specifically written for this course. Original lecture notes will also be provided.
While you're working on your project and your dissertation you'll have regular online meetings with your academic supervisor who will offer advice and support. We always aim to give you a supervisor with specialist knowledge of the area you're investigating.
Facilities
No presence on campus is required, but access to suitable hardware, software and a good internet connection are necessary:
Hardware
- PC running Windows 10
- Headset (or built-in microphone and speakers)
- Internet video camera
- A good internet connection
Software
- Firewall and/or other settings to allow Skype or Zoom video calls
- LyX mathematical editor with MikTeX package
- Acrobat Reader
- Skype or Zoom
- Microsoft Office 2007 or later
We offer a dedicated library service for distance learners and you'll have remote access to all of our relevant electronic library resources.
Assessment and feedback
You'll be assessed by regular coursework assignments throughout each module and a recorded online viva at the end of the Certificate and Diploma stages of the programme. The coursework consists of problems and practical tasks that might require the use of software. You'll develop your subject knowledge and analytical skills as well as your ability to apply, implement and interpret theory.
In the independent study module, you'll conduct a piece of applied research. You'll continue to develop your critical reasoning and digital literacy skills, including programming. As this module is assessed with a dissertation, your training is rounded off by consistently working on your written communication skills. There is also a recorded online viva at the end of the dissertation stage.
Careers and skills
Upon successful completion of this course, you can embark on careers in trading and pricing derivative financial securities (options, futures, forwards, and the like), fund management, risk management, research and development, or pursue further study to PhD level.
Career opportunities
- Financial analyst
- Accountant
- Credit risk manager
- Investment manager
- Risk analyst
- Statistician
Find out more about our alumni.
Transferable skills
- Communicate ideas and arguments in written and oral form in a clear and rigorous manner.
- Apply and implement results in current literature in a practical context.
Turn ambition into achievement with our expert guidance and connections. From your first day here to life after graduation, we'll help you find your career advantage.
The topics studied felt relevant and current, and many of the skills I picked up have become key tools in my professional life. Additionally, the study skills, discipline and time-management capabilities that were crucial to succeeding on the course have also proved invaluable for studies for subsequent professional qualifications.
Derivatives Trader, London
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in Mathematics or a relevant subject including certain science degrees. In certain cases, you may be required to complete the online pre-sessional course in Mathematics for Quantitative Finance with a final grade of at least 60%. If your undergraduate degree is in business, finance or economics with sufficiently strong mathematics background (equivalent to at least two years of university level mathematics courses), then we encourage you to apply also. We welcome students with recent degrees as well as those with work experience in related disciplines and professions. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.0, minimum 5.5 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 169, with no less than 162 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 6, minimum of 5 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 126, minimum 116 in each component |
| Duolingo | 105, minimum 95 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 65 with a minimum of 60 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 444-477, with 410-443 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Pass with Merit overall, with Pass in each component |
| PTE Academic | 55, minimum 51 in each component |
| TOEFL | 79, minimum 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing |
| Trinity ISE III | Pass in all components |
For more information see our English language requirements.
Next steps
Contact us
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