Programme Features

Professional orientation
Without compromising on academic vigor, the programme is designed with industry requirements in mind. The curriculum incorporates topics from the curriculum of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Professional Risk Manager (PRM), and Financial Risk Manager (FRM) programmes.

Emphasize both quantitative skills and business acumen
This programme goes beyond training quants. Instead, it aims to nurture finance managers who can blend technical knowledge with an ability to capture business opportunities and work effectively with other decision makers. To this end, the programme offers the following features:

• Round table with practitioners – Veteran practitioners from the quantitative finance industry meet face-to-face with students to share their firsthand knowledge.
  
• Case studies – Through case studies in their final year, students can learn from the success and debacle of companies in their uses and abuses of quantitative techniques. Prominent cases such as Barings, Lehman Brothers, AIG, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be covered.
  
• Operational risk, compliance, and accounting issues – These issues are addressed to sharpen students’ awareness of the practical issues financial managers will face in their lines of duty.
  

Experience
The School of Economics and Finance (SEF) has accumulated rich experience (since 2001) in shaping its quantitative finance curriculum through its Master of Finance programme. Built upon the success of this programme, a similar programme was launched in 2005 with Peking University. Over the years, SEF has built a team of experienced, dedicated teaching staff and our alumni have forged brilliant careers and established an outstanding network in the banking and finance community.

In addition, Center for Financial Innovation and Risk Management, a research center in quantitative finance, was established in 1999 to promote quality research and provide consulting services to the investment community.

Flexibility
The BSc(QFin) programme offers a great degree of flexibility to students to take courses from other disciplines so that they can benefit from a broad-based education. It is our belief that a broad-based education can help students understand the world environment in depth, predict trends, and more importantly, to understand themselves and other people better.

• Up to 1/3 of the curriculum can be taken on free electives.
• No restrictions on electives – There is no prescribed elective list. Students can choose elective courses from inside and outside the Faculty of Business and Economics.
• Financial Practicum – this course allows you to earn credits while doing your internship or company project.