Computational Finance MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Kings College London

Program Overview

The MSc in Computational Finance at King’s College London combines finance, mathematics, and advanced computing to train students in modelling financial markets, analysing large financial datasets, and developing quantitative tools. It suits numerate graduates who want to work in quantitative finance, risk management, trading, or fintech.

Curriculum Structure (Full-time, 1 Year)

Year of Study

Students first study core subjects such as Scientific Computing for Finance, Quantitative Methods in Finance, and High-Frequency Finance, gaining skills in numerical modelling, time-series analysis, and working with large, fast-moving market data. They then explore modules like Agent-Based Modelling in Finance and Case Studies in Finance, where they learn to simulate financial systems, model trader behaviour, and understand market dynamics through computational experimentation.
The programme concludes with an Individual Project, allowing students to design a quantitative tool, model or system that solves a real financial problem — integrating computational methods, financial theory and data analysis.

Focus areas: “Computational finance, quantitative methods, scientific computing, high-frequency data analysis, agent-based modelling, financial systems simulation”

Learning outcomes: “Model and price financial instruments; analyse time-series and high-frequency market data; simulate financial systems; apply numerical and statistical techniques; develop and present a computational finance project.”

Professional alignment (accreditation): Designed to meet industry demand for quantitative and computational skills in trading, risk analysis, fintech and financial modelling.

Reputation (employability rankings): King’s College London is consistently ranked among the top UK universities, and graduates from this programme are highly competitive for roles in quantitative research, trading, analytics and fintech.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MSc Computational Finance at King's College London provides practical, quantitative skills for analysing financial markets and managing risk using advanced computational and mathematical models. Students apply programming and statistical techniques to real-world financial data in a research-led environment.

Key experiential components:

Software & Tools: Financial modelling and analysis using Python (Pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn), R, MATLAB, and specialised libraries for quantitative finance, algorithmic trading, and derivative pricing.
Computing Resources: Access to King's high-performance computing facilities and financial databases (e.g., Bloomberg, Refinitiv Eikon via the King's Business School), enabling back-testing of strategies and analysis of large datasets.
Group Projects: Collaborative quantitative finance projects, where student teams work on solving a complex financial modelling problem, such as portfolio optimisation, risk assessment, or developing a trading algorithm.
Industry & Research Integration: The programme benefits from King's London location and links with the financial sector. The curriculum and final dissertation project are closely tied to current research in financial mathematics and often address problems relevant to industry practitioners.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of King's College London's MSc Computational Finance secure roles as quantitative analysts, financial software developers, risk modelers, and algorithmic traders in investment banks, hedge funds, FinTech firms, and consultancies:

Careers Service offers CV workshops, interview coaching, employer events.
High employability in competitive finance; strong salaries reflecting quant demand.
Industry projects with financial institutions near City of London.
Skills for certifications in quant finance/FinTech leadership.
Outcomes in trading, risk management, or research.

Further Academic Progression: Pursue PhD in computational finance at King's/elsewhere, extending MSc project on high-performance computing or big data analytics.

Additional Information & Requirements

A minimum high 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above.
India - Degree from a Prestigious Institution: Bachelor degree (Honours/Special) with a score of: 67% or 8.3 out of 10. India - Degree from a Recognised Institution: Bachelor degree (Honours/Special) with a score of: 70% or 8.5 out of 10. India - Degree from a Highly Prestigious Institution: Bachelor degree (Honours/Special) with a score of: 65% or 8 out of 10
IELTS: 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each skill
TOEFL: 100 overall with a minimum of 25 in writing and 23 in each of the other skills. All TOEFL test results must be provided via King’s Apply.
United States of America: Bachelor degree with a GPA of 3.5/4.0
One academic reference is required
Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.
China - Degree from Prestigious Institution: Award of Bachelor degree with an average score of 85%, as evidenced by a Bachelor Degree Certificate. China - Degree from a Recognised Institution: Award of Bachelor degree with an average score of 88% as evidenced by a Bachelor Degree Certificate