I've had a read about the MORSE degree course at Warwick and it looks like a very interesting degree I would love to go into a career in financial mathematics or high finance (derivs trading etc etc) My question is how hard is it, and am i better of doing an econ degree (i.e. whats the difference in terms of career opp)?
I've had a read about the MORSE degree course at Warwick and it looks like a very interesting degree I would love to go into a career in financial mathematics or high finance (derivs trading etc etc) My question is how hard is it, and am i better of doing an econ degree (i.e. whats the difference in terms of career opp)?
thanks
MORSE will open up both the soft analytical fields (IBD, Equity/Credit Research, strategy consulting etc) and hard analytical fields (derivs trading, proper maths background for a PhD etc). MORSE is a really cool, varied degree and it most certainly will prep you well if something like derivs is your aim.
Was just trawling through some recent top tier MBA profiles (Harvard, Wharton and Stanford). A lot from Warwick had MORSE + some finance job.
MORSE will open up both the soft analytical fields (IBD, Equity/Credit Research, strategy consulting etc) and hard analytical fields (derivs trading, proper maths background for a PhD etc). MORSE is a really cool, varied degree and it most certainly will prep you well if something like derivs is your aim.
Was just trawling through some recent top tier MBA profiles (Harvard, Wharton and Stanford). A lot from Warwick had MORSE + some finance job.
Thanks for the reply! I have heard it is difficult, more than economics at Warwick and i wonder whether its worth doing over economics? I have a passion for economics too but will MORSE open up to more financial careers? Which one do you think is better suited for finance?
Maths and economics course doesnt seem to have the flexibility in modules that MORSE or economics has.
Idrm maths, even if i do a year of pure maths
I enjoy both but im really talking specifically about future career options with the two
Maybe I am very naive but I've always wondered how people "enjoy the subject" and yet their main concern is career options which seem to be quite irrelevant to the subject they learn at uni ( pure maths say) . It will not be just pure maths in first year, you will have to do quite a lot of theoretical stats too in year 2. That's already half of your degree. Regarding careers.. MORSE should have an advantage over economics..
Thanks for the reply! I have heard it is difficult, more than economics at Warwick and i wonder whether its worth doing over economics? I have a passion for economics too but will MORSE open up to more financial careers? Which one do you think is better suited for finance?
Well, if you read my post, you'd have come to the conclusion that MORSE opens up more doors than just econ.
Maybe I am very naive but I've always wondered how people "enjoy the subject" and yet their main concern is career options which seem to be quite irrelevant to the subject they learn at uni ( pure maths say) . It will not be just pure maths in first year, you will have to do quite a lot of theoretical stats too in year 2. That's already half of your degree. Regarding careers.. MORSE should have an advantage over economics..
I personally see economics as an applied version of maths and stats. It's got a lot of interesting things such as game theory (an apparent favourite at Warwick) along side economic theory and maths in general. Im sure there are plenty that arent interested in the subject but only want it for career options which i dont see as a massive issue.
wouldnt an exotic derivative trader (and more mathematically rigorous course) basically require a masters? I was always under the impression that quants etc would need one
wouldnt an exotic derivative trader (and more mathematically rigorous course) basically require a masters? I was always under the impression that quants etc would need one
No. You don't need to be a quant to do exotic derivs trading, but a good grounding in maths is absolutely necessary.
Most people on exotics desks have Maths/Maths + something (Physics, Computer Science, Econ etc)/Physics/Engineering degrees.
This is kinda unrelated but do people get to choose which desk they work on or does the bank decide? What if I'm placed into equity trading even if I am better suited to derivatives?
This is kinda unrelated but do people get to choose which desk they work on or does the bank decide? What if I'm placed into equity trading even if I am better suited to derivatives?
Mix of both.
One model is you order your choices and the desks order who they want, then the two are matched.
Another is you order your choices and whichever desk is most suitable for you, you'll get placed on.
Another would be you're assigned one at random, then rotate around a couple before being offered a place on a desk full time.
This is kinda unrelated but do people get to choose which desk they work on or does the bank decide? What if I'm placed into equity trading even if I am better suited to derivatives?
But you do get to choose between FICC and equity as they're usually on separate trading floors.
On the basis of my internship, if your aim is to become a trader, I wouldn't recommend MORSE. The course was looked down upon by several traders, who saw the degree to be jack of all trades master of none.
But bear in mind that this may be different in another bank.