Manchester Quantitative Finance vs UCL MSc in MSc Financial Computing

Hi, I've received offers from both Manchester Business School and UCL.

For Manchester it's an MSc in Quantitative Finance: Financial Engineering(FE) and for UCL its an MSc in MSc Financial Computing (FC).

My undergraduate is BA Finance, Accounting and Management.

I have set several criteria for my decision,
1. Branding. (My undergraduate university is not such famous, I hope to have a better branding)
2. Course. (I hope to learning something so that I can make competitive advantages for my later life)
3. Career. (I wish to get a job in UK, at least to get some experience.)
4. Friends. (I treasures my friends resources
and hope to establish a good network)
5. Cost. (Like an investment, I will take my tuiation into account)

See basic information as below

		Manchester	UCL
	Links	http://www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/taughtdegrees/courses/fulltime/course/?code=08206&pg=1	http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/admissions/msc_financial_computing/
University Ranking	Times (abroad)	49	17
QS	32	4
The Guardian (Home)	25	7
School Ranking	22	6
Course	Course Name	MSc Quantitative Finance: Financial Engineering	MSc Financial Computing
Modules	Core modules Foundations of Finance Theory; Stochastic Calculus; Derivative Securities; Financial Econometrics; Scientific Computing; Inertest Rate Derivatives; Computational Finance Optional modules Mathematical Modeling of Finance; Real Options in Corporate Finance; Credit Risk Management Summer research period Research dissertation	Autumn Term: GC01 Introductory Programming GC02 Design GC03 Architecture and Hardware GC04 Systems Infrastructure Spring Term: GF01 Financial Business Analysis and Project Management GF07 / GS07 Financial Information Systems (FCV) 2 Options GC05 Algorithmics GC06 Database Systems GC22 Software Engineering GC25 Interaction Design GC26 Artificial Intelligence and Neural Networks GF03 Compliance, Risk and Regulation Summer Project and Dissertation GF99 Individual Project The individual project completes the programme. This will be a placement with your "host" financial institution.
Length	9 month	9month
School/Dept	Manchester Business School the School of Mathematics	Dept of Computer Science
Fee	Tuition	both UK and overseas are 21000	UK/EU £10,250 Overseas £23,750
Living Fee	800/month	1000/month
Students	Student No.	23	30
Countries	10	?
Background	BSc Finance/BSc Economics students	Graduates of Non Computing Subjects (Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Sciences, Natural Sciences and Engineering) applications can be considered for Finance, Economics and Business Management if the Mathematical content is emphasised.
Requirement	First/upper second	A First or Upper second-class
Career	Career Trend	Wider..	IB IT
Career opportunity	MSc dissertation topics are aligned with the research interests of high-profile organisations from the City of London and internationally	may undertake their project at a financial services organisation in the UK or abroad.
Companies	Bangkok Bank, Bank of China, Barclays Capital, Bloomberg, CIBC World Markets, Citigroup, Hewitt Associates, HSBC, KPMG, MFC Fund, Schlumberger, Schneider	The core group of partner banks comprises: Bank of America Merrill Lynch Credit Suisse Goldman Sachs Morgan Stanley http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/?id=4434

The main issue is the course. FE is more like financial modelling whereas FC is more for programming. If I choose FE, its has an advantage to deepen my knowledge on finance. The course is also attractive as it combines the resources from both MBS and School of Math. The number of students is only 23, leading to good quality.

On the other, if FC is chosen, I will nearly change my area to computer, which i am not quite familiar. I like computer science. But I am not sure I would enjoy a career in IT Dept of invest banks (anyone knows what's the job is like?). Also, I have to compete with those who studied CS during their undergraduate. A one-year programme may not sufficient. It's exciting for me to discover a new area. But I may lose the chance to professionalized my finance area.

Which one is better to take? Could you also suggest some career path is I take that one?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Reply 1

Lingli

Hi! I got an offer from Alliance MBS, and it is also an MSc in quantitative finance. So I am curious about which program you have chosen, and what do you think of the program if you have done that? Thank you!

Reply 2

JackTT

I would advise you to go for a FE program as it can help you to join positions such as Quant Researcher. If you go for FC, you are more likely to be stuck in a IT position.

Reply 3

Ivy0000

I decided to go to Manchester in MSc quantitative finance in this September. can you give me some study material any course like ppt for me to review! Any help will be greatly appreciated!

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 4

BenRyan99

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by Ivy0000

I decided to go to Manchester in MSc quantitative finance in this September. can you give me some study material any course like ppt for me to review! Any help will be greatly appreciated!

May I ask what university you studied your undergraduate degree at? Finance, accounting and management at undergrad doesn't sound too quant heavy where QF and FE at masters does, just wondered how you got a place (not in a mean way, just curious).

Reply 5

jjj00700

Original post by Ivy0000

I decided to go to Manchester in MSc quantitative finance in this September. can you give me some study material any course like ppt for me to review! Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Did you enjoy the MSc Quantitative finance at AMBS?

Reply 6

lax-governess

Original post by Ivy0000

I decided to go to Manchester in MSc quantitative finance in this September. can you give me some study material any course like ppt for me to review! Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Hi! Would love to know about your experience. I start in September.