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Quantitative Finance with Data Science

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, on campus

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

This MSc Quantitative Finance with Data Science continues Birkbeck’s long and successful history of addressing in-demand skills in the financial sector. It provides you with a comprehensive curriculum that delivers fundamental quantitative knowledge for financial markets, practical programming skills in Python and R, a solid foundation in statistics and the application of data science tools in a financial context.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This course is ideal if you want to develop your quantitative skills and use them to succeed in a wide range of roles in finance. 
    • It offers you in-depth coverage of both market and credit risk management which are especially relevant in today’s recruitment arena.
    • You will benefit from being taught by experts in the fields of economics and international finance and learn alongside committed, enthusiastic students with a diverse range of experiences.

  • What will I learn?

    With an emphasis on practical application, this MSc is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to embark on an exciting career within the modern financial landscape. You will gain in-depth knowledge of data science tools alongside quantitative and statistical techniques and specialist knowledge of financial modelling and risk quantification, including: 

    • identifying and managing major sources of risk in financial markets 
    • understanding the role of financial derivatives, their use (and misuse) and how they are modelled 
    • using Python and R to perform mathematical and statistical investigations using data science tools 
    • analysing financial data with a view to detecting trends, forecasting financial variables and building risk models.

  • How will I learn?

    You will be able to choose between full- and part-time study on this course, with classes taking place in the evening, so you can balance your studies with other commitments, including work and family. 

    Teaching on this course is via lectures on campus which are also pre-recorded so you can return to them for further investigation. You will also gain valuable opportunities to broaden your knowledge by attending seminars and networking events both inside and outside of Birkbeck.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two to four evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: Two evenings a week, October to July.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • Birkbeck was one of the first to offer postgraduate finance courses. With this experience, our qualifications are highly regarded by the financial industry.
  • Our finance courses bring together research and teaching across economics and finance, mathematics and statistics.
  • Our teaching is renowned for its high quality and we provide in-house training for government departments and City firms and banks, including the Treasury and the Bank of England.
  • Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Economics and Econometrics research in the most recent 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
  • We offer a range of postgraduate courses in finance. Read an overview of each course to find the right one for you.

Modules and Teaching

Birkbeck Business School

The school is research-driven across a wide range of disciplinary themes with academic staff who create new knowledge, push boundaries and publish in leading academic journals.

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Entry requirements

The normal entry requirement is a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above from a UK university, or overseas equivalent, in a quantitative subject such as mathematics, physics, statistics, economics or engineering. Graduates from other disciplines such as computer science will be accepted if their degree contains a major quantitative element.

In some circumstances, we are able to admit students with an undergraduate degree that is less than the 2:2 standard, provided that your subsequent work experience and/or education and training is considered to have brought you to an equivalent standard.

Alternatively, a merit or higher in a Graduate Diploma in economics, mathematics or statistics would be suitable.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £7,440 per year
Full-time home students: £14,880 per year
Part-time international students: £12,600 per year
Full-time international students: £25,200 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MSc Quantitative Finance with Data Science, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in: 

  • problem solving 
  • time management
  • conducting independent research
  • reading and understanding research papers and articles with confidence. 

You will find quantitative finance and data science graduates progressing their studies further at PhD level or in the following quantitative analyst/developer roles across a range of financial institutions, including investment banks, hedge funds and insurance firms: 

  • analyst/adviser in the risk management sector
  • financial model validator
  • data scientist
  • portfolio manager
  • financial data scientist
  • investment strategist for a bank, pension fund or hedge fund
  • analyst within the Bank of England or Treasury.

Some of our recent graduates have gone on to be employed at:

  • investment banks, including Citibank, Bank of America, JP Morgan, Santander, Barclays, BNP Paribas, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Lloyds 
  • Ofgem 
  • consultancy firms including Tata, Capco, Mitsubishi UFG Financial Group, Insight Investment
  • Moodys
  • Quilter.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Quantitative Finance with Data Science (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time