Postgraduate Diploma in Quantitative Finance
Is this programme for me?
The Postgraduate Diploma in Quantitative Finance is designed principally for postgraduates whose work in banks and other financial institutions requires knowledge of statistical (particularly econometric) and quantitative approaches to risk and derivatives. Graduates with strong previous quantitative training (such as engineers) and graduates with lower levels of previous training can both benefit from the programme by choosing appropriate courses. (The Programme Director will advise on your course choices).
The programme can also provide a suitable route towards entering the MSc Finance (major: Quantitative Finance).
Programme aims
This programme will equip you with the necessary statistical (particularly econometric) skills and quantitative approaches to risk and derivatives.
Programme details
| You study | Study period | Cost (2010-2011) | |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 4 courses | 1-5 years | £4,640 |
| Individual Professional Courses | You can take up to three individual courses from this distance learning programme. Each course lasts eight weeks and you are registered for two years. The fee per course is £1,160. | ||
Prestige
The programme has been developed by academics at the Centre for Financial and Management Studies (CeFiMS), a postgraduate research and teaching department within SOAS, University of London. Staff at CeFiMS have international reputations and are involved in researching their subjects at the very limits of current knowledge.
Career progression
As a graduate of this programme you will be well prepared for research and other positions in banking, fund management, consultancy, central banks and international bodies.
Comprehensive study materials and support
You will be sent all the study materials that you need to complete the programme, which may typically include:
- A core text specially written for the course. This is the backbone of the course and is comparable to a series of lecures. It is organised into eight study units, each of which lasts one week.
- Textbooks and collections of readings.
- Online and multimedia tools. Some courses provide video lectures on DVD. These expand on issues that have been raised in the course and relate the material to 'real world' examples. The Online Study Centre (OSC) provides instant access to course materials and also offers academic, administrative and technical support.
- A study calendar for each course to help you organize your time. This sets out a schedule for coursework and assignment deadlines.
- A Welcome Pack is available online, which provides you with resources and tips on effective distance learning. We will also send you a Study Skills textbook to help you manage your studies.
Your time commitment
This will depend partly on choices you make, but most students take two years to complete Postgraduate Diploma. The study calendar consists of five sessions per year. Each session is devoted to a specific course and lasts eight weeks (with the exception of the first session which runs for 10 weeks). During each session you will need to allocate between 15-20 hours per week to complete the programme.
Summary of key dates
| Application deadline | 6 September 2010 | 22 November 2010 | 1 April 2011 |
| Programme starts | November 2010 | January 2011 | June 2011 |
| Examinations | October |
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