The collaborative Master's program in Finance - in quantitative/mathematical finance involves the School of Accounting and Finance and the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science. It is the first graduate program that has been designed for students who wish to obtain a rigorous training in modern quantitative finance. This is not an Accounting program. The program has received widespread support from the financial community
The program is available in a thesis or coursework/Master's Research Paper option.
- Successful completion of a four-year Honours degree (or equivalent) with at least an 80% average is required. In general, applicants will be expected to have a strong background in quantitative methods. Such a background may be in mathematics, statistics, economics, engineering, physics, or any other mathematically intensive subject area. Strong communication skills are also highly desirable.
- Students whose first language is not English may be required to provide proof of competency in English. For those taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a score of at least 600 (250 on the computerized version), with a score of 5 in the Test of Written English (TWE). (See Academic Regulations - English Language Proficiency Certification for other acceptable tests of English).
- Three letters of reference, at least two of which must be academic references.
- Applicants will initially be assessed by a special interdepartmental committee consisting of faculty from Accounting and Statistics and Actuarial Science. Students whose academic background does not meet the admission requirements, but who otherwise show outstanding promise for graduate work in finance, may be admitted as qualifying students. An overall average grade of B (75%) is required in all qualifying courses with no grade less than 60% in any course. Admission to the qualifying program does not guarantee admission to the Master's program. The number of courses required in the qualifying period will depend on the student's prior educational background. Interested applicants should consult with Professor Don L. McLeish, the Director of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Finance.
Application Deadline for September admissions is February 1st.
The Master's program in Finance requires the completion of nine one-term (0.50 unit weight) courses and a Master's Research Paper over a four-term period, or four one-term (0.50) unit weight courses and a thesis.
Students will automatically be enrolled in the Master's Research Paper or Thesis depending on the option they choose, during the first term of their graduate program.
Coursework Option:
The course work option requires the completion of nine one-term (0.50 unit weight) courses and a Master's Research paper. Students will automatically be enrolled in the Master's Research Paper during the first term of their graduate program. Normally, the program consists of two academic terms (fall and winter), followed by an internship with an industrial partner in the spring term, and then two academic terms (fall and winter). In exceptional circumstances, the program can be completed in three academic terms.
The required courses for this option are: ACC 770/ACTSC 970, ACC771/ACTSC971, ACC 772/ACTSC972, ECON 727, STAT 850, STAT 901, STAT 902, and STAT 906, plus one additional approved graduate level course. (Depending on prior educational background, students may substitute other graduate level courses, with the approval of their supervisor.)
Thesis Option:
The Thesis option requires the completion of four one-term (0.50 unit weight) courses and a Master's thesis. The required courses for this option are ACC 770/ACTSC 970 and ACC 771/ACTSC 971, plus two approved graduate level courses. (Depending on the prior educational background, students may substitute other graduate level courses, with the approval of their supervisor.)
In either of the above options candidates must obtain an overall average of at least 75% in the courses presented in fulfilment of the degree requirements.
A special interdepartmental committee consisting of faculty from the School of Accounting and Finance and the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science will review the record of those whose cumulative average at the end of any term is below 75% and the candidate may be required to withdraw from the program.