Postgraduate programs

Master of Quantitative Finance
Master of Science (Mathematics)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Research topics

Master of Quantitative Finance (DMQF) (pdf file flyer)

Already have a degree but want a career in the technical side of the finance industry?

This program is designed to provide expertise in quantitative finance at Masters level. A background in Finance is developed and then used to introduce topics of increasing mathematical and financial complexity. The program provides greater quantitative training than degrees typically offered by Schools of Business. At the conclusion of the program, students could apply for positions such as financial analyst or modeller, information analyst, derivatives analyst, risk manager or quantitative analyst. These are jobs that involve risk assessment, forecasting financial results, determining optimal investment strategies, analysing stock and option markets and applying statistical principles in data analysis.

Industry
There is increasing importance in developing Australia as a global financial centre, and consequently, there is a growing need for graduates with the appropriate skills to fill these positions. Companies that employ graduates with these skills include:

Banks (all Australian banks, the Reserve Bank of Australia, and the World Bank)
Insurance companies (e.g. AMP, Allianz)
Government agencies (e.g. Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Treasuries, both Federal and State,
Department of Industry Science and Resources)
Investment organisations (e.g. BT Financial Group, Deloitte Touche Tomatsu, J.P.Morgan, Optiver, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Towers Perrin, Trowbridge Consulting)

These companies are looking to employ individuals with strong analytical, problem solving, quantitative, leadership and communication skills and an interest in technology and business process management. In addition, they seek prospective employees with the ability to create business solutions to complex challenges and to apply both quantitative and qualitative analysis to complex situations.

Professional recognition
Professional accreditation with the Australian Financial Planning Institute and the Securities Institute will be sought, together with registration with the Chartered Financial Analysts Institute.

Entry requirements
Applicants must have a recognised degree in any discipline and must have completed equivalent tertiary courses to the level of both Calculus and Linear Algebra and Statistical Methods (see our online information for further details). If you do not have the requisite background, you will need to address this by studying the certain courses either on campus or externally.

Prerequisites and Co-requisites
The course Financial Theory and Financial Markets must be taken in the first study period as a prerequisite and co-requisite for other mathematically based courses in finance. The course Probability and Survival Models M is a co-requisite for Life Contingencies and Risk Theory, and Derivatives II is a co-requisite for Financial Time Series.

The Masters program duration is 2 years (no fast track available) and requires the completion of 54 units (12 courses at 4.5 units each) of coursework and has a mid-year intake (July) only.

Dr Chris Brien
Program Director
City West Campus
Yungondi Building, room Y3-75
Telephone: +61 8 8302 0448
Fax: +61 8 8302 0765
Email: chris.brien@unisa.edu.au

Application procedures

International applicants

Applications can be made via:

UniSA International representatives in your relevant country: www.unisa.edu.au/internat/reps.asp

The international student homepage or their enquire online service.

Please note: that all international students studying in Australia will require a Student Visa; details are available at the DIMIA website: www.dimia.gov.au

Australian applicants

Information is available at the following website: http://www.unisa.edu.au/future/postgrad/default.asp

Please note: this program is not offered through SATAC, you will need to apply direct to the University. Application forms downloadable from this website: www.unisa.edu.au/studysas/forms/PostgraduateDirectEntry.pdf

Further Information
Further information and the program content is available from the Master of Quantitative Finance website.

Master of Science (Mathematics) and
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

For both degrees, the work takes the form of a thesis which embodies the results of the individual research pursued by the student. Research students may be offered some part-time teaching to supplement the scholarships.

Some general information about our post-graduate research programs in Mathematics is also available on the post-graduate student information site of our research centre: CIAM.

Further information
Further information can be obtained by writing, e-mailing, faxing or telephoning our Postgraduate Research Degrees Coordinator Dr Jorge Aarao or by visiting the Master of Science (Mathematics) and Doctor of Philosophy (Phd) websites.

Further information on conditions of award for: