MSc in Mathematical Finance - Alumni profiles

    2019 finishers

    Thomas Bschorr

    Senior Consultant, d-fine GmbH

    As a physicist, the course offered me a unique opportunity to get to know the theoretical background of the corresponding models in finance, which are relevant for my work. The course further offered me the opportunity to obtain a second degree and to broaden my horizon while already working full time.

     

    Alexander Dreher-Brockhoff

    Senior Consultant, d-fine GmbH

    I have applied for the part-time Mathematical Finance programme (MSc) at the University of Oxford, because it appeals to me as a unique opportunity to take my knowledge in mathematical and quantitative finance to the next level at one of the world’s most prestigious universities. I am convinced that the MSc in Mathematical Finance is the perfect course to strengthen mathematical skills and to open new perspectives and ideas based on the practical experience of renowned lecturers.

     

    Gernot Lassnig

    Consultant, d-fine GmbH and Entrepreneur

    I decided to join the Oxford mathematical finance programme to obtain a deep and thorough understanding of the mathematical and computational techniques applied in mathematical finance, without taking a career-break. The programme offers an unmatched mix of lectures held by wold-leading academics and financial practitioners from industry that allow valuable insights ranging from current research topics to practical issues.

     

    Erik Rudolf

    Consultant, d-fine GmbH

    I chose the course to get to know the mathematical view of the finance area, where I started my first employment. I have learnt a new field of application for differential equations and got a principal understanding for financial products that helps me a lot as background information in my daily work.

     

    Carsten Seibel

    Manager, d-fine GmbH

    The course was a brilliant and very instructive experience for me. It was a great pleasure and an honour for me to graduate from the University of Oxford in mathematical finance. The reason why I participated in the course was to learn as much as possible of the mathematical background of the whole financial process, which I'm confronted with each working day in my job as consultant/manager at d-fine. My expectations have been more than exceeded. I would like to thank all the professionally and humanly qualified lecturers, for their great and sounded teaching. The time at Oxford will remain in my memory as a unique academic and cultural adventure, which I do not want to miss! I would choose the progamme again at any time.

     

    Mahan Tahvildari

    Senior Consultant, d-fine GmbH

    I have chosen the MSc in Mathematical Finance to deepen my academic knowledge and skills in stochastic analysis, utility theory, valuation and optimal hedging of financial derivatives in preparation for my PhD studies. WIth the part-time programme, I was able to study in parallel to my full-time job as a (senior) consultant for risk management in the banking industry.

    2018 finishers

    Stefan Buhrandt

    Model Validation, Postbank AG

    I chose the course to improve my understanding of mathematical finance, in particular the valuation of financial derivatives. I really enjoyed the choice of topics and how the material was presented. I am sure that I can use many of the things I learned during the course in my new job.

     

    Jonas Daniels

    Business Analyst, Talanx Asset Management GmbH 

    I chose this course in order to get a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind our financial world and for the pure joy of mathematics. It was a great pleasure to met many interesting people during this intellectually inspiring course. 

     

    Marcin DecMarcin Dec

    PhD Student at Warsaw School of Economics

    I think it is the best part-time Mathematical Finance programme (MSc) in Europe, as it covers both angles: the good old theory i.e.: stochastic calculus (mostly by Professors Cohen and Dewynne), numerical methods for finance (mostly by Professors Reisinger and Giles) as well as the new tastes and flavours arising from very practical approaches: algorithmic trading, forecasting, energy trading etc. The quality of teaching is generally very high, with some lectures at outstanding level (Prof Cohen) and only literally a few lectures which may disappoint, be it not formal enough or a bit too dense.

    The course itself is not overly formal, but during the course, you will be exposed to many new things and concepts thrown at you. So if you haven't done any differential equations, basic programming in Matlab/Python or never heard of and never digested Lebesgue integrals, martingales or heat equations you will still be fine but you would have to spend much more time on basics especially during the first 8 months to first exams in September.

    My main motivation to complete this MSc was to improve mathematical argumentation, to develop skills in financial instruments valuation and to build proper pre-requisites for further academic career. I think I realised these goals as I am a PhD Student in Quantitative Economics at Warsaw School of Economics now, maybe coming back to Oxford as a research student someday.

     

    Christoph Hörig

    Senior Consultant, d-fine GmbH

    The course gave me with an in-depth insight into the world of Mathamatical Finance and the quantitative as well as the qualitative aspects of modern financial models and valuation. I met wonderful and interesting people, for which I am very grateful.

     

    Emre Ilgünsatiroglu

    Consultant, d-fine AG

    I choose the course because of the convenient structure. However, I expected case studies that are more practical rather than studying the theoretical framework. I hope and am sure that having postgraduate diploma in financial mathematics will provide better career opportunities in the future in financial industry.

     

    Christian Kappen

    Manager, d-fine GmbH

    I chose this course because I wanted to acquire a deeper understanding of financial modelling, to be able to independently devise and implement models for pricing, hedging and risk management. The course fully met my expectations; I take advantage of my newly obtained knowledge every single day.

     

    Markus Schaepers

    Senior Consultant, d-fine GmbH

    The courses in Mathematical Finance at the Oxford University offered me a deep understanding in many details of financial mathematics. The part time course gave me the opportunity to continue my career as a consultant for financial institutions while building a profound basis and great educational background with respect to my work. In addition, meeting people from the same industry with similar backgrounds and experiences was very helpful to expand my network.

     

    James Third

    Product Controller, Bank Julius Baer

    I chose the course because I wanted to understand more about the mathematics behind financial markets. This was motivated by both interest in the topic and my desire to steer my career in that direction. I found the course very enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.

     

    Pascal VaudrevangePascal Vaudrevange

    Manager, d-fine GmbH

    This course has significantly deepened my understanding of a wide array of financial instruments, giving me a solid foundation for my daily work in risk management.

     

    2017 finishers

    Ralph Hofacker

    Managing Consultant, d-fine Ltd

    Always having dreamt of studying at the University of Oxford, I was very pleased to have been given the opportunity to complete this course. While it covered several advanced topics in mathematical finance, it provided me with a unique studying experience, consisting of highly interesting and challenging subjects in an outstanding academic environment with renowned lecturers and class mates from all over the world. Attending the course enhanced my knowledge in the field, it extended my network significantly and the completion of the course allows me now to choose more freely the domain of work I am interested in in my job.

     

    Sergei Perfiliev

    Financial Software Developer, Bloomberg LP

    Sergei studied electrical engineering in university and since graduation has been working in the financial sector. Over this time he developed a good understanding of the financial markets and instruments and wanted to apply his engineering background to the world of finance. Oxford's Mathematical Finance course provided an excellent link between the two areas and demonstrated in numerous ways how mathematical tools can be used to solve real-life challenges in the financial industry.

     

    Antti Vauhkonen

    Counterparty Credit Risk Modelling, Lloyds Banking Group

    My main aim for attending the course was to deepen my understanding of the various mathematical techniques that I have been applying over the past twenty years as a developer and validator of models for derivative product valuation or measurement of potential future market risks or counterparty credit exposures, as well as to learn new quantitative skills that might help me in my professional work. Not only were these specific goals fully achieved, but I also found that my general interest in mathematics as a whole, well beyond the confines of the theory of mathematical finance and its associated disciplines, was wonderfully rejuvenated, and since finishing the course I have continued carrying out active research building on my dissertation work with a view to publishing my findings in academic journals.

    What makes doing this course such a special – indeed unique – experience is the combination of a great programme of lectures taught by leading academics and industry experts and the intellectually stimulating environment in which it takes place with fantastic mathematical offerings provided by the Mathematical Institute and most enjoyable social functions – even sporting opportunities – available at ones college. Surely, in terms of either time or money sent, this course must be one of the best investments I have ever made in my life!

     

    2016 finishers

    Paul Bilokon

    Head Quant, Director, Markets Electronic Trading, Deutsche Bank and Founder, Thalesians Ltd

    As a result of taking the course, I improved my knowledge of quantitative finance significantly, moved on to senior roles, eventually managing highly technical quant teams spanning three continents and founded a leading quantitative fintech featured on Bloomberg and Newsweek. Thoroughly recommended to all aspiring leaders in mathematical and computational finance.

     

    2014 and earlier finishers

    David Walsh-Jones

    Senior Manager, Deloitte Consulting

    I had planned to study postgraduate mathematics upon completion of my undergraduate degree, but circumstances changed and seven years later I found myself working as a management consultant with investment banks in London. When exploring my options for further education, I came across the MSc. in Mathematical Finance at Oxford, which enabled me to continue working full time while devoting myself to mathematics for week-long blocks during each module. The MSc. not only provided me with a technical understanding of financial market instruments, models and strategies, enabling me to engage more knowledgeably with my clients, but it also re-kindled my enthusiasm for research and the pursuit of knowledge. I found the course challenging, but by the time I began researching my dissertation I was not alone in making additional trips to Oxford whenever I could find time; to work in the college library or the Mathematical Institute, take guests to formal hall, or attend MCR events in my college. To anyone considering whether this course is for them - know that it will be hard work, but one of the best investments you will make.

    Ran Chen

    'The course has given me the opportunity to meet really smart classmates working as quants in the industry, with them we share insights as to how mathematics are applied in what they are working on. If one aspires to be in a quantitative function, this is really valuable input! I myself work in market risk and the course has taught me the useful machinery to understand the models for valuation and risk, which is tremendously helpful for me to grasp the limitations and uncertainties on relying on these models for complex products. Hence the course is extremely useful and changed a lot of my perspective on financial products.'

     

    Alexey Simonov

    'I decided to get a formal degree in Mathematical Finance long after finishing my graduate degree in Applied Mathematics in Russia. My search of the most appropriate program was over once I realised that it is possible to combine career in the City with study at Oxford. All other programs of this caliber require you to devote full time to the study. But I knew that full time study is not a good fit with my personality. I have to intersperse study and work. I was unsure though if I was going to be admitted given that I have not practiced maths for many years. And indeed I required to review the basic topics like linear algebra and probability. Once in the lecture room I realised that study is much more fun when it is done the way they do it in Oxford. Having gone through the Russian education system I firmly believe that teaching methods used on this program are better suited for my personality. The explanations are more intuitive and the assignments are very practical.

    The teaching is done by both Mathematical Institute staff and visiting practitioners. Students have full access to people considered to be the top of the field in mathematical finance. Another fantastic aspect of being at Oxford was intellectual exchange with individuals from all over the world and who have similar interests. As part of the program we had to join one of the Oxford colleges and this allows one to fully participate in the university life. I discovered that I can always go back to Oxford for a weekend and spend time in my college or a library, either doing assignments or spending time with fellow full-time graduate students. I even learned how to play cricket! Oxford black tie dinners and balls are also perks of being a college student.

    The program helped my career tremendously. I now work on much more interesting projects than I used to. And I have a wider choice of possible jobs that I can do. In short, this program is simply unique in almost all aspects: curriculum, staff, networking and career opportunities, possibility to combine busy working life with intense study periods in Oxford, ability to participate in the university life.'

     

    Lydia Shamrakov

    'The MSc in Mathematical Finance at Oxford University provided the perfect fit for what I was looking for in a degree. The course enabled me to study the specific area of finance that I am interested in at one of the world's leading universities and to continue to work full time. At the same time I still had the opportunity to sample some student life during the residential modules.
    I found the course content interesting, motivating and challenging and it certainly advanced my technical knowledge in the area of mathematical finance. The course had an impressive panel of tutors, enabling us to learn first-hand from some of those driving the academic and practical advancements in mathematical finance. The module-based nature of the course allowed to plan my time for studying and assignments well in advance which proved very helpful whilst working full-time. And last but not the least, the course gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of bright, interesting and very intelligent people from all over the world, my fellow MSc Maths Finance students. Since finishing the course I have reconsidered my career path and have moved to work in an investment bank.'

     

    Dr Christopher M. Cormack

    'On starting the course I was a relative novice in the area of finance after leaving academia. Through the 2 years of the Masters program not only has my knowledge of the mathematical theory developed but I have gained an understanding of the more practical issues of mathematical finance. With world renowned academics and importantly practitioners the Oxford course has arguably the best combination both. The course is residential in nature and brings back the feel of student days, which helps focus learning without the distraction of your daily job and brings together the young generation of future achievers in a friendly atmosphere of stimulating discussion, which doesn't have to be all maths!
    Personally I regard my choice of attending the Oxford course as one of the best I have ever taken - I am now working in a Hedge Fund in the area of mathematical finance.'

     

    Edgardo Palombini

    'I applied to this program because I was looking for a mathematical finance course offered by a top university, standing out in its faculty, with a part-time schedule suitable for students coming from outside the UK. I have an economics background and I have worked as an economist at the Bank of Italy and at the Italian Deposit Insurance Institution, so the course was quite challenging because most topics are highly mathematically oriented. Nonetheless the program turned out to be very enjoyable and successful in giving me a good mathematical understanding of financial derivatives and knowledge of many numerical and modelling techniques. Furthermore, it was extremely pleasant to be in Oxford on a regular basis, enjoying the college life almost as a residential student and meeting people with so different experiences and backgrounds.'

     

    Vaughan Robinson

    'After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, I found I had a significant amount of free time on my hands, no longer having to study for professional exams. I had studied Maths at university and felt that now was a good time to renew that interest. However, I wanted a course that was practical. The MSc has fitted the criteria perfectly. The demands on my time have not been too onerous and I feel I have learnt a significant amount and improved my skill base. I have also recently left the accounting practice to work for an investment bank.'

     

    Bruce Cordingley 

    'I am President and CEO of the Pedrox Companies which develops, finances and owns apartment communities in several streets in the U.S.I am pursuing the MSc degree to learn the financial tools that are now used in the traded equity and bond markets to gain insights into how they can be applied to new real estate finance.'

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