Program FAQs
Is English proficiency required for international applicants?
Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is required for all international applicants whose native language is not English. Non-native English language speakers may be exempt from this requirement if they have earned or will be earning a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree with grades of B (3.0) or better from either:
- A regionally accredited U.S. college or university where English is the sole language of instruction, or
- A foreign college or university which provides instruction solely in English. You may verify whether your institution meets this requirement by looking up your institution in the IAU World Higher Education Database (WHED). If English is not the sole language of instruction listed, if no language is listed at all, or if the institution does not appear on the WHED website, you are required to submit English proficiency exam scores. No other documentation (e.g. letters, language certificates, school websites) may be used in place of WHED as a means to obtain an exemption from the English proficiency requirement.
The Rady School accepts TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE English language tests.
Will the application be reviewed before or after the program deadline?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so once we receive all the pieces of your application file, the Admissions Committee will begin reviewing your application.
Will I be interviewed as part of the application process?
Interviews are a required part of the Master of Quantitative Finance admissions process and are by invitation only. Interviews for the MFin are completed via an online and asynchronous interviewing platform.
Is there a word limit on Statement of Purpose?
Your Statement of Purpose should be no longer than 500 words, double-spaced, 12-point font.
I am interested in pursuing a PhD after completion of the Rady Master of Quantitative Finance program. Does the Rady Master of Quantitative Finance offer a path to PhD programs?
The Rady Master of Quantitative Finance program offers courses to support Master of Quantitative Finance students who plan on applying for PhD programs after receiving their MQF degree. Based on student preparation, the faculty will advise students which elective courses they should take, that will serve well when applying to PhD programs.MFin graduates have gone to top PhD programs. The Rady MQF program has sent alumni to PhD programs at UC San Diego, Stanford, Duke, University of Chicago, Columbia, and Princeton.
Why is the Master of Finance changing its name to the Master of Quantitative Finance?
The new name will more accurately reflect the quantitative content of the coursework and the sought-after skills students develop in the program. While the name will be changing, the core curriculum and objectives of the program remain the same. The Master of Quantitative Finance remains a STEM-designated degree that can be completed in 12 or 15 months, and will prepare students to apply state-of-the-art quantitative analysis to the large and often multiple real-time data sets that drive financial decision making and risk management.
The proposed name change is pending final approval from the University of California system. It is anticipated that incoming Fall 2024 students will begin the program under the Master of Quantitative Finance degree name.
Program Eligibility
I will complete my bachelor's degree in the spring and will not have any professional work experience. Will you consider my application for admission to the Master of Quantitative Finance?
Work experience is not required for the Master of Quantitative Finance program, but is recommended. If you do not have work experience, we will want to understand why you believe now is the right time for you to pursue the Master of Quantitative Finance degree, and we will expect to see excellent academic records, relevant undergraduate internships, extracurricular activities, etc.
Do I need a business background to apply to the program?
Business coursework or work experience is not required for the Master of Quantitative Finance program.
I have some quantitative or computing background, but not in all the areas listed. Can I apply to and be successful in the program?
The Master of Quantitative Finance curriculum emphasizes both the mathematical foundations for financial decision-making and computer-driven data analysis. Many applicants will be stronger in one of these areas than the other. Applicants with strength in one area can be successful in admissions and then will develop additional skills in the program.
What are the minimum GMAT or GRE scores for the Rady Master of Quantitative Finance program?
There is no minimum requirement; however, we will be looking particularly at the strength of your performance in the quantitative sections. Strong scores may serve to balance lower undergraduate academic performance and are good predictors of how well students will do in the required core classes. GMAT or GRE scores in one sitting are evaluated, not averaged from multiple sittings.
I'm a college senior. Am I eligible to apply to the Master of Quantitative Finance program?
The Rady School welcomes applications from undergraduates who have excelled academically and personally and who can articulate their reasons for continuing directly to the Master of Quantitative Finance program. Undergraduate majors in quantitative, engineering or technical disciplines are particularly relevant, but these are by no means the only majors we consider. Please contact the Rady Master of Quantitative Finance Admissions Office for more information.
Does the Rady School accept students with advanced degrees?
The Rady School welcomes applications from individuals who have already completed advanced study in science, engineering, technology, or other quantitative disciplines.
What are the knowledge prerequisites for the Rady Master of Quantitative Finance program?
The Master of Quantitative Finance curriculum emphasizes both mathematical foundations for financial decision-making and computer driven data analysis. Applicants should have an understanding of linear algebra, specifically matrix manipulation, and differential calculus and taking derivatives. It is also recommended to have some exposure to programming or computational tools such as Python, MATLAB, C/C++, etc. Admitted applicants who enroll into the Master of Quantitative Finance will be required to complete pre-arrival Python courses on DataCamp.com before the start of the program in September.