University of California, Los Angeles - Master of Science in Financial Engineering

Master of Financial Engineering

Key takeaways

• only 1 year program provided
• tuition fee $90,000
• CFA merits

Program

Deadline: December, March, April

Fees

	Fall 2023*	Winter 2024	Spring 2024	Fall 2024	Total
Program Charges	$22,384.75	$22,384.75	$22,384.75	$22,384.75	$89,539
Health Insurance	$1,857.11	$1,857.11	$1,857.11	$1,857.11**	$7,428.44
UCLA Student Fees	$623.76	$541.76	$540.76	TBD***	$1,706.28
Total	$24,865.62	$24,783.62	$24,782.62	$24,241.86	$98,673.72

Prerequisites/requirements

• Ability to do graduate-level business and finance coursework
• Evidence of computational programming skills (C++, R, and Python) and familiarity with computers as computational and management tools
• Strong quantitative background, including coursework in linear algebra, multivariate calculus, differential equations, numerical methods and advanced statistics and probability, which includes the following topics: discrete distributions, continuous distributions, density functions, sampling theory, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, ordinary least squares, t-statistics, sampling vs. population moments and chi-square goodness of fit tests
• Excellent writing, speaking and presentation abilities in English
• Evidence of experience with mathematical tools (MATLAB)
• Work or research experience in a quantitative discipline (recommended but not required)
• Progress toward obtaining CFA certification (recommended but not required)
• Experience with statistical and econometric applications (recommended)

Application fee

$200

Academic records

Required educational background

• While no specific undergraduate major is required, most students will have a degree in a quantitative subject matter, such as mathematics, engineering, computer science, physics, etc.
• Evidence of strong quantitative skills is required of all candidates, regardless of undergraduate major.

GRE/GMAT

must take either GMAT or GRE

Relevant test scores should be sent to the following institution codes:

• GMAT: 2NZ-2F-21
• GRE: 4837

Letters of recommendation

2 letters of recommendation (submitted online)

Essays

Required to submit 2 essays as part of the online application to the MFE program

REQUIRED ESSAYS:

• Financial engineering requires a combination of mathematical/quantitative abilities and creative thinking. Describe a project you worked on, either as a student or professional, that demonstrates your analytical and creative problem-solving skills. Tell us why this project was interesting to you. (maximum 750 words)
• Why does a career in quantitative finance appeal to you? Based on your abilities and what you know about careers in financial engineering, why do you think this is the right career path for you? (maximum 750 words)

OPTIONAL ESSAY:

• Feel free to provide any other information you think would help us evaluate your potential to succeed in the program. (maximum 375 words)

Resume

Exceptional undergraduates with strong quantitative backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

TOEFL / IELTS

Official TOEFL score reports are sent electronically upon your request from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to UCLA Anderson MFE Admissions by just selecting institution code 4837 - UCLA ANDERSON SCHL OF MGMT.

Applicants who are submitting an IELTS score must email their Test Report Form (TRF) number to mfe.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu. The Admissions Team will then download and attach your official score report.

Admitted applicants are required, upon arrival at UCLA, to take the UCLA English as a Second Language Placement Examination (ESLPE), an English diagnostic test, before being permitted to register.

Admission will be canceled if you do not pass the ESLPE. If you achieved a score of 100 or higher on the TOEFL iBT, or 7.5 or higher on the IELTS, the ESLPE requirement is waived!

CFA, FRM, and other professional designations

upload a copy of your results in the “Supporting Documents” tab.

Curriculum

Fall

• Investments
• Financial accounting
• Econometrics
• Stochastic Calculus
• Career development

Winter

• Trading, market frictions and FinTech
• Derivative markets
• Empirical methods in finance
• Fixed income markets
• Career development series

Spring

• Financial risk management
• Computational methods in finance
• Special topics in FE (choose 2 out of 3)
  • Data Analytics and Machine Learning
  • Balancing Purpose and Profit: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) For Managers and Investors
  • Quantitative Asset Management

Summer

Summer internship

Fall

• Applied finance project
• fieldwork/research in financial engineering
• special topics in FE (choose 3 out of 4)
  • Credit Markets
  • Statistical Arbitrage
  • Behavioral Finance
  • Introduction to the Finance of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Photo by tommao wang on Unsplash