Master of Financial Mathematics
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1
- Duration
- 1.7 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
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Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 8161
- CRICOS code 058739M
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Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this program2024 Indicative CSP first year fee
- $7,000*
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2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $11,000*
-
2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $53,000*
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2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $82,500*
Fees
Fees
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#3 in Australia
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Industry collaboration
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Broad career opportunities
International application pause for 2025 intakes
Applications for international students to study at UNSW in 2025 are currently paused. Please submit your expression of interest to join our application waitlist so we can contact you.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
Modern finance relies heavily on mathematical modelling to manage investment portfolios, financial planning, pricing of financial products and analysing business risk. The Master of Financial Mathematics was introduced in 2007 to provide the financial sector (banks, insurance companies, investment companies) with a stream of highly trained specialists in quantitative finance. This program is suitable for students with an aptitude for mathematics and a keen interest in finance, who are looking for a pathway into the financial industry.
Key features
- Research project
You’ll complete a compulsory supervised research project, which gives you an opportunity to make practical use of the knowledge you gain through your master’s program. This project will prepare you for the problem-solving and report-writing aspects of future employment, or for progression to a research degree.
- Wide range of career opportunities
Skills in portfolio management, financial product pricing and analysis of business risk are highly regarded by finance industries. The Master of Financial Mathematics opens up a variety of career opportunities across the financial sector and government financial institutions. It can also provide great preparation for further research in mathematical finance.
- Transferable skills
Studying mathematics improves your logical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills. Solving mathematical and statistical problems also requires creativity and adaptability. These skills are highly valued by employers.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
Learn with the best
We’re ranked 1st in Australia and 44th in the world for mathematics.* As Australia’s largest and highest ranked school of mathematics and statistics, we provide comprehensive coverage of modern mathematics, underpinned by leading teaching and research.
Leverage our industry connections
Tap into our network of industry and research partners to start building your own professional connections. The School of Mathematics and Statistics maintains and attracts strong links with industry, from ongoing research collaboration to industry involvement in our teaching activities. Our researchers work in partnership with industry to solve real-world problems. This collaboration with industry includes Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grants held by members of staff. Our industry links extend to our learning and teaching activities, with industry partners sponsoring some of our courses and degrees. Other links with industry are maintained through visiting appointments, consulting services offered by our staff and ongoing connections with our alumni.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
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Entry requirements
For entry into this degree, you must have both:
- Bachelor of Mathematics or Bachelor of Science degree with a major in mathematics and statistics
- sufficient mathematical and/or statistical background, as indicated by a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) of 65 or above in level III mathematics and/or statistics university courses.
In addition, you must have permission of the Head of School or Nominee to be admitted into the program.
Advanced standing
Honours graduates in mathematics or statistics from UNSW (or equivalent) may receive advanced standing of up to a maximum of 24 units of credit. This means you can complete the program with a further 48 units of credit (one year of full-time study).
Students with a Graduate Diploma in Mathematics and Statistics from UNSW with a weighted average mark of 70 or more may receive advanced standing of up to a maximum of 48 units of credit. This means you can complete the program with a further 24 units of credit (0.5 year of full-time study).
The specific advanced standing to be awarded will be determined at the time of admission and will be based on your background and previous study.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For entry into this degree, you must have both:
- Bachelor of Mathematics or Bachelor of Science degree with a major in mathematics and statistics
- sufficient mathematical and/or statistical background, as indicated by a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) of 65 or above in level III mathematics and/or statistics university courses.
In addition, you must have permission of the Head of School or Nominee to be admitted into the program.
Advanced standing
Honours graduates in mathematics or statistics from UNSW (or equivalent) may receive advanced standing of up to a maximum of 24 units of credit. This means you can complete the program with a further 48 units of credit (one year of full-time study).
Students with a Graduate Diploma in Mathematics and Statistics from UNSW with a weighted average mark of 70 or more may receive advanced standing of up to a maximum of 48 units of credit. This means you can complete the program with a further 24 units of credit (0.5 year of full-time study).
The specific advanced standing to be awarded will be determined at the time of admission and will be based on your background and previous study.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
In the Master of Financial Mathematics, you’ll complete coursework subjects in stochastic processes and analysis, continuous and discrete-time financial modelling and computational methods for finance. You’ll also undertake a research project and choose electives from a wide range of topics. Our students develop advanced critical thinking skills and graduate with the ability to communicate complex issues effectively to a range of audiences.
Full program structure
The Master of Financial Mathematics can be completed in 1.7 years of full-time study. The program is made up of 10 courses total, including five core courses and five electives. You’ll also complete a compulsory supervised research project.
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You’ll take the Advanced Mathematics Project A (MATH5005) and Advanced Mathematics Project B (MATH5006) over two consecutive terms.
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You’ll complete five courses from the following list of electives.
- Optimisation
- Special Topics in Applied Mathematics A
- Special Topics in Applied Mathematics B
- Fluids, Oceans and Climate
- Special Topics in Applied Mathematics D
- Computational Mathematics for Science and Engineering
- Computational Mathematics for Finance
- Graph Theory
- Combinatorics
- Special Topics in Pure Mathematics A
- Special Topics in Pure Mathematics B
- Special Topics in Pure Mathematics C
- Functional Analysis
- Banach and Operator Algebras
- Number Theory
- Algebraic Topology
- Complex Analysis
- Modern Analysis
- Harmonic Analysis
- Galois Theory
- Modules and Representation Theory
- Special Topics in Statistics
- Applied Regression Analysis
- Continuous Time Financial Modelling
- Measure, Integration and Probability
- Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
- Advanced Stochastic Processes
- Data Mining and its Business Applications
- Time Series
- Multivariate Analysis
- Longitudinal Data Analysis
- Nonparametric Statistics
- Statistical Inference
- Design & Analysis of Clinical Trials
- Survival Analysis
- Categorical Data Analysis
- Bayesian Inference and Computation
- Discrete Time Financial Modelling
- Introduction to Stochastic Analysis
- Term Structure Modelling
Future careers
Mathematicians are trained to think logically and to approach problems in analytical and creative ways. Studying mathematics prepares you for a wide variety of careers as it equips you with the problem-solving, computing and communication skills that employers want.
Skills in portfolio management, financial product pricing and analysis of business risk are highly regarded by finance industries. The Master of Financial Mathematics will prepare you for a successful career across the financial sector and government financial institutions.
The handling of large amounts of money requires the use of sophisticated mathematical techniques to limit risk. The official regulator of the financial sector - the APRA - regularly advertises graduate opportunities.
Academic and research positions within universities, the CSIRO and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation are available for those with the drive to discover new knowledge in mathematics.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
$7,000*
$11,000*
All places within this degree are Commonwealth supported. This means that if you receive an offer from UNSW Sydney as a domestic student, you will have a substantial proportion of your fees subsidised by the Australian government. Start your application today with our guide on how to apply.
Commonwealth Study Assistance such as Ausstudy, and Youth Allowance is available for some Masters degrees. For the most up-to-date information and list of degrees visit UNSW Current Student Financial Support.
*The indicative Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) fees are an estimate based on the relevant student contribution band/s for a Commonwealth Supported Place undertaking a standard full-time load of 48 units of credit per year (1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load/1 EFTSL). To find out more about Commonwealth Supported Places visit Postgraduate Commonwealth Support.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the degree/program. The indicative fee listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).
You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
Studying at UNSW has granted me fantastic opportunities, professionally and personally.
