BSc in Quantitative Finance

The QFIN program at HKUST Business School is a true integration of several components – finance, business, mathematics, statistics, and computer technology – which prepare students to meet increasing demand from finance jobs that rewards people with strong analytical minds and technical skills.

The program also emphasizes building communication, interpersonal and organization skills. This is achieved through a wide range of enrichment courses and activities, including the Bloomberg Product Certification Program, Reuters Analytics course, Finance Practicum, international exchange program, business mentoring program, international business case competition, and internship opportunities.

Furthermore, the HKUST QFIN program benefits from an internationally reputable finance department. The HKUST Finance Department is consistently ranked No. 1 in Asia-Pacific, and is compared favorably with top universities in the world.

QFIN vs. BBA in Finance:

The main feature of the QFIN program is its quantitative component. The program consists of more statistics/mathematics/computer courses and less management/marketing/accounting courses.

QFIN vs. BSc in Economics and Finance:

Students in the QFIN program take more statistics/mathematics/computer courses and less economics courses.

Quantitative Finance vs. Actuarial Science:

Quantitative Finance is offered by finance department in the business school. Actuarial Science is offered by statistics department in the science school.

Quantitative Finance specializes on finance theory and computational skills.  Actuarial Science specializes on probability and statistical theory

Quantitative Finance applies finance knowledge, together with mathematical and statistical tolls, to solve for business problems. Actuarial Science applies statistical knowledge to solve for problems in insurance

Quantitative Finance graduates will be employed by commercial banks, investment banks, fund houses, securities firms, and insurance companies. Actuarial Science graduates will typically work in the insurance industry.

Given its quantitative feature, students with strong mathematics background will have an easier start in the program.

Yes, the purpose of the interview is for the candidates to learn more about the program and the Finance Department and for the Department to meet the potential students. Even though academic performance is the major factor in our student selection process, we consider interview to be an important exercise as well. After all, we are looking for students who have an analytical mind, good communication skill, and wide interests.

The University administers a number of scholarships and prizes on behalf of individual and corporate donors. Most are awarded to students, without application, on the strength of academic merit and the recommendations of a school or department. Other scholarships may have conditions specified by the donor. Details are obtainable from the Scholarships & Financial Aid Office or at this website: http://sfao.ust.hk/main/index.html.

Students who wish to transfer to the QFIN program should apply as soon as possible. A Program Transfer application form, along with an updated transcript and resume, should be submitted to the Department of Finance. Applicants must obtain a CGA of B+ or above. Selected applicants will be invited to an interview.

Please visit HKUST Business School - Undergraduate Programs for further information.

You are not allowed to drop pre-enrolled courses as these courses are required by the curriculum. Dropping a pre-enrolled course may result in failing to meet the pre-requisite requirement for a subsequent course, or graduation requirement.In addition, students have to take note of the following arrangement:

• MGMT 2130 will be pre-enrolled to QFIN (1^st major) in Year 3 Fall. Hence, students are not allowed to drop MGMT 2130 once pre-enrolled to you.

Dropping pre-enrolled courses will not be allowed unless it is absolutely necessary. Below are examples of reasons that cannot be used to justify dropping pre-enrolled course requests.

• To reduce workload
• To follow a personalized study plan
• To improve the flexibility of a study plan
• To replace the required course with a more important course
• To take the required course during the exchange study period

Here are examples of situations in which dropping a pre-enrolled course could be considered.

- There could be a situation in which the only way to graduate on time is to drop a certain required course and replace it with a course that is only offered in a particular semester. However, even in this situation, student will have to provide additional reason as to why other non-required courses cannot be dropped.

- Students with Level 5 or above in Mathematics Extended Modules are allowed to drop MATH 1013 Calculus IB in order to take MATH 1023 Honors Calculus I.

If students consider QFIN as one of the major choices, you must take one of MATH 1012/1013/1020/1023 in order to meet the entry requirement. If you are pre-enrolled in MATH 1003, contact your Academic Affairs and Advising Counselor (AAACC) to switch to a more advanced Calculus course before the end of the add/drop period.

The normal processing time for student’s applications or requests is 2 weeks, commencing the day after receiving all necessary documents. However, the actual processing will be depended on the circumstances of individual applications/requests, and the number of applications/requests received at a particular time. You are always advised to submit the applications/requests as early as possible.

With effect from Spring 2021-22, students are not allowed to transfer credits to any FINA courses if the courses were taking from virtual study programs, and the Department is not going to map any virtual courses with HKUST FINA courses.