MSc Financial Modelling and Optimization (FMO)
A School of Mathematics master's that pairs core financial mathematics with a heavier optimization strand, aimed at portfolio, asset-allocation and risk-modelling work, with an optional industry-partnered dissertation.
What you’ll study
Core
- Discrete-Time Finance
- Fundamentals of Optimization
- Numerical Probability and Monte Carlo
- Optimization Methods in Finance
- Research Skills for Financial Mathematics
- Risk-Neutral Asset Pricing
- Stochastic Analysis in Finance
Electives
- Algorithmic Game Theory and its Applications
- Credit Scoring
- Finance, Risk and Uncertainty
- Financial Risk Theory
- Fundamentals of Operational Research
- Large Scale Optimization for Data Science
- Machine Learning in Python
- Numerical Partial Differential Equations
- Python Programming
- Stochastic Control and Dynamic Asset Allocation
- Stochastic Modelling
- Time Series
Source: study.ed.ac.uk ↗
Before you apply
- Background
- UK 2:1 or equivalent in mathematics or a related subject (statistics, physics, engineering)
- Maths
- University-level calculus; University-level probability
- Programming
- At least one undergraduate programming semester in any language, passed at 2:1 level
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, at least 6.0 per component
Source: study.ed.ac.uk ↗
After graduation
- Typical first roles
- Risk modelling, Data analytics, Technology, Middle- and back-office, Asset allocation, Portfolio management
- Employers
- Moody's Analytics, Barclays, European Commission DG ECFIN, Experian, Sopra Steria
Source: study.ed.ac.uk ↗
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What students and graduates say
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Page shows 2027 entry (September 2027 start); module lists are 'previously included'. Employers are recent industry dissertation partners, not confirmed graduate employers. Fees not on page (separate fee tables; 10% discount for Edinburgh graduates). Selection deadlines 15 Dec, 31 Mar, 31 May. URL given in batch (teaching.maths.ed.ac.uk) is a current-student page; replaced with study.ed.ac.uk programme page.
Checked 6 November 2026 against the sources linked on this page. Fees, units and requirements change each year, so confirm them on the programme’s website before applying.