Overview This research-focused master's programme at the Graduate School of Economics, Finance, and Management (GSEFM) is designed around four quantitative tracks: Quantitative Accounting, Quantitative Economics, Quantitative Finance, and Quantitative Marketing. Instruction is highly analytical and quantitatively oriented: MS students follow the same core courses in their fields that are taught to GSEFM PhD candidates, providing rigorous preparation for research or advanced professional roles.
Students who wish to continue toward a doctorate can take the same qualifying examinations that GSEFM PhD students sit at the end of the first year, enabling a possible transition from the MSQ to the PhD in the corresponding track. It is possible to complete both the MSc and the PhD within a total of four years. Graduates are well placed for analytical careers in international organisations, government, central banks, and the private sector; recent MSQ and PhD alumni have secured positions at top universities, multilateral institutions, central banks and major financial and consulting firms.
Key facts and requirements
The programme is structured over two years. In year one you choose one of four specialised tracks—Quantitative Accounting, Quantitative Economics, Quantitative Finance or Quantitative Marketing—each combining rigorous core coursework in the area of specialization with a common quantitative foundation. Across all tracks first‑year students take courses in econometrics, mathematical methods and programming languages alongside the subject‑specific core (accounting, macro/microeconomics, finance or marketing as applicable). Students who want to keep the option of later pursuing a PhD must also sit qualifying examinations at the end of the first year in the relevant core subjects for their track.
Year two focuses on training you to conduct frontier research. A wide range of advanced field courses is available (accounting; microeconomics and management; macroeconomics; econometrics; finance; marketing; development and international economics) and you may choose freely across these fields. You are required to take at least two field courses that originate within your MSQ track. The second year also includes a research seminar to improve academic writing and presentation skills, and it concludes with a research‑based Master’s thesis to be completed within six months. The thesis demonstrates your ability to analyse an applied or theoretical question independently using contemporary quantitative methods.
Learning outcomes
Key requirements (concise)
Applicants must hold a completed university degree to be eligible for this MSc program. Specifically, you need either a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree from a recognized higher-education institution.
Further eligibility details, required documents and any program-specific criteria (such as subject background equivalence, grading evaluation or documentation formats) are provided on the program’s official admissions page. International applicants should consult that page carefully to confirm how their qualifications will be assessed and whether additional paperwork (e.g., certified translations or equivalency statements) is needed.
Winter Semester (International)
31 May 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 May 2026
Graduates leave prepared for analytical and research-oriented roles in academia, international organisations, central banks and the private sector (including investment management, banking and economic consultancies). Typical employers of MSQ and PhD alumni include top universities, the IMF, World Bank, ECB, national central banks and major financial firms.
For students aiming at an academic career, the programme’s PhD-aligned curriculum and qualifying-exam option provide a direct route into doctoral study. For those pursuing applied careers, the strong emphasis on econometrics, programming and quantitative methods equips graduates for technically demanding positions in policy, finance and consulting.
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