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Financial Mathematics

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If you have a strong interest in Mathematics, enjoy problem solving and are interested in how Mathematics is used in business and finance, Financial Mathematics will give you an understanding of the mathematical theories that underpin financial models, as well as computational expertise in the algorithms used to price financial products. One example of a financial model included in the course is the Black-Scholes option pricing model, dating from 1973, which is one of the earliest equations developed and used to price options. Implementations of financial models, including computer programming, form a key part of the course.

About This Course

If you have a strong interest in Mathematics, enjoy problem solving and are interested in how Mathematics is used in business and finance, Financial Mathematics will give you an understanding of the mathematical theories that underpin financial models, as well as computational expertise in the algorithms used to price financial products. One example of a financial model included in the course is the Black-Scholes option pricing model, dating from 1973, which is one of the earliest equations developed and used to price options. Implementations of financial models, including computer programming, form a key part of the course.

Information on all our courses including pathways, internships and careers information is available in the UCD Science Undergraduate Courses Entry 2025 Brochure (PDF).

Financial Mathematics is one of the degree subjects available through the Mathematics stream in the common entry Science course. Students study similar modules for all degree subjects in the Mathematics stream in first year and will study modules for a minimum of two degree subjects in second year. At the end of second year, students choose their degree subject. As we offer a number of degree subjects in each stream, students have a number of similar degree subjects to choose from and if a degree subject is oversubscribed, places are allocated on a competitive basis. For more information on choosing a degree subject at the end of Second Year, visit the Mathematics stream page.

This is a sample set of modules that a Financial Mathematics student could study each year in UCD.

First Year

Scientific Enquiry • Introduction to Applied & Computational Mathematics • Calculus in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences • Applications of Differential Equations • Linear Algebra in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences • Statistical Modelling • Mathematical Analysis • Numbers & Functions • Microeconomics for Business • Option Modules • Elective Module

Second Year

Computational Science • Calculus of Several Variables • Linear Algebra in the Mathematical Sciences • Introduction to Probability • Foundations of Finance • Modern Regression Analysis • + modules for 1 other Science Subject • Elective Modules

Third Year

Partial Differential Equations in Financial Maths • Corporate Financial Management • Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics • Metric Spaces • Stochastic Models • Advanced Computational Finance • Financial Maths Foundations • Option Modules • Elective Modules

Fourth Year

Measure Theory & Integration • Time Series Analysis • Monte Carlo Inference • Financial & Actuarial Maths • Advanced Risk Management • Probability Theory • Option Modules

Timetables & Assessment
Each student will have their own timetable based on their individual module selection. This is a full-time course and classes may include lectures, practicals and tutorials, depending on the subjects. Students will also be expected to study independently (autonomous student learning). Assessment varies with each module but may comprise continuous assessment of practicals, written exams and online learning activities.

Students may apply to study abroad for a trimester in third year in partner institutions internationally.

Graduates with training in Financial Mathematics work in fields as diverse as quantitative positions in international financial companies, risk modelling in banking and insurance, computing in business, technology, research, and academia.

Graduates can also pursue a range of MSc or PhD programmes such as the MSc in Financial Mathematics, MSc in Actuarial Science, MSc Statistical Data Analysis or an MSc in Data Analytics.

Students have the opportunity to complete a Professional Placement module worth 5 credits. This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake a placement in industry (6-10 weeks) in the summer following Third Year.

Students in recent years have completed internships in Grant Thornton, Numerix-Fincad, AIB, Murex, Mazars, JP Morgan, IMC Trading and Citibank.

Placements are secured on a competitive basis and are subject to change each year.



More information about the internship module and application process.


UCD Science Office

You can contact the UCD Science Office in the following ways:




  • Submit your query using our dedicated Contact Form.

  • Drop into the office in the UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, Science East, Room E1.09. Our office opening hours are 10am to 4pm (during term time).


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 2 Core Modules
ACM20030 Computational Science Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
FIN20040 Foundations of Finance Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
MATH20060 Calculus of Several Variables Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
MATH20300 Linear Algebra 2 for the Mathematical Sciences Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
STAT20110 Introduction to Probability Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
ACM20150 Vector Integral & Differential Calculus Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
STAT20100 Inferential Statistics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not previously taken in Stage 1, students enrolled to Stage 2 Financial Mathematics must take ECON10720, MATH10040 and MATH10320. Please note that students who have taken either ECON10010 Principles of Microeconomics or ECON10770 Introduction to Economics in Stage 1 are not required to take ECON10720. Students intending to progress to Stage 3 Financial Mathematics must take STAT20230 in either Stage 2 or Stage 3.
MATH10040 Numbers & Functions Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not previously taken in Stage 1, students enrolled to Stage 2 Financial Mathematics must take ECON10720, MATH10040 and MATH10320. Please note that students who have taken either ECON10010 Principles of Microeconomics or ECON10770 Introduction to Economics in Stage 1 are not required to take ECON10720. Students intending to progress to Stage 3 Financial Mathematics must take STAT20230 in either Stage 2 or Stage 3.
STAT20230 Modern Regression Analysis Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not previously taken in Stage 1, students enrolled to Stage 2 Financial Mathematics must take ECON10720, MATH10040 and MATH10320. Please note that students who have taken either ECON10010 Principles of Microeconomics or ECON10770 Introduction to Economics in Stage 1 are not required to take ECON10720. Students intending to progress to Stage 3 Financial Mathematics must take STAT20230 in either Stage 2 or Stage 3.
ECON10720 Microeconomics for Business Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not previously taken in Stage 1, students enrolled to Stage 2 Financial Mathematics must take ECON10720, MATH10040 and MATH10320. Please note that students who have taken either ECON10010 Principles of Microeconomics or ECON10770 Introduction to Economics in Stage 1 are not required to take ECON10720. Students intending to progress to Stage 3 Financial Mathematics must take STAT20230 in either Stage 2 or Stage 3.
MATH10320 Mathematical Analysis Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core/Options). Students may register to 10 Elective credits or select additional Option modules from the list below in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
MATH20260 The Mathematics of Google Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core/Options). Students may register to 10 Elective credits or select additional Option modules from the list below in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
MATH20270 Theory of Games Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
ACM30080 PDEs in Financial Maths Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
FIN30170 Corporate Financial Management Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
MATH20130 Fundamentals of Actuarial and Financial Mathematics I Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
MATH30090 Metric Spaces Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
STAT30090 Models - Stochastic Models Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
ACM30110 Advanced Computational Finance Spring  10
Stage 3 Core Modules
MATH20210 Fundamentals of Actuarial and Financial Mathematics II Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
MATH30380 Financial Mathematics Foundations Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students who have not previously taken STAT20230 must take it in Stage 3. This will count as their required option module for Stage 3.
STAT20230 Modern Regression Analysis Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who have already taken STAT20230 must select 1 module from this list. Students may also choose additional option modules from this list instead of elective modules. Please note: ECON30150 can only be selected in the Autumn trimester.
ACM30130 Advanced Computational Science Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who have already taken STAT20230 must select 1 module from this list. Students may also choose additional option modules from this list instead of elective modules. Please note: ECON30150 can only be selected in the Autumn trimester.
ECON30150 International Money and Banking Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who have already taken STAT20230 must select 1 module from this list. Students may also choose additional option modules from this list instead of elective modules. Please note: ECON30150 can only be selected in the Autumn trimester.
STAT40800 Data Prog with Python (online) Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who have already taken STAT20230 must select 1 module from this list. Students may also choose additional option modules from this list instead of elective modules. Please note: ECON30150 can only be selected in the Autumn trimester.
ECON30580 Economics of Betting Markets Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who have already taken STAT20230 must select 1 module from this list. Students may also choose additional option modules from this list instead of elective modules. Please note: ECON30150 can only be selected in the Autumn trimester.
MATH30370 Markov Chains Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who have already taken STAT20230 must select 1 module from this list. Students may also choose additional option modules from this list instead of elective modules. Please note: ECON30150 can only be selected in the Autumn trimester.
STAT30270 Statistical Machine Learning Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core/Options). Students may register to 10 Elective credits or select additional Elective modules from the list below in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
MATH20070 Optimization in Finance Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
MATH30360 Measure Theory and Integration Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
STAT30010 Time Series Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
STAT40400 Monte Carlo Inference Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
STAT40920 Financial & Actuarial Maths I Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
FIN30270 Advanced Risk Management Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
MATH40480 Probability Theory Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
STAT40930 Financial & Actuarial Maths II Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Students select 5 modules from this list of option modules. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to this module.
FIN30030 International Financial Management Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Students select 5 modules from this list of option modules. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to this module.
SCI30080 Professional Placement-Science Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Students select 5 modules from this list of option modules. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to this module.
STAT30080 Models - Survival Models Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Students select 5 modules from this list of option modules. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to this module.
STAT30320 Investment and Trading Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Students select 5 modules from this list of option modules. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to this module.
STAT40020 Actuarial Statistics I Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Students select 5 modules from this list of option modules. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to this module.
ACM30140 Numerical Methods for PDEs Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Students select 5 modules from this list of option modules. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to this module.
MATH30250 Cryptography: Theory & Practice Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Students select 5 modules from this list of option modules. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to this module.
STAT40070 Actuarial Statistics II Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Students select 5 modules from this list of option modules. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to this module.
STAT40150 Multivariate Analysis Spring  5

When I learned about Financial Mathematics, it sounded like the perfect way to continue to study mathematics while also combining it with my interest in financial markets. I was also lucky enough to get to go abroad for my third year to UC Berkeley in California, which was an amazing experience. Studying at a different institution gave me another perspective and I think it really helped me in my final year. I also completed an internship in the summer after third year as part of the professional placement module. After graduating, I went back to work at the same firm full time.

Joseph Mulligan, Graduate

"When I came to the UCD Open Day and saw the beautiful science building and how friendly everyone was, my mind was made up right away. When I learned about Financial Mathematics, it sounded like the perfect way to continue to study mathematics while also combining it with my interest in financial markets. I was also lucky enough to get to go abroad for my third year to UC Berkeley in California, which was an amazing experience. Studying at a different institution gave me another perspective and I think it’s really helped me in my final year. I also completed an internship in the summer between third and fourth year at Credit Suisse and was able to earn credits as part of the professional placement module. After graduating, I went back to work at the same firm full time."

Joseph Mulligan, Graduate

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Financial Mathematics:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceInt
MHS2
Science: Mathematics (includes Applied/Financial/Statistics)
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
showAudience-audienceInt
SCU1
Science
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
showAudience-audienceEU
DN200
Science: Mathematics (includes Applied/Financial/Statistics)
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO
showAudience-audienceEU
DN200
Science
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Financial Mathematics:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceInt
SCU1
Science
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.