Quant Guide 2017: University of Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

MA Mathematics-Economics | metrics table at end of article

This two-year programme in mathematics and economics, offered by the University of Copenhagen, is taught entirely in English.

The main subject areas of this master’s are mathematics, statistics (including probability theory) and economics, which incorporates finance, actuarial mathematics and operations research. Computer science is also available as a separate subject.

Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or economics from the University of Copenhagen, or other universities in Denmark and across the Nordics, directly qualify for admission to this master’s programme. It is also open to mathematics and actuarial mathematics students, who are required to have covered microeconomics, macroeconomics, finance and statistics in their previous studies.

Economics, physics, computer science and chemistry students are also admitted to this programme, but their undergraduate degrees must meet a number of conditions: it is essential that they contain subjects with a focus on mathematical analysis, linear algebra, microeconomics, macroeconomics, finance and statistics.

In the second year, the programme continues with four more ‘free’ electives that students are free to choose, followed by a thesis. This gives them flexibility, as projects outside of the degree and some undergraduate work count as one elective, provided they’re relevant to the master’s. 

Students can choose to do a practical project either in Denmark or abroad in collaboration with a company or an institution. The host company has to be approved by a university supervisor, who will advise the student during the project. At the end of the practical part, students have to complete a written assignment on the basis of the project they worked on.

To complete the degree, students are required to submit a thesis, focusing on the material covered over the course of two academic years. Theses are often written in collaboration with an industrial partner.

Every year, between 30 and 35 students enrol in the programme, half of whom come from a finance background. The maximum number of students for the programme is 60.

Click here for links to the other universities and an explanation of how to read the metrics tables