financial maths personal statement

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By Nik Taylor (Editor, The Uni Guide) | 21 September 2023 | 5 min read

Writing a mathematics personal statement: expert advice from universities

Ace your maths personal statement with these tailored tips from university admissions teams

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Don’t list out your A-levels

• Read more:  how to write an excellent personal statement in ten steps

Focus on yourself 

• Read more:  how to write your university application

Don’t use quotes unless you’re expanding on them

• Read more:  teacher secrets for writing a great personal statement

Mention any maths-related activities you’ve been involved with outside the classroom

• Read more:  personal statement FAQs

Include your unexpected extracurriculars

• Read more:  the ten biggest mistakes to avoid when writing your personal statement

Don’t make excuses for disappointing grades

• Read more:  universities reveal all about personal statements

If you’re not taking the traditional A-level route to university…

• Read more:  universities explain how to end your personal statement with a bang

Talk about the future

You may want to look at these..., personal statement secrets – universities reveal all.

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Financial Mathematics

What should i include in my personal statement.

Use your Personal Statement to help guide our review of the application materials. For example, if you had a low grade with an extremely difficult teacher, let us know. If you think you might need to cover some pre-requisite material by starting in the summer, let us know. You can also briefly explain your motivation to study Financial Math.

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Financial Mathematics

The application of mathematics and mathematical modeling to solve financial problems

What is Financial Mathematics?

Financial mathematics describes the application of mathematics and mathematical modeling to solve financial problems. it is sometimes referred to as quantitative finance , financial engineering, and computational finance. The discipline combines tools from statistics, probability, and stochastic processes and combines it with economic theory.

Mathematics and Statistics Explained

Mathematics is the discipline of academics that involves the study of quantity, structure, space, and change by using formulas and mathematical proofs to provide insight or make predictions about nature.

The study of mathematics has led to completely new disciplines within academia, including the field of statistics. Statistics refers to the discipline that is concerned with analyzing data and applying insights gathered from the data to solve various scientific, industrial, or even social problems. It has become an essential discipline as technology continues to evolve.

Statistics is used prominently in academic papers, as a crucial part of science is making testable hypotheses and proving or contradicting said hypotheses. It plays an integral role in that process. In addition, it is used to develop groundbreaking technologies, such as machine learning, leading to even more specialized disciplines in finance, such as:

• Actuarial science – The study of assessing risk in insurance and finance
• Data mining – Applying statistics and data pattern recognition to solve problems
• Data science – The discipline of using scientific methods to extract knowledge from data
• Econometrics – The discipline of applying statistical methods to analyze economic data

Prominence of Financial Mathematics

The use of mathematics and statistics within the field of finance has been increasing substantially in the past, and such a trend is expected to continue. Various types of organizations and financial service providers utilize financial mathematics as part of their core operations, such as:

• Investment banks
• Retail and commercial banks
• Hedge funds
• Investment management companies
• Corporate treasuries
• Regulatory bodies

In addition, financial mathematics is applied considerably to solve problems, such as:

• Derivative security pricing and valuation
• Portfolio creation and structuring
• Quantitative investing strategies
• Risk management

Adoption of Quantitative Finance

As the markets seek to become more efficient, quantitative methods will continue to be adopted. Over the long history of financial markets, the concepts of valuation and pricing, as well as optimizing capital allocation, have been important problems to observe within the capital markets.

Quantitative finance was developed as a specialized field within economics to tackle the problems of the valuation of assets and financial instruments, as well as optimizing capital allocation and resources. Over centuries, fundamental theories about the overall economy and valuation of assets have been developed through the mathematical models.

The models describe the relationships between various economic variables, such as prices, market movements, volatility, and interest rates. By using quantitative tools, more accurate conclusions can be drawn from the economic variables.

Example: Black-Scholes-Merton Model

For example, the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) Model is a mathematical model that is used for pricing options. Options are a particular form of derivative, which is a financial asset that derives its value from the price of another underlying asset.

Before the Black-Scholes Merton model was developed, the pricing of options contracts was extremely difficult and limited. However, with the model, financial academics and professionals alike could accurately price the complicated derivative products.

It is one of the most important financial models ever developed and is still used today to price options. The three professors – Fischer Black, Myron Scholes, and Robert Merton – won a Nobel Prize for the development of the model.

Criticism of Financial Mathematics

Financial mathematics has grown and become significantly more prominent within financial markets. However, the increasing complexity of mathematical models and quantitative strategies have drawn criticisms. The criticisms peaked during the Global Financial Crisis in 2008.

Critics argue that the blind reliance on the models, especially by many finance professionals who do not understand the underlying concepts, can lead to disastrous outcomes for the economy.

However, the use of quantitative principles within finance will continue to be prominent. Markets seek to become more efficient over time – just as stock trading once went from the transfer of physical certificates to the transfer of electronic certificates. More quantitative practices and strategies will be developed to make markets more efficient and help investors generate alpha. They include applications such as:

• Algorithmic trading
• High-frequency trading
• Quantitative investing
• Technical analysis
• Quantum finance
• Financial engineering

More Resources

CFI is the official provider of the global Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst (CBCA)™ certification program, designed to help anyone become a world-class financial analyst. To keep advancing your career, the additional resources below will be useful:

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Msc Financial Mathematics (MFE course) personal statement examples

Hi everyone,

I am targeting Oxford (msc mathematical and computational finance) , Imperial (msc mathematical finance) , UCL, Kings and possibly Warwick for their MFE course for a September 2021 start. I will be sending apps off this September.

As MSc course applications are judged almost entirely on the personal statement. It would be really helpful to see some examples. I have scoured the internet with no luck...

Do you know of any example MSc financial mathematics personal statements?

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What to include in a Personal Statement

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Personal statement example mathematics personal statement.

Submitted by Yusuf

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Mathematics Personal Statement

Having conquered a problem, whether it be a simple Sudoku puzzle or a demanding A-Level question, there is nothing more rewarding than the "Aha!" moment. It is that moment of sudden insight or discovery that every Mathematician lives for; it's like reaching the top of the mountain after a long and arduous climb and having a clear view of a rare and truly magnificent scene. For some, doing Mathematics is like being on a never-ending hike, with no end in sight, but personally I think that the beauty of Maths lies not only in the spectacular view, but also in the challenging journey that leads up to it, which is filled with the excitement of discovery and the enjoyment of working towards understanding something new. It is this passion that energises me to further embrace my studies in Mathematics at university level.

For as long as I can remember Maths has always been my main academic interest. From learning to add and subtract at my primary school, to studying integration for my Mathematics A-level, I have always found this subject intriguing. My fascination with Mathematics has allowed me to excel in the subject throughout the years: I have been in the top group since primary school, I gained an A grade in my Mathematics GCSE at secondary school and most recently I attained a grade B at AS-level, all achievements of which I am extremely proud. During the school placement week, I secured a post with one of the UK's largest financial service groups and it was here that I had the privilege of shadowing a top business analyst. He took me under his wing and revealed how he used mathematics every day to complete a plethora tasks. For instance, he talked me through the importance of using probability to test the validity of economic and financial theories and hence I opted to study Statistics at A- level. Over the course of the week, guided by experts in their field, I continued to observe first-hand how mathematics played a key role in the daily operations of the business, from technological development all the way through to data analysis. I observed how they detect and rectify faults within an IT system and I followed financial professionals as they calculated monthly repayments using the amortization calculation formula.

My placement allowed me to appreciate mathematics in a whole new light, as a subject that it is not only one of the world's most ancient disciplines but a subject that it is still at the very core of our 21st century lives.

On weekends, I work eight-hour shifts for one of the world's largest restaurant chains: preparing food, serving on the tills and helping out in the dining area. Having worked in this fast paced environment for over a year now, I have demonstrated that I can keep on top of my revision, homework and chores, all whilst holding down a demanding part-time job. I juggle all these things by adhering to a strict timetable which still enables me the time for leisure. In the near future I aspire to become a teacher of Mathematics and studying Psychology at A level has helped me to understand the cognitive functioning of our minds which is essential for teaching. Volunteering as a young leader for my local scout group has also given me the leadership skills required when teaching.

I assisted young individuals on a camp, helping senior leaders to organise certain activities as well as cooking for the whole group, all which I extremely enjoyed. My personality, as well as my non-academic interests, define me as a creative and gregarious young man who works well independently and as part of a team.

I have a great work ethic and believe that a great attitude and hard work are key characteristics for success at university and a future career as a Maths teacher. My commitment to both my studies and my work highlights that I am a hardworking, dedicated and intelligent young man who possesses the energy and the drive to become a successful Mathematics graduate at your university.

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Personal Statement for Financial Mathematics master

• Thread starter ionix
• Start date 3/12/20

Hi everyone, I would really appreciate some comments on my personal statement. Here are the requirements: Address your mathematical qualifications, any relevant experience and eventual career ambitions. (4,000 characters maximum) My passion for quantitative finance stems from my desire to model risks into the valuation of financial instruments. Working part-time as an equity research analyst, I have come to understand how risk is a key element in the recipe for investment success, and return without risk is just a false hope. Risk and return are interconnected drivers of the financial world. Market participants often focus on return, which can’t be easily controlled, as opposed to the exposure to risk, which can actually be managed. At the end of my first undergraduate year, I began working part-time as an equity research analyst attracted by the thrill of analyzing stocks and conducting research. I quickly realized how future uncertainty makes the task very speculative. But, by employing mathematical and statistical models, combined with derivatives, one could reduce the exposure to risk and protect a client’s portfolio. With this objective in mind, I grew a strong fondness for quantitative modules such as Empirical Finance, Advanced Statistics, and Econometrics with R. These introduced me to concepts of calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and other essential mathematical tools. What I enjoyed most about these subjects is that they create models and analytical approaches to analyze problems and phenomena occurring around me. Then, I applied such notions in my Financial Derivatives and Financial Engineering courses. I found fascinating the plethora of financial products that can be priced with the same mathematical model and assuming risk-neutral valuation. However, a master’s degree in Financial Mathematics at King’s College London would provide me further insight into how stochastic interest rates and additional financial risks affect valuations. I would like to become an expert in derivative pricing to help clients reduce exposure to risk and achieve their financial objectives. Many investors have discounted the need for managing risk because supported by the longest bull market in history. But in the long-term, it will not be hard to distinguish who hedged risks from who didn’t. There are many reasons why I chose XXX: the course structure, the location, and the faculty. Your course structure is heavily focused on mathematics, which will help me develop the attributes needed further in my career. Seeking a career in risk management, the course will improve my prospects after graduation. Secondly, the location will offer me an excellent environment to network with industry professionals and academics at conferences and public lectures. This will reduce the gap between my academic and professional careers. Moreover, I have heard some outstanding names such as Dr. John Armstrong, Professor Markus Riedle and Professor Tiziana Di Matteo. Taking her Econophysiscs module will certainly be meliorating. In conclusion, I will proactively contribute to enriching the quality of the Financial Mathematics program with a multicultural education, an attention to the environmental, social and ethical aspects of financial analysis and by striving for excellence. I recently passed my first CFA exam and I plan to continue on this journey. Currently, I am on track to achieve a first-class degree from the XXX. Thank you very much!  

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7 Best Financial Mathematics Books You Should Have

Financial mathematics (also known as mathematical finance, quantitative finance, computational finance, and financial engineering) is a field of applied mathematics that applies mathematical methods to financial problems.

However, quality investment in time, dedication, and effort is required to excel in this subject. You would want to grasp the best knowledge to outsmart the competition.

7 Best Financial Mathematics Books

1.   an introduction to mathematical finance with applications: understanding and building financial intuition by arlie o. petters, about the author:.

Arlie Petters is a Belizean-American mathematical physicist and a Professor of Physics and Economics at Duke University, North Carolina. He is famously well-known for his contributions to the mathematical theory of gravitational lensing and his work in quantitative finance.

Book Review:

2.   mathematical finance: a very short introduction by mark h. a. davis.

Mark H. A. Davis served as a professor of mathematics at Imperial College London and is widely regarded as one of the most influential and memorable figures in financial mathematics. He made significant contributions to mathematical finance, including his fundamental work for stochastic control and process theories.

3.   The Concepts and Practice of Mathematical Finance by Mark S. Joshi

Mark S. Joshi was a researcher and consultant in mathematical finance and served as a professor at the University of Melbourne. He is regarded as a leading expert in analysis and financial mathematics and has authored more than sixty mathematical research papers and well-received textbooks.

4.   Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Finance: Stochastic Calculus by Eric Chin

Eric Chin graduated from the University of Oxford with an MSc in Applied Statistics and Mathematical Finance. Eric is a skilled and experienced entrepreneur and venture capitalist with over 30 years of expertise.

5.   Probability for Finance by Ekkehard Kopp, Jan Malczak & Tomasz Zastawniak

About the authors:.

Jan Malczak is a mathematician widely known for his 20 published research papers and extensive knowledge in analysis, differential equations, measure and probability, and the theory of stochastic differential processes.

Overall, it’s an excellent book for getting started on problems and solutions for mathematical finances, yet it can be confusing for some due to its rigorous, unfussy text.

6.   Methods of Mathematical Finance by Ioannis Karatzas & Steven Shreve

It is definitely not for beginners and covers the fundamental topics in asset pricing, financial markets, consumption, investment, hedging, contingent claims, etc.

7.   The Model Thinker: What You Need to Know to Make Data Work for You by Scott E. Page

Final words.

With the help of books mentioned above, you can use your advanced skills to approach top professions like high-frequency trading, technical analysis, algorithmic trading, quantum finance, and quantitative investing.

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Mathematics personal statements

Scroll down this page to find a collection of real personal statements written by students applying to study mathematics and related courses at university.

Plus, over on The Uni Guide, we've also got advice from universities on what they want to see in a maths personal statement . 

Among the tips shared by these admissions experts: focus on how great you are, not how great the subject is; don't waste space on quotes; mention relevant extra-curriculars; talk about where you want maths study to take you.

Examples of real maths personal statements

These mathematics personal statements are written by real students. Among them you will find personal statements that have formed part of successful applications to universities such as Durham, Oxford and Warwick.

Bear in mind, these personal statements are presented in exactly the way they were originally submitted to Ucas. Don't expect them all to be perfect! But by reading through a few of these samples, you'll be able to get some ideas and inspiration for your own personal statement. 

More help with your personal statement

You can find personal statement examples for other courses by using this subject list, or by returning to our personal statements by subject page.

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• MSc in Mathematical Sciences (OMMS)
• MSc in Mathematical Sciences Personal Statement

The admissions process for the MSc in Mathematical Sciences (OMMS) does not include an interview. The Admissions Panel is making their decision on the application file you submit alone. Thus, it is important that you convey why you are motivated and suited to study at Oxford in the supporting documents. This includes the personal statement.

Your personal statement should be up to 1000 words and should be written in English, otherwise there are no specific formatting requirements. Do not feel you have to use the full 1000 words; a strong statement can be anywhere from 500 to 1000 words long. You should explain your motivation for applying for the MSc in Mathematical Sciences (OMMS) at Oxford, your relevant education and experience, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in. It is important to convey enthusiasm for the branch(es) of the mathematical sciences that you will follow on the course as well as demonstrating that your background is suitable for study at a higher level in these areas.

Your statement will be assessed on your reasons for applying, evidence of motivation for and understanding of the masters programme, commitment to the subject beyond the requirements of the degree course, capacity for sustained and intense work, reasoning ability, the ability to absorb abstract ideas at a rapid pace, and an indication of your intended pathway through the OMMS course.

You may wish to begin your personal statement by describing your reasons for applying to OMMS. These can be as simple as wanting to study the mathematical sciences for another year, or you may have a more targeted aim for what you wish to achieve on the course.

The members of the admissions panel who assess your application will want to see that you have given some thought to your pathway through the OMMS course. You can demonstrate this by stating which of the lecture courses you might follow, were you to come to Oxford. Of course, this does not have to be a complete or definitive list and you may subsequently change your mind. The assessors will also appreciate that you are most likely to still be completing your undergraduate degree and therefore will be continuing to learn about new and interesting areas of mathematics. The lecture courses available for 2022-23 can be found by following the links below and it is likely that most of the same lecture courses will be offered in the academic year 2023-24.

Since OMMS runs alongside the fourth year of Oxford’s undergraduate mathematics programme, most of these lecture courses have prerequisites. These can be found by clicking on the individual lecture course links at:

• Mathematical Institute courses ;
• Department of Statistics courses ;
• Department of Computer Science courses . (You may take at most two courses from the Department of Computer Science for credit on this masters programme.)

Those who assess your application will want to see that you are well prepared for the courses you might follow. You can demonstrate this by highlighting which of your previous modules are relevant to the prerequisites of the lecture courses you would take on OMMS.

Finally, you should tell us about any other relevant experience you have that demonstrates either your commitment to the mathematical sciences or your suitability to study on OMMS. Such experience might include, but is not limited to, research projects, prizes or awards, super-curricular courses, mathematical programming experience or outreach.

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Mathematics and economics personal statement example 1.

As Pythagoras may have said, (Ambitious)2 + (Bold)2 = (Critical thinker)2 makes a perfect student and is what I strive to be. From the simple Pythagorean to the complex Fermat's Last Theorem, mathematics is a never ending branch of study which I enthusiastically enjoy studying and why I wish to pursue it even further at university.

It all started from the young age of 6, and the fulfilment I felt once I had memorised up to my twelve times tables. From then on it was clear that a course with a significant mathematical content is the only path for a person such as myself, as the satisfaction of solving a difficult question after several failed attempts could not be beaten.

I feel certain that the logical approach to problem solving inculcated by my years of studying maths will serve me well in all of my future studies.

After being the only person who achieved an A* grade for Mathematics in Year 11 at my school, it was then I thought that I should challenge myself by taking A Level Further Maths as well as Maths, and I also continued to take all 4 of my subjects for A2.

Although this is challenging, I find that this will enable me to effectively deal with the amount of work during university. Economics is a subject which took my interest while I was doing research into selecting my A Level options two years ago, but it is now safe to say I love it as much as I love maths. I am part of the Economics club at college and find it enjoyable as well as useful.

We discuss current economic issues such as the recent fall in unemployment in the UK, how the inflation rate is currently within the target and how it can be kept at 2.7%, and other interesting issues. My favourite branch of economics is macroeconomics, as during my summer AS exams I found that revising for my Economics Unit 2 exam became less of a chore and more of a 'hobby'.

I prefer analysing items as a whole rather than individual sections, so by default macroeconomics was more desirable in comparison to microeconomics. Economic models fascinate me such as the simple growth model by Robert Solow, which can explain long run economic growth within one diagram.

When attending Cambridge University's mathematics master class during my first year, it was the financial aspect of mathematics that interested me the most. I then started reading The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford, and found myself asking questions such as "why do poor countries stay poor?" and "will deficit ever be cleared?" and wanted to study why the economy is as it is.

Aside from studying, I spend my time working part time as a GCSE Maths tutor at a tuition centre, tutoring Maths privately and a Maths mentor at my college. I find great contentment in teaching others something I love and passing on my knowledge to people. Educating minds is a skill, and to be able to possess such a gift is highly valuable to me and something I wish to continue after university.

During autumn 2012 I took part in the National Citizen Service for Waltham Forest. It was an enjoyable experience throughout and I learned many skills such as teamwork, leadership, and determination which is crucial for an individual. It also allowed me to think independently when planning the community project, as we had to organise the whole project ourselves.

Organisational skills are vital in life especially as a student and generally as an individual. I also had to overcome my extreme fear of heights when doing outdoor activities such as zip wiring as challenging myself is rewarding as well as enjoyable.

I am the first person in my family to apply for university, and have great motivation to do well and potentially go on to postgraduate study as well. I believe that my academic ability, outside work, and most importantly my determination for both mathematics and economics, would make me a successful student and great asset to your university.

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This personal statement was written by Iffath96 for application in 2014.

Iffath96's university choices University of Bristol University of Exeter University College London Queen Mary, University of London

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

Iffath96's Comments

My teachers said to get rid of the first line but I went with my gut instinct and kept it - worked out in my favour woo!

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