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The objective of the Financial Engineering Program (MSFE) is to provide students with exposure to the latest in theory and techniques in the financial markets and apply their knowledge even before graduation with real world projects.

ranked #5

Financial Engineering at Illinois ranked #5 Best Financial Engineering Program
by the TFE Times in 2024

 

 

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Why Choose Financial Engineering at ILLINOIS?

Financial Engineering at Illinois (MSFE) is a 3-semester STEM-designated Professional Master's Program.

  • Financial Engineering is the application of quantitative methods to the analysis of financial markets and financial products.
  • The quantitative techniques include: Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Data Analytics.
  • Students apply Optimization, Data Science, Neural Networks, Machine Learning and the basic Mathematics in real time with these projects.
  • The applications include the search for profitable opportunities as well as deriving solutions to financial problems.
  • FE involves the measurement, management, mitigation and transfer of risk.
  • The US capital markets are the most dynamic and exciting in the world.
  • The derivatives market in Chicago are the most innovative in the world.
  • Recent Practicums have been with CME Group, Morgan Stanley, Google, BMO (Harris), Axis Re, Market Axess, CTC, The University of Illinois' Treasury Office, Peak6 and Principal Financial.


Upcoming Events

 
 

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2024

Special Events Will Be Posted Here

Admission Cycle Begins November 1 and Ends April 15

Click Here to Apply Now

 

Yixuan Huo

"The MSFE program is a highly practical program that provides me with solid technical skills. The professors enrich our learning experience by assigning industry-relevant projects and fostering market insights through their lectures. The faculty and alumni are incredibly supportive, demonstrating genuine care for students' career development and offering invaluable guidance and assistance. I deeply appreciate being part of the MSFE program and am truly grateful for this opportunity!"

Undergraduate College: Tsinghua University

Yixuan Huo 2025
Summer 2025 Complex Securities Valuation Intern, Houlihan Lokey, New York

Kamin Atsavasirilert

“The MSFE program at UIUC offers a unique blend of advanced financial engineering techniques taught by renowned professors and industry practitioners from business, engineering, and finance disciplines. The strong alumni network and supportive faculty provide invaluable guidance during my job search process. It has been an incredible experience that I deeply appreciate and enjoy .”

Undergraduate College: Chulalongkorn University 

Kamin Atsavasirilert 2024
Senior Quantitative Analyst - McLean, VA, Capital One

Dizhou Wu

"I had tons of fun at MSFE. I learned a lot from the practicum project and received remarkable help and support from our alumni during my professional journey." 

Undergraduate College: University of Liverpool

Dizhou Wu 2019
Quantitative Developer, Millennium Management, New York

Chong Zhao

"Follow our passion in career, extend our imagination in journey and sense our feelings in life."

Undergraduate College: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Chong Zhao 2019
Associate, Houlihan Lokey, London

Akhil Surannanavar

"The program is very well designed keeping present day industry requirements in mind, the best part of the course is the Practicum, where we get to work on real time projects with a firm. The curriculum just makes you industry ready!"

Undergraduate College: PES University

Akhil Surannanavar 2018
Quantitative Trader, Chicago Trading Company, Chicago

Jesus Miguel Ramirez Castro

"Going to school after working for a while can be tough and boring if the program delves into lots of theory. Well, at UIUC it wasn't like that. In fact, in this program I found a good balance between theory and practical implementation in many of the courses I enrolled. I would say the program was challenging, which makes it exciting from my point of view, and that was probably the driving force that keep me working on it the entire course. This wouldn't have been possible without the encouragement that professors gave me with their commitment to learning and growth of my class"

Undergraduate College: National University of Engineering, Peru

Jesus Miguel Ramirez Castro 2017
Faculty, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Peru

James Karam

"From studying with colleagues, spending the night at the hotel after attending an elective in Chicago, or enjoying a tour in New York after a career fair, the program provides a lot of opportunities to bond with fellow students and develop long lasting relationships."

Undergraduate College: Notre Dame University, Lebanon

James Karam 2017
Manager, PwC Strategy, Dubai

Kruttika Swaminathan

"MSFE is a tough and challenging program, there's no doubt about it. But in such a community, where you're surrounded by other talented and passionate hard-working individuals, there are numerous opportunities to learn and grow. The program incorporates a congruous blend of business and engineering courses, besides constantly giving you the chance to make powerful and meaningful professional contacts. Being around people from different cultures and backgrounds has been an enlightening experience in many ways, and I've made some amazing friends here. There is also never a dull moment in this university, which, while being one of the best academic institutions in the country, also gives you one of the best social experiences. I'm glad I attended this program, and would especially recommend it to anybody interested in pursuing a career in the FinTech world!"

Undergraduate College: Vellore Institute of Technology

Kruttika Swaminathan 2017
Software Engineer, Pelmorex Corp, Toronto

Rankings and Affiliations

    International Association for Quantitative Finance - Academic Program Affiliate Member  Master of Finance Degrees top 25 programs US News and World Reports Best Grad Schools for Engineering Best Value School, Best ROI: Public Universities Midwestern US Region  International Association for Quantitative Finance - 2015 IAQF Case Competition Student Team Winner