Introduction

Stochastics examines phenomena in which chance plays a central role. Examples of such phenomena include election results, fluctuations in stock prices and molecular interaction in a living cell. Students in the Master's programme in Stochastics and Financial Mathematics are trained to become experts in terms of both theory and areas of application. Students are trained in the full depth and breadth of the field, expanding their ability and insight and improving their position in the job market.

Stochastics is usually subdivided into three areas: Statistics, Probability Theory and Stochastic Operations Research. Financial mathematics is an important field in terms of the application of Stochastics. Applying a mathematical perspective to questions of finance offers fascinating research possibilities. There is a wide range of specialisations available to students in this Master's programme. These specialisations are based on the many areas in which Stochastics is applied, their scope and the challenging theoretical problems they pose. Both theoretically inclined and more practically oriented students can select specific programmes adapted to their personal interests.

The Master in Stochastics and Financial Mathematics is offered in collaboration with the VU University Amsterdam, Utrecht University and Leiden University.

Studying Stochastics and Financial Mathematics at the University of Amsterdam

Together the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (Centrum voor Wiskunde en Informatica, CWI) both the UvA and the VU University Amsterdam contribute to Amsterdam's reputation as a city at the forefront of national and international mathematics. In addition, the nine Dutch universities that offer a Master's programme in Mathematics and Engineering Mathematics also offer joint course programmes. These courses offer students high quality instruction and the opportunity to interact with students from other universities.

The University of Amsterdam collaborates closely with the VU University Amsterdam in most MSc tracks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Both universities have an excellent international reputation, and are home to several research groups that play leading roles in various scientific fields. Their collaboration has resulted in a range of high-quality Master of Science programmes. The Master in Stochastics and Financial Mathematics also includes collaboration with Leiden University and Utrecht University. As a result, students profit from the expertise of four universities, as well as the existing networks and cooperative projects at these universities.

What our students say

Click the link below to read a testimonial by Stochastics and Financial Mathematics student Hicham Zmarrou.

Accreditation and degree

The Master's programme in Stochastics and Financial Mathematics has been legally accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive a legally accredited Master's degree in Stochastics and Financial Mathematics and the title of Master of Science (MSc).