Branch programme/details

This program pairs the key areas of finance and data analytics. It takes a data-driven approach to the analysis of financial markets. Courses include Big Data analysis, modern approaches to asset pricing using statistical learning, understanding of financial instruments, advanced econometrics, behavioral finance and time series analysis. With expertise to independently define and creatively solve a broad variety of problems, you will be prepared for a dynamic career in finance, banking and more.

As the program exposes you to topics in advanced econometrics, statistical methods and data analysis, you have to have an excellent background in mathematics. Courses are taught both by faculty members and external professionals from international institutions, central banks and the financial industry. 

Focusing on modern statistical analysis, data modeling, programming, big data, and machine learning techniques, the curriculum provides a thorough understanding and advanced skills in theoretical and applied finance, with an emphasis on computational aspects. In particular, courses include Big Data analysis, modern approaches to asset pricing using statistical learning, understanding of financial instruments, advanced econometrics, behavioral finance and time series analysis.

In addition to the application form, every applicant needs to provide the following documents:

a) A copy of a diploma to show at least completed Bachelor studies or confirmation that ongoing Bachelor studies will be completed in the current academic year

b) Transcript of records and academic results from previous studies

c) Structured CV

d) Motivation letter

e) Document showing the level of English proficiency

f) Letter(s) of recommendation (references)

g) Recommended: Document showing the level of Analytical skills. 

Ad a) Confirmation of studies may be substituted with a transcript of records, provided that these are from the same academic year as the application.

Ad b) The transcripts from all years of the previous university study should be submitted.

Ad d) The recommended length of the motivation letter is approximately 2 000 characters, including spaces.

Ad e)  Applicants should provide a certificate from one of the following standardized tests:

• IELTS Academic - the minimum required overall band score of 6.5, with a band score of 6.0 or above in all four components;

• TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) & TOEFL iBT Home Edition - the minimum required overall score of 83, with a minimum score of 20 in the four sections;

• Cambridge B2 First (former FCE) - minimum Cambridge English Scale Score of 175;

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (former CAE) or C2 Proficiency (former CPE) receiving a certificate;

• PTE Academic test - the minimum required score above 56;

• LanguageCert ESOL - Communicator with High Pass, Expert or Mastery;

• Duolingo English Test (DET) - the minimum required overall score of 120, with a subscore of 105 or above in all four components.

A standardized English test is not required from applicants who:

• have studied in English at the secondary school level for at least two years;

• have studied in English at the university level for at least one year in a full degree program.

When a score from an English-language test is not presented, the applicants should provide a confirmation of their use of English during their prior studies to support their claim. The confirmation should contain the information that the study program was conducted in English as a language of study. A diploma supplement or transcript containing this information can also be accepted.

Ad g) Analytical Skills

Applicants should have good analytical quantitative skills. Applicants should have studied Bachelor level mathematics (e.g. calculus and linear algebra) at least to the extent of one course in one year (e.g., have passed at least two courses in two, not necessarily subsequent, terms).  Prior knowledge of economics or finance is an advantage, but it is not required. Applicants should be familiar with the following topics of calculus and linear algebra: functions, limits, derivatives, partial derivatives, optimization techniques, matrix algebra, and differential and difference equations. They should have an introductory-level understanding of probability distributions, hypothesis testing, linear regressions, and the OLS estimation method.

Applicants’ analytical and quantitative ability is best demonstrated by the GRE tests, GMAT tests or by completing one or more levels of the CFA Exams. For GREs, please use our institutional code 1649 so that the results are sent directly to our faculty. A GMAT score above the 70th percentile overall and above the 65th percentile in the quantitative section—or a GRE score above the 70th percentile in the quantitative section—gives an applicant a good chance of admission.

We do not require a standardized test score from applicants who:

• have studied in a quantitative program at the university level with at least the equivalent of 30 ECTS credits of mathematics, statistics, econometrics, or similar, with a score for each of the courses in the top 50 % of the grading scale, or
  

• have worked for at least one year in a private or governmental institution in the area of statistics or econometrics where they used quantitative methods on a regular basis and where they took responsibility for independent tasks, or
  

• have achieved a high rank in a recognized competition in mathematics, e. g. mathematical Olympiad. When a score from an ability test is not presented, the applicants should provide a certificate of their past achievements, studies or employment.
  

While we do not require a score from GRE or GMAT test when the conditions above are met, a good GRE or GMAT score still significantly strengthens the application and increases an applicant´s chances for admission.

All documents that are not originally in Czech, Slovak, or English must be officially translated into English, Czech or Slovak language by a certified translator. A sworn translation is not required for the application itself. Only complete applications will be considered. Personal data will be used exclusively to organize the admission process and course enrollments.

T​he admissions committee will assess applicants on the basis of the submitted documents. Firstly, the documents proving English proficiency are examined for the level required for the study. Only those applications that fulfill the requirements for English proficiency are assessed further by the admissions committee and given a ranking from 0 - 100 points. The following criteria will be evaluated: (i) candidates’ aptitude for studies based on their past study results and on the results from ability tests (0-60), (ii) their command of English (0-10), (iii) their motivation for studies (0-30). The point limit for accepting applicants is set by the Dean with respect to the number of applicants and the capacity of the programme.

Admission to Master's studies is conditioned by completed secondary education confirmed by a school-leaving certificate. Admission to Post-Bachelor studies (Master's programme) is likewise conditioned by completed education in any type of study programme.

You will be qualified for advanced quantitative analysis in the field of financial market data analysis with an emphasis on techniques of statistical modeling and Big Data processing. You will gain quantitative, statistical, and technical skills crucial for modern finance and the expertise to independently define and creatively solve a broad range of theoretical as well as practical financial problems. This prepares you for a career in today's rapidly evolving financial landscape, whether in finance, banking, or other sectors.