Baccalauréat en
finance quantitative (B. Sc.)

In Brief

In light of the ever-increasing complexity of financial markets and instruments, the influx of new regulations and the digital revolution in finance, quantitative finance is emerging as a high value-added financial specialization.

Quantitative finance involves the use of state-of-the-art financial instruments and quantitative risk management tools for making decisions. As a core component of risk management operations, quantitative finance fosters more forward-looking risk management and decreased vulnerability.

After completing the program, you will have a dual skill set in both finance and programming, which is a highly sought-after hybrid profile. You will also have touched upon the fields of accounting, econometrics, the transactional environment, the regulatory aspects of finance, economic aspects and financial management – all of which are indispensable disciplines closely related to quantitative finance.

Refer to the suggested pathway (in French only) for the Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Finance program.

Objectives

• acquire the essential knowledge specific to the field of finance; financial markets and financial institutions;
• acquire knowledge and skills in fields related to quantitative finance:
• gain proficiency with the principal mathematical, statistical and IT techniques related to the field of finance,
• gain proficiency with the digital methods and simulation techniques, programming, financial econometrics and financial data analysis,
• learn to use the principal models used in forecasting, analyzing, hedging and valuing contingent securities,
• learn to use risk management models to solve various types of business risk measurement and management problems,
• learn how design and use innovative financial products,
• learn how to solve various types of financial product design problems;
• develop agility with the digital technology used in quantitative finance;
• learn to take ethical and social responsibility issues into consideration when analyzing financial data and making decisions;
• learn to communicate effectively while respecting others;
• learn to work effectively in teams in a variety of contexts

Studies Profiles

Honours Profile

The distinction profile (webpage in French only) puts students on a fast track to the graduate programs. It consists of an agreement of 12 credits (including 0 to 6 undergraduate credits and 6 to 12 master’s credits, based on the agreement) entered into between a bachelor’s program directorate and a master’s program directorate. The master’s-level courses are contributory to both programs. The Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Finance program offers the distinction profile with the following programs (webpages in French only):

• Master of Business Administration – Finance (MBA)
• Master of Science in administration – Finance (MSc)

International Profile

The international profile lets students undertake 1 or 2 semesters at a partner university located outside of Canada. Refer to the database of Université Laval’s International Office (webpage in French only) for the list of partner universities.

Continuance of Studies

Under certain conditions, this bachelor’s program leads to graduate studies in the following programs (webpages in French only) :

• Master of Science in Administration – Financial Engineering (MSc)
• Master of Science in Administration – Finance – with Dissertation (MSc)
• Master of Science in Administration – Finance (MSc)
• Master of Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence (MSc)
• Master of Science in Mathematics (MSc)
• Master of Science in Statistics (MSc)

Program Benefits

Certain Distance Education Courses

Enjoy greater flexibility with the distance learning courses offered in this program, a great way to balance your studies with the other aspects of your life.

Refer to the distance learning site (in French only) and find out more about this course delivery mode.

Certain Courses Given in English

This program offers you the option of taking certain management courses in English. In these courses, although they are taught in English only, you may write your assignments and exams in French. Refer to the list of undergraduate courses  (webpage in French only) offered in English for more details.

Gateway

Faites fructifier vos crédits! Si vous détenez un DEC technique, l'Université Laval peut reconnaître certains de vos acquis et vous créditer des cours. Vous pourriez ainsi obtenir votre baccalauréat plus rapidement.

Consultez toutes nos ententes DEC-BAC et passerelles.

Integrated Pathway to the Master’s Level

The integrated pathway allows you to undertake master’s-level coursework that contributes to both the bachelor’s and master’s programs, subject to a formal agreement between the directorates of the 2 programs in question. The Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Finance (BSc) offers an integrated pathway with the following programs (webpages in French only):

• Master of Business Administration – Finance (MBA)
• Master of Science in administration – Finance (MSc)

Internships

As part of your program, you will have an opportunity to undertake up to 2 for-credit and paid internships in a professional setting, here or abroad, that can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis in the summer, fall or winter semesters. The team at the Service du développement professionnnel en sciences de l’administration (webpage in French only) will accompany you in your search for an internship. You can also participate in career days. These are great opportunities to meet with organizations that are currently recruiting!

Sample Track

Consult the sample track (in French only) suggested for this program.

For Whom Is This Program Intended?

The Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Finance program is intended for anyone who loves finance, working collaboratively and has a passion for financial markets. If you are proficient in using mathematics, statistics and programming to solve complex quantitative finance problems, have an analytical and logical mind, are creative and have critical and rigorous thinking skills, this program is for you.

Find out more about the possibilities with Student Exchanges Canada (webpage in French only).  

Your Future

With your Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Finance (BSc) in hand, you will be prepared to undertake a career in the field of finance. Your degree will lead to specialized employment as a quantitative analyst, portfolio or risk manager, or financial modeling expert, to name but a few opportunities.

You could consider a career with major employers such as banks, insurance companies and various businesses, firms and public and private organizations.

The program leads to the following designations: PRM (Professional Risk Manager-Professionnel en gestion des risques), CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst–Analyste financier agréé) and CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst–Analyste agréé en investissements alternatifs).

Financial Aspects

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Bureau des bourses et de l'aide financière (in French only) has all the information you need regarding the available sources of funding for your studies, including the various government financial aid programs and the admission, excellence and mobility scholarships.

Admission scholarships

If you graduated from a Québec college institution (CÉGEP) with an R score of at least 28, you could apply for an admission scholarship of $2,000. Nearly $450,000 in scholarships are awarded to students every year.