My Experience in Machine & Financial Learning

As the complexities of the financial world continue to burgeon, so have the mechanisms and solutions which aim to manage financial risks. In particular, techniques in computer science have emerged at the forefront in quantifying financial risk. While a degree in Economics has helped to lay a solid foundation in Statistics and Mathematics, I find myself at a disadvantage and also ill-equipped to pursue a long-term career in the field of financial risk management due to the limited exposure to programming at under-graduate level. Fueled with the desire to develop expertise in the quantitative aspect of risk management, I found myself suitably positioned to pursue a Master's degree that will adequately prepare me to be a subject matter expert in financial risk management. UCL's MSc in Financial Risk Management stands out to me for various reasons.

First of all, born and raised in Singapore - one of the world's most culturally diverse country, I have always enjoy the cross-cultural sharing among my peers of different races and religions. UCL attracts passionate individuals from all around the world, and pursuing the MSc provides an opportunity that allows me to interact with like-minded individuals, immerse in cross-cultural sharing and get to learn and understand more about cultures that can't be found in Singapore. All of which, I believe, will help foster a long-term relationship between me and my peers. In addition, I find that the flexibility in the curriculum caters specifically to my needs. Although the core modules focus more on the theoretical aspect, the breadth and diversity of electives available across various departments will allow me to work on the technical stuff as well.

I am particularly attracted to modules such as Statistical computing and Machine Learning with application in finance, both of which will allow me to gain exposure to statistical programming softwares that are heavily utilized in the industry to quantify risk and perform large data analytics operations. More importantly, I am particularly drawn to the summer placement that forms the basis of the dissertation. My working experiences so far have led me to realize that I am more of a "hands-on" person. The summer placement is, therefore, the perfect learning opportunity for me. Equipped with newly acquired skills and knowledge, I will be given the opportunity to learn from leading industry professionals and also be able to work on real-world projects that I hope will not only benefit the company alone, but also on an industry-wide basis. Hence, the summer placement is, to me, the best way in which I can steer my learning towards the most effective outcome.