Study equations that include dollar signs
Discover the math behind financial markets and put your superior math skills to the test.
Interested in managing hedge funds, diving into derivatives, or building software for capital market clients? Join one of the most advanced undergrad financial programs in the world and hone your programming, math, and statistics skills.
Offered jointly by the Department of Pure Mathematics and the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Mathematical Finance is designed for students like you: someone who has elite mathematical abilities and wants to pursue a career in finance.
You’ll take courses in corporate finance, quantitative risk management, mathematical analysis, and statistical forecasting.
Graduate with extensive mathematical training and a strong understanding of financial markets – then take your career to the next level with some of the world’s most influential institutions.
Faculty:
Faculty of Mathematics
Degree:
Bachelor of Mathematics in Mathematical Finance
Available as a co-op program?
Yes
Available as a regular program?
Yes
Available as a minor?
No
Your choice: Four years or five. Gain 24 months of paid work experience through Waterloo's five-year co-op program or fast track your degree by choosing the regular system of study and graduate in four years.
Social and academic support. Whether you’re looking for a study group or a night out with your classmates enjoying cheesy nachos, the Math Finance Student Association has you covered.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!
Sample co-op job titles
- Product manager assistant
- Security developer
- Quality assurance technician
- Risk analyst
- Trading products quantitative analyst
- Business application developer
- Data governance analyst
- Trading products quantitative analyst
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
Your first work term will be after first year (May to August 2026).
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Co-op |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Fifth | Co-op | Study | - |
or halfway through second year (which can be January to April 2027).
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Fifth | Co-op | Co-op | Study |
There are options where you can have your first work term in the spring term after first year and your second work term after second year, or in the fall term halfway through your second year.
Admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Advanced Functions
- Calculus and Vectors
- Any 4U English
- One other 4U course
Recommended course: Grade 11 U Introduction to Computer Science
Admission averages: Individual selection from the mid-80s
We strongly encourage you to participate in the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest and/or the Euclid Mathematics Contest to enhance your admissions status.
To be considered for entrance scholarships in the Faculty of Mathematics, you must write one or both of the contests. If you complete both contests, we'll use the results of the contest in which you performed best.
How to apply?
Apply to Mathematics and choose Mathematical Finance as your major at the end of first year. Once you've applied, you'll need to complete the Admission Information Form as part of the application process.
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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?
Please contact Leanne Zonneveld, our Faculty of Mathematics recruitment coordinator who can answer any questions you have.