If English is not your first language and you have not* graduated from a college or university where English is the language of instruction, you must submit English proficiency test scores as part of your application for our MSc in Financial Engineering program. WQU accepts the Duolingo English Test, The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE). For more details on pricing and minimum test scores, visit https://www.wqu.edu/apply/.

*If you have graduated from a college or university where English is the language of instruction, this requirement is waived and you are not expected to submit English proficiency test scores.

The Quantitative Proficiency Test consists of 60 questions covering advanced algebra, linear algebra, differential calculus, integral calculus, differential equations, discrete mathematics, probability, and statistics. A portion of the test is dedicated to measuring fundamental knowledge of Python programming and Python data structures. Make sure you prepare thoroughly for the test and for the successful completion of the Program.

Before you attempt the test, we highly recommend that you review this document with sample questions. Additionally, we have curated this list of (free!) online resources to strengthen your mathematical, statistical, and programming skills.

The minimum passing grade for the test is 75%. It must be completed in one sitting with up to a total of two (2) hours to finish. You have a maximum of two (2) attempts to complete the test.

Our students are career-driven, computer-savvy quantitative thinkers. They come from a wide range of countries and have diverse backgrounds. They want to advance their career and seek life-changing, quality education. They are persistent, resilient, and committed to meeting the demands of our rigorous program and to mastering advanced concepts. They understand the value of collaborative work and value sharing knowledge as much as acquiring it.

If you have a background in one or more of the following areas, our MScFE program could be a great fit for you:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field, e.g. physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or economics
• Experience in algorithm development and/or at least one programming language such as Python or R
• Experience in analyzing datasets
• Relevant work experience

Lastly, students are expected to commit 25 hours per week between lecture videos, assignments, group projects, and individual study.

Once you are ready, visit https://learn.wqu.edu/signup to create an account, take the Quiz, and complete a profile about your educational and professional background.

For more information, check out the full Guide to Financial Engineering on the WQU blog.

Yes. A completed bachelor’s degree is the minimum academic requirement for admission into the MSc in Financial Engineering Program. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree but believe your credential/degree/certification would be considered equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, you can get it evaluated by a member of NACES such as the Foundation for International Services (FIS) or World Education Services (WES). If the evaluation determines that your qualifications are equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, provide WQU with your evaluation results and your application can be considered for acceptance.

Higher National Diplomas (HND) are not considered equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree, which is the minimum academic requirement for admission into the MSc in Financial Engineering Program at WQU.

WQU accepts new students into the MSc in Financial Engineering Program four times a year - in January, April, July, and October. Students can begin their studies on the closest academic session start date following the acceptance of their application. We recommend completing an application at least 3 weeks prior to the desired start date. For an overview of our academic calendar, please visit our Apply page.