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Are you intrigued by quantitative finance and dream of becoming a quant someday? Maybe you want to learn more about using mathematical models to analyze market performance and make projections. Or do you want to pursue a career in finance that requires specialized training?
You can take a quantitative finance course to enhance your expertise and learn new skills in the field.
Quantitative Finance Course
- CFA Level 1 (2020) — Complete Quantitative Methods by Udemy
- Finance and Quantitative Modeling for Analysts by Coursera
- Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling by Coursera
- Algorithmic Trading and Finance Models with Python, R and Stata Essential Training from LinkedIn Learning
- The Classification-Based Machine Learning for Trading Course by Udemy
- Algorithmic Trading and Quantitative Analysis Using Python by Udemy
- Quantitative Finance and Algorithmic Trading II — Time Series by Udemy
- Financial Derivatives: A Quantitative Finance View by Udemy
- Stochastic Processes by the National Research University Higher School of Economics by Udemy
What Makes a Great Quantitative Finance Course?
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you do a simple search for the best quantitative finance course — there are so many! Avoid frustration by keeping the following considerations in mind.
Concise Content
Quantitative finance can be a complicated subject to grasp, especially if you’re not well-versed in finance or don’t have a financial background. Look for content that’s delivered in the most concise manner possible. That doesn’t mean that the instructor should cut corners, but the quicker an instructor can get to the point and avoid confusion, the better.
Reputable and Knowledgeable Instructor
Is the instructor a subject-matter expert? While a Ph.D. in finance may not be necessary to teach quantitative finance, the instructor should have a solid grasp of key concepts related to quantitative finance.
But it is not enough to simply understand quantitative finance. The instructor should convey the information in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.
How do you know if your instructor is the real deal? Start by viewing the instructor’s profile on the platform that houses the course. Does he or she possess credentials that are relevant to quantitative finance or other related subjects? What are past students saying about them in reviews? Are the instructors’ courses bestsellers? Are the courses organized in a way that is logical and easy to follow?
Depth of Resources
Tangible resources will go a long way when you put together all the pieces needed to comprehend quantitative finance. So, any courses you find should include videos and supplementary resources to help foster comprehension.
Our Top Picks
We scoured the web for online quantitative finance courses and selected our top picks from Coursera, LinkedIn Learning and Udemy. You can find the classes and price points below.
To make it easy to learn about your options, we’ve also divided the courses into 3 categories: best quantitative finance courses for beginners, intermediate students and advanced students.
Quantitative Finance Course for Beginners
If you’re new to the world of quantitative finance, these courses are a good starting point to enhance your knowledge.
1. CFA Level 1 (2020) — Complete Quantitative Methods by Udemy
Are you a CFA Level 1 candidate or are interested in the CFA program? This course may be a good fit. A best-seller on Udemy, CFA Level 1 (2020) — Complete Quantitative Methods is the first of a 10-part comprehensive series designed to prepare students for CFA Level 1. It shares everything you need to know about quantitative methods in the most concise manner possible.
You will have unlimited access to 6 hours of video, 12 articles and 31 downloads. The course also includes visual aid quizzes to help you understand and retain the information introduced in the class.
2. Finance and Quantitative Modeling for Analysts by Coursera
- Who’s it for? Beginners
- Price: Free
This course introduces you to the core elements of quantitative modeling. You’ll learn how to use spreadsheets to analyze data and make projections based on your findings. You’ll also find a primer on corporate finance, along with several real-life scenarios to help you grasp the key concepts introduced in the modules.
You can expect to spend 2 months working through the course if you work at a pace of 8 hours per week. And by the time you reach the finish line, you will know how to make your own models.
This course is led by Richard Waterman, professor of statistics at Wharton School. Enrollment is free.
3. Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling by Coursera
- Who’s it for? Beginners
- Price: Free
Do you want to learn how to build your own models to analyze historical market behavior and make predictions about future market performance? Wharton Online has you covered in this interactive course that can be accessed free of charge. It’s a beginner-level program that’s ideal for those interested in building quantitative models for their own business or enterprise. The course can also be used to supplement knowledge acquired from investment management courses.
The material is delivered through brief lectures and demonstrations. Students are also tasked with assignments to apply the concepts learned throughout the modules.
Intermediate Quantitative Finance Course
Those who are a bit more experienced with quantitative finance may find these courses useful:
4. Algorithmic Trading and Finance Models with Python, R and Stata Essential Training from LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com)
- Who’s it for? Intermediate students
- Price: Included with a monthly membership
Taught by Michael McDonald, finance professor and researcher at Fairfield University, this course is best for those who have a working knowledge of algorithmic stock training. The class, which spans a little over 2 hours, shows you how to use software to create a trading strategy and identify the best market opportunities. Core skills addressed in this course include business intelligence and modeling with R programming language, Stata and Python.
Enrollment is included with a $29.99 per month LinkedIn membership. You can get a seat for free by signing up for a 1-month trial membership.
5. The Classification-Based Machine Learning for Trading Course by Udemy
Learn how to create your own quantitative trading strategy in this class. It’s ideal for investment professionals, amateur traders and data scientists. This course is also a good fit if you’re interested in learning more about analyzing data using the R programming language.
It includes 5.5 hours of video content, 8 downloadable resources and a host of assignments. The course is taught by The Trading Whisperer, an instructor with many stellar reviews regarding top-notch delivery and material clarity.
It’s a good idea to have a basic knowledge of finance, trading and the R programming language before you enroll. You might also prefer to know something about machine learning before you take this course.
6. Algorithmic Trading and Quantitative Analysis Using Python by Udemy
Just $12.99 gets you a seat at the Algorithmic Trading and Quantitative Analysis Using Python course. This class is on Udemy’s bestseller list and is jam-packed with 14.5 hours of engaging content, 3 articles and 7 downloadable resources. You’ll have the knowledge and expertise to build a fully automated trading bot without spending a fortune once you finish the course.
Instructor Mayank Rasu is a seasoned quant researcher with over 10 years of experience in the industry working with global investment banks. He holds an undergraduate degree in education and graduate MBA and MFE degrees.
Have a basic understanding of Python and forex/equity trading and a high school level knowledge of mathematics and statistics before you enroll.
Advanced Quantitative Finance Courses
Do you have advanced knowledge of quantitative finance? These courses will help sharpen your skills and take your understanding of quantitative finance to the next level:
7. Quantitative Finance and Algorithmic Trading II — Time Series by Udemy
Are you interested in learning more about the fundamentals of financial engineering and time series analysis? Look no further than this course, which covers mathematical models, including CAPM, the Black-Scholes model, SVM and many other approaches.
Instructor Holczer Balazs, a software engineer, will also share skills you will need to construct a model that will help you project stock prices.
When you sign up on Udemy, you will have instant access to 5 hours of video, 7 articles and other downloadable resources to help you comprehend and work through the material.
8. Financial Derivatives: A Quantitative Finance View by Udemy
Another bestseller from Udemy, this course teaches the basics of derivatives from a quantitative perspective. It comes with a host of resources, including 25.5 hours of on-demand video, 5 articles and 29 downloads. You will also receive a certification of completion when you finish the course.
The course is taught by Cameron Connell, a quant who worked for several years as a mathematician and theoretical materials scientist on Wall Street. He also earned his Ph.D. from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at NYU and has 10 years of college teaching experience under his belt.
Have a working knowledge of probability, statistics and know calculus before enrolling.
9. Stochastic Processes by the National Research University Higher School of Economics
- Who’s it for? Advanced students
- Price: Free
This course walks you through the theoretical basis needed to comprehend stochastics in quantitative finance. It includes 28 hours of material and is best for individuals who are interested in quantitative finance, mathematics and programming.
The 8 modules focus on several core topics, including renewal processes, Poisson processes, Markov chains, Gaussian processes, stationarity and linear filters and so much more. It’s rated 4.5 stars by past users who have gained invaluable insight and even landed new positions and promotions once they completed the course.
The class is taught by Vladimir Panov, an assistant professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics.
Choose the Right Quantitative Finance Course for You
You can spend hours sifting through articles and books on quantitative finance. However, online quantitative finance courses are a more efficient way to acquire the knowledge and skills you need. These course courses can help supplement what you’re learning in the classroom or equip you with the skills needed to boost your career.
There are options to choose from at varying price points, so you don’t need thousands of dollars to get started. The topics range in difficulty and scope, which means you can start with the beginner-level courses and progress to more difficult offerings when you see fit.
Most importantly, these courses allow you to learn at your own pace during a time that’s convenient for you. Best of all, you won’t ever have to leave the comforts of your own home — they’re all accessible online. Interested in more finance courses? Check out our guide on the best online finance courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is quantitative finance?
Quantitative finance looks at mathematical representations to determine risk. It uses derivatives, linear algebra, algorithms, probabilities and statistics to account for risk.
What are the best quantitative finance courses?
Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling, Finance and Quantitative Modeling and Complete Quantitative Methods can help you learn more about it.
Southern New Hampshire University Online
SNHU Online Offers:
- Flexible schedules
- Affordable tuition
- Online tutoring
- Access to electronic research materials
- Specialized academic advising
- Supportive online community