Quantitative Investment Solutions vs Systematic Trading: Choosing Your Path in EDHEC’s MSc in Financial Engineering
Compare Quantitative Investment Solutions and Systematic Trading specialisations in EDHEC’s MSc in Financial Engineering and find your ideal career path.
EDHEC Business School’s MSc in Financial Engineering, ranked #6 Master’s in Finance worldwide (Financial Times 2024), is designed for students aiming to master the analytical, technical, and strategic skills needed to thrive in modern finance. With a strong quantitative focus, this programme offers two distinct specialisations: Quantitative Investment Solutions and Systematic Trading. Both prepare students for high-impact careers in finance, but the paths, tools, and mindsets required for each are different.
What is the Quantitative Investment Solutions specialisation?
The Quantitative Investment Solutions specialisation is about building strong financial models and designing structured solutions for asset management, risk management, and portfolio optimisation. The focus is on long-term investment strategies, factor-based investing, ESG integration, and liability-driven investing. Students gain a strong foundation in financial mathematics, statistics, and optimisation techniques.
Courses
- • Liability driven and goal based investing
- • Factor investing
- • Currency management
Common career paths
- • Quantitative analyst
- • Portfolio engineer
- • Risk manager
- • Investment strategist
Who should choose this track?
If you're interested in developing investment products and supporting institutional or private investor decisions through structured, quantitative methods, this specialisation offers the right foundation. It's ideal for those who enjoy problem-solving and have an interest in long-term financial planning and innovation.
What is the Systematic Trading specialisation?
The Systematic Trading specialisation is tailored for those passionate about coding, data science, and financial markets. It teaches students how to build and implement algorithmic trading strategies based on statistical analysis and machine learning. There's a heavy emphasis on market microstructure, execution algorithms, and trading system architecture.
Courses
- • Deep learning for finance
- • Quant trading
- • Statistical arbitrage
Common career paths
- • Quant trader
- • Quant developer
- • Algorithmic trading strategist
- • Data scientist (Trading Firms)
Who should choose this track?
This track is best suited for students who want to work at the crossroads of finance and technology. If you're excited by coding, love working with data, and want to build systems that operate in real-time markets, this path is for you.
Quantitative Investment Solutions vs. Systematic Trading
Similarities
- • Strong focus on quantitative finance and analytical skills
- • Heavy use of programming, modelling, and financial theory
- • Hands-on learning with real-world industry projects
- • Career opportunities across top finance sectors
Differences
| Feature | Quantitative Investment Solutions | Systematic Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Long-term investment strategies | Short-term, algorithmic trading |
| Tools | Portfolio optimisation, ESG models | Trading algorithms, machine learning |
| Key outcomes | Investment products, structured solutions | Automated trading systems |
| Core technical skills | Strong in statistics and modelling | Strong in coding and data engineering |
| Best For | Strategists, product designers | Coders, data-driven traders |
Which track is right for you?
Both specialisations are rigorous and demanding, and both open doors to top-tier careers in quantitative finance. The key difference is in your career orientation :
- • Do you see yourself crafting investment products and managing long-term strategies? Quantitative Investment Solutions may be the way to go.
- • Are you more excited by coding, market data, and systematic decision-making? Then Systematic Trading is likely the better choice.
How to pursue a career in quantitative investment solutions or systematic trading
- • Build technical foundations: Strengthen your skills in maths, coding (especially Python), and financial analytics.
- • Leverage EDHEC’s resources: Take advantage of EDHEC’s career services, alumni network, and partnerships with financial institutions.
- • Gain practical experience: Engage in internships, real-life projects, and coding challenges.
- • Stay updated: Follow market trends, read industry publications, and continuously develop your skills in new technologies and financial innovations.
Key Takeaways
- • The Quantitative Investment Solutions track prepares you for careers in asset management and investment strategy with a focus on long-term value and structured solutions.
- • The Systematic Trading track is geared towards those who want to work in high-frequency, data-driven trading environments.
- • Both specialisations offer a unique blend of academic excellence and practical experience.
- • Choosing the right track depends on your interests, strengths, and career goals.
