MFE Application & admission

Entry requirements

• Holders of a Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline (Mathematics, Physics, Computer science, Engineering, Economics, …) are eligible to apply for admission in the Master in Financial Engineering.
• Applicants should have demonstrated a high level of intellectual ability and exceptional analytical skills as well as a strong interest or a prior training in finance.  They should also have a solid background in mathematical analysis, linear algebra, calculus, statistics and probability theory.
• In addition, MFE applicants should should command either one programming language (C, C++, Python, Java, …) or an interpreted language (Matlab, Octave, SciLab, Mathematica, …).
• The curriculum of the MFE program is in English and applicants must be able to understand rapidly spoken English, read English and be able to express themselves in English both orally and in writing. Success in an international examination of English such as the TOEFL is a plus but not mandatory.

Specific requirements for EPFL students

The MFE admission committee will consider the following criteria:

• Students must hold (or be completing) an EPFL  bachelor degree
• Students should have a high level of intellectual ability and exceptional analytical skills. They should have a solid background in mathematical analysis, linear algebra, calculus, statistics and probability theory.
• Students should command either one programming language (C, C++, Python, Java, …) or an interpreted language (Matlab, Octave, SciLab, Mathematica,…)
• Students should have a strong interest in finance.

Current EPFL bachelor students who have applied for the MFE Master and who have not been admitted to the program will nonetheless be accepted in the Master program of their original field of study.

Application process

Application deadlines

Applications can be filled online:

• from Mid-November to the 15th of December, or
• from the 16th of December to the 31st of March.

Applicants who, if accepted, would need a visa to study in Switzerland are strongly advised to apply for the January deadline in order to allow for the completion of the visa procedure, which can take up to 3 months.

Admission Decisions

Admission decisions are made jointly by the Financial Engineering section and EPFL’s admissions committee on the basis of quantitative standards, including grade-point average, letters of recommendation, and the candidate’s background and motivation letter.

• Decisions are sent early April for applications registered by the 15th of December and before the end of June for the applications registered by the 31st of March.

Regardless of which deadline you choose to meet, MFE studies begin in mid-September following acceptance. Only one application per student and per year will be processed. An intensive language course is offered to all accepted candidates. It starts 4 weeks before the beginning of the semester.