Enhance your ability to make data-driven decisions in the finance and energy sectors.
Quantitative methods are used throughout finance and economic professions in a wide range of applications.
In this Masters-level online short course, you’ll study these quantitative techniques and learn how to put them into practice.
With expert guidance, you’ll:
- learn to use essential quantitative methods, from data presentation to linear regression
- explore fundamental statistical concepts
- become proficient in data analysis, probability, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis for the finance and energy sectors
- acquire the deep analytical skills needed to devise effective quantitative problem-solving strategies.
Who can join this quantitative analysis course?
This distance-learning course is designed for finance or energy professionals who want to master quantitative analysis and use it to obtain objective economic insights.
The skills you’ll gain are particularly valuable for roles in fund management, financial analysis, and in the energy sector.
Build credits towards a Masters degree
This course is part of our online:
You can use the credits you earn on this short course towards either of these MSc qualifications.
What you’ll study
In this online course, you’ll study a range of quantitative methods and learn to apply them to financial and energy data.
You’ll cover topics including:
- Fundamental statistical concepts
- Probability analysis
- Data presentation
- Hypothesis testing
- Correlation and linear regression
- Identification and analysis of quantitative issues in finance and energy
- Reflective practice in linking course materials to real-world quantitative issues
- Interpretation of financial and economic issues from a quantitative and intellectual viewpoint.
By the end of this quantitative analysis course, you’ll be able to...
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Collect, present, and analyse data using quantitative methods.
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Discuss the use of correlation and linear regression analysis, including the assumptions of classical linear regression.
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Understand concepts relating to probability analysis, sampling, estimation, and hypothesis testing.
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Understand and interpret issues in finance and energy from a quantitative and intellectual perspective.
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Make informed choices in identifying quantitative issues, understand the reasons for these choices, and how they relate to personal development.
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Reason how personal skills have contributed to the conceptualisation of quantitative issues in finance and energy.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for online quantitative analysis courses
Top 4 for Accounting and Finance
We are ranked 4th in the UK for Accounting and Finance in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
We’re EQUIS accredited
Join a Business School that’s EFMD EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions.
Earn as you learn
We fit around full-time work, so you can build qualifications while you keep earning a salary.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning quantitative analysis course is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn with us anywhere, no student visa required, and manage your hours to suit you.
Your teaching
This course is taught at Masters level.
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
Course materials are carefully planned and structured. You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources available, including:
- live online webinars
- reading materials
- discussion boards with your tutors and peers
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Live online webinars
Across the course, there will be a series of live webinar sessions with academic staff. These live online webinars support the main learning material and are central to your learning. Your participation in them counts towards your final grade.
Ahead of each live webinar, you’ll be asked to study the online materials provided, post questions to your tutor online, undertake multiple-choice quizzes and other tasks. You may also be asked to work in small groups to prepare for some of the live sessions.
Your tutors
You’ll learn from experienced academics and researchers from the University of Aberdeen Business School.
This course is assessed online.
You’ll be assessed throughout your studies via:
- a research project (worth 70% of your final course grade)
- two multiple-choice question (MCQ) tests (each worth 15%).
Live online webinars
This course features a series of live online webinars. Each webinar is scheduled to last for around one hour.
Webinar dates and times will be organised flexibly at the start of the course. Your course coordinator will consider everyone’s circumstances and time zones before setting up live webinar times.
Webinars will usually be recorded so you can watch them after they have taken place.
Study hours
The course totals approximately 150 hours of teaching, private study, and assessment time. That’s around 10 – 15 hours per week.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities at fixed times
There will be some activities scheduled at fixed times, such as your online webinars, or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through the course at your convenience.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Your course coordinator
Dr Marco Mello
Marco is a Lecturer in Economics at the University of Aberdeen’s Business School. He is an applied microeconomist and holds a PhD in Economics.
Marco has conducted and published research in the fields of labour economics and health economics.
View Marco’s profileWhere this will take you
Towards a Masters
You’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this course. You can use these credits towards our:
Masters in Energy Economics and Finance
Learn to analyse and understand world energy markets. From oil and gas to renewables, prepare for career success with expert economists in this flexible online degree.
View MSc Energy Economics and Finance
Online MSc Finance
Earn your Masters flexibly, 100% online.
Gain a deeper knowledge of core financial theory.
Develop your skills in corporate finance, portfolio analysis, asset valuation, derivatives and risk management.
View MSc FinanceCareers
This quantitative analysis course will help you to progress within or towards data-driven roles in finance and energy.
In-demand skills for the finance and energy sectors
You’ll acquire skills including:
- advanced data analysis and statistical evaluation skills
- proficiency in probability analysis and hypothesis testing
- expertise in correlation and linear regression analysis
- skills in interpreting and reflecting upon quantitative data in a financial and energy context
- the ability to apply quantitative methods to real-world financial and economic problems and datasets.
Career paths
These skills are particularly valuable for specific job roles in the finance and energy industries, including:
- Quantitative Analysts, often referred to as ‘Quants’, who specialise in the application of statistical and mathematical models across a range of markets and sectors.
- Investment and Risk Managers, who use quantitative techniques to guide investment strategies and manage the financial risks of organisations.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for CPD hours. Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
This course uses our Postgraduate Higher level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, or IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 21 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening and speaking
- 169 for reading and writing
LanguageCert Academic / LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening and speaking
- 65 for reading and writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
Skills for English: SELT
- B2 pass with merit
Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
- 120 overall
- 95 for listening and speaking
- 105 for reading and writing
University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
- Pass
- Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
- Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
- B2 in all four skills
- Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course
For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) with an up-to-date operating system
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
Learning resources
Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
Printing
You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level, you’d usually have at least:
- an undergraduate degree at UK honours level, or equivalent.
