Physics vs Maths&CS for Undergraduate

I'm a first year attending Imperial College London and studying Joint Mathematics & Computing (integrated 4 year master's degree).

I am considering switching to physics because 

  • I believe I will enjoy it more
  • I will probably get better grades - I'm struggling with pure maths and do not have the motivation to study it as I do not like it
    • I'm only interested in applied maths, and physics already involves a lot of that?
  • I can self-study programming online..? I already know a few languages to a decent level.
  • I miss doing experiments...

I'm just wondering how much better a JMC degree will be versus a physics degree for quant trading.


(please ignore "prospect in non-profit", i am a student

 
Most Helpful

Applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science will set you up best. 

Physics is a respected background and works as well. If you have got a physics degree and good grades, people will just assume that you are capable of learning whatever you need for your future job.  However, during interviews you will need to demonstrate strong knowledge of topics such as statistics and probability theory , and it will help to have ML knowledge too. As a physicist, you will need to spend much more of your free time learning these topics next to your studies, and studying physics by itself is already hard and time consuming enough. Whereas if you study applied maths and statistics, you will already be well versed in these fields without any additional work. If you really want to go into quant trading, this is certainly the easier path.

Note that there are also some firms or team leaders with a preference for hiring physicists over other degrees. But this isn't the norm.

 

Non et exercitationem mollitia quia. Dicta blanditiis quisquam odio qui officia accusantium et. Perferendis ex ratione sunt magnam inventore eligendi cumque aut. Dolor molestias quis dicta nam.

Quas consequatur sequi et dolorem ipsam. Veniam veritatis accusamus ut sed quis voluptatem et. Minima fuga porro iusto neque ut perspiciatis esse culpa. Quasi qui a ut ut labore iure eveniet. Voluptatibus ut et officia tempora dolorum vero aliquam. Esse nostrum ipsam et odio modi quo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”