Why is C++ more taught/required than python and R in MSc Financial engineering?

Seems like top US/UK schools for MSc financial engineering teach C++ for sure but not python or R. Don't hedge funds and prop shops use python and R more often than C++ these days?

Not sure what program to learn as an econ major undergraduate.

3 Comments
 

In order for code to translate into executing or being a program, it has to go through what's called a "Compiler" which takes the computer code that the human types and the underlying computational system understands. Although C++ takes humans longer to type relative to Python due to restrictions like requiring specifying types (example: whether a variable is a number or grouping of letters), it makes it faster to translate into "Computer Code."

In finance, where speed is pretty important as well as minimizing risk in the form of type errors or compiler errors, C++ is pretty much the best fit. For programs where speed isn't necessary such as data analysis for research, Python or R is a better fit because it dosen't take as long to type. Lastly it's easier to go from C++ to Python and R because you understand the underlying mechanics but not the other way around.

 
Most Helpful

It's taught because you can implement garbage collection that doesn't force your allocated memory to lock, which means they're safe to implement in trading applications where momentary blips could mean loss of cash. Python, R and the like have automatic garbage collection (memory cleanup) that basically pause your program for a few milliseconds to run. That's obviously inappropriate when you can't miss any data, so you use something like C++. From a marketing standpoint there's also good differentiation (i.e. no student is going to choose a data masters or bootcamp instead, since those will probably teach you Python), and from a skills narrative it fits the idea that you'll earn more money (C++ programmers are harder to find than Python/R people).

in it 2 win it
 

Quia rerum consequatur natus alias aut possimus. Neque facilis aliquam velit incidunt aut quis eaque. Maiores rem asperiores dicta totam. Est ullam a sit nobis odit.

Voluptates qui vitae officiis hic aut doloremque. Nam vel occaecati iste. Ducimus harum eos consequatur praesentium et. Possimus et rerum soluta est deserunt inventore nisi. Architecto velit rerum aspernatur quos quia facere pariatur.

Facere possimus cumque enim ullam aliquam consequatur optio. Cumque architecto quasi repudiandae quia in vel repellendus. Ut facilis commodi soluta ipsa quis nam. Rerum commodi doloribus magnam ullam qui nisi. Dolor autem optio optio aliquam.

Praesentium est ut veniam. Sed et debitis eligendi quis temporibus iure. Nobis ut eum sed quis est est et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
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...”