16 year old trying to decide what university in Europe to pursue.

Hello, i'm a 16 year old high school student, eastern european, go to a school in my countries capital that's ranked overall 5 in my country among public schools.
I got very interested in finance during summer 2024 when i was 15, up to this point i've learnt how to build decent financial models, i like trading equities, analyzing stocks, learning everything involved finance, like to read economics books, finance related books.
I don't know what major i should pick tho and next year ill have to select the lessons and exams ill be taking for specific majors.

What major should i do - 

  • Economics
  • Financial Engineering 
  • Finance

    I would most likely also minor another subject like maths or stats
    What EU program would you guys here recommend?

3 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:

  1. Choosing a Major:

    • If you're passionate about finance and want a broad understanding of markets, corporate finance, and investment banking, a Finance major is a solid choice.
    • If you're more inclined towards quantitative and technical aspects, such as modeling, programming, and risk management, Financial Engineering or Mathematical Finance would be ideal. These programs are rigorous but highly valued for quant roles.
    • Economics is a versatile major that provides a strong foundation in theory and policy, but it may lack the technical depth of Financial Engineering or the practical focus of Finance. Pairing it with a minor in Math or Stats can make it more competitive.
  2. Recommended EU Programs:

    • LSE (London School of Economics): MSc Finance, MSc Financial Statistics, or MSc Applicable Mathematics are top-tier programs for finance and quant roles.
    • Imperial College London: MSc Finance or MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering.
    • UCL: MSc Computational Finance or MSc Financial Risk Management.
    • Cambridge: MPhil Finance for a prestigious and rigorous program.
    • Warwick: MSc Financial Mathematics or MSc Finance.
    • CentraleSupelec (France): Mastère Spécialisé Mathématiques appliquées à la finance for a strong quant focus.
    • HEC Paris: Master in Financial Engineering for a mix of finance and quant.
    • Bocconi University (Italy): Renowned for finance and economics programs.
  3. Preparation Tips:

    • Build a strong foundation in Math (calculus, linear algebra, probability, and statistics) and Programming (Python, R, or MATLAB).
    • Aim for a high GPA and standardized test scores (GRE/GMAT if required).
    • Gain relevant experience through internships, trading competitions, or research projects.
  4. Final Advice:

    • If you're unsure, consider starting with a Finance or Economics major and adding a minor in Math or Stats. This keeps your options open for both technical and non-technical finance roles.
    • Research the specific entry requirements for the programs you're interested in and tailor your high school courses accordingly.

Good luck with your journey into finance! If you have more specific questions, feel free to ask.

Sources: Complete European master guide for S&T/Quant position, Majoring in Wall Street?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/dilemma-quantitative-finance-vs-finance?customgpt=1, Why you should consider Notre Dame for undergrad, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/msc-finance-at-tilburg-university-or-msc-business-economics-financial-economics-major?customgpt=1

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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