Quantitative finance and developer roles at hedge funds and trading firms remain among the most competitive and sought-after careers in finance and tech, and breaking in is no easy feat. In 2025, the bar is higher than ever.
If you're just starting to consider a career in the quantitative trading space, it can be difficult to navigate through all the noise and find out what you need to know. That's why we've compiled the most useful facts about breaking into this industry all in one place. This post breaks down the most valuable degrees, courses, and certifications, and offers a reality check on what it really takes to land that first quant job.
What should I study?
All degrees are useful, but when it comes to the world of quant finance, one of the most intellectually demanding professional fields out there, some degrees are certainly preferred over others. The most relevant degrees for quant roles are heavily mathematics/computer science focused. The following fields are most commonly accepted:
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Engineering (especially Electrical/Computer or Software)
- Statistics
- Economics/Econometrics (if highly quantitative)
This is because to succeed in these roles, you’ll need strong programming skills (such as Python, C++, or Java, depending on the role) and a deep understanding of probability, linear algebra, stochastic calculus, and data structures/algorithms. If you've graduated with any of these degrees, that tells employers straight away that you already have a strong foundation in exactly the sorts of skills they're looking for.
Where should I get my degree?
Choosing what institution to attend is a huge decision, made all the more important if you're aiming to work for a quantitative fund. The harsh reality is that most quant analyst or quant developer roles, particularly at top-tier hedge funds and trading firms, recruit almost exclusively from world-renowned academic institutions that regularly top the rankings.
There are always exceptions, but the general trend of a preference for a university education of this calibre is undeniable. Firms often expect not only a strong academic record but also exceptional performance within a competitive cohort. This is because the work will be intellectually rigorous – the barrier to entry is high by design and necessary.
Do I need to do an internship?
Internships are paid or unpaid opportunities where you get to shadow senior professionals, gain experience, and familiarise yourself with the work environment in your chosen field. If you’re not completing internships at top hedge funds, investment banks, or trading firms, your chances of getting in are drastically lower. In many cases, an internship offer is the only route to a full-time role. In fact, some firms hire almost exclusively from their internship pools.
If you're still at university, applying for spring weeks and summer internships or completing placements in your first or second year is essential. These opportunities often lead to return offers and fast-track interview processes later, as they look brilliant on your CV.
Courses & certifications: do they matter?
There are hundreds of free and paid courses out there you could do, but will it make a difference in your search for a quant role?
Let’s be blunt – online courses and certifications won’t get you hired at a top-tier quant firm on their own. However, they can still:
- Help round out your skill set
- Show initiative
- Support applications to smaller firms or mid-sized buy-side shops
Again, certain courses may be more worthwhile than others, for example:
- QuantNet and Wilmott online forums and rankings
- Coursera & edX: Look for machine learning (Andrew Ng), financial engineering, or advanced mathematics courses from top universities
- CQF (Certificate in Quantitative Finance) – this could be valuable if you’re switching careers or already in finance
- Python for Financial Analysis, C++ for Financial Engineering, ML for Trading (by Georgia Tech)
So, while these courses alone won't be enough, they can certainly help to augment your existing skillset and experience.
The importance of staying informed
Quant finance moves fast, and staying plugged in is key to standing out. That doesn’t just mean brushing up on coding and stats. It also means learning how the industry talks and what’s happening in the markets.
Start by regularly reading industry news and following quant-focused accounts, publications, and thought leaders on platforms like LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). Over time, you’ll develop a sense for what topics are trending – from the latest developments in low-latency infrastructure, to advances in reinforcement learning, to regulatory changes affecting trading strategies.
Just as important: learn the terminology. Understanding trading terms will help you keep up in interviews, conversations, and when reading research papers or job descriptions.
And don’t underestimate the power of networking. Attend quant finance meetups, conferences, or university talks.
The exclusivity problem
Here’s what many aspiring quants don’t realise: the hiring funnel in this industry is extremely narrow. The vast majority of applicants, even ones who are strong on paper, get filtered out early. Keep in mind that firms receive thousands of applications for a handful of roles. Without:
- A top-tier university background,
- Exceptional academic results,
- A standout internship,
- And strong coding/maths ability,
you’ll struggle to get to the first round of interviews.
This isn’t said to discourage, but to set realistic expectations and help you build a strategy to set you up for the best chance of success with your applications. There is also some flexibility around how you can get to your end goal of working at an elite quant fund or trading firm - many successful candidates spend years preparing and secure the role they want right off the bat, while others work their way up through smaller firms, build a track record, and then transition.
Should I work with a specialist recruiter?
By now, you'll have realised, if you didn't know already, that breaking into quant finance is tough – competition is fierce, hiring is selective, and to make things even trickier, many of the most exciting roles aren’t advertised publicly! That’s where working with a specialist recruiter can make a real difference. Recruiters who focus on quantitative roles often have access to exclusive opportunities within top hedge funds, prop shops, and fintech firms – roles that are part of the hidden job market and filled before they ever make it to a job board.
Beyond that, a good recruiter will help you navigate the hiring process more strategically. They can guide you on how to position your background effectively, prep you for technical interviews, and advise you on market expectations around salary and experience. They’ll also give you feedback and help you learn from each application, something that’s especially valuable in the early stages of your career.
If you’re serious about landing a quant role, building a relationship with a recruiter who specialises in this space is well worth the effort.
Our final advice
We know this is a lot to get your head around, so we've summed up the key takeaways for you below!
- Start early: Get a relevant degree at a highly ranked university.
- Go the extra mile: Build your CV with relevant internships, research projects, and hackathons.
- Network: Get involved in quant communities, alumni networks, or attend career fairs with trading firms present.
- Prepare: Interview processes test maths puzzles, probability, algorithms, brainteasers, and sometimes live coding.
- Stay updated: Read papers, follow the news, and understand what’s going on in the quant/hedge fund world.
- Specialise: Quant dev vs quant trading vs quant research – do you know the differences? Learn what suits your skills and aim your efforts accordingly.
- Ask for help: Let an expert recruiter guide you on how to best leverage your skills and experience, and put you forward for exclusive roles.
The key to breaking into quant finance careers is a mix of brilliance, strategy, and access. It's definitely challenging, understandably so, but not impossible. If you can position yourself in the right environment, with the right skills and experience, and the right support network, you'll set yourself up for the best chance of success.
