Financial computer training course proves popular

17:33 3rd June 2009

Hundreds of applicants have applied for one of just 15 available places on a new PhD course that combines engineering, science and financial computer training.

The course is being run by the UK Doctoral Training Centre in Financial Computing at University College London and will offer training in the use of a range of analytical tools for jobs including managing compliance and risk modelling, reports ComputerWeekly.com.

Students will learn about the various methods used by top banks to calculate investment risks and in the process could be better prepared to enter the banking industry.

Philip Treleaven, professor of computing at UCL, who heads the course, told the website: "We have had 300 applicants, including a lot from countries such as China. We are looking to start with between ten and 15 students and we can only fund EU students."

He added that as a result, many applicants will be disappointed as the course will not be able to expand in any way.

In other training news, John Denham, skills secretary at the Department of Innovations, Universities and Skills, recently commenced bidding for shares in government funding from UK organisations promoting learning across the country.