Student Stories

Dara Bahour -  BSc Mathematics & Economics

Mathematics & Economics has a great reputation at the LSE and beyond. I recommend this degree to a student who stems pleasure from solving quantitative problems and is seeking to rigorously apply their mathematical background to economic issues. I applied to this programme with this intention in mind, and I left the LSE certain that I had fulfilled this objective.

Proactivity, motivation, and hard work are important assets to have for this programme. You will be learning from world-class professors; some of whom have invented the fields they are teaching you. A wealth of support is offered by the department, and there are plenty of resources that the university makes available to you. Such traits will help you make the most of your time at the LSE.

The programme is also structured well. The first year is spent building a foundation in mathematical methods, abstract mathematics, statistics, and economics. In second year, you can apply this background to intermediate courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. In your final year, there will be an opportunity to dive deep into advanced modelling courses such as behavioural economics or monetary economics.

I have joined EY’s Real Estate Assurance team in London following graduation in 2018. As of 2020, I am now in the final year of the graduate programme and have been studying towards the ACA qualification with the firm.

Arjun Bendre - BSc Mathematics & Economics

My time at the LSE was a life-changing experience. Over three years, I was exposed to some of the world’s greatest academics and some very bright minds that will shape our future. The interaction with faculty members is an opportunity that I recommend everyone makes use of.

The BSc Mathematics and Economics degree stands out since there is a wide variety of courses to choose from and you can shape your degree to suit you. The degree and department attract a great pool of talent and you become part of an environment that pushes you to be the best that you can be. The LSE community is one that will stay with me forever and that is something I deeply value. My degree has provided me with the skills I perform in my job & adapt to any challenge that I wish to take in the future.

After graduating from the LSE, I've worked in the Securitised Products Group at BNP Paribas, structuring and executing ABS issuances and private financing facilities.

Louis Georgiou - BSc Mathematics & Economics

My three years studying Mathematics and Economics at LSE were some of the best and most enriching 3 years of my life. I have never been as academically challenged as I was during my time at LSE, which I believe has given me a fantastic foundation to tackle anything life may throw at me in the future.

The logical and thorough mindset that studying Mathematics and Economics teaches you can be applied in almost any situation, and it gives you the confidence to solve problems when the solution might not be immediately clear. Furthermore, studying at LSE is a great experience as you are in the centre of a global, cosmopolitan city, and your peers come from a variety of all walks of life from around the world.

Since graduating from LSE, I moved to Canada for two years and worked at a marketing agency in Vancouver. I have now moved back to the UK to join the family business where I have set up and run our ecommerce website, as well as work on developing software for a web app to help improve our process efficiencies.

Julia Huang - BSc Mathematics & Economics

Studying Mathematics and Economics at LSE is a memorable journey to embark on. The programme is both engaging and challenging. It capitalises on the joy of learning, helping myself develop strong problem solving and analytical skills that are fundamental in both academia and the working industry. The lectures are delivered by top-class professors who are highly respected and have spent many years conducting research in their expert areas. The Department's supportive and approachable ways of teaching made the course even more enjoyable.

I was given the flexibility to choose courses tailored to my interest and facilitated my ambitions. The combination of theoretical study and career focus at LSE is unique, which I have benefited infinitely from. After graduating, I am currently working as a Business Analyst in the Financial Technology sector.

Celine Mano - BSc Mathematics & Economics

Everyone tells you that your university years are transformative - my years at LSE have shaped me in ways I didn’t anticipate when I started university.

The BSc in Mathematics and Economics is both rigorous and interesting. The Department invests heavily in its teachers, and I believe that we have some of the best teaching at LSE. The degree allows for exploration: I became drawn to the economics courses, and particularly enjoyed my third year, when I could choose from a wide variety of options in both mathematics and economics.  

However, the most special part of my LSE years were the communities that I became a part of, as LSE has so many fantastic opportunities for its students.

Mathematics has a growing social community, which students can contribute to through the Student Social Committee. During my second year, I led the LSE Economics Society, which is the largest academic society at LSE and was a degree-defining experience. I lived in LSE Residences for nearly three years — not only did I find some of my best friends at Passfield, but I also became involved with events and student support. I experienced undergraduate research at LSE, which is rich, diverse and well-supported. Moreover, the School encourages students to give back to their communities, and I participated in programs run by the LSE Volunteer Centre as well as Peer Support.

LSE Mathematics is a fantastic springboard for life. Over three years, I have had incredible experiences, fantastic teaching, and have met friends for life. After graduation, I will be joining a trading team at Goldman Sachs.

Jennifer Sham - BSc Mathematics & Economics

During my three years at LSE, I had an amazing time as a student. The BSc Mathematics and Economics course allowed me to have both the exposure to core math subjects, but also branch out into other areas that were broader including statistics and finance modules.

The Department is very supportive in allowing students to explore areas that they think could be of interest to them, whether that be from an academic or professional stand point. Teachers are always happy to help you with any additional questions and simultaneously ensure you’re challenged.

Of course, there’s a lot of hard work that needs to be put into it and some of the theoretical courses really do push you but that’s a good thing and I’m really glad to have had the opportunity to be on such a great course.

Since graduation, I’ve been working at J.P. Morgan working in their Manager Solution team covering Fixed Income and Multi-Asset strategies. I’m in my second year of the graduate programme, but with the background I’ve gained from LSE there are many more opportunities to be explored in the future!

Bo Wei Ooi - BSc Mathematics & Economics

I thoroughly enjoyed my three years at the LSE. The programme in Mathematics and Economics is rigorous and comprehensive, which helped me develop a strong technical background and these skills have proven useful in both academia and industry. I also appreciated the flexibility in course choices, which allowed me to pursue my specific interests and shape my own curriculum.

The Department was very supportive throughout the entire programme. The teaching was excellent and offered an environment where I could interact with the faculty on a regular basis. I am currently doing a Masters in Statistics at the University of Chicago.

Isabel Ahme - BSc Mathematics with Economics

All in all, my three years at LSE have been a great experience even though they turned out much different from what I had expected due to Covid-19. In my time at LSE, I have had the opportunity to interact with some of the smartest and most interesting people I have ever met, be that faculty members or fellow students.

In first year, students build a foundation with courses in maths, economics and statistics. Second and third year offer a wide range of course choices. I personally enjoyed my maths modules the most in first year, so I was keen to take as many maths options as possible. It is because of this freedom in choice, as well as the great efforts from lecturers and teachers, that the courses I have taken during this time have been my favourite despite teaching moving largely online.

Outside of the classroom there is also a wide variety of clubs and societies at LSE which can enrich the university experience. After graduating from LSE, I will continue my studies in the MSc in Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science programme at Oxford.

Haoyuan Ma - BSc Mathematics with Economics

My three years undergraduate study at the LSE has been a great experience. I love the structure of my programme which is BSc Mathematics with Economics in the Department of Mathematics. The foundation courses in the first two years provide you with sufficient knowledge and technique to tackle applied quantitative problems. Starting from second year, there are a wide range of courses for choosing, allowing you to not only explore further in different areas of applied or pure mathematics, but also possibly branch out into modules of finance and statistics. The courses that I have taken were all taught by experienced professors with great reputation in their fields of research, and their teaching really stimulated my interest in the theoretical aspect of mathematics, which was a reason why I decided to pursue a postgraduate study in mathematics.

In general, LSE is never short of places for its students to study and relax, as it has a spacious library and a vibrant student life, but I spent most of my time in the Department. You can always get help or discuss more advanced problems with professors in their office hours, and there are plenty of other resources available such as personal academic tutor and support centre. The Department also organises lots of insightful events like academic talks given by its faculty and various career-wise workshops.

Overall, I have enjoyed my time as an undergraduate student at the LSE. I would recommend this programme to students who are interested in applying mathematic theories to derive results or solve problems in areas of microeconomics and finance, and also to those who desire to do rigorous mathematics. Thanks to all the skills and knowledge learned from this degree, I can continue my exploration in applied mathematics, the field that I like the most, at a postgraduate level in the next academic year.

Dahlia Radif - BSc Mathematics with Economics

I really enjoyed my time at LSE! The courses I studied gave me both breadth and depth in various areas of pure and applied maths, and there is flexibility in course choice, so it is easy to branch out into statistics, programming or economics. The professors and teachers in the department are experts in, and truly love, their field, and this reflects in the way they teach their courses. I learned how to think and work independently, but there is also an abundance of resources available when you need help; professors will really help you find your way, both academically and career-wise. 

What I really appreciate is the balance that LSE taught me. I felt prepared mathematically to go on and do further study in engineering and computational mathematics. However, being surrounded by social sciences meant that I learned so much outside of my degree and theoretical maths as well. I think that’s what makes studying at LSE so unique, and I’m so grateful for my experience here.

I am now doing a two year Masters in Computational and Mathematical Engineering at Stanford University.

Farid Abou-Jaoude - BSc Financial Mathematics & Statistics

Academically, LSE, and more specifically, the Department of Mathematics, helped me not only build an intellectual maturity but also explore my interest in financial mathematics, one that I will be pursuing during my graduate studies. This is mostly thanks to all the professors I got to interact and share interesting ideas with across the year. The BSc Financial Mathematics and Statistics is the perfect blend of theory and practice to be prepared for a potential career in quantitative finance. For example, through the variety of courses I took in my 3^rd year, I encountered the notion of option pricing from three important angles: mathematical rigour, financial intuition, and computational estimations.

In parallel, I truly expanded my horizons in terms of diversity of friendships, which would have never happened if I remained in my home country of Lebanon. Here, I got to build life-long friendships with people spanning the globe. While it often required me to get out of my comfort zone, it is one of the main highlights of my LSE experience, as I got to discover completely new perspectives on life.

Of course, my ride at LSE hasn’t been as smooth as the above makes it seem, and I, as any student, experienced all kinds of highs and lows. In retrospect, all these hurdles, be it the pandemic, the stressful deadlines, the social life, and the uncertainty of plans, have made me appreciate the good moments even more. I now look forward to my next chapter where I will be attending Columbia University in New York for a master’s in Financial Engineering.

Natasha Tai - BSc Financial Mathematics & Statistics

My three years at the LSE were amazing and eye-opening. The BSc Financial Mathematics and Statistics programme is well designed to provide students with a unique blend of mathematics and statistics applied in finance and economics. The courses are very intellectually stimulating and I was particularly drawn to how the programme enabled me to understand the underlying quantitative mechanisms of real-world financial instruments. Furthermore, the programme is cutting-edge and is tailored to equip students with skills relevant to current industry demands. During my final year, my coding skills were honed through the extensive usage of Python, R, Matlab and Stata in classwork and projects. I also appreciate how the theoretical and abstract courses trained my analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, which I believe are invaluable and enduring skills.

The Department of Mathematics is extremely supportive and the faculty places the learning and interest of students as their top priority. The mathematics courses were some of the best organised courses I took during my time at the LSE and I am deeply thankful for the tireless guidance and support from the professors, class teachers and my academic mentor, which proved even more critical during the remote learning period as a result of the pandemic.

Outside of my degree programme, LSE’s diverse student body and the wide array of student societies further added colour to my life as an undergraduate. Studying at the LSE also places students at the heart of a vibrant city with access to unparalleled opportunities both on and off campus, which formed an integral part in shaping my undergraduate experiences.

After graduation, I will be starting my career as an Investment Analyst in the Global Fixed Income Division at BlackRock London. I am eager to leverage on the knowledge, skills, experiences and network I have gained during my three years at the LSE.

Anna Tcirkina - BSc Financial Mathematics & Statistics

Having completed my 3 years at the LSE pursuing a BSc in Financial Mathematics and Statistics, I can confidently say that I have found a subject area that fills me with passion and interest. Entering the programme as an undecided high-schooler unsure of which academic pathway to take, I feel beyond grateful to the department for providing me with clear guidance and directing me towards exploring the area of Mathematical Finance supporting me as I develop my interest further.

The BSc Financial Mathematics and Statistics Degree is very well structured. The first two years are dedicated to broadening your set of mathematical skills building up on things learned already as well as introducing completely new eye-opening concepts. All the way through you are exposed to the diversity of mathematics and statistics in a variety of contexts - from a purely theoretical one to the applications in economics, finance and data science. I felt that the mix of the interdisciplinary modules in the first two years provided a solid foundation that enabled me to explore most challenging courses and areas of my interest as my outside options in my final year.

The 3rd year did, indeed, feel like the grand-finale! Courses tailored primarily to Financial Mathematics students put all the skills I acquired earlier into practice and helped me develop a coherent understanding of the theoretical framework of mathematical finance alongside the quantitative approaches that are widely used in the industry. I very much enjoyed the opportunity to choose highly intensive and specialised modules in my degree and to further develop my technical skills programming on multiple languages including R, Python and Matlab. Having finished the programme, I feel immense gratitude for the confidence with which I am able to take the next step towards my future goals and for the solid foundation that BSc Financial Mathematics and Statistics has equipped me with to support my ambition.

As I graduate from the LSE, I will exploit my interest in Mathematical Finance further by entering a joint MSc Quantitative Finance Programme at ETH and University of Zurich as well as working in the Asset Management division of Zurich Insurance Company. 

Suzanne Bloks - MSc Applicable Mathematics

After having studied undergraduate degrees in Mathematics, Law and Philosophy, I wanted to deepen my knowledge of mathematics that is applied to economics, political science and philosophy. The MSc in Applicable Mathematics at LSE gave me the unique opportunity to explore my interests by allowing me to take courses in the Department of Mathematics as well as courses in other departments. 

The close contact with academics in all courses was very inspiring and stimulating. During the dissertation, I got the chance to work on an open problem with my supervisor, which was the best introduction to mathematical research that I could wish for. The academics always have their door open to discuss problems and play a key role in the friendly and open environment at LSE, in which people from all cultures and backgrounds are at home.

Without the MSc in Applicable Mathematics, I would have never embarked upon a PhD in Computer Science. The degree has opened my eyes to the types of mathematical puzzles that spark my imagination and the ways I can combine my mathematical interests with law and philosophy.

Regis Gourdel - MSc Applicable Mathematics

I chose to pursue a Masters in Applicable Mathematics at the LSE because of the broad range of courses available and the possibility to enjoy its unique environment. It was easy to compose a rich and challenging curriculum. Eventually, this helped me integrate the European Central Bank as a graduate trainee at the end of the program. Thus, my background in mathematics applied to economics has proven useful in real policy applications.

Students in the Department of Mathematics benefit from a good interaction with academics. It is also easy to satisfy one's curiosity by taking courses from other departments or enjoying joint events, so that everyone can make the best out of LSE in the way that suits them.

Ed Plumb - MSc Applicable Mathematics

The MSc Applicable Mathematics at LSE allowed me take advanced game theory courses and learn from the expertise of world-leading researchers in both the Department of Mathematics and Department of Economics. I have also been able to study many cutting-edge topics in applied mathematics, which is something that I did not have the opportunity to do during my undergraduate degree.

The professors are very supportive, and there is a friendly environment in the Department. There are a multitude of ways to engage with your subject outside of classes provided, which I have found to be very beneficial. I am looking forward to continuing my studies at PhD level.

Siddhant Walia - MSc Applicable Mathematics

Having completed my BSc in Mathematics, I wanted to enhance my quantitative/mathematical capabilities in a more “real-world” setting. The MSc in Applicable Mathematics provided me with the perfect opportunity to move away from the abstractions of pure mathematics, by helping me use mathematics as a tool to understand and solve problems in a variety of settings. This can be seen by the vast array of courses available to us, with my favourites being Game Theory, Financial Risk Analysis and Cryptography & Coding.

However, the most important aspect of this programme is its unique emphasis on preparing you for your next endeavour - be it academic or professional. One example of this is the importance this MSc places on improving our programming capabilities using both Java and Python, which is something that is extremely relevant today.

As academically stimulating as this programme is, my favourite part of this MSc was the people I met. It’s the perfect place to meet like-minded people from a variety of quantitative backgrounds. Being a part of such a diverse group of people, all of whom had such strong analytical and quantitative capabilities, really made this the perfect programme for me.

Benjamin Auve - MSc Financial Mathematics

After having graduated with a double MSc in Engineering and Nuclear Science, I decided to embark upon a career in finance, ultimately becoming a quantitative analyst in an investment bank. Enrolling into LSE’s MSc Financial Mathematics was a great choice, both in terms of career, learning and people I met here.

All the courses I took are excellent and require everyone to push further their own capabilities. I was surprised to see how much professors are willing to give of their time to help students understand anything and even to go further in the discussions.

At LSE, I was surrounded by intelligent and humble people from a range of different backgrounds. It creates an amazing environment in which to learn.

Iustin Beldie - MSc Financial Mathematics

My time at LSE was one of exploration and discovery! The combination of mathematics and finance always seemed natural to me, and LSE showed me how to formally learn more about it. Throughout the classes and especially the tutorials I studied interesting problems, where I was always surprised to find numerous applications. Furthermore, the informal interactions with the academic staff only improved that, as I always felt welcome to ask for clarifications. I believe that the tools I learned to use during my time here will be of great benefit in my future analyst position.

Just as important and enjoyable was the time spent with my course mates! I was astonished to find how much support I could find from my peers, and I always had a good time discussing with them. I am certain that without them I would not have been able to gain as much, and I am really excited to see what great things people studying this programme will achieve!

Mehek Garg - MSc Financial Mathematics,

After receiving an undergraduate degree in Mathematics, the MSc Financial Mathematics programme was the most effective way to step beyond the abstraction of pure mathematics and towards understanding quantitative methodologies and technology relevant to the financial world. The well-curated curriculum not only provided a thorough understanding of the mathematical and statistical foundations needed to evaluate the current financial scenario, but also helped gain programming skills to leverage computational powers to stay on top of the ever-changing market conditions.

Even though this programme was tremendously academically stimulating, one of the most memorable aspects was the people I met on the journey. Being a part of a multicultural and diverse environment has significantly contributed to my personal growth and has helped me develop a more holistic outlook on the world. LSE is the ideal place to meet like-minded people from all walks of life, and my time here has been enriched by the interactions I have had with my peers and professors.

Matthieu Jeanjean - MSc Financial Mathematics

What I enjoy the most about the MSc is the people I met. The teachers not only are academically renowned in their field, but they also are great at teaching - taking time to answer our questions during lectures and actively engaging the class. 

The students studying on this programme come from very different backgrounds, and this diversity helped everyone feel included. The great thing about my classmates is that we were all passionate about the courses, making it much easier to be engaged and involved. Some fond memories I have are in the Department’s MSc study room, where we would take turns explaining concepts, asking questions, and solving exercises on the whiteboard. The programme is very challenging but being with highly motivated classmates and inspiring teachers makes learning very fun. 

With the knowledge that I have gained from this degree, I will be working as a Quantitative Researcher in a UK-based hedge fund.

Yashasvini Kumar - MSc Financial Mathematics

Whilst working as a consultant at Bain and Company, I realised I was intrigued by the financial services industry which encouraged me to enter the world of finance. Additionally, my favourite part of mathematics has always been the versatility of the subject, which makes it extremely unique and captivating. This, along with LSE’s stellar academic reputation, made me believe that an MSc in Financial Mathematics would be the ideal path for me to venture into.

Although demanding, the degree is extremely well-structured with some enjoyable optional modules. The Department of Mathematics is definitely one of the friendliest departments at LSE. The professors are extremely approachable and were always willing to help us when we found ourselves stuck in crossroads. They were keen on engaging in discussions beyond the classroom requirements and encouraged us to utilise office hours with them.

Apart from the academic insights, I think my biggest learning from this degree has been getting to know people from different cultures. It has been immensely enriching to meet so many like-minded people from various parts of the world. I have come across some of the most intelligent, sincere and motivated people who have continually inspired me in the last couple of months. The friendships I’ve made on the programme/ at LSE are definitely unparalleled and something I’m grateful for. 

Matteo Zanardi - MSc Financial Mathematics

I applied to the MSc Financial Mathematics at LSE because I was looking for a quantitative finance programme strongly based on mathematics, but at the same time not detached from the real world. I think that this masters managed to mix well these two characteristics. In fact, the knowledge I earned here helped me find a job as a Quantitative Analyst at Morgan Stanley.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about the MSc Financial Mathematics was the close interaction with professors. Since classes are usually small, lectures often take the form of a conversation with the lecturer; thus, you are able to grasp the meaning of the topic of the discussion, going beyond its mere memorisation. Moreover, there are always many events aimed at getting to know people from your Department or realities outside of LSE. For example, professors from other universities are regularly invited to present their research. This makes you realise that the world of financial mathematics (and mathematics in general) is continuously evolving and that this MSc, rather than marking an endpoint, provides you with the tools for starting your journey within this field. 

On top of that, the multicultural environment that characterises LSE is a noticeable added value: spending one year surrounded by people with such a diverse cultural background contributed substantially to my personal growth. Furthermore, the extraordinary people that I met here are one of the things that made this experience memorable.

Kobe Ferguson - MSc Operations Research & Analytics

Studying at LSE was my first time studying internationally, and as such, I knew not what to expect; nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. What I will cherish most are the amazing and diverse friends I met along the way.

As a person who loves studying mathematics, I always told my peers that I wish the program was longer. Not because the content was insufficient, in fact, the content is balanced perfectly between theory and application, but because there are several courses I would love to have taken before leaving. My recommendation to new students is to understand the direction you want to go before selecting your courses; however, I am very confident you will enjoy and benefit from whichever courses you choose.

The professors are brilliant and talented. LSE has an abundance of resources to help you along the way. I'm not saying that it will be easy: the courses are intense, but with hard work and persistence, you can excel.

I came here on study leave as I work as an analyst at the Central Bank of The Bahamas, and I can attest that the skills learned are very relevant to my role, I.e., simulation, modelling, statical techniques, programming, etc. even data mining even though did not take the course officially.

I recommend this programme to anyone interested in operation research and or analytics, even data science. In fact, I can't think of a reason not to!

Arnav Jaitly - MSc Operations Research & Analytics

My time studying MSc Operations Research and Analytics at LSE can be best summarised as enriching, skill-uplifting and one filled with a steep learning curve throughout the year. Coming into the programme, I had a background in Industrial Engineering and my goal at the end of the degree was to acquire new skills and interact with students from around the world learning from their experiences. LSE stood up to its reputation and provided me with ample opportunities to learn and connect. The most exciting part about this programme was the summer project and was the main reason behind my decision to pursue this degree.

During the programme I acquired highly sought-after skills in Data Modelling, Simulations, Data Science and Deep Learning, which helped me land a project with a leading start-up. The principles of Operation Research can be applied to almost every field and hence the career prospects are endless and being an LSE student definitely opens doors.

Despite the challenges posed by Coronavirus, I never felt any disconnect from my peers or Academic Mentor. The Department is always warm and welcoming with an excellent reputation in the academic community.

Overall, the course offers a perfect balance between theory and practical usage of the concepts learnt. No doubt the programme can be intense at times but with the immense resources available at LSE, you are never short of help. I can easily recommend this degree to anyone looking to pursue a career in Operations Research or Data Science.

Kate Lavrinenko - MSc Operations Research & Analytics

Studying this Masters was my third MSc, after studying Applied Mathematics and Economics, four years of experience in Economics and Finance, moving country, two kids, and four years at home with them. It was a challenging experience to find myself among young, inspired and able students from around the world. It also took some time to get used to the pace of study, and to network with people and share skills and knowledge. I needed some psychological help at the start of the journey and I had an opportunity to get it at LSE, which makes me feel grateful. 

I liked that the programme was flexible in what courses you could choose in order to make it fit your personal interests and academic goals. I encourage students to research and think hard about their course choices before starting the programme. Also, it is useful to have an understanding of which direction you wish to head in (e.g. academic or business) so you can utilise LSE’s resources properly. 

I found the careers events to be very valuable in my experience here. For example, I met a member of the Data Science team from Deloitte and after many rounds and following my MA425 Project there in the summer, I found myself with a full time job after finishing the course.

I enjoyed my journey, my job, and my experience with LSE. Whenever I get a new research heavy task, I start dreaming whether I could eventually turn it into a PhD, so my journey is not over.

Philipp Loick - MSc Operations Research & Analytics

Having a background in finance and economics, I aimed for a Masters programme where I could develop mathematical and programming skills to solve industry problems in operations research and data science. Enrolling in the Operations Research and Analytics programme at LSE was the right choice for this goal.

The programme features a diverse student body with the majority of students having majored in mathematics with some engineering and finance students. Even though only a one-year programme, the programme achieved a good balance between theoretical foundations and industry applications and allowed us to study topics such as combinatorial optimization, advanced statistics or algorithmic techniques for data mining.

The high academic level and relevance of the programme is due to the academic staff, who have excellent academic credentials, partially have worked for renowned industry companies and are well connected in the academic community. Graduating from the programme, I had an offer from BCG Gamma, the advanced analytics team of BCG, which I rejected for a PhD in discrete mathematics.

Alexander Saftschuk - MSc Operations Research & Analytics

I came to the LSE with the main goal of improving my quantitative problem-solving skills, and subsequently landing a job in investment banking. The School and societies provided extremely good network opportunities, which really helped to land the job that I aimed at. After only two months at the LSE I landed a job offer with one of the top global investment banks. However, upon finishing the Operations Research & Analytics programme I quickly realised that I would rather pursue a career in data science, and once again the university's reputation opened doors for me last minute. Currently I work as a Data Analyst in the Telenor Digital data science team in Norway. There I code various machine learning algorithms in R, all of which I have all learned during this degree. 

Overall I can say that coming from a non-quantitative, business background I have learned more in this one-year Masters than I did in my entire three years of my bachelor degree. The programme was challenging but manageable. In particular, I highly appreciated how much face time I received from all of my professors, as well as the professor who supervised my thesis. The decision to come to the LSE and studying Operations Research & Analytics was one of the best I have made so far and I can highly recommend LSE and the degree. 

Sahar Jahani - MPhil/PhD Mathematics

I have been studying at LSE for about one year and I am very happy with my experience here. The academics and other PhD students are really friendly and discuss the interesting points or problems they see together.

Also, there are more professors working in my field of study, when compared to my previous university, that I can collaborate with. Plus, there are many courses available in different areas of mathematics with up-to-date material that can help us a lot in our research.

The other great thing about LSE is that the staff do their best to help everyone have a better experience in different aspects. Organising activities to introduce everyone, following up on the issues that students face even with other departments, and celebrating different occasions creates a comfortable and friendly space that helps us in our research.

Zhesheng Liu - MPhil/PhD Mathematics

I am doing research in stochastic optimal control in the field of Financial Mathematics and I am enjoying my experience in the Department and the research group. The atmosphere in the office with other PhD students is friendly and comfortable. The staff here are really kind and willing to help, and the professors are talented. My supervisor gives me detailed guidance and suggestions to my research, and we have very enjoyable talks.

At LSE, we regularly have research seminars which invite researchers all over the world to share their most recent work. In the seminars, I learn about the newly-developed research topics in financial mathematics and what the academics are interested in.

Edin Husić - MPhil/PhD Mathematics

I am just finishing my PhD degree after four amazing years at LSE. The Department is a great and welcoming environment. The academics are exceptional, and the administrative staff are incredibly helpful and friendly. The PhD office is a productive environment where we spend most of our time thinking, working, and collaborating.

My research focused on the algorithmic questions in game theory, and combinatorial optimisation. There are many people at LSE exploring questions of a similar flavour and it has been a pleasure to share the problems and ideas with them. To further our knowledge, regular seminars and different reading groups are regularly organised, and we are often encouraged to attend conferences and workshops.

Nóra Frankl - MPhil/PhD Mathematics

Nóra holds an MSc in Mathematics from Loránd Eötvös University, Budapest; she completed her PhD in Mathematics in 2020.

Written in June 2017

What are you currently researching?
I am mostly interested in discrete geometry, which includes combinatorial questions about geometric objects. Sometimes I also think about purely combinatorial questions, for example I am currently working on a question about partitioning edge coloured hypergraphs into monochromatic cycles.

Why did you choose this area of study?
I like combinatorics and geometry, and this area is a mixture of these two.

What do you hope to do career-wise, long term?
I would like to stay in academia and do research.

Can you provide any advice to prospective students about the most effective way to approach research and keep stress levels down?
Of course, this varies from individual to individual and from area to area, but there are some things that can be useful in general. Set realistic expectations: you should not anticipate finding results quickly. It is a slow procedure. For me the recipe is to try to be happy even with small results: don’t let failure disappoint you too greatly. I think it is also good to not separate weekdays and weekends too much; when you have ideas and feel motivated, don't stop for the weekend, but treat yourself to much-needed rest days later.

What resources are available at LSE to help young researchers? 
There are several funds at both School and Departmental level.  Mathematicians need whiteboards – we’re lucky to have many in our PhD office, plus all the basic provisions we could ever need (stationery, printing, equipment, etc.).  Our PhD Office itself is a really good, productive environment to work in, where we can focus solidly on our research but also collaborate and share thoughts. The Department as a whole, alongside the PhD Academy and our Research Manager, assist with the essential practicalities of PhD study.  The Department invites key visitors to present at our seminar series. Crucially, we have a fantastic coffee machine in the Department!

In a few words, what is the best thing about studying at LSE?
Everyone is very nice; I am a valued member of the Department.