Quantitative analyst
Quantitative analysts use maths and statistics to help businesses make investment decisions.
About the job
What it's like
Can you picture yourself working with numbers every day in the fast-paced world of finance? As a quantitative analyst, or 'quant', you'd do just that.
Your organisation would look to you for advice on financial decisions. You'd use statistical analysis to help inform investment strategies. It's an important role as your predictions and recommendations could make or lose a business money.
Each day you'll jump into spreadsheets to analyse data. You'd build algorithms and use computer models to study data financial markets and business trends. If you're good with numbers and enjoy coding, you might feel at home in this career.
Your responsibilities might differ slightly depending on the business aims of your organisation. Crunching numbers will be a key part of your role and you'll use the latest statistical techniques to do this.
Your tasks might include:
developing and putting in place complex financial models
using programming languages to create analytical models and simulations
using mathematics and statistical techniques to analyse data
understanding and interpreting financial markets
using models and data to identify trends and patterns and make predictions
offering advice on business decisions such as investing or managing risk
helping to create investment strategies
staying up to date with industry practices
presenting complex information in an understandable way
Hours
Working in the financial sector can be very demanding. You could work long days of 10 or more hours and might need to get used to early rises. International markets operate at different times so you might need to work irregular hours.
Environment
You'd likely work from an office for most of your time. Modern working practices mean in some businesses you'll also be able to work at home.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- python (programming language)
- mathematical modeling
- hedging strategy
- derivatives
- finance
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- written communication
- working with technology
- working with numbers
- verbal communication
- researching
- problem solving
- analysing
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Maths (Mathematics)
Physics
Computing Science
Economics
Statistics
To become a quantitative analyst, you'd need a degree in a relevant subject. This could be in areas like maths, statistics, finance or economics. Although other subjects which show quantitative knowledge might also be useful.
This means you'll need to go to college or university after school and study to at least degree level. Many positions also look for candidates to have postgraduate qualifications too.
The headings shown explain more about each of the different routes you could take.
College
Going to college might be a good step to help get the qualifications you need for a degree course.
You could study:
mathematics
business and finance
physics
computer science
Common qualifications you could get at college include:
National Qualification (NQs)
a National Certificate (NC)
a Higher National Certificate (HNC)
a Higher National Diploma (HND)
Entry requirements will depend on the subject and the level you're studying. For NQs, it'll be helpful to have a similar National Qualification at the level below. For HNC or HND courses, you'll likely need 1 or 2 Scottish Highers at C.
University
There are many subjects you could gain a degree in that would help in this field. You could study:
mathematics
statistics
finance
economics
engineering
physics
computer science
Entry requirements will depend on the subject. For a degree in mathematics, you'd likely need either:
an HNC or HND
4 Highers at AABB or above
2 Advanced Highers at AB or above
Your qualifications would need to include maths.
Search undergraduate courses relevant for this career.
Many employers value a postgraduate qualification such as a master's or PhD.
You can study quantitative finance at postgraduate level. To enter postgraduate study in this subject, you'd likely need a second class or 2.1 honours degree in a related subject.
An interest in finance is beneficial for this career. You'd also need to have some experience with programming languages such as Python, SQL and C++.
You should enjoy solving problems, working with numbers and analysing data.
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