Get the Competitive Edge for Your Finance Career
"There is a dramatic increase in the need for experts in risk management and compliance. This program will produce the specialized talent that the finance industry demands."
- Richard Nesbitt, CEO of Global Risk Institute for Financial Services and former Chief Operating Officer of CIBC
The Master of Financial Risk Management (MFRM) is designed to prepare students who excel at finance and quantitative analysis for careers in this in-demand sector. A bridge between your academic and professional life, the full-time, 8-month program allows you to fast track into the finance industry, giving you a competitive edge over applicants with just an undergraduate degree. Turn risk into reward: consider the MFRM.
Master of Financial Risk Management: Jumpstart your career
Curriculum: The curriculum will allow you to master the complex issues involved in risk management.
Globally-Renowned Faculty: Rotman’s finance faculty are among the best in the world for research and for finance. They include both seasoned industry professionals and prominent academics such as John Hull and Peter Christoffersen.
Real-World Experience: The 2-month applied Risk Management Project is a chance for students to work with risk management professionals to tackle a real issue that is relevant and of interest to financial institutions.
Industry Connections: Benefit from strong ties between the school and the finance industry. Through speaking events with industry executives, an integrated Rotman Risk Management Project on a real-world business challenge, and exposure to faculty like Richard Nesbitt, former COO of CIBC, and Dean Tiff Macklem, former Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada, you’ll learn from leaders in the industry. The program also receives advice and support from the MFRM Advisory Board composed of top professionals in this field.
Master Your Career: Our career services team is dedicated to providing you tailored support to help you reach your professional goals. As of December 2017 (6 months after graduation), 98% of our graduates had successfully secured employment.
Innovative Resources: The BMO Financial Group Finance Research and Trading Lab allows you to gain access to live data feeds, take part in simulations, manage your own portfolio, experiment with different trading strategies, and test your risk management ideas.
What We're Looking For
Evaluation Criteria
Undergraduate Degree: Minimum B average required across courses in the final year but most students admitted will have a considerably higher GPA
Quantitative Proficiency: Evidence of a high level of proficiency in quantitative subjects such as Calculus, Linear Algebra, Statistics and Econometrics is required
Prerequisite Courses: Foundations of Finance, Financial Accounting, Financial Derivatives, Investments
Two Academic References: Two recommendation forms must be completed online by your referees
Online Application: Includes 1 written essay, 2 video questions and 1 real-time written response
Admissions Interview: By invitation only
How to Apply
Review the criteria of what we’re looking for from our applicants in greater detail, attend one of our admissions events or connect with our admissions team to learn more.
How to Apply & Important Deadlines
Applications for the MFRM Fall 2018 term are now closed.
Admission decisions for submitted applications will be made by the end of April.
Applications for Fall 2019 term will open in September 2018. To be notified when applications reopen, and to receive program updates, create an online profile.
Previous application deadlines - Fall 2018 entry
First Round Application Deadline » November 30, 2017
First Round Documents Deadline » December 15, 2017
Second Round Application Deadline » February 1, 2018
Second Round Documents Deadline » February 15, 2018
Tuition Fees & Financial Aid
The Tuition Fee for students entering the MFRM program in September 2018 is:
Domestic Student Fee: $44,280*
International Student Fee: $61,880*
* Visit here for additional information on domestic and international student fees, plus information about financial aid options.
GRI Entrance Awards ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 are available. You will be considered automatically for an entrance award when your application is reviewed for admission.
Tip: The earlier you apply, the greater your chance of an entrance award.
Fast track into the finance industry
As a graduate of the MFRM program, you will be well positioned to take advantage of one of the fastest growing areas of finance. Since the financial crisis of 2007-2009, there has been a high demand for individuals who have both quantitative skills and an understanding of the risk management environment in which decisions are made. The program provides you access to a wealth of career opportunities in this exciting field.
"In terms of the caliber of the class, you just need to look at my fellow students and what they’re doing now. They’re working in some prestigious institutions – the major banks, the central bank and insurance companies. They’re all covered."
-Jie (Jacky) Chen, MFRM '17, Investment Risk Analyst, OP Trust
Located just blocks from Canada's business centre and part of the University of Toronto, the Rotman School is ideally positioned to help you connect with top employers. As a student of the program, you’ll work closely with our staff to achieve your career goals, and to develop the self-marketing tools and strategies that will benefit you throughout your professional life.
Your Career Services
At Rotman, you will gain access to a suite of career services and a lifelong toolkit designed to support your career goals.
Industry Connections
You will be with the same classmates for the duration of the MFRM program. Because class sizes are small, you’ll find it easy to build a network of peers who will help you succeed long after graduation
Welcome to the Rotman community
As part of the Rotman MFRM class, you will find yourself challenged and motivated to excel by the calibre of your classmates — peers who will become your lifetime network of friends and business contacts.
As part of the Rotman family, you will also have opportunities to interact with our powerful network of Master of Finance students and alumni who are working professionals and leaders in the finance community.
Student life begins at Rotman with an Orientation event. You'll learn about Rotman, meet your classmates, and get to know what you should expect from your MFRM experience.
Case Competitions
Students compete in national and international case competitions, providing an opportunity to test yourself against others and meet a wider group of industry professionals.
Trading Competition
The Rotman International Trading Competition brings teams of students and faculty advisors from universities across the world to participate in a unique 3-day simulated market challenge.
Student Clubs
Rotman has a number of different student clubs and associations, run by student that you are able to participate in. They range from clubs around specific industries, regions, and social activities.
Finance Events
Take advantage of the finance speaker series events as well as a range of guest speaker events featuring experts from all over the world who publish and write on finance matters.
The applied Risk Management Project is a chance for students to tackle a real issue that is relevant and of interest to financial institutions.
During the two-month project, which takes place halfway through the program, you will be taken out of the classroom and into industry where you will work alongside practicing risk management professionals.
"The Risk Management Project was an unforgettable experience. It gave me a chance to learn directly form industry professionals and to develop my own solution to a real-world research challenge."
- Agnes Chang, MFRM '17, Investment Associate, Alternative Investments, Capital Markets, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board
How the Risk Management Project works
Rotman faculty work with the MFRM Advisory Board and our wider network of industry contacts to secure a range of project opportunities from a variety of different organizations.
The project suggestions come from industry and focus on topics that are relevant to them. These suggestions are refined through discussion with faculty to ensure the best possible learning outcome for you as the student and the best possible results for the industry sponsor.
Every student is guaranteed a project. Typically projects are conducted in teams of two.
At the end of the project you will present your findings to your classmates, faculty and industry sponsors.
"I was fortunate enough to land my job right after finishing the Rotman Risk Management project. One of my first projects was similar to an assignment I had completed in the MFRM program. It is just one example of how MFRM keeps you relevant to what goes on in the real world."
-Ava Athari, MFRM '17,Senior Tax Staff, International Tax Services - Transfer Pricing, Ernst & Young LLP (Canada)
Project locations and topics
Rotman has strong links to the finance industry so we are able to secure projects with many of the major organizations in this field, with a wide range of project topics.
Due to the success of the first MFRM Class during the Risk Management Projects we are pleased that all of the organizations listed will be continuing to support the project, and new companies have come on board for 2017-18.