ST429 Half Unit
Statistical Methods for Risk Management
This information is for the 2021/22 session.
Teacher responsible
Daniela Escobar
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Quantitative Methods for Risk Management. This course is available on the Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MiM), Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange), MSc in Data Science, MSc in Financial Mathematics, MSc in Statistics (Financial Statistics), MSc in Statistics (Financial Statistics) (ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and Fudan) and MSc in Statistics (Financial Statistics) (Research). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access) and demand is typically very high. Priority is given to students on the MSc in Quantitative Methods for Risk Management programme, students from outside this programme may not get a place.
Pre-requisites
Students must have completed Probability, Distribution Theory and Inference (ST202) and Stochastic Processes (ST302).
ST202, ST302, or equivalent
Course content
This course covers fundamental definitions of loss functions involving risk factors and risk factor changes. These concepts will be illustrated with examples of different value functions. For the quantitative analysis of the losses of a portfolio we introduce risk measures: General overview from variance to expected shortfall. We concentrate in highly important risk measures: Value at Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES).
Considering a portfolio we analyse the distribution and dependence between different risks. We cover multivariate models and Copula models: Sklar's Theorem, Fundamental copulas, Clayton copulas, Archimedean copulas, Dependence measures. As part of dimension reduction we also study Principal component analysis. Finally, we also look at the tail of the distributions and study extreme value theory.
Teaching
This course will be delivered through a combination of classes, lectures and Q&A sessions totalling a minimum of 30 hours during Michaelmas Term. This year, some of this teaching may be delivered through a combination of virtual classes and flipped-lectures delivered as short online videos. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Michaelmas Term.
Formative coursework
A set of exercises which are similar to problems appearing in the exam will be assigned. A set of coding exercises which are similar to examples in computer lab sessions will be assigned.
Indicative reading
A.McNeil, R.Frey, P.Embrechts, Quantitative Risk Management: Concepts, Techniques, Tools; Princeton Series in Finance
Assessment
Exam (75%, duration: 2 hours) in the January exam period.
Project (25%, 2000 words).
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Student performance results
(2017/18 - 2019/20 combined)
Classification | % of students |
---|---|
Distinction | 37.7 |
Merit | 35.5 |
Pass | 18.8 |
Fail | 8 |
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Statistics
Total students 2020/21: 42
Average class size 2020/21: 22
Controlled access 2020/21: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Team working
- Application of information skills
- Application of numeracy skills
- Commercial awareness