Bachelor's degree program Mathematics of Economy and Finance

Mathematics of Economy and Finance (abbr. MEF) is a modern study program that prepares experts in the field of economics and finance with strong background in mathematics. je moderne koncipovaný študijný program. Currently, it is the most demanded mathematical study program of the faculty.

Why economics and finance at FMFI? Because today's theoretical economics and financial calculations use mathematics very intensively. Or even better - you can't really do them without math.

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MEF is a bachelor study program special in its well-balanced combination of three components:

  • Strong mathematical background − The main courses in mathematics are Algebra, Matrix Calculus, Mathematical Analysis, Difference and Differential Equations, Numerical and Optimization Methods and Probability and Statistics.
  • Basic and specialized knowledge of economics and finance − The basic courses in this section are Money and Banking, Corporate Finance, Microeconomics, Financial Mathematics, Macroeconomics, Game Theory and others.
  • Skills in the use of computers and software − This is provided by courses such as Programming, Mathematical Software, Computer Statistics and others.

A special feature (not only in Slovakia) is the mentioned strong mathematical background. Students complete fundamental mathematical subjects in the first two years of their studies to the same extent as specialist mathematicians. Let us add that several experts from abroad envy us in this regard.

Career

The vast majority of EFM bachelor's degree graduates continue their studies in the follow-up master's degree program Mathematics of Economy, Finance and Modeling (MEFM). Every year, several graduates of MEF/MEFM continue their PhD studies, both at our faculty, but also at the CERGE institute in Prague, at the postgraduate school Institute for Higher Studies in Vienna and at other schools. MEF graduates achieve exceptional results on entrance tests and are among the top students.

However, most graduates of MEF/MEFM are employed in financial institutions and insurance companies. Regular employers of our graduates include, in particular, Slovenská sporiteľňa, the National Bank of Slovakia, the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic, the Institute for Financial Policy, ING Bank, Slovenský plynárenský priemysel and others.

Information about the program

Program characteristics:

More information:

Recommendation from graduates of MEF study program

Stanislav Sekereš - Senior Manager, Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis at Dell Technologies; graduate of MEF.

Stanislav Sekereš

“Pursuing a degree in Mathematics of Economy and Finance at FMPI CU has endowed me with a profound foundation for my professional life, for which I remain profoundly grateful. This programme stands out on a global scale, blending expertise from finance, economics, applied mathematics, data analysis, and programming. Such a broad spectrum, coupled with the analytical acumen fostered during my tenure, has enabled me to secure diverse and engaging roles throughout my career. These include macroeconomic research at the Institute of Economics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, developing stock exchange analytical systems for Thomson Reuters, and conducting financial analysis and forecasts for the senior management at Dell Technologies, one of the globe's leading IT firms. The knowledge I acquired has been invaluable across my professional journey. In an era swiftly advancing towards robotics and automation, the synergy of programming, data analysis, and economic modelling presents an extraordinarily pertinent field of study. MEF excels in providing this integration. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”


Igor Vilček - Chief Investment Officer at VUB Generali, pension management company; graduate of MEF.

Igor Vilček

“During my time at MEF, as a consummate perfectionist, I often entertained the notion of transferring to a less demanding college. However, with the benefit of hindsight, I now recognise that my education at MEF was a paramount investment. To encapsulate the knowledge acquired at MEF, I would describe it as challenging, yet broad-ranging and highly sought-after. The fusion of mathematics, finance, and programming is particularly prized in today's market, which favours high-value-added roles. Moreover, the comprehensive curriculum allows students to discover their keenest interest among these three disciplines, facilitating a path towards careers in science, finance, or IT. MEF's education not only opens myriad career doors but also cultivates exceptional problem-solving skills. For instance, a former classmate of mine has become a highly successful and in-demand photographer, applying strategic thinking honed at MEF to optimize his marketing approach. Last but not least, holding a degree from MEF serves as a significant accolade; in our company, simply having mastered the curriculum at MEF guarantees progression past the initial job interview stage. Therefore, if it wasn't already apparent, I wholeheartedly endorse MEF. ☺”

Useful links



Selected achievements of students and graduates of MEF

At the international competition Artificial Intelligence in Environmental-Social-Governance Investing (AI in ESG Investing), which took place from March to June 2021, the team of Comenius University composed of Natália Gibasová, Lenka Košútová, Adriána Leginusová and Adam Martinka (all MEF students), after advancing to the European final, finished in excellent 4th place from 45 teams of EU universities. AI_in_ESG_2021


Successes of MEF students in the Research Challenge organized by the International Institute of CFA:

CFA2023
Martin Siska, Michal Drgoň, Martin Maslan, Oliver Vladovič and Filip Blaho (2023, 1st place),

CFA2022
Adriána Leginusová, Vivien Klučka, Jakub Čižnár, Lenka Košútová and Peter Ondrušek (2022, 1st place),

CFA2020
Martin Bohdal, Viktória Komorníková, Richard Sokol and Michal Vester (2020, Bratislava, 1st place),

CFA2018
Ivana Beňová, Filip Sprušanský, Natália Jurgová, Ján Pitoňák and Petra Havlíčková (2019, Prague, 2nd place),

CFA2018
Juraj Hanuš, Mário Igaz, Jakub Hrbáň, Matúš Bagin and Adam Fajkus (2018, Prague, 3rd place),

CFA2017
Michal Martoňák, Richard Gramblička, Samuel Horváth and Andrej Remák (2017, Praha, 2nd place).


Successes in the competition of the Slovak Society of Actuaries (SSA) for the Best Actuarial Bachelor's Thesis: Terézia Filová (2021, 1st place), Martin Bohdal (2020, 1st place), Erika Lettrichová (2020, 2nd place), Antónia Ihnátová (2019, 1st place).

Successes of graduates of MEF in the follow-up master's study in the competition of Slovak Society of Actuaries for the Best Actuarial Master's Thesis: Erika Lettrichová (2022, 2nd place), Paulína Miškovová (2020, 1st place), Nikoleta Lengyelová (2019, shared 1st place), Ján Murín (2018, 1st place), Tünde Tarcsiová (2017, 1st place), Veronika Starinská (2017, 3rd place).
Súťaž SSA 2017

Achievements of students and graduates of MEF in the Czech-Slovak Student Scientific Conference: Matej Hladiš (2018, 2nd place), Zuzana Girová (2018, 3rd place), Martin Krátky (2017, honorable mention), Karol Ďuriš (2015, 1st place), Samuel Rosa (2014, 1st place), Martin Hurban (2014, honorable mention), Jakub Konečný and Michal Hagara (2013), Jana Janková (2012).

Other student achievements during their studies:
  • invited talk at the International Conference on Pattern Recognition in Tsukuba Science City: Jakub Konečný and Michal Hagara (2012, Japan)
  • accepted contribution to the IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications: Vladimír Novák (2011, China),
  • Adriana Lojschová and Tatiana Tekušová were selected for internship by the European central bank out of 400 candidates.

Other achievements of students and graduates of MEF in various competitions and awards:
  • Young Economist of the Year Award (awarded by the Czech Economic society to young Czech economists under 30): Peter Ondko (2011, 1st place)
  • Academician Štefan Schwarz Award (awarded by the Union of Slovak Mathematicians and Physicists to young Slovak mathematicians under 30): Samuel Rosa (2018, 1st place), Katarína Boďová (2011, 2nd place), Beáta Stehlíková (2010, 3rd place),
  • The Karel Engliš Prize (awarded by the Czech Economic Society to young Czech economists under 30 for works dealing with Czech economic policy): Branislav Saxa (2008),
  • Rector's Award for Outstanding Master's Thesis: Jana Janková (2012, Asymptotic Properties of Support Vector Machines),
  • Rector's award for excellent study results during the entire study: Jana Janková (2012),
  • Award for the best dissertation thesis in the field of operational research, awarded by the Operational Research Society in the United Kingdom: Martin Takáč (pictured, 2014), his name was permanently engraved in George Paterson's shield,
  • National Bank of Slovakia Governor's Award for Master's Thesis: Tomáš Kabina (2014, 3rd place),
  • Best talk prize at the SIAM National Student Chapter Conference: Martin Takáč as a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh (2012),
    ORS2014
  • Best Talk Prize at the School of Mathematics PG Colloquium: Martin Takáč as a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh (2012),
  • INFORMS Computing Society Student Paper Award Competition: Martin Takáč as a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh (2012, 2nd place),
  • IMA Leslie Fox Prize in Numerical Analysis: Martin Takáč as a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh (2013, 2nd place),
  • Prize awarded by the Austrian National Bank to young economists from Central, South-Eastern and Eastern Europe for working with monetary and financial issues - Olga Radzyner Award: Adriana Lojschová (2003).