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I'm a recent (first class) honours graduate of quantitative finance. I had the great privilege to work under a well recognised author who is presently associating with a Nobel laureate regarding a recently developed financial market theory. Whilst offered a PhD scholarship I fear my abilities require further development to optimise such an opportunity and have deferred this option to the end of the year.Whilst deferred, I have taken a role with a financial institution and have been working on the development of market risk analytics that has mainly developed programming skills, however done little for my quantitative development apart from delving into the (simple) greeks.I believe I require further work in advanced stochastic processes and their application in finance.My question is this. What would be the best path to further develop my skills prior to undertaking a PhD? Is there a fast track course that can cater to the development of stochastic? Would I have to be based in London? (There may be an opportunity for me to take advantage of the current situations in the UK and gain a transfer to London with the idea of including some type of course from a strong quant school - any standouts?). Qualified opinions would be greatly welcomed.

I don't know which country you are from but most PhD promgrams offer courswork to supplement your background in their first and second year. Also I don't think there is any fast track course for you to do that. I think the best is start your PhD and taking those courses. Since you have already worked together with your supervisor for a while, he should know your backgound pretty well and offer what courses to take. No one would expect you to contribute from day one in a PhD.

Thanks from Australia. Here a PhD is 3 years research, alike the European system. I understand north America have a 5 yr PhD program with 2 years coursework. I recently discussed courses with a former Yale professor, who recommended finding a institution in the US due to the quality and superior funding. However i'm unsure of how successful i would be without the support and recommendation of my current supervisor. Would one require the backing of your supervisor for such a request? I fear that such a request would be tantamount to a slap in the face to those opportunities already provided.

If you value the opinion of your supervisor, you should discuss the pros and cons of studying in the States openly. Your supervisor should not think less of you for it and you will have a better idea of how your options compare.If you carry any clout with the Australian Cricketing authorities, please try and get them to go easy on our cricket team. They are young and naive and didn't know what they were letting themselves in for...

Pengao, What have you studied for your first and second year of Phd at UTS? Did you covermost of the master of quantitative finance subjects?Cheers,K

QuoteOriginally posted by: EtukaIf you value the opinion of your supervisor, you should discuss the pros and cons of studying in the States openly. Your supervisor should not think less of you for it and you will have a better idea of how your options compare.If you carry any clout with the Australian Cricketing authorities, please try and get them to go easy on our cricket team. They are young and naive and didn't know what they were letting themselves in for... Many thanks Etuka - I will follow your advice.No doubt the best Ashes challenge in some time, but unfortunately any pleas for leniency would fall on deaf ears – they’ve a close affection to beating the English at their own game. I guess the upside is the well priced odds. QuoteOriginally posted by: ckelvinPengao,What have you studied for your first and second year of Phd at UTS? Did you covermost of the master of quantitative finance subjects?Cheers,K Pengtao did not specify any affiliation with UTS, where Quant Finance PhD 's generally have no coursework.