I currently work in back office IT for an investment bank where I have 8 years experience as a database developer (so I don’t currently have the typical skills required for a front office role – eg c++, java, c#), I have a maths degree and have had a growing desire recently to pick up my quantitative skills. My ambition is to move into quant analytics/trading. My preference would be to do a part-time course in London. Which of the following courses (if any) would give me the best chance of making my ambition a reality? (especially under the current market conditions)1) CQF - How well regarded is it? Is it too big a jump to go from back office IT into a quant role on the back of a 6 month part-time course?2) MSC Mathematical Trading and Finance (part-time) at Cass - How well regarded is Cass? (Would I stand any chance against Oxbridge/LSE students?)3) MSC Mathematical finance (part-time) at Oxford4) Are there any other London based part-time course or distance learning options worth considering?5) If there are no part-time options which would open the right doors which full time courses should I consider? Are there any which are aimed at students with a few years of experience as opposed to students in their early 20's who have recently finished their first degree?6) Is an MSc Finance worth considering? I know it would be far less technical but several claim graduates do get roles as traders. If so which are best? MSc Finance (part-time) from LSE, part-time MiF at LBS?So many options and such a tricky market – any help you can offer would be hugely appreciated

Given your profile and your work experience in the infrastructure IT the chance of moving into front office IT is already very slim (unless you work for one of the top investment banks)

the CQF is better

I think you would be better off if you focus on sharpening your C++ skills. Probably going to sourceforge.net, downloading and installed and hacking on code, would be most useful. Instead of getting a degree, I think you would be better off starting with the CQF C++ course. Also do anything you can to move from hacking on SQL to hacking on the interface layer between C++/Java and SQL. Also find any excuse you can to do multi-threading.