Trading & Investing
Overview
This programme aims to accommodate a wide audience of learners from cognate backgrounds whose specific learning requirements lie in trading and investing. The MSc in Trading and Investing (Level 9, 90 ECTS) programme aims to produce individuals with the specialised skills and attributes necessary to meet the demands of the modern-day trading and investing environment. Learners will understand the core principles of trading and investing, as well as the regulatory requirements needed to operate both nationally and internationally; they will be equipped with important technical analysis skills including financial modelling and data visualisation and possess an integrated understanding of the wide range of financial assets used for trading and investing on a daily basis, including non-standard investment types. Moreover, learners will develop advanced critical thinking, teamwork and team leadership, writing and research skills through the completion of the research module along with the completion of a practical artefact that will allow them to apply all of their learning to produce a thorough trading and investing strategy.
The specific programme objectives are as follows:
• Imbue a critical analysis of the up-to-date research on best practices in trading and investing.
• Accrue a thorough understanding of risk and risk management across trading and investing strategies.
• Critically evaluate alternative assets and perform objective and thorough tests to determine an alternative asset’s predicted worth.
• Gain an in-depth knowledge of the national and international regulations related to trading and investing.
• Develop the competencies to present and justify investment strategies in a professional and highly competent way.
• Create critical awareness of ethical processes including disclosing and managing risk.
• Identify and develop autonomous learning skills for the graduates of tomorrow who can work both independently and collaboratively within innovative and disruptive environments.
• Provide the learner with a comprehensive platform for career development, innovation, and further study.
Structure
The MSc in Trading and Investing is a 1 year full-time/2-year part-time programme consisting of eight taught modules, four 10 ECTS modules, four 5 ECTS modules, and a 30 ECTS Applied Trading and Investing Team Capstone. For learners who cannot continue, for personal or professional reasons, to the research component of this programme, there is an embedded exit award titled, Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Trading and Investing (Level 9, 60 ECTS).
Semester one provides the learner with critical understanding of Trading and Investing as well as the national and international landscape.
Semester two builds on these skills by covering advanced modules in which the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in the first semester can be employed in a way which is highly directed to the subject matter.
Learners will then complete an elective capstone (30 ECTS) of an Applied Trading and Investing Team Capstone which will bring together and synthesise learning from other modules, combining research and technical skills to investigate, design, produce and critically evaluate an area of research interest.
Teaching
The MSc in Trading and Investing provides students with a flexible, multimodal, active, peer-led, experiential and reflective learning environment. Asynchronous content, with built in knowledge checks for reflection, is consistently used throughout the programme to explain theory and concepts and to contextualise the practical aspects of trading and investing. In-class and online workshops will be used to discuss the theoretical underpinnings behind trading and investing decisions.
Subjects taught
Modules
• Securities Markets Structure and History 5 ETCS
• Financial Economics 10 ETCS
• Technical Analysis and Financial Visualisation 10 ETCS
• Financial Reporting and Fundamental Analysis 5 ETCS
• Portfolio Planning, Risk Management and Valuation 10 ETCS
• ESG, Ethics and Regulation in Trading and Investing 5 ETCS
• Applied Financial Marketing Analytics 10 ETCS
• Research Methods for Team Capstones 5 ETCS
• Applied Trading and Investing Team Capstone 30 ETCS
Entry requirements
Minimum Entry Requirements
This programme is primarily aimed at learners with a Level 8 primary undergraduate honours bachelor degree in a cognate area (e.g. computer science, IT, science, mathematics, statistics, accounting, finance, economics, engineering, maths and management, information systems) with a minimum Second Class Second Division classification (2.2) from a recognised third-level institution (or equivalent).
Application dates
We are now accepting applications for programmes taking place in 2024.
Duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2 years
Delivery
This programme is delivered through both online and face-to-face modes of delivery, including classroom sessions (in-person and Zoom lectures), asynchronous content, and practical computer lab sessions.
Enrolment dates
Next intake: September 2024
Post Course Info
Career Opportunities
Trading and Investing is a complex field containing technical, data-driven, IT skills as well as general business acumen and understanding of best practices in a variety of decision making scenarios.
Specifically, learners must:
• Develop advanced analytical skills.
• Think critically and develop well rationalised strategies.
• Communicate effectively regarding decisions and recommendations.
• Communicate technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Develop a strong understanding of national and international regulatory requirements.
The MSc in Trading and Investing programme will prepare learners for a career in the investment and trading sector or as a part of back-office operations on both supply and demand sides. Classes are designed to simulate a real-life experience of the financial industry.