Professional Certificate in Complex Financial Instruments in International Financial Services

Start Dates: TBC

Duration: 1 semester (part time)

Location: Online

Accreditation: Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications(NFQ)

Full Fee: €1,250

Network Members Fee: €915

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Programme overview

This programme is designed for an ever increasing range of people working in the international financial services area who are engaged in activities which now require a good working knowledge of the characteristics of derivative products and complex financial instruments.

Method of Payment for this course: EFT only

Please click here for more information on the booking process for this programme.

Course objectives/learning outcomes

The objective of the course is to provide both an understanding of the types of complex financial instruments used in the financial markets and also how these instruments impact on the financial market, financial institutions, regulators and investors.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Understand and explain how complex financial instruments work.
  • Evaluate the benefits and risks of differing instruments how they can be used for speculation, arbitrage, hedging and general risk management.
  • Describe how these instruments are used for investment strategies within the major asset classes (equities, currencies, bonds, commodities and property).
  • Appraise the role of regulation and the rating agencies on the application of financial instruments.
  • Understand the role that complex financial instruments played during the 2008 financial crisis.

Who Should Attend?

This programme is designed for an ever increasing range of people working in the international financial services area and specifically the funds industry who are engaged in activities which now require a good working knowledge of the characteristics of derivative products and complex financial instruments.

This is a practical based foundation programme for understanding derivatives and provides candidates with a strong comprehension of derivatives.

What are the Entry Requirements?

The second level educational requirements for employment in financial
institutions are acceptable for entry.

Programme Syllabus

The course consists of a single 5-credit module covering a broad range of derivative products employed in international financial services.

On a micro level, the course examines the types, uses and valuation of complex financial instruments from standard derivatives (options, futures, forwards, swaps) to more recently introduced instruments including:

  • Convertible Bonds
  • Collaterised Mortgage Obligations (CMOs)
  • Collaterised Debt Obligations (CDOs)
  • Mortgage Backed Securities (MBSs)/ Asset Backed Securities (ABSs)
  • Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
  • Credit Default Swaps (CDSs)
  • Contracts For Difference (CFDs)

The Institute of Banking is a recognised college of University College Dublin.

Programme Delivery

Delivery Period – One Semester

Lecture Schedule – 8 evening lectures (3 hours)

Location – The Institute of Banking, Dublin 1

Examinations

Exam Format: Written, essay style questions. Passmark: 40%  Duration: 120 minutes

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