If you are interested and require further information not covered on the page, please complete the form below
Trimester start date
08 February 2021
Closing date
29 January 2021
As you are not registered with us, you will need to upload proof you can enrol to this programme.
I know, let’s sign upI have an account, let me sign in firstTrimester start date
08 February 2021
Closing date
29 January 2021
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.
On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to;
Explain how the most common complex financial instruments and derivatives work and understand their uses
Evaluate the benefits and risks of differing instruments and explain 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 in the application of financial instruments
Understand the role that complex financial instruments played in the recent market turmoil and what lessons can be learned for the future
Review the use of complex financial instruments in financial institutions from an internal and external viewpoint, including accounting treatment/reporting, risk management and regulation.
The use of complex financial instruments in investment fund strategies has seen a huge increase over the past five years. Many alternative fund strategies seek to generate returns from asset classes solely created from derivative structures, such as the use of Total Return Swaps or Credit Default Swaps for long-short strategies in equities or bonds. Derivatives are now used in combination with even the most basic equity and bond management strategies.
The growth in derivative usage comes at a time of vast changes in regulatory oversight in both Europe and the US, as a reaction to the recent financial crisis. The regulatory changes are being implemented through the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) and will impact the most fundamental aspects of how these products are traded, how collateral/counterparty risk is treated and how transactions are reported.
Understanding the risk and return characteristics of complex products and the derivatives which underpin those strategies has now become a critical function in the asset management, valuation and trading areas in international financial services.
The objective of this programme is to provide you with not only a very practical understanding of how the most common types of complex financial instruments and derivative products are used in the financial markets, but also their use in hedging, risk management and return enhancement strategies.
If you hold an IOB designation or a designation managed by IOB, CPD hours may be awarded on successful completion of this programme.
Online
It is strongly recommended that students attend all their scheduled online lectures. Details and schedules for the delivery for each module are set out in the study guides accompanying each module.
Two hour exam at the end of the programme
The exam consists of written, essay-style questions
When you successfully complete this programme you will be awarded a Professional Certificate in Complex Financial Instruments in International Financial Services (level 7) from UCD.
This programme has IFS Skillnet funding available for certain companies.
Programme cost: €1,250
IFS Skillnet fee: €915*
*The programme cost is €1,250, however if your work for a company that is a member of IFS Skillnet you will be entitled to avail of the reduced cost of €915. Please check with your company to confirm if they are a member of IFS Skillnet and then complete the IFS Skillnet form. You can locate the IFS Skillnet form below:
View the IFS Skillnet Checklist
Note: For all other applications that don't have IFS Skillnet funding, please click the enrol now option on this page.
William Lawless - Programme Manager
The minimum entry requirements are as follows:
• Five passes in the Leaving Certificate, including English and Mathematics
• Five O Level/GCSE passes, including English Language and Mathematics
IOB will also consider applications on a mature candidate basis from applicants who are 23 years of age before the date of their application for admission to the programme.
You must be a current member of IOB, or become a member, to undertake this programme.
(NFQ level 7, 5 ECTS)
Explain how complex financial instruments work and understand their uses.
Evaluate the benefits and risks of differing instruments and 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 in the recent market turmoil and what lessons can be learnt for the future.
Evaluate the use of complex financial instruments in financial institutions from an internal and external viewpoint, including accounting treatment/reporting, risk management and regulation.