ICM233-Current Topics in Investment Management

Module Provider: ICMA Centre
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: a.pendleton@icmacentre.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides insight into a number of different areas of Investment Management which fall outside those normally covered by standard Investment modules and which may generally be regarded as Alternative Investments suitable for long-term institutional investors

Aims:

Current Topics in Investment Management is an applied debate on the issues and trends affecting the investment management industry and as such the topics may vary and/or be updated on a year-to-year basis. The purpose is to give the student a clear overview on industry structure and the forces of change – something that has been identified as a key information need by investment management firms in regard to their future management hires. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, the successful student will be able to understand the critical role that savings and financial intermediation play in our economy; understand two important drivers of this industry – demographics and regulation; understand the structure and activities of the major investment management firms – pension funds, long only funds and hedge funds; performance measurement and attribution plus alternative investments from commodities and hedge funds to Infrastruct ure investments.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

1. Private Illiquid Market Investments - a focus on project finance assets

2.  Inflation and Bonds

3.  Due Diligence Processes

4. Course Overview and Revision Lecture

5. Fixed income and Performance Measurement

6. Investing in Hedge Funds

NB Topic Order may change dependent upon the schedule of external speakers

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

6 2-hour lectures including one overview and revision lecture

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Mid-term tests MT1 – Test lasting 90 minutes covering topics 1 to 3 and worth 50% of final grade, comprising 20 MCQs and a two essay questions (from a choice of 3)

MT2 – Test lasting 90 minutes covering topics 1 to 3 and worth 50% of final grade, comprising 20 MCQs and a two essay questions (from a choice of 3)

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Average of 50% across the 2 Tests

Reassessment arrangements:

As per university policy.  Candidates who resit will take a Test lasting 90 minutes, worth 100% of the resit mark and will be required to answer 3 essay questions from a choice of 6. The Test does not include any MCQs.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020