The objective of the Finance Trading Programme is to provide a working theoretical knowledge and a practical understanding of financial markets, trading strategies, risk and money management and trader analytics at the highest level.
This is where the student's theoretical knowledge meets the real world. Skills learnt in the programme are directly applicable to the working world.
The program offers a mix of classroom-based teaching, case study and practical trading exercises where students will trade on real-time simulated global markets through the use of industry-strength proprietary trading software in the School of Economics and Finance’s trading room.
The Finance Trading Programme also introduces guest speakers from the industry, conducts trading research into interesting aspects of financial markets and has a full summer school programme, taught primarily by specialists and industry practitioners, that explores subjects ranging from financial data science, high-frequency trading, quantitative trading strategies to computational finance.
The Programme introduces students to the top current trading-room technology in the form of Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters Eikon, X-Trader and others and the technology is used extensively in class. There are also comprehensive data sets available in the form of Datastream, WDRS and Bloomberg data.
Each semester there are five taught modules that include practical trading room sessions with access to hundreds of different trading instruments hosted by the major global exchanges. The objective is to build student knowledge from a beginner level to an advanced level over the three-semester period so that attendees become very familiar with all aspects of trading and can seamlessly translate these skills into the workplace.
The Finance trading programme is one of several optional modules offered to postgraduate students by the School of Economics and Finance at Queen Mary University of London.
"I've been a part of the Financial Markets industry for 28 years in a number of different roles primarily working at investment banks and trading companies. I started as a stock trader in 1986 on the London Stock Exchange and then in the 1990's moved to LIFFE, the London futures and options exchange, as an options trader and futures broker and more lately, to managing client funds and teaching.
Teaching the QM Finance Trading programme is very rewarding as I'm able to provide newcomers to the markets with useful knowledge and skills that they can take with them when they move into work. Normally such knowledge would not be available outside of the workplace so they get a head-start.
The students are very keen to gather this knowledge as it compliments their MSc studies in Economics and Finance as well as providing them with real-world experience. "
I chose to study the Finance Trading Programme as I wanted to get a more hands-on approach on complex financial topics. During normal lectures, we don't have the time to see whether the theories we learn are applicable to the real world, and if they are, how. The Trading Programme provides me with the practical tools that I will need in the real world to analyse the markets and based on that, take trades.
I would like to say that David Norman is a fantastic teacher. From the beginning of the first session you could feel that he is passionate about trading and is doing an excellent job getting us to understand the complexity and interrelatedness of the financial markets. The structure of the module is conceived in a way to first teach us the basic concepts about a certain topic and during the second part of the session let us trade on what we just learned. It is really helpful to use the same software as professional traders, such as X-trader, because it allows us to view the financial markets from the eyes of a professional.
In addition to the scheduled sessions, David makes a lot of effort to keep us updated on current topics, for instance by sending us interesting articles, and organizes events with special speakers from the industry - he invited a professional trader talking about tracker funds, something I had heard about before, but didn't really know what it was. After the presentation, I felt like another part of the big finance puzzle had been put together, which by the way is the overall feeling I get by participating in the Financial Trading Programme.
I think the main skill that I've gained through participating in the Trading Programme is to critically analyse information in the news about particular political, social or economic events and to interpret their meaning as well as their impact on major financial variables. I really think the Trading Programme is a very enriching experience for me. It allows me to discuss current events with an experienced trader who can offer me a completely different view on the markets than I could get by just reading articles or going to my lectures. It is also a truly enriching complement to my normal lectures. For instance, I am taking a lecture called 'Financial Derivatives', where we discuss the way derivatives are priced and how they work. It is in the training session that I get a chance to use my knowledge via the trading software.
I feel that I have gained a more profound understanding of the way the financial markets work and this will certainly make it easier for me to find a job in the industry.
Based on my experience, I have found the finance-trading program very helpful, especially the trading lab session. This program provides me with a great opportunity to put the academic theories learned from other modules into practice. I have been able to learn how to use the proprietary trading software like X-trader on the real time simulated global market which gives me a taste of how a trader’s daily work is like.
Besides the five scheduled modules conducted by David Norman as an experienced financial professional, several extra guest speakers were invited during last semester, which provided the opportunity to communicate face to face with financial professionals who are still working in the front line. This truly added value to this program. Another reason I enjoy the program is the flexibility of its timetable. Several different time spots are available for each session including the weekend, which makes it easy to fit in to my schedule.
Personally, I think the School of Economics and Finance does a great job to prepare us for the workplace. Additional to the finance trading program, there are several other different programs provided without extra cost, like technical analysis, amplify trading and tours of the Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters offices. As a student here, I can always find an interesting topic to join in addition to my required master’s modules, which really enhances my study experience.
I have been attending the Finance Trading Programme since the very first class and it is one of the most interesting subjects for me.
My main reason for choosing the Finance Trading Programme was to understand more about Investment Banking and it’s been very helpful to say the least. David Norman's way of teaching is very easy to understand, and with the kind of experience he has in the markets, it’s an added advantage. The examples he gives while teaching makes it easy to understand the subject.
The program has been very helpful to say the least. It has helped me to analyse situations better and understand the co-relation between various financial assets. Having theoretical knowledge is one thing and how to adapt it in the dynamic world is another. And the course teaches us how to apply our knowledge to the real world. Furthermore, David is very interactive in the class and has vast amounts of knowledge and experience. I don’t remember a time when a question has been put to him and is unanswered. The explanations are so good that by going through the lecture notes after a month, you can still recall the examples given for the justification of the theoretical concept.
The opportunity to join Queen Mary University of London MSc Investment Fund (QUMMIF) – one of the only investment clubs of its kind in London, which allows students to trade real money (currently £30,000) in order to obtain relevant, practical work experience in trading and portfolio analysis.
One of the main reasons why I chose Queen Mary University of London as the place I wanted to study was because of the additional classes that the School is running in order to make studying within the School of Economics and Finance more enjoyable.The Finance Trading Program is a class that intrigued me and excited me to think that I will be gaining real life experience of trading whilst being a student. Even as a beginner and someone who has never traded nor has the knowledge of trading, the program is very “on point” with what it teaches. Since joining this class I have expanded my knowledge of the finance industry and how it works.Another key element of the course which I thought was excellent is the interaction with David Norman, as a lecturer he is exceptional, has the ability to put you in awe of the topics he teaches and is patient with everyone which as beginners is appreciated.Throughout the course you realise how well it fits with the master’s programme and the individual modules that we study. It gives you in-depth information regarding the industry and also the skills of trading and the use of Bloomberg which is vital for you to hit the ground running when you start your career.
Overall I think the Finance Trading program is too good of a program to miss out on and it is a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone.
I chose to study the Finance Trading Programme as I have always been intrigued by trading but never had the chance to learn in a classroom environment with a teacher preparing you from a beginner’s level. So far, I think that the programme has been fantastic and very useful. David Norman kindly allowed me to take part in a boot camp over the holidays in which I gained a Certificate in Energy Trading from The Institute for Market Technology. This is yet another boost to my job applications and personal skills. As for the classes, David is an incredible teacher. Each and every class is very informative. His explanations are very clear and the classes are so enjoyable that I forget I’m in class!
The programme definitely complements my MSc studies as David's teaching links some of the modules I have studied to real-time trading. My MSc modules have become clearer since taking the trading programme and the skills that I have gained consist of a deeper theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of financial markets. I have also learnt trading strategies on real-time simulated global markets. The programme will benefit me because by the time that I complete it, I will be able to trade for myself. Furthermore, it has exposed me to more career opportunities.
The School’s careers service is also very good. There are CV and application one-on-one sessions available every week, and many workshops with city professionals who give very good advice. Furthermore there are many careers events throughout the year which students can take advantage of.
I have always had a deep interest in financial markets and the people that participate in them. My knowledge however was not very advanced so I saw the Finance Trading Programme as a unique opportunity to learn. I also intend to apply for trading jobs. The programme modules, teaching, workshops, boot camps and research options have been engaging and thought provoking. In terms of my MSc Investment and Finance degree they have helped me to see how and when theory can be applied into practical trading strategy.
David Norman has taught me a range of trading skills such as basic technical analysis on charts, Scalp trading with packages such as X-trader, buying long and selling short on virtual trading sites to name a few. Most importantly he has given me the ability to use economic events and data on many credible internet sources to make well informed trading decisions that take into account risks.
The programme will definitely help me to become a trader if I decide that I want to go down that particular career path. It will also give me the option to use my own funds to generate a stream of income.
In addition to the Finance Trading Programme, the School is doing a lot to prepare me for the real world. There are many career events organised to provide students with first-hand accounts about job applications, day to day work in the city and the many career options available. In addition the lecturers teaching on the MSc programmes enrich their teaching with the experience they have had in the financial world.
The Finance Trading Programme is a success and a privilege to experience and hope that its success continues within the School of Economics and Finance.