Sheffield Hallam University, in partnership with leading EdTech firm OSTC, have today announced the launch of a new Masters-level course, aimed at post-graduate students who wish to pursue a career as a trader within financial markets.
The world-leading course, commencing in September 2021 and open for applications for the next academic year, is designed to allow students to attain the highest level of professional competence in the field of financial trading, including allowing students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to function competently as a derivatives trader.
The course merges the theory underpinning financial markets with vocational and practical elements designed to give students meaningful experience in the day-to-day life of a market trader. This merged approach means that students will have the opportunity to practically apply theoretical knowledge to the practice of trading futures and options actively within financial markets.
The blend of theoretical and vocational skills means that graduates of the course will have the opportunity to develop capabilities that are highly valued by employers, including communication, problem solving and research, as well as the core skills and knowledge around trading and financial markets.
The launch follows the success of the undergraduate BSc (Hons) in Financial Trading and Investment Management, previously launched by Sheffield Hallam and OSTC in 2018. The course has seen student uptake increase by over 400% in the three years since its launch.
Students attending finance courses at Sheffield Hallam University reported a 92% satisfaction rate and 90% were recorded to go on to work or further study within 15 months of the course ending.
In addition, Sheffield Hallam and OSTC plan to accept applications for the “Dean’s Scholarship” – a fully funded place on the course for a successful female applicant, with a view to opening careers in financial markets trading up to more women, a historically underrepresented group within the sector.
“We know that, now more than ever, employees both within the financial trading space and beyond, value recruits with a strong grounding in not only the theoretical elements their role requires, but also in the practical elements needed to do their jobs,” explains Damion Taylor, Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
“This new degree offering, delivered by our ZISHI learning brand, will provide students with the chance to develop those theoretical and practical skills hand in hand, while they study. Our goal is to provide students with the vital skills and competencies they need to step directly from study to the world of work.”
“This course breaks entirely new ground within the trading education space, by delivering a blend of theoretical and vocational training at a high level and builds on the success of our existing undergraduate offering” explains Robert Russell, Global Head of Professional Qualifications at OSTC.
In the current, competitive job market it is more vital than ever that graduates enter the workplace with the vital skills employers are looking for, allowing them to hit the ground running and get a leg up on their competition at the start of their career. We know from experience that our approach of merging theoretical and vocational training caters directly to this need, and we look forward to bringing the benefits of this course to a new intake of postgraduate students.”
