Alternative Investments

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• how alternative investments can be employed by investment managers to the needs of investors
• how to evaluate the performance of hedge funds and other alternative investments
• the concepts and market dynamics of hedge funds, commodity markets, private equity markets, real estate markets and responsible investing.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts of alternative investments
• demonstrate an appreciation for the importance of responsible investing

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate competence generally in numerical analysis and problem solving;
• demonstrate competence in written communication
• identify appropriate techniques and apply them to particular investment decisions

Introduction to Alternative Investments

Performance of Alternative Investments

Hedge Funds I

Hedge Funds II

Commodities and Managed Futures

Private Equity

Real Estate

Credit derivatives

Responsible Investment

Carbon Investment

Weekly lectures will provide an overview of the main issues arising in the module.

Weekly classes will supplement the lectures which will support student learning by providing opportunities for students to attempt, and gain feedback on, numerical and problem-solving exercises. You will also have the opportunity for both directed and non-directed independent reading.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

In-class activities

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Feedback from in-class activities will be provided in the classes and further feedback can be sought from the module leader during their office hours.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.