CFA Refresher and Consolidation Course II
| Module title | CFA Refresher and Consolidation Course II |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEF3111DA |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Mohamed Elshinawy () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 6 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 8 |
|---|
Module description
This module is intended to refresh and consolidate the theoretical and practical concepts learnt in Stage 1 and 2 for the Financial Services Professional Degree Apprenticeship students. CFA Institute updates the curriculum regularly to ensure that topics are relevant for investment management practitioners and that changes reflect actual practice. The aim is to identify the core competencies and the changes in the updated CFA Program and the latest curriculum. The module summarises key CFAâ?¯Program curriculum updates that reflect the practical knowledge and skills you need in today’s investment industry. Topics will include updates in the latest CFAcurriculum for the following areas: portfolio management, equity investments, fixed income, derivatives and alternative investments.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to help you stay informed about the evolution of investment management and foster professionalism through continuing education. Any update in the latest CFA syllabus will be discussed. You should be able to recognise the modern treatment of core topics in investments.
This module covers the latest readings in the evolution of financial services into a profession, the expectations for asset management professionals, and the challenges facing the profession.
The module addresses new content that acknowledge the varied needs and mandates of investors, covering products and strategies currently used in professional practice. An overview on the structure of the global asset management industry, examining major client segments and investment product types, will be provided. Several macro industry trends shaping the future of the asset management industry are also explored.
The module explains in detail any new knowledge that is not covered in the prior curriculum and provides students with a clear understanding of what is expected of them as CFA charter-holders. The module takes a broader approach to the topics covered in the CFA curriculum, including real-world applications for how precise financial analysis can drive investment decision making. The overall consolidation of the module provides insights for improved decision making in investment management.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Evaluate expectations of and challenges for investment management professionals
- 2. Appraise the elements of effective investment governance
- 3. Describe the types of income and costs associated with owning and managing aportfolio and their potential effects on portfolio performance
- 4. Assess elements of a mangers investment philosophy that influence the portfolio construction process
- 5. Discuss how assets under management, position size, market liquidity and portfolio turnover affect portfolio construction decisions
- 6. Identify key aspects of updated financial regulations of financial institutions
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Evaluate the potential benefits of shareholder engagement and the role an equity manager might play in shareholder engagement
- 8. Discus risk measures that are incorporated in a portfolio construction and describe how limits set on these measures affect portfolio construction
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Develop a sound knowledge of the investment management products, and their features and benefits, relevant to your role
- 10. Understand the impact the external environment has on Financial Services as appropriate to your role, together with relevant best practice.
- 11. Identify opportunities to drive higher performance and improve service/processes delivered, including sharing and looking outside of your team for best practice
Syllabus plan
-
Equity investments
-
Fixed Income
-
Derivatives
-
Alternative Investments
-
Portfolio Management
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 126 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 24 | Online lectures and seminars |
| Guided independent study | 126 | Reading and research, web-based activities |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mock Exam | 2-hour exam | 1-11 | Marks and feedback |
| Online Discussion | Online discussion contributions | 1-11 | Online discussion feedback from peers and lecturer |
| Weekly online practices | MCQ exercises | 1-11 | Correct answers on ELE |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 100 | 2-hour written exam | 1-11 | Marks and feedback on ELE |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 2-hour written exam | 1-11 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral- if you have been deferred for any assessment, you will be expected to complete relevant deferred assessments as determined by the Mitigation Committee. The mark given for reassessment taken because of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral-if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%), you will be required to undertake reassessments as described in the table above for any of the assessments you failed. The mark given for a reassessment taken because of referral will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- CFA Program Curriculum Level 1
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 14/03/2019 |
| Last revision date | 08/10/2024 |
