ICMA Centre
University of Reading

The ICMA Centre, University of Reading has an international reputation for providing quality undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education tailored to the capital markets industry. The Centre’s success is based not only on the integration of applied finance theory and industry specific training but also its considerable professional and academic expertise, and strong links with companies and trade associations in the global finance industry.

The state-of-the-art facilities include two dealing rooms where students learn how markets really function and apply theory through simulations. The Centre also boasts a 120-seat lecture theatre, several seminar rooms, informal seating area, café bar, Bloomberg TV and wireless broadband.

Dealing Rooms
The ICMA Centre was the first business school in Europe to have a dealing room facility of this kind and is still the only university with a facility on such a scale. In 1994 a 20 terminal dealing room was opened and then on completion of the new building in 1998 a further two dealing rooms (Reuters I and II) opened with 62 workstations running Reuters, Bloomberg and Datastream products. The ICMA Centre will soon be the largest non-investment bank Reuters populated facility in the world when a further 50 workstation flagship dealing room is completed in October 2008, giving a total of 112 workstations, which is the size of a medium sized investment bank’s dealing floor.

Set to expand
Due to the great success of the Centre and growth in demand for our programmes from a worldwide audience ICMA are investing a further £5million expansion to the building which will include the additional 50 seat dealing room, a 170 seat lecture theatre as well as new seminar rooms and a dedicated research area. The new building is expected to be open for students at the start of the 2008 academic session.

Taught Programmes
• MSc International Securities, Investment and Banking
• MSc Investment Management
• MSc Financial Risk Management
• MSc Capital Markets, Regulation and Compliance
• MSc Finance and Real Estate
• MSc Corporate Finance*
• MSc Financial Engineering*
All degrees are available on a full-time, flexible and distance learning basis with the exception of the last two which are subject to validation by the University of Reading*.

MSc International Securities, Investment and Banking
Widely regarded as one of the leading applied finance programmes in Europe, this degree has been specifically designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the challenging field of investment banking or any area of securities trading or analysis. As well as the generic syllabus students also have the opportunity to choose one of two specialisms depending on their career aspirations: Trading and Asset Management or Quantitative Finance. Available on a full-time, flexible and distance learning basis.

MSc Investment Management
The investment management industry has become the largest and fastest growing sector of financial services globally. This degree provides comprehensive academic knowledge coupled with applied industry knowledge with modules covering current topics in the industry. As a one of only eight CFA Program Partner® institutions in Europe, our students also prepare to take CFA Level I at the end of their academic year. This combination of dedicated academic study and parallel professional study provides an excellent preparation for a career in this field. Available on a full-time, flexible and distance learning basis.

MSc Financial Risk Management
There is a huge demand for properly qualified graduates in this field of finance. This innovative MSc provides a combination of the practical and the specialised knowledge required for this challenging profession. Known as an international centre of excellence for research and teaching in this area, the Centre also enjoys strong links with the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA). The course is aligned with the PRMIA Handbook and we prepare students to take the PRM qualification alongside their degree studies. Available on a full-time, flexible and distance learning basis.

MSc Capital Markets, Regulation and Compliance
This degree fills a gap in the market for a course which provides the specialist skills which are in such demand in the fast growing area of compliance. Developed in collaboration with NASD and having the strong support of the investment banking community, this degree covers a wide range of European, US and international issues. After covering traditional market and investment modules, students focus on the specifics of problems and issues surrounding the need to comply with regulation in modern investment banks and financial institutions. The degree is designed to equip participants for a career with investment banks, regulatory organisations and other financial institutions. Available on a full-time, flexible and distance learning basis.

MSc Finance and Real Estate
This degree has been developed to meet the demand for a postgraduate course which prepares students for careers in real estate divisions of investment banks and other financial institutions. The course covers the analysis and appraisal of traditional assets before moving on to the distinctive features of real estate portfolios and their management. This course has been developed in conjunction with the Real Estate & Planning department, which is the one of the top five real estate departments in Europe. Combining both quantitative competence and institutional application this degree arms students with the theoretical and practical skills needed to specialise in one of the fastest growing sectors of modern investment. Available on a full-time, flexible and distance learning basis.

Research Degrees
The Centre is seeking to award several Doctoral studentships starting in October 2007 and would like to receive proposals in various areas of finance including asset pricing, corporate finance, corporate governance, credit risk, equity and futures markets, football finance, hedge funds, hedging strategies, high frequency econometrics, historical finance, market microstructure, pension schemes, quantitative finance, and portfolio management and performance assessment

Fees
See our website for details.

Scholarships
Several ICMA Centre scholarships of up to £10,000 for all the MSc programmes are available to those with excellent academic credentials who are likely to excel in their studies.

Career Opportunities
Our career development specialists offer a unique personalised service for all students utilizing our strong relationships with firms in the industry. We have an excellent placement record - our graduates have achieved success in securing employment with major companies such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, UBS Investment Bank, Barclays Capital and many more.

Postgraduate Community
To date, over 2000 individuals have graduated from the Centre’s programmes and are pursuing successful careers with leading institutions in all the major financial centres worldwide. The ICMA Centre manages a very successful global alumni community facilitating career opportunities.

Entry Requirements
MSc: Undergraduate degree: Minimum 2:1 honours degree or equivalent.
Degree discipline: Any, but an existing level of proficiency in numeracy.
English: If your native language is not English, then proof of your competency is required.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test): Recommended but not essential.

Application procedure
MSc/PhD: By printed application form or online application process.

Accommodation
There is a high standard and wide range of university accommodation available both on and off campus.

Contact for Further Information
Samantha Heslop
Admissions Officer
ICMA Centre, University of Reading
Whiteknights
PO Box 242
Reading
RG6 6BA
UK
Tel: +44 (0)118 378 8239
Fax: +44 (0)118 931 4741
Visit us on the web: www.icmacentre.ac.uk
Contact us via email: postgrad@icmacentre.ac.uk
Please quote ref: PG073