Oxford

Algorithmic
Trading
Programme
Gain an understanding of the rules that drive successful
algorithmic trading strategies.
The context of this programme
The global algorithmic trading market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of over 10% by 2020,
according to a market research report completed by Technavio’s analysts.1 Much of this current and predicted
growth in algorithmic trading is due to the many benefits that come with the predictive processes associated
with algorithmic trading. Algorithms and the algorithmic trading system allow for the automation of processes
previously needed to be followed by manual input of humans. By implementing successful algorithmic trading
strategies, the hours needed to conduct transactions are reduced, the possibility of human error is removed,
and subjective decision making is eliminated from the process.
1
Technavio

What the programme covers

Successful algorithmic trading, and trading
generally, relies on knowing and following
predefined trading rules, in addition to keeping
up with current and future trends in the algorithmic
trading sector, and the technologies used to facilitate
this growth. Over the course of this programme,
not only will you gain relevant algorithmic trading
skills and strategies, you’ll walk away with two sets
of rules created by Professor Nir Vulkan specifically
for this programme, to empower you in creating
and evaluating algorithmic trading models.
and discuss its applications with the guidance
of industry experts and Oxford Saïd faculty.
By the end of the programme, you’ll understand
what drives successful hedge funds, know
the methodologies used to model trading strategies
for different types of financial markets, and gain
the ability to decide whether a fund is worth investing
in based on key evaluation criteria.

£2,300
Due to high frequency trading algorithms,
transactions are occurring at a phenomenal
rate – making it impossible for a human trader
to keep up with them. On this online algorithmic 6 weeks
trading programme – from Saïd Business School, excluding orientation
University of Oxford – you’ll observe the use
of successful algorithmic trading models in practice; 8–10 hours/week of self-paced
confidently interpret the current state of systematic learning, entirely online*
trading; model trading strategies for different
financial markets, and build a trend model with
*Each module is released weekly, allowing a flexible but structured
expert guidance from Nir Vulkan. This trend
approach to learning. You’ll be supported as you engage in individual
model will be applied to a bitcoin use case for activities and group discussions, ensuring you feel confident to submit
real-world applicability, and you’ll verify its validity your best work at each weekly deadline.

OXFORD ALGORITHMIC TRADING PROGRAMME

Four key programme takeaways
Learn about the history of hedge
funds, as well as the evolution
of systematic trading over time.
Learn about future trends and
technologies in the algorithmic trading
platform sector, including roboadvisors,
AI, and machine learning.

A network of business leaders and A certificate of attendance from Saïd

innovators across the globe, with Business School, University of Oxford;
whom you’ll interact and collaborate powerful proof of your enhanced skills
throughout the programme. and thinking abilities.

Who should take this programme?

Whether you’re already in the trading and investment space, wanting to gain the skills required to develop
or implement your own algorithmic trading strategies, or a professional not currently familiar with
the algorithmic trading platform, this programme will be beneficial to you.

In addition to career or financial gains, this algorithmic trading programme will be of value to anyone
interested in hearing from industry leaders and top systematic trading academics about their views
on the key issues facing algorithmic systematic traders, as well as private and part-time traders who wish
to improve their trading abilities.

Upon successful completion of the algorithmic trading programme, you’ll receive verifiable proof of your
competencies through a credible certificate of attendance from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

In 2015, hedge funds almost doubled their

use of algorithmic trading in the forex market
resulting in 61% of their trades being made
using automated computer systems.
* BLOOMBERG

OXFORD ALGORITHMIC TRADING PROGRAMME

What you will learn
This online programme integrates rich, interactive media such
as videos, infographics, and digital learning activities as well
as traditional didactic components such as written study
guides (programme notes). There are also opportunities for
collaborative learning through discussion forums. The following
breakdown outlines, what will be covered over the 6-week
duration of the programme.

ORIENTATION MODULE
Welcome to your Online Campus
You’ll be welcomed with a personal call and get introduced
to your online teaching and technical support network. Begin
connecting with fellow participants while exploring the
navigation and tools of your Online Campus. Be alerted to key
milestones in the learning path, and review how your results will
be calculated and distributed.
Algorithmic trading is an
You’ll be required to complete your participant profile, confirm important and ever growing
your certificate delivery address, and submit a digital copy of part of investment banking
your passport/identity document.
and money management.
While being around since at
MODULE 1
least the late 80s it has grown
Introduction to classic and behavioural
finance theory dramatically in recent years
Review the fundamentals of classical and behavioural finance, with (1) better understanding
and how theoretical trading models are applied. of the behavioural finance
principles governing how
MODULE 2 investors actually make
Systematic trading and the state decisions and how markets
of the investment industry
respond to these decisions,
Interpret the historical and current state of systematic trading
as well as the key challenges and opportunities faced by and (2) the exponential
the industry. growth in computing power
and availability of data for
MODULE 3 algorithms to trade on.
Technical analysis and methods for trading – PROFESSOR NIR VULKAN,
system design ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS

Illustrate the methodologies used to model trading strategies ECONOMICS AT SAID BUSINESS SCHOOL,

PROGRAMME CONVENOR
for different types of financial markets.

OXFORD ALGORITHMIC TRADING PROGRAMME

MODULE 4
Building an algorithmic trading model WHAT IS OXFORD SAID?
Assess the efficacy of an algorithmic trading model within
a live environment or real-world market circumstance. Learn more about
SAID BUSINESS
MODULE 5 SCHOOL,
UNIVERSITY
Evaluation criteria for systematic models
and funds OF OXFORD
Decide whether a trading model or fund is worth investing
in based on key evaluation criteria.

MODULE 6
Future trends in algorithmic trading
Formulate a view on the relationship between emerging
technologies and the future of systematic trading.

Your certificate will be issued in your legal name and couriered to you, at no additional
cost, upon successful completion of the programme, as per the stipulated requirements.
All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at
the discretion of the University.

OXFORD ALGORITHMIC TRADING PROGRAMME

Who you’ll learn from
Your Programme Convenor
This subject matter expert from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford guides the programme
design and appears in a number of programme videos, along with a variety of industry professionals.

Professor Nir Vulkan

Associate Professor of Business Economics at Saïd Business School,
University of Oxford and a Fellow of Worcester College

Professor Nir Vulkan is a leading authority on e-commerce and market design, and on applied research
and teaching on hedge funds. He is the author of 2 books and over 40 articles in international journals in
all aspects of technology, economics and finance. He is also a systematic trader with over 17 years of
experience working with some of the world’s leading hedge funds. He often consults trading firms and
clearing firms on algorithmic trading and has helped set up a number of firms in this area.

He has been at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford since 2002 and served as the Director of
the Oxford Entrepreneurship Centre for 5 years during his time at the business school. He is also
Co-convenor of the Oxford Fintech Programme and the Oxford Blockchain Strategy Programme.

Guest Experts

Matthew Sargaison Martin Lueck Giovanni Daprà

Co-Chief Executive Officer Co-founder of Aspect Capital Co-founder and CEO
of Man AHL of MoneyFarm

Hans-Jörg von Mettenheim Ewan Kirk Anthony Ledford

Chair of Quantitative Finance CEO and Co-founder of Cantab Chief Scientist at Man AHL
and Risk Management at IPAG Capital Partners
Business School

Susi Gorbey Terri Duhon Daryl Cook

Director of Quantitative
Strategies Oversight
at Tudor Capital Europe LLP
OXFORD ALGORITHMIC TRADING PROGRAMME
Non-Executive Director Managing Director
of Morgan Stanley, Public and Portfolio Manager, Systems
Speaker, Educator, Finance Group at Tudor Investment
and Risk Expert Corporationand Risk Expert
 Stephen Roberts
Director of the Oxford-Man Institute of
Quantitative Finance and RAEng/Man
Professor of Machine Learning at the
University of Oxford
Stefan Zohren
Associate Professor at Oxford-Man Institute
of Quantitative Finance at the University
of Oxford,former Quantitative Strategist at
leading high-frequency-trading firms

Who you’ll learn with

Online, open enrolment programmes lend themselves to a broad international audience, and the Oxford Saïd
brand attracts business directors and aspirational leaders. Throughout this programme, you’ll engage
and interact with a global cohort of likeminded professionals and innovators. As a result, you’ll walk away with:

• An international network of likeminded business leaders and innovators

• The ability to collaborate with diverse professionals, and to see strategic opportunities or threats
from multiple perspectives
• Access to the official Oxford Executive Education Alumni group on LinkedIn*

*T his is an official Saïd Business School, University of Oxford alumni group for all open, online and executive programmes. Should you fail
to successfully complete the programme, group access will be revoked.

Your Success Team

GetSmarter, with whom Saïd Business School, University of Oxford is collaborating to deliver
this programme, provide a personalised approach to online education which ensures you’re supported
throughout your learning journey.

Programme Convenor Success Manager Global Success Team

A subject expert Your one-on-one support available Available 24/7 to solve
who’ll guide you during University hours (8am - 5pm your tech-related
through content- UTC/GMT +1) to resolve technical and administrative
related challenges and administrative challenges queries and concerns

OXFORD ALGORITHMIC TRADING PROGRAMME

How you’ll learn
Every programme is broken down into manageable,
weekly modules, designed to accelerate your
learning process through diverse learning activities:
• Work through your downloadable and online
instructional material
• Interact with your peers and learning facilitators
through weekly class-wide forums and small
group discussions
• Enjoy a wide range of interactive content, including
video lectures, infographics, live polls, and more
• Investigate rich, real-world case studies
• A pply what you learn each week to quizzes
and ongoing project submissions, culminating
in a certificate of attendance from Saïd Business
School, University of Oxford
Technical Requirements
Basic requirements
To complete a programme, you’ll need a current
email account and access to a computer and
the internet, as well as a PDF reader and Excel.
You may need to view Microsoft PowerPoint
presentations, and read and create documents
in Microsoft Word, or similar programmes.
OXFORD ALGORITHMIC TRADING PROGRAMME
Browser requirements
We recommend that you use Google Chrome
as your internet browser when accessing
the Online Campus. Although this is not a
requirement, we have found that this browser
performs best for ease of access to programme
material. This browser can be downloaded here.
Additional requirements
Certain programmes may require additional
software and resources. These additional software
and resource requirements will be communicated
to you upon registration and/or at the beginning
of the programme. Please note that Google, Vimeo,
and YouTube may be used in our programme
delivery, and if these services are blocked in
your jurisdiction, you may have difficulty in
accessing programme content. Please check with
a Programme Consultant before registering for this
programme if you have any concerns about this
affecting your experience with the Online Campus.
A powerful collaboration
Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford is collaborating with online education provider, GetSmarter,
to create a new class of learning experience – one that is immersive, collaborative, and designed
for optimal accessibility for the busy working professional.

About Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Saïd Business School blends the best of new and old. Deeply embedded in an 800-year-old world-class
University, Oxford Saïd strives to educate people for successful business careers. As a community,
Oxford Saïd seeks to use business acumen and global networks to address long-horizon phenomena like
demographic change, new technologies and natural resource scarcity. Saïd Business School is committed
to delivering cutting-edge education and ground-breaking research that transforms individuals, organisations,
business practice and society.

About GetSmarter
GetSmarter, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 2U, Inc., is a digital education company that partners with
the world’s leading universities to select, design and deliver premium online short courses with
a data-driven focus on learning gain. 

Technology meets academic rigour in our people-mediated model which enables lifelong learners across
the globe to obtain industry-relevant skills that are certified by the world’s most reputable academic
institutions. 

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford certificate of attendance

Upon successful completion of the programme, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance from Oxford Saïd
as powerful proof of the enhanced skills and thinking abilities you’ve developed.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. To be

issued with a Saïd Business School, University of Oxford certificate of attendance you’ll need to meet
the requirements outlined in the programme handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as
soon as you begin the programme.

Your certificate of attendance will be issued in your legal name and couriered to you at no additional cost.
All certificate of attendance images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at
the discretion of the University.

OXFORD ALGORITHMIC TRADING PROGRAMME

Oxford Algorithmic
Trading Programme
Gain the skills you need to reach your financial potential with a world-leading
business school and industry experts.

REGISTER NOW

CONTACT US
UK: +44 20 3457 5774 | US: +1 224 249 3522
GLOBAL: +27 21 447 7565
EMAIL: admissions@getsmarter.com