Investment Advisory

The second-cycle studies in “Investment Advisory” aim to educate graduates who possess knowledge and an in-depth understanding of issues in the field of investment advisory and making investment decisions on financial markets, relating to the discipline of economics and finance, as well as in complementary disciplines such as management sciences and legal sciences.

The aim of the programme is to educate a graduate who has knowledge of the principles of creating and developing various forms of entrepreneurship, ready to act in an entrepreneurial manner both nationally and globally. The programme aims to educate a graduate who possesses the skills and competencies to identify, diagnose, and solve complex and atypical problems related to managerial decisions in an organization.

The studies aim to develop the ability to independently and collectively prepare studies concerning, among others, investing in financial markets, making investment decisions, modeling financial markets, managing finances of financial and non-financial entities, and effectively communicating these in both Polish and English. The goal of the programme is also to prepare the graduate for independent learning and knowledge updating, supporting others in this area, and preparing them to comply with and develop professional ethical standards.

Graduate Career Opportunities:

Graduates of this program will be able to work, among others, in:

• Financial sector enterprises such as banks, insurance companies, brokerage houses, and investment fund companies;

• Private non-financial sector companies of various sizes, including manufacturing, trading, and service businesses;

• Public sector institutions, for example, government administration bodies and public sector institutions;

• Specialized service entities, such as consulting firms or financial market regulatory institutions (e.g., the Polish Financial Supervision Authority – KNF);

• Independently running their own business activities.

Potential job positions include Fund Manager, Treasury Department Director/Manager, Finance Director/Manager, Broker, Investment Advisor, Bank Analyst, Insurance Analyst, Reporting Analyst, Financial Analyst, among others.

Graduates of the second-cycle studies are prepared for specialist roles (e.g., investment advisor, securities broker, financial analyst). After passing the relevant national or international exams and completing appropriate internships, graduates of the Investment Advisory program may obtain licenses to practice professions such as:

• Investment Advisor;

• Stockbroker;

• Certified Auditor;

• Tax Advisor;

• Insurance Agent or Broker;

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA);

• Financial Risk Manager (FRM);

• Professional Risk Manager (PRM);

• Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA);

• Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA).

The program also provides skills and knowledge useful for preparing for the following exams and certifications:

• Investment Advisor;

• Stockbroker;

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA);

• Financial Risk Manager (FRM);

• Professional Risk Manager (PRM);

• Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA).

Internships are not mandatory for the Investment Advisory program, but the Career and Alumni Office at the Faculty of Management, University of Warsaw, supports students interested in finding internship, traineeship, or job offers.

During their studies, students also have the opportunity to spend one or more semesters at another university through the ERASMUS+ program.

Students have the option to choose major subjects offered both in Polish and English. These courses provide an in-depth exploration of specific topics related to the capital market and finance, serving as an extension and deepening of the core compulsory major subjects. Examples of such courses include: Behavioral Aspects of Decision-Making in Financial Markets, Management of Financial Instruments in Commodity and Energy Markets, Technical Analysis, Fundamental Analysis, Investment Fund Management, Economic Analysis of Financial Institutions, Stock Market Crimes and Anti-Money Laundering, Machine Learning in Finance.

Courses offered in English include: Green Finance, Investment Banking, International Banking, International Finance. Within this module, students can select courses covering topics of their interest.

Classes in the “Investment Advisory” programme are conducted in the form of lectures, exercises, and workshops, and take place in computer labs as well as regular classrooms.

Graduate of the “Investment Advisory” programme will possess extensive knowledge of key issues related to investment decision-making (in accordance with national and international legal regulations) and financial management. They will also be equipped with knowledge in the areas of bond analysis and valuation, other debt instruments, equity instruments, derivatives, investment portfolio management, financial risk management and credit risk modelling, financial management and financial investments, market data management and financial market modelling, as well as accounting. They will be aware of the need to monitor legislative changes in the above-mentioned areas and to improve practical skills, including the use of IT tools useful in investment decision-making.

Graduate knowledge includes:

• Advanced research methodology and terminology in economics and finance as well as in complementary disciplines (management sciences and law).

• In-depth principles, procedures, and practices related to investment advisory and capital markets.

• Economic theories and models concerning the functioning of organizations and the entire economy, especially in areas related to investment advisory and capital markets.

• Legal regulations concerning the functioning of organizations and the economy, particularly in investment advisory and capital market functioning.

• Complex technological, social, political, legal, economic, and ecological processes and phenomena, including fundamental dilemmas of modern civilization and their impact on financial decisions in organizations, economy-wide functioning, and information system construction.

• Principles of industrial property protection and copyright law.

• Principles of creating and developing various forms of entrepreneurship on both national and global scales.

Graduate skills include the ability to:

• Apply theories from economics and finance and complementary disciplines (management sciences, quality sciences, law) to recognize, diagnose, and solve problems related to financial decisions in investment advisory and capital markets.

• Correctly interpret complex technological, social, political, legal, economic, and ecological processes and assess their impact on financial decisions in organizations and the economy as a whole.

• Select appropriate sources and adapt existing or develop new methods and tools, including advanced ICT techniques, to recognize, diagnose, and solve problems related to financial decisions in investment advisory and capital markets.

• Formulate and test hypotheses related to presented research problems.

• Propose solutions for tasks set in unpredictable conditions.

• Independently and collaboratively prepare analyses, diagnoses, and reports on complex and atypical problems related to investment advisory and capital markets in organizations; effectively present them to diverse audiences and conduct debates, including in English, using advanced IT communication tools.

• Use a foreign language at B2+ level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and specialist terminology in economics and finance, especially for financial management, investment advisory, and capital markets.

• Plan, organize, and lead teamwork, collaborate within teams, and take leadership roles in team activities.

• Develop the ability for self-education, enhance qualifications, and support others in this process.

Graduate social competencies include readiness to:

• Critically assess complex situations and phenomena related to investment advisory and capital markets within an organization.

• Recognize the importance and value of scientific knowledge in solving complex problems in investment advisory and capital markets, as well as seek expert opinions in this process.

• Initiate activities beneficial to the community, society, or environment, and promote actions for the common good.

• Think and act entrepreneurially on both national and global levels.

• Observe, enforce, and develop professional ethical standards and contribute to the development of the profession.