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Subject overview


STUDY MODE

100% online

AQF LEVEL

9

NEXT INTAKE

13 Jan 2025

SUBJECT DURATION

12 weeks

SUBJECT FEE

$2,600.00


This subject focuses on derivative products and markets; an area which has grown in size over the past century, with the value of derivatives exposures now dwarfing that of stock and bond exposures. The subject examines market structure, participants and the products used for managing risk and/or trading for profit. Students analyse, price and trade forwards, futures, swaps and options. The subject examines key markets for these contracts including derivative exposures over equities, interest rates, foreign exchange and commodities.

This subject contributes to the investment analysis specialisation.

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Subject information

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, individuals should be able to:

  • Assess the different types of derivative securities and instruments.
  • Analyse the structure, processing and regulatory framework of derivatives markets.
  • Value derivative exposures and construct options trading strategies.
  • Construct hedging, arbitrage and speculative trading strategies using equity derivatives.
  • Construct hedging, arbitrage and speculative trading strategies using short and long-term interest rate derivatives.
  • Construct hedging, arbitrage and speculative trading strategies using FX and commodity derivatives.

 

Topics covered

  1. Introduction to derivative securities and instruments
  2. Trading in derivatives
  3. Pricing of forwards, futures and swaps
  4. Options pricing
  5. Options trading and strategies
  6. Equity derivatives
  7. Interest rate derivatives- short-term
  8. Interest rate derivatives- long-term
  9. FX derivatives
  10. Commodities

Reading list

There is no prescribed text for this subject. Individuals are provided with key readings and access to Kaplan Professional’s online databases. Individuals are encouraged to research and read widely on the topic.

Reading list

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessedWeighting
Assignment 1Week 420%
Assignment 2Week 840%
Assignment 3Week 1240%

Previous study requirements

Assumed knowledge

Kaplan Professional assumes that individuals have completed FIN251 Fixed Income Securities or understand the content covered in this subject, prior to undertaking FIN351 Derivative Markets.

Course transition subject equivalence

Individuals may not be required to complete this subject if they have transitioned from a SIA/Finsia/Kaplan course and have completed the following subjects within the course completion timeframe:

  • E112 Futures Markets and Trading
  • E113 Options Markets and Trading
  • FIN229 Options Markets and Trading
  • FIN329 Futures and Options Markets and Trading

Key dates

Study Period 6 2024

30 Sep 2024 - 17 Jan 2025

❌ Enrolments now closed

Early access opens 30 September 2024

Early access to assessments 14 October 2024

Study period commences 28 October 2024

Enrolments close/census 13 November 2024

Study period ends 17 January 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 1 2025

16 Dec 2024 - 4 Apr 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 16 December 2024

Early access to assessments 30 December 2024

Study period commences 13 January 2025

Enrolments close/census 29 January 2025

Study period ends 4 April 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 2 2025

10 Feb 2025 - 30 May 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 10 February 2025

Early access to assessments 24 February 2025

Study period commences 10 March 2025

Enrolments close/census 26 March 2025

Study period ends 30 May 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 3 2025

7 Apr 2025 - 25 Jul 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 7 April 2025

Early access to assessments 21 April 2025

Study period commences 5 May 2025

Enrolments close/census 21 May 2025

Study period ends 25 July 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 4 2025

2 Jun 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 2 June 2025

Early access to assessments 16 June 2025

Study period commences 30 June 2025

Enrolments close/census 16 July 2025

Study period ends 19 September 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 5 2025

25 Aug 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 28 July 2025

Early access to assessments 11 August 2025

Study period commences 25 August 2025

Enrolments close/census 10 September 2025

Study period ends 14 November 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 6 2025

27 Oct 2025 - 16 Jan 2026

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 29 September 2025

Early access to assessments 13 October 2025

Study period commences 27 October 2025

Enrolments close/census 12 November 2025

Study period ends 16 January 2026

Assessment dates See assessment information

Fees and FEE-HELP

Enrolment feesFee
Subject fee 2024$2,600 (GST free)

Note: If this subject is undertaken as a standalone subject, no FEE-HELP is available.

FEE-HELP is available for individuals undertaking this subject as part of a qualification. Click here to find out if you’re eligible.

Click here for a full list of fees and allowances.

Subject enhancements

We are pleased to announce that the following enhancement has been made to this subject:

  • Exam assessment has been replaced with a short-answer, scenario-based assignment.

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