Python in Finance Curriculum

An easy-to-follow introduction to Python coding in finance that will quickly equip you with the coding skills you need to start writing useful code in Python at work.

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Curriculum

1 – Basics

  • Jupyter Notebook Introduction

  • Variables

  • Python Functions

  • Data Types

  • Operators (arithmetic, comparison, Boolean)

2 – Data Structures

  • Tuples

  • Lists

  • Sets

  • Indexing and Slicing

3 – Language Structures

  • Range Function

  • For Loop

  • While Loop

  • If Statement

  • User-defined Functions

4 – Advanced Python Features

  • List Comprehension

  • Lambdas

5 – Pandas for Data Analysis

  • Dataframe Basics

  • Data Import/Export

  • Indexing, and Slicing Data

  • Access Methods

  • Date Columns, and Arithmetic

  • Data Manipulation

  • Handling Missing Values

  • Delimited Data

  • Merging Dataframes

  • Dataframe Arithmetic Operations

  • Data Aggregation

6 – Visualisation Using Matplotlib

  • Line Chart

  • Bar Chart

  • Histogram

  • 3D Plotting

7 – Basic Financial Calculations with Pandas

  • Moneyness Computation

  • Forward Filling, Backward Filling

  • Linear Interpolation Using Specific Index

8 – Financial Computing with NumPy, and SciPy

  • Arrays

  • Arrays Mathematics

  • Array Operations

  • Indexing, and Slicing

  • Black Scholes Option Pricer

  • Monte Carlo Pricing (Pure Python)

  • Monte Carlo Pricing (NumPy)

  • Sensitivities (Greeks) Computation

  • Vectorised Black Scholes Option Pricer

  • Implied Volatility Surface Generation

  • Value at Risk (VaR) estimation

  • Newton Iteration

  • Altman Iteration

9 – Python Projects (Financial Applications)

  • Residual Risk Add On (RRAO) capital

  • PnL Attribution Test (PLAT) – Spearman correlation, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test

  • Scenario Generation

  • Sensitivities Based Method (SBM)

  • Risk Factor Eligibility Test

  • Value at Risk
  • Expected Shortfall

  • Timeseries imputation

  • Vanilla option pricing

  • Exotic option pricing

  • Stress testing

  • Back testing
  • Volatility surface construction
  • Monte Carlo stock price simulation (geometric brownian motion)

10 – Project (for FinBA students only)

At the end of the cohort, students will build Python programs with financial applications, using the skills acquired during the course.

Our Alumni Get Great Jobs

Graduates of our training programs secure employment with some of the most prestigious financial employers in locations across the globe. Many financial institutions sponsor their employees. More...

Become a highly skilled, highly paid professional in investment banking

Whether you’re new to finance/coding, adding more skills, or advancing your career, our training programs will prepare you for your ideal job.

Focused curricula

Each of our courses focuses on delivering only the specific knowledge you need to pass the toughest interviews, land your coveted role, and succeed in your career.

Learn from experts

Our courses are developed/taught directly by industry-leading implementation experts and thought leaders.

No finance or coding experience required

Beginner, novice or intermediate, whatever your level, you don’t need to have prior knowledge of finance or programming as all our courses are taught from foundations.

Practical learning

You won't just study the theory. Our training programs are heavily practical by design. You will learn by doing - by undertaking the type of work you will likely be doing on the job.

Coding projects

You will learn the highly sought-after programming languages of Python & SQL and then actually write the code needed to build 10+ prototypes of the kind of systems every investment bank uses.

Live teaching sessions

You will join a live web session every week where you can talk directly to the expert instructor, and other students for one-to-one and group support.

Certification

You will overcome the catch-22 hurdle of eligibility by earning a globally recognised official certificate from Financial Risk Hub that demonstrates your competence to potential employers.

CPD credits - CFA, FRM, & PRM

You can consolidate your professional quantitative finance & risk analytics credentials by earning credits from leading industry organisations such as the CFA Institute, GARP and PRMIA.

Professional recruiters

You will gain exclusive access to specialist investment banking recruiters to help you advance your career and land a high-paying role.

Go from Job Search to Job Success

We provide access to a wide variety of career services and support to help you secure your next role after successfully completing the program.

CV/resume help (FinBA program only)

You will be assigned a dedicated professional investment banking recruiter, specialising in Risk & Quant Finance, who will work 1-1 with you to tailor your existing CV/resume.

Leverage our network (FinBA program only)

We foster personal introductions to our network of potential hiring managers and recruiters, to help our students based in London, Toronto, NY/Boston/Chicago/Dallas, and Sydney/Melbourne get connected to the right people.

Job search support

You will receive invaluable guidance on how to navigate the complex recruitment landscape and conduct a smart search for your first or next role in investment banking.

Interview prep

You will be provided a comprehensive set of common interview questions and framework for how to answer them. In addition, we will train you on the mindset and approach needed to ace interviews at any investment bank.



Our Taught Courses

Market Risk

Gain in-demand, specialised knowledge on financial products and risk analytics on a hands-on course with an opportunity to qualify for GARP/PRMIA/CFA Institute CPD credits.

Python in Finance

Learn one of the most popular programming languages in the financial industry - highly sought-after by employers.

SQL in Finance

Learn one of the most important programming languages in finance - Structured Query Language (SQL) for data storage, analysis and manipulation.

Counterparty Credit Risk (BONUS)

Get a solid introduction to counterparty credit risk, one of the key financial risks an investment bank faces, in a session led by Professor Johannes Ruf (London School of Economics).

Testimonials

“Your Python training materials are easy for anyone to follow even if you have zero programming experience. You are very good at explaining things in a simple manner.”

Tatsiana H
Vice President (Front Office), Goldman Sachs

“The material you are covering is excellent and very relevant for those wanting to work in finance.”

Prof. John Hull
University of Toronto

“The CV/resume building and interview preparation tips I received were instrumental. I was offered a new job at TD Bank within weeks of completing the program.”

Oyebola S
Royal Bank of Canada

“The practical approach of the course will help anyone just starting out in investment banking or looking to transition.”

Bolade O, CFA
Credit Suisse

“I truly recommend the program. I secured a new role in Traded Risk shortly after completing the Coding (Python, SQL) in Finance Certificate program.”

Iwona D
HSBC

“The program is provided in a practical context which helps to immediately ready anyone successful in completing the course for employment in investment banking.”

Nicole S
UBS

“I had no prior knowledge of finance. This hands-on program encouraged me to apply for BA roles in IBs, and it gave me a real confidence boost in job interviews. I now work as a Senior Business Analyst.”

Sam N
TD Asset Management

“I started applying my new Python skills at work while still in the program. The project-based work helped build my confidence at writing code to solve problems.”

Daniel C
UBS

“The competitively priced FinBA program is a highly relevant, practical augmentation to any mathematical finance program. Consider it a must-have.”

Taiwo R
Quant Analyst & MFE Graduate

“I cannot fully express how great Ola is and the overall content of the training program. Whoever wants to gain practical derivatives, SQL, and Python coding experience this is the right program for you.”

Jelena P
Ponce Bank

“The program is a crisp recipe for anyone interested in launching a career into FO/Risk Management. The course content is recent, relevant, practical and hands-on.”

Kinshuk P
Quantitative Analyst, Moody's

“The online recordings and the live teaching sessions were amazing. The course material was really good and in a nutshell. Ola did a great job.”

Michael M, PhD, CQF
DataMain (Financial Services Consultancy)

“Ola was very generous in connecting me with those in his network, which has helped me start my career in a technical data role. I would highly recommend the program to anyone interested in pursuing a career in financial services.”

Ali A
Cinchy

“This is a great course providing the essentials of market risk & coding in investment banking in a clear manner. It also includes guest speakers covering career progression and new developments in the financial world. It's given me the knowledge I needed to advance my career.”

Andrew L
Financial Recovery Technologies

“Participants of this program will benefit from Ola's wealth of knowledge. They are sure to acquire the hands-on skillset required to excel in the industry.”

Raj M
Vice President, Market Risk, Deutsche Bank

“Knowing Ola Alawiye as a seasoned professional, I am confident this sound program will produce the kind of professionals required in solution delivery teams at banks.”

Steve L
Managing Director, Market Risk, Bank of Montreal

“There is certainly a need in the market - from our investment banking clients - for professionals with the specialised skillset that this program offers.”

Dan L
Professional Recruiter, Financial Services