The Graduate Diploma in Finance at ISBF offers a potent combination of financial theory and practice, preparing students for a career in the financial sector at an international level. The programme provides comprehensive knowledge of risk assessment, asset pricing, investment analysis and financial reporting. The course structure emphasises the use of quantitative tools to interpret and solve market challenges. Students develop a mastery of the discipline, enabling them to succinctly answer questions like:

How did the 2007-08 subprime mortgage crisis in the USA precipitate a bank run and subsequent bankruptcy of Northern Rock, a British bank?
What is the link between the collapse of Enron, an energy company, and Arthur Andersen, once a ‘Big Five’ accounting firm? How has it shaped global financial reporting standards?
If financial markets are efficient, does this mean that mutual funds can never outperform the market?
Does the well-documented ‘January Effect’, where stock returns outperform markets in January, mean that financial markets are inefficient?

ISBF attracts students from the some of the best undergraduate programmes in the country. We have graduates from Delhi University colleges such as Shri Ram College of Commerce, Lady Shri Ram college, Jesus and Mary College, Hindu College and Sri Venkateswara College; Delhi Technological University; St Xavier’s College, Mumbai; IIT, Roorkee; and Christ College, Bengaluru. Our students have gone on to pursue Masters degrees at international universities, or are working with some of the leading firms in the financial sector, across the globe.

Why study at ISBF?

ISBF is one of the select few Affiliate Centres of the University of London International programmes worldwide.
London School of Economics (LSE) is responsible for academic direction of the programme. The faculty at LSE formulates the syllabus, develops the study material, sets examination papers, and marks the scripts of ISBF students.
Most US and Canadian Universities accept this qualification as the 16th year of education.
Proven track record of students getting Masters offers from prestigious institutions such LSE, Oxford, and University of Warwick.
One-year international work placements in London and New York with leading investment banks.
ISBF students have been placed with reputed firms like S&P Capital IQ, Ernst & Young, Citibank, and many more.

Are You Ideal for this Course?

You are, if:

You have a deep rooted curiosity about global financial systems and events.
You would love to exploit your knowledge of mathematics and statistics to interpret financial theory.
You have an analytical bent of mind and have had your fill of rote learning.
You aim to pursue higher studies in Finance or its related disciplines from a prestigious international university in UK or USA.
You aspire to pursue a career in the diverse and dynamic world of finance, in areas such as:
- Investment Management
- Investment Banking
- Retail and Commercial Banking
- Private Wealth Management/Financial Advisory Services
- Institutional Sales/Relationship Management
- Risk Management
- Credit Rating

“What if I don’t have a Accounting/Finance background?” You can apply for this programme even without prior knowledge of accounting/finance, provided you have a flair for numbers.

Graduate Destinations

Here’s an indicative list of the educational and professional pursuits our students are engaged in, after completion of the programme:

Sakshi Sood

Research Analyst at S&P Capital IQ

Sukriti Roy

MS in Economics, University of North Carolina, USA

Ayush Sud

Financial Analyst, Mergers and Acquisitions at Ernst and Young (E&Y)

Sarthak Jain

MSc Corporate Finance at Cass Business School, UK

Muskaan Abi

Financial Analyst at Copal Partners

Shreya Prakash

Analyst at Ameriprise Financials

Sharad Khullar

One year international work placement as equity trading support at UBS Investment Bank, London

Note: The Graduate Diploma in Finance is awarded by the University of London, and so it uses the terminology prevalent in the UK, where “undergraduate” students are those who are pursuing their first degree after high school (Class XII), while “graduate” students are those who have completed undergraduate studies and are pursuing a higher qualification. The equivalent Indian nomenclature is “graduate” and “postgraduate”, respectively; this explains how the Graduate Diploma in Finance is actually a postgraduate qualification as per Indian terminology, because only students with undergraduate degrees are eligible to pursue it.

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Course Structure

The course focuses on creating a strong conceptual foundation in financial theory. We also emphasise upon understanding the quantitative tools and frameworks being used in the industry. The curriculum includes modules on banking and finance, financial reporting, valuation and security analysis, and corporate finance. This combination of modules qualifies our students to take up specialised opportunities in financial analysis, securities valuation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and several other divisions across the financial services industry.

Diploma in Finance Syllabus

Asset Pricing and Financial Markets

This course will equip you with sound knowledge of the working of financial markets, and delve deep into the pricing of its assets and instruments.

The topics covered include:

Efficient markets – theory and evidence
Risk and return
Mean-variance analysis
Portfolio diversification
Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
Arbitrage
Derivatives: properties and pricing
Futures, forwards, swaps and options

Financial Reporting

This module is concerned with theory and practice of financial accounting. This involves sound understanding of the concepts and choices that underline measurement and disclosure in financial statements. The objective of this module is to stimulate an enquiry into financial accounting issues, understanding alternative approaches to presentation of financial reports. Topics covered include:

The rational for financial reporting
Conceptual framework for financial reporting
Income measurement and capital maintenance
Historical cost accounting (HCA) and accounting for change in price/value
Accounting for:
- – Groups and foreign currencies
- – Tangible non-current assets
- – Intangible assets: goodwill and R&D
- – Inventories and construction contracts
- – Equity and liabilities
Accounting for taxation
Analysis and interpretation of financial reports

Principles of Corporate Finance

As the name suggests, this module provides an understanding of the key principles and elements of finance for any business or corporation.

Topics covered include:

Project valuation
Factor models
Asymmetric information and agency costs
Capital structure
Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)
Leverage
Modigliani-Miller 2nd Proposition
Dividend theory
Corporate Governance
Mergers and acquisitions

Valuation and Security Analysis

This module provides insight and understanding of security analysis and valuation. It covers three broad areas: financial analysis, security valuation, and returns to fundamental and technical analysis. Topics covered include:

Introduction to financial statements.
The framework of analysis – Industry analysis
Financial analysis – Performance evaluation
Security valuation: free cash flow, residual earnings, etc.
Implication of price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios
Financial information and stock prices
Financial analysis of mergers & acquisitions
Credit analysis and distress predictions
Measuring returns to active investment strategies
Returns to fundamental analysis
Returns to technical analysis

Note: The programme structure and curriculum are subject to change as per University of London regulations.