Diploma in Investment Management
Introduction:
The Diploma in Investment Management (DIVM) is an undergraduate academic programme that leverages on a unique learning opportunity in the combined disciplines of Accounting, Law, Finance and Management. Students pursuing the programme will be exposed both to the rich tradition and rigour of the investment, as well as to the state-of-the-art technologies used in the fields of economics, management, marketing, finance and insurance. As such, graduates of the programme are expected to be competent to handle not only the common investment transactional matters but as well to assist the investment analyst in managing investment reports.
The DIVM is conducted over the period of 2 1/2-years on a semester basis (Five long and two short semesters). Given such academic exposure, graduates of the DIVM, therefore, would be in advantage position to find career opportunities not only in the traditional investment and the government sector, but more importantly, in the private and corporate sector. As for the latter career opportunities, graduates are most encouraged to join our Bachelor in Investment Management (Honour) program in order to get the maximum exemption of 30 credits.
Academic Requirement:
| Total Credit |
: |
|
| Compulsory / Core |
: |
90 |
| Electives |
: |
None |
Course Duration:
| Total Semester |
: |
5 Full Semesters and 2 Short Semesters |
| Duration |
: |
2 1/2 Years |
Intakes:
| Major Intake |
: |
March, May, November |
Core Subject Description:
o Principles of Finance - This course emphasizes on the theory, concept and the financial principle in the local financial institutions. Students also will be introduced to the time value of money, tools for financial information analysis and to the financial prediction.
o Principles of Corporate Finance - The course provides a framework for analyzing the major types of financial decisions made by companies. Many of the advances in financial theory are based on the interaction between corporate decision making and capital markets behavior. The issues underlying the theory of finance are therefore of considerable relevance to analysts working in the capital market.
o Quantitative Methods in Finance - Quantitative Methods in Finance focuses on the application of some quantitative techniques such as calculus, probability distribution, statistical inference, correlation analysis and time-series analysis in the area of finance.
o Financial Statement and Reporting Analysis - This course enable students to undertake the financial analysis of listed companies in a systematic and rigorous manner, to examine issues involved in applying fundamental models of share valuation and particularly in the use of financial statement information. The course is based largely on case studies and emphasis is placed on group presentation and participation. The principal element of assessment requires the writing, under exam conditions, of an investment analysis report on a Malaysian ( KLSE) quoted company based on its financial statements and other publicly-available information provided.
o Investment Regulation and Practices - This course is aimed for students to analyse the underlying policy objectives of financial regulation and assess the difficulties inherent in seeking to use legal and administrative processes to regulate the financial services industry, focusing on case studies in enforcement, dispute resolution, insider trading and money laundering.
o Equity and Fixed Income Security Analysis - The course provides an understanding of security valuation and portfolio management focusing on the fixed-interest securities, the forward and futures, and the foreign exchange markets. The course emphasises the principles underlying the valuation of bonds, forward and futures contracts.
o Financial Futures and Options - This course enable students understand the mechanics of derivatives trading. All financial derivatives contracts traded in Malaysia are covered, in each case , their three common applications - hedging , arbitraging and speculating - are being thought with sufficient worked out examples and exercises.
o Real Estate Valuation and Management - Real estate finance is a field of study that requires an understanding of many important subjects, including financial analysis, valuation principles, investment analysis, and mortgage underwriting practices, financial institutions and real estate development. This course covers to provide students who study the foundation in each of the above areas. It also covers some parts of financial management. The primary emphasis of the course is real estate financial analysis and capital markets in the U.S. and Malaysia.
o Investment Management Project - This course is designed to help the student apply ,understand and interpret knowledge of investment management. The course will include researching an existing economic entities or cases studies of real world companies. Real-world examples will be given to make connections with the theoretical framework. Equal amounts of quantitative techniques and descriptive information will be used.
o Security Analysis and Portfolio Investment Management - The course provides an understanding of security valuation and portfolio management. Initially, the course will focus on the asset allocation decision where it will give the basic processes in portfolio management. It further concentrate to the detail concept involved in valuation of equities and the management of equity portfolios. The initial focus is on the basic principles, which underpin modern portfolio theory and models assets pricing. These principles are then applied in the portfolio performance evaluation. The use of the derivatives instrument as a risk management tool in portfolio management.
Entrance Requirement:
The minimum entry requirements for this programme are:
(a)'A' Level /Matriculation/ Foundation Programme/ and
(b) A pass in SPM with credit Bahasa Malaysia/Melayu.
However, to successfully complete Diploma in Investment programme, it is essential that students should possess a high standard of analytical and cognitive skills. It is recommended that students should have achieved a credit in English and Mathematics at SPM.
Professional Recognition:
Malaysia Qualification Agency (MQA)
Course Enquiries / Contact Person:
(Dean, Faculty of Business Management and
Professional Studies, MSU) |
: |
03-55106868 ext 610 |
(Head of Accountancy and Finance, Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies, MSU) |
: |
03-55106868 ext 655 |
FAQs:
Career Opportunities:
Graduates will find ample opportunity in not only availing themselves to the traditional careers in investment, government services, administrative and diplomatic services, academia, and industry, commerce and finance, but as well careers as an internationally recognized professional in investment management. Investment management graduates qualify for careers as investment analyst assistant, assistant financial planner/controllers and bankers. Investment students are prepared to assume responsible, in assisting the managerial positions in investment or finance. Organizationally, graduates will be absorbed into:
o Government ministries and departments;
o Local authorities;
o Government enforcement agencies (income tax; immigration; custom; etc.)
o Remiser firms;
o Corporations and companies
o Consultancy firms
o Banks
o Securities firms
o Insurance companies
o Multimedia telecommunication companies
o Marketing agencies
Career as Investment Analyst
The programme prepares graduates that are eligible, to enter the investment management profession as investment analyst. In order to be eligible as a remisier, graduates need to have a a strong knowledge in the area of finance and investment.
At the present the DIVM has not yet been recognized as a qualification that would make its graduates eligible to be a member of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). However, the Faculty is in the process of making all the necessary preparations to gain the recognition and the prognosis looks positive and encouraging.
Expected Salary
Public Sector: Basic starting monthly salary is around RM900; plus allowances (such as housing and entertainment) the total can amount to around RM1,500.
Private Sector: The amount of basic starting monthly salary can vary from the above amount. However, the total amount of monthly salary earned (inclusive of allowances) is subject to negotiation and which can be higher than that earned in the public sector.
