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Launch of new MSc in Investment Management – University of Reading

The ICMA Centre, University of Reading, in collaboration with 7city Learning, launches an innovative MSc in Investment Management integrating academic study delivered by leading faculty with preparation for the Chartered Financial Analyst® Level 1 Study Programme. The new degree programme prepares students for entry into the fast growing and exciting investment industry. It provides a theoretical knowledge of portfolio management and quantitative finance, together with an applied set of courses looking at industry structure and trends. Students benefit from professional guest speakers drawn from the heart of the global investment industry in the City of London, only a short distance away. Integral to the academic course is the parallel study of the Chartered Financial Analyst® program, Level 1. The two programmes reinforce each other, ensuring that graduates acquire both the academic and professional knowledge and qualifications required to succeed in the investment management industry. It is well known that the Chartered Financial Analyst® Programme is amongst the most demanding professional examinations and requires exam-specific preparation to achieve success. To provide this, the ICMA Centre has arranged for the provision of focused CFA Level 1 training and examination preparation with 7city Learning. This will allow students on the MSc in Investment Management the double benefit of the ICMA Centre's degree teaching and 7city's renowned package for the CFA. "The CFA Level 1 Programme is the perfect partner to the MSc in Investment Management," said Jonathan Shaw, 7city's Chief Learning Officer. "We are delighted to be providing the training to the ICMA Centre students. Our CFA® study programme has been fine-tuned over many years and its reputation has travelled internationally – with study programmes being run in the UK, across Europe and in the US. We will therefore draw on this experience to ensure the ICMA students feel confident and have had the highest possible level of preparation as they walk into the examination hall." Tuition for CFA Level 1 consists of a combination of proven learning techniques, virtual classroom technology and maximum study support which ensures that 7 City's CFA® candidates spend their study time wisely and efficiently. This package is heavily subsidised by the ICMA Centre. In addition, all students will be entered into a competition for five scholarships awarded by the CFA Institute (worth $665) towards the cost of the CFA Programme. The MSc degree fee will be reduced by the full amount of any scholarship awarded. For more information, please contact Samantha Heslop, Admissions Officer on 0118 378 6299 or s.heslop@icmacentre.rdg.ac.uk at the ICMA Centre. CFA Institute does not endorse, promote, review, or warrant the accuracy of the products or services offered by 7city Learning or verify or endorse the pass rates claimed by 7city Learning. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute. End Notes for editors 1. The ICMA Centre The ICMA Centre (formerly the ISMA Centre) opened on campus at Reading in 1991 to offer an academic Masters programme in International Securities, Investment and Banking. Funded entirely by ICMA, the centre houses a lecture theatre, extensive research facilities, seminar rooms, library and computer rooms. State of the art dealing rooms, designed to provide students with unique hands-on experience of financial markets, are an essential part of the facility. The Centre changed its name to the ICMA Centre in September 2005. For more details, please visit http://www.icmacentre.rdg.ac.uk 2 The University of Reading The University of Reading is one of the top 20 research intensive universities in the UK, and internationally recognised for the excellence of its teaching on a broad range of Arts, Humanities and Sciences programmes. In the last Research Assessment Exercise, 15 departments were awarded the grade of 5, with five designated the top rating of 5* (Archaeology, English, Italian, Meteorology and Psychology). The University consistently achieves high ratings for the quality of its teaching from the national Quality Assurance Agency. For more information, visit http://www.rdg.ac.uk 3. 7city Learning 7city Learning is a global financial services training company providing leading edge solutions for financial and professional skills training. Based in London and New York and servicing a blue chip client base, 7city are at the forefront of learning and development and acknowledged for our innovative approach and level of professional service. 7city achieved The Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track status in 2005. For more details, please visit http://www.7city.com For media enquiries, please contact Craig Hillsley, University of Reading press officer T: +44 (0)118 378 7388 E: c.hillsley@rdg.ac.uk