Financial Investment Principles



Overview

Gain a clear, practical introduction to financial markets, investment strategies and how they interact with the wider economy. Designed for beginners and those looking to broaden or refresh their knowledge, this course helps you build the confidence to navigate core investment concepts and make more informed financial decisions. 

You’ll explore the fundamentals of how markets work, how investments are evaluated, and the different asset classes used to build portfolios. Through interactive sessions and real-world examples, you’ll cover: 

  • how risk and return shape investment decisions 

  • key market segments including bonds, equities, private markets and hedge funds 

  • portfolio construction, diversification and valuation techniques 

  • how macroeconomic factors and behavioural biases influence financial markets. 

The course is taught through presentations, group discussions and hands-on activities to reinforce your understanding. No technical background or specialist software is required, just an interest in how finance fits into the bigger picture. 

Programme details

Session 1: Introduction to Financial Markets and Investment Process

  • Overview of financial markets and their functions
  • Introduction to the investment process and its key components
  • Understanding risk and return in investment decisions
  • Exploring different investment strategies and objectives

Session 2: Market Segments and Instruments

  • Overview of various market segments: money market, bond market, equity market, private markets, liquid alternatives, hedge funds, derivatives
  • Understanding the characteristics, risks and potential returns of each market segment and asset class
  • Exploring the role of each instrument in a diversified investment portfolio

Session 3: Portfolio Construction, Risk Management and Valuation

  • Analyzing portfolio risk and return metrics
  • Exploring portfolio construction techniques and diversification strategies
  • Understanding attribution analysis and its role in evaluating portfolio performance
  • Introduction to fundamental analysis using financial ratios, relative value, macroeconomic, and industry analysis
  • Discussion on valuation methods for stocks and bonds

Session 4: Financial Markets, the Wider Economy and Behavioural Analysis

  • Examining the relationship between financial markets and macroeconomic factors
  • Understanding the impact of interest rates, economic growth, unemployment and central bank policies on financial markets
  • Exploring the behavioural biases that affect investment decision-making
  • Introduction to technical analysis tools and indicators
  • Wrap-up and final Q&A

Attending Your Course 

Further details will be emailed to you two weeks ahead of your course, this will include registration information and an overview of the course timetable.

If you have not received your joining instructions five working days before the course start date, please get in touch. 

In the meantime, you may wish to plan your travel: Travel information

Digital Certification

In order to be eligible for a certificate of attendance, you will need to attend the whole course. Participants who meet this criterion will be emailed after the end of the course with a link, and instructions on how to access their University of Oxford digital certificate. 

The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate, as well as share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Fees

Description Costs
1. Course Fee £685.00
2. Discount fee package: 4 - 6 June 2026 £1835.00

Payment

This course can be taken separately or as a discount fee package including Financial Analysis and Analytics (4 June) and Generative AI for Finance (6 June), saving £220.

Fees include course materials, tuition, refreshments and lunch. The price does not include accommodation.

All courses are VAT exempt.

Register immediately online 

Click the 'Book now' button on this webpage. Payment by credit or debit card is required.

Request an invoice

If you require an invoice for your company or organisation, please email us to request an online application form. Payment is then accepted online, by credit/debit card, or by bank transfer. 

Tutor

Konrad Kleinfeld

Konrad is a senior investment professional and part-time lecturer at the University of Oxford, with over 20 years of experience across banking, capital markets, and global asset management. His career spans leadership roles at leading international institutions, including BlackRock, Nomura, and State Street Investment Management, where he has specialised in fixed income markets, ETF distribution, and institutional client coverage across EMEA. His experience also includes managing corporate bond and credit derivatives strategies, as well as contributing to the electronification of bond markets and the evolution of modern investment infrastructure.
 
Alongside his industry career, Konrad is an active educator. At Oxford, he teaches at the intersection of finance, investment, and artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on the structural transformation of financial services. He has also taught economics at leading German business schools and previously served as a summer school lecturer at King’s College London, where he delivered courses on global finance and AI. His teaching emphasises the integration of academic rigour with real-world application.
 
Konrad holds a BA in Banking (Hannover), an Advanced Diploma in International Development from the University of Cambridge, and an MBA from London. He has also completed multiple professional certifications in finance, trading and investment management.
 
His market insights are regularly featured in leading German and international media, including ARD Tagesschau, n-tv, FAZ, Süddeutsche Zeitung, WirtschaftsWoche, and Handelsblatt. He also contributes to widely followed economic indicators, including the ZEW Financial Market Survey.

Application

If you would like to discuss your application or any part of the application process before applying, please click 'Ask a Question' at the top of this page. 

Accommodation

Although not included in the course fee, accommodation may be available at our on-site Rewley House Residential Centre. All bedrooms are en suite and decorated to a high standard, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

To check prices, availability and to book rooms please visit the Rewley House Residential Centre website. 

Enrolled students are entitled to discounted accommodation rates for the purpose of study, at Rewley House, and can contact the administration team for the promotional code to use for making online accommodation bookings via the website.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support