Introduction to Global Financial Systems (online)



Overview

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the global financial system, equipping participants with the skills to navigate and analyse the key institutions, capital markets and mechanics that shape international finance. Participants will explore the structure and functions of global financial systems, focusing on the roles of central banks, commercial banks, financial markets and regulators. The curriculum also covers the impact of monetary and fiscal policy on global markets, trends in globalisation and strategies for managing financial risk. Real-world case studies of historical financial crises also provide practical insights into their causes and effects, enhancing and complementing participants’ analytical skills and additional perspectives. 

Designed for financial professionals, new entrants to the field, and students aspiring to excel in international finance, this course equips participants with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in a dynamic financial environment.  

Dates, Times and Delivery 

The Introduction to Global Financial Systems (online) course runs over two weeks from 23 February - 4 March 2026, with online sessions delivered via Microsoft Teams.

Sessions will be held at 19:00-20:30 (UK time) on:

  • Monday, 23 February

  • Thursday, 26 February

  • Monday, 2 March

  • Wednesday, 4 March

A world clock, and time zone converter can be found here: https://bit.ly/3bSPu6D 

This is a ‘virtual classroom’ course. 

To replicate the experience of a classroom, the sessions are ‘live’ and are not recorded. 

No in-person attendance at Oxford is required and you do not need to purchase any software.

Accessing Your Online Course 

Details about accessing the private MS Teams course site will be emailed to you during the week prior to the course commencing.  

Please get in touch if you have not received this information within three working days of the course start date. 

Programme details

Session 1: Overview of Global Financial Systems  

  • Understanding the structure and function of global financial systems 

  • Key institutions: central banks, commercial banks and financial markets 

  • Role of financial intermediaries in the economy 

  • Overview of financial instruments: stocks, bonds, derivatives and currencies 

Session 2: Monetary Policy and Financial Stability 

  • Objectives and tools of monetary policy 

  • Central banking systems and their influence on the economy 

  • Mechanisms of interest rate setting and money supply control 

  • Case studies on monetary policy interventions and financial stability

Session 3: Globalisation and International Financial Markets  

  • Trends in globalisation and their effects on financial systems 

  • Structure and functioning of international financial markets 

  • Role of international institutions: International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) 

  • Exchange rates, foreign exchange markets and currency risk management

Session 4: Financial Crises and Risk Management  

  • Historical overview of major financial crises and their causes 

  • Identification and management of financial risks: credit, market and operational risks 

  • Regulatory frameworks and their role in preventing financial crises 

  • Strategies for risk mitigation and maintaining financial stability 

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
Course Fee £535.00

Payment

Fees include electronic copies of course materials. 

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 enrolment 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 the 'Ask a question' button at the top of this page.

IT requirements

This course is delivered online using Microsoft Teams. You will be required to follow and implement the instructions we send you to fully access Microsoft Teams on the University of Oxford's secure IT network.

To participate you must be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.

It is advised to use headphones with working speakers and microphone.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support