How to Invest:
Modern-Day Financial Decisions

  • Duration: 2 weeks
  • |
  • Weekly study: 2 hours
  • |
  • Premium course: $14.00
  • Overview
  • Start dates
  • Requirements
  • What's included?
  • Reviews

Get the knowledge you need to make your best financial decisions

  • 3,564 Total Students
  • 3.8 (439 Rating)

Today, financial stability and security is more dependent than ever on the investment decisions that individuals make. At the same time, making these choices and identifying opportunities is becoming increasingly difficult.

With traditional and new investment options making markets more complex, and global events like the COVID-19 pandemic having a significant effect on stocks, deciding how to invest is often very confusing. This four-week course from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) will give you the knowledge you need to do that with confidence.

Get familiar with important investing fundamentals

The course starts with an introduction to modern and traditional investment opportunities, and basic investment concepts. You’ll learn how to apply these concepts when deciding where to put your money, and will see how different financial assets (from cryptocurrencies to stocks and bonds) suit different types of investors.

Apply your knowledge and make smart financial decisions

As the course progresses you’ll get to explore new financial technologies and innovations, find out how to avoid costly mistakes, compare investment opportunities, and several other essential topics. The theory will give you the know-how you need to identify the investment options that are right for you.

Learn how to invest with AUT’s world-class experts

AUT is the ideal institution to teach you about making sound financial decisions. Its internationally-ranked department is staffed by published academics with experience in old-school investments and insight into emerging options. With their blend of theory and real-world situations, you’ll soon be investing with confidence.

What topics will you cover?

  • Introduction to investing – core concepts to avoid costly mistakes Introducing essential concepts that are often not well understood, including: what is a portfolio, what is diversification and why do we diversify, how to determine an appropriate asset allocation based on your personal characteristics.
  • Is old school still the best school? Cash, bond and stock investmentsAn introduction to the characteristics of each of these investments with a focus on how each generates returns, the risks involved with each asset class, and the practicalities of investing in them.
  • Property and funds An introduction to property investing considering the risks and returns of different types of property investments including direct and indirect investments. Also, a discussion on managed funds and ETFs focusing on the pros and cons of outsourcing your investments, and issues to consider when selecting a fund manager.
  • New kids on the block – the rise of Fintech and its impact on global marketsA discussion of how fintechs are changing the face of investments. We will consider how fintech is changing access to financial markets via neobanks and low cost trading platforms, high frequency trading, roboadvice and cryptcurrencies.

Marcus Zientek

Careers Adviser. Writes and edits careers guides for the Auckland University of Technology and is Careers Service Co-ordinator for the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Katie Casserly

Careers Adviser at the Auckland University of Technology Careers Service. Also a qualified Librarian and former Careers Information Officer.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now
Join - 14$

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Understand the basic characteristics of different types of investments
  • Apply basic investing concepts to make sound financial decisions
  • Consider the suitability of different financial assets for different types of investors
  • Discuss the impact that new innovations in financial technologies will have on individuals investments

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning how to invest today, developing a deeper understanding, and making the kind of financial decisions that ensure a bright future.

Who developed the course?

Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is located in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city and economic hub. AUT is a contemporary and connected study destination that aims to produce well-rounded, sought-after graduates. They have been a university since 2000 but a place of learning for 120 years and operate in accordance with the Education Act (1989). AUT has established itself as an institution of global standing and impact.

  • Established: 2000
  • Location: Auckland, New Zealand
  • World ranking: Top 440

What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
  • Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime

Emma S.

4.5
Accurate
I found the content good as it was on theme with what the title suggested, however I would have preferred having short videos to summaries sub topics as it would help consolidate learning.

Patricia T.

3
Learnt some great things but lots missing
The course had some great induction knowledge but is quite inconsistent in its process and steps. It assumes you know financial jargon which is silly, as it’s an introduction. So this is one reason for inconsistency. The second, it jumps to complicated mathematical equations, which you might not understand but it doesn’t then provide examples of iRead more about review stating Learnt some great things but lots missingt in practice. Learnt a lot, and it’s still worth taking but could do with a lot of improvement

Hugo M.

4
Good

Rick O'Shea

4
Thoughtful and useful
Course was helpful particularly week one
$14.00
Ensure your future financial security with a comprehensive course on how to invest in today’s diverse markets.
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