- Home
- Program
- PGDM in Securities Markets
PGDM in Securities Markets
Building New Age Finance Professionals
Scientific Investing | Quantitative Methods | Market Discipline | Career-Ready Skills
AICTE Approved | Admissions Open 2026-28
Ashoka School of Business
Hyderabad, Telangana
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
Programme Overview ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
Why This Programme ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Who Is This Program For ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Industry-Grade Tools & Infrastructure ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Programme Curriculum………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Primer (Pre-course)—Building the Foundation ………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Semester 1 – Market Foundations & Institutional Knowledge ………………………………………………………………..8
Semester 2—Technical Depth & Market Application ……………………………………………………………………………….8
Semester 3 – Specialisation Begins …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9
Common Core – All Students …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9
Track A—Investment, Quant, Trading, Risk & Treasury ……………………………………………………………………………9
Track B – Operations, Wealth & Risk …………………………………………………………………………………………………………9
Semester 4 – Mastery, Capstone & Placement Readiness ……………………………………………………………………10
Common Core—All Students …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
Professional Certifications ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10
Bloomberg Certifications (Core Program Credentials) ………………………………………………………………………….10
NISM Certification Track (3 to 6+) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11
Career Pathways …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………11
Where Our Graduates Work ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………13
Admissions ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
Eligibility ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..14
Selection Process ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14
Program Duration ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
| Context |
|---|
| Programme Overview |
| Why This Programme |
| Who Is This Programme For |
| Industry-Grade Tools & Infrastructure |
| Programme Curriculum |
| Primer (Pre-course) – Building the Foundation |
| Semester 1 – Market Foundations & Institutional Knowledge |
| Semester 2 – Technical Depth & Market Application |
| Semester 3 – Specialisation Begins |
| Common Core – All Students |
| Track A—Investment, Quant, Trading, Risk & Treasury |
| Track B – Operations, Wealth & Risk |
| Semester 4 – Mastery, Capstone & Placement Readines |
| Common Core—All Students |
| Professional Certifications |
| Bloomberg Certifications (Core Programme Credentials |
| NISM Certification Track (3 to 6+) |
| Career Pathways |
| Where Our Graduates Work |
| Admissions |
| Eligibility |
| Selection Process |
| Programme Duration |
Programme Overview
A 2-year PGDM that bridges the gap between academic finance and what the industry actually demands – professionals who think in data, code in Python, understand risk, and operate with
discipline.
Indian capital markets are at an inflection point. Retail participation is at record highs. Algorithmic and systematic approaches now account for more than half of daily turnover. Global Capability Centres in Hyderabad – Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, HSBC, Citi, UBS, Wells Fargo, BNP Paribas – are hiring at scale for roles that most business schools don’t train for: trade lifecycle management, treasury middle-office, market risk analytics, credit risk modelling, regulatory reporting, and quantitative analysis.
This programme is designed to produce graduates who are immediately productive on these desks – not after six months of employer re-training, but from Day One.
For Parents: Your Child Will Be a Job-Desk-Ready Finance Professional
This programme equips graduates with the knowledge and skills that make them job-desk-ready finance professionals – capable of operating from Day One in structured roles at Global Capability Centres, Investment Banks, Brokerages, Hedge Funds, and Prop Desks. Process-driven learning: Students study how professionals manage capital, control risk, and maintain discipline through a faculty-managed live portfolio. Graded on methodology: The programme culminates in a Capstone Fund Manager Simulation evaluated by an industry panel – assessed on risk management, decision discipline, and process adherence. Career pathways include: Prop Trader, Quant Trader, Systematic Trader, Risk Analyst, Treasury Operations, and more – all as employees in regulated financial institutions. Passive income capability: Graduates learn to build passive income from systematic trading and investment while working full-time in financial services.
Mentors Who Are Practitioners
Our faculty comprises working professionals and practitioners who are actively engaged in the
financial markets – not just academics. Learn from doers who apply these skills daily in their
professional roles. Network that matters: Your mentors can hire or directly assist in hiring –
building relationships that stay relevant for your future career. Real-world insights: Curriculum
shaped by current market practices, not outdated textbooks.
Why This Programme
Most finance programmes teach theory. Employers need professionals who can operate. This programme closes that gap across every function – operations, risk, treasury, wealth, and investment.
Whether a student aims for a trading desk, treasury middle-office, securities operations floor, wealth advisory role, or research team – the programme provides a structured pathway with track- specific depth from Semester 3 onwards. One programme, multiple destinations.
The curriculum is reverse-engineered from actual job descriptions across Hyderabad’s GCC corridor – Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, HSBC, Citi, UBS. Every module maps to a real hiring need: trade lifecycle management, regulatory reporting, AML/KYC, credit risk, treasury middle-office, and market risk analytics.
Investment and trading decisions are taught as systematic, data-driven processes—backtested, walk-forward tested, and stress-tested before deployment. Students think in probabilities and respect risk. This is how institutional desks operate.
Python, SQL, VBA, and contemporary analytical tools aren’t add-ons – they’re embedded across the curriculum from the Primer onwards. Graduates can automate workflows, build pricing models, run backtests, and produce dashboards that hiring managers actually value.
Students observe and analyse real portfolio decisions, review trade rationale weekly, and learn why process discipline matters more than prediction. The Live Trading Practicum includes both equity and F&O instruments – graded on process, never on profit.
NISM certifications (3 to 6+, based on track and career aspiration), Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC), and Bloomberg ESG are built into the programme timeline – not optional extras. GCCs actively screen for BMC and NISM on CVs. These are the credentials that open doors.
Who Is This Programme For
Any graduate willing to put in the work – your undergraduate degree is the starting point, not the ceiling.
This programme is open to graduates from any discipline – B.Com, BBA, BCA, B.Sc, B.Tech, BA, or any other recognised bachelor’s degree. What matters is curiosity about markets, willingness to learn quantitative tools, and the discipline to see it through.
Support for Non-Quantitative Backgrounds
Students from non-quantitative backgrounds (BBA, B.Com, BCA, among others) begin with a dedicated Primer (Pre-course) that builds foundational skills in mathematics, statistics, Excel, and
Python from the ground up. This isn’t a token orientation – it’s a structured, assessed programme that ensures every student enters Semester 1 ready to learn at a professional pace. Track B
(Operations, Wealth & Risk) is specifically designed for students who want deep domain expertise in financial services operations, wealth management, and credit analysis.
Industry-Grade Tools & Infrastructure
Students train on the platforms, terminals, and languages that employers use—not in the classroom substitutes.
Bloomberg Terminal (BMC + ESG)
Portfolio analytics (PORT), options monitor (OMON), risk analytics (MARS), and BQuant – mapped to specific curriculum modules. Bloomberg Market Concepts and Bloomberg ESG certifications included as cor programme credentials.
NSE SMART* (Trading Lab)
Full-stack quantitative workflow from the Primer onwards – data ingestion, backtesting, risk modelling, portfolio analytics, automated reporting, and strategy development.
Python, SQL & VBA
Full-stack quantitative workflow from the Primer onwards – data ingestion, backtesting, risk modelling, portfolio analytics, automated reporting, and strategy development.
TradingView & Pine Script
Advanced charting, systematic strategy logic, paper trading, and alert-based execution workflows. Strategy Tester for walk-forward validation.
Contemporary Analytical & AI Tools
The programme integrates current-generation analytical and AI-powered tools for data analysis, market research, document processing, and workflow automation.
Programme Curriculum
Four semesters + a Pre-course Primer. Common foundation in Semesters 1-2, track specialisation from Semester 3, industry-panel-graded Capstone in Semester 4.
Primer (Pre-course) - Building the Foundation
| Subject | Topic |
|---|---|
| Financial Analysis & Excel for Capital Markets | Build fluency in financial statement reading, spreadsheet modelling, pivot analysis, charting, and basic VBA automation |
| Mathematics, Statistics & Python Foundations | Develop quantitative confidence – arithmetic, algebra, TVM, probability, descriptive stats, alongside Python fundamentals |
| Capital Markets Orientation & NISM XII [NISM] | Understand market structure, participants, instruments. Clear NISM Series XII – the first industry-recognised credential |
Semester 1 - Market Foundations & Institutional Knowledge
| Subject | Topic |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Methods for Finance | Apply regression, hypothesis testing, probability distributions, and time series fundamentals to financial decision-making |
| Data & Automation for Capital Markets | Master advanced Excel, Power BI dashboards, VBA macros, and SQL for data extraction and automated reporting |
| Global Markets & Microstructure | Understand how markets work at an institutional level – order types, price discovery, liquidity, market making |
| Fund Accounting & Operational P&L | Read, interpret, and analyse financial statements – NAV computation, MF structures, P&L attribution |
| Compliance, AML/KYC & RegTech | Navigate KYC norms, AML frameworks, PMLA, FATF guidelines – the largest GCC hiring category in Hyderabad |
| Trading Platforms Bootcamp [Lab] | Hands-on training on NSE SMART, TradingView, and Bloomberg Terminal |
| NISM V-A: Mutual Fund Distributors [NISM] | Paired with Fund Accounting – understand MF products, then earn the credential |
Semester 2 - Technical Depth & Market Application
| Subject | Topic |
|---|---|
| Technical Analysis & Rule-Based Trading | Move beyond pattern recognition to systematic, rule-based approaches |
| Python for Finance | Advanced pandas, NumPy, backtesting frameworks, API-based data ingestion, Monte Carlo simulation |
| Derivatives I: Options | Build pricing intuition – payoff structures, Black-Scholes, Greeks, put-call parity, option strategies |
| Equity Research & Valuation | Conduct fundamental analysis, build DCF and relative valuation models, write professional research reports |
| Fixed Income | Price bonds, compute duration and convexity, interpret yield curves – essential for treasury and risk roles |
| Live Trading Practicum I [Lab] | Trade equity and F&O on live markets. Graded on process discipline – never on profit |
| NISM VIII: Equity Derivatives [NISM] | Paired with Derivatives I – learn products, then certify |
| NISM VII: Securities Ops & Risk Mgmt [NISM] | Required for Operations and Risk career paths |
Semester 3 - Specialisation Begins
Common Core – All Students
| Subject | Topic |
|---|---|
| Private Wealth & Asset Allocation | Design strategic and tactical asset allocation frameworks, understand investor profiling |
| Advanced TA / Systematic Trading | Develop and validate systematic strategies – VWAP, volatility analysis, relative strength |
| Investment Banking Operations | Master the trade lifecycle end-to-end – execution, clearing, settlement, reconciliation |
| Walk-Forward Testing | Distinguish curve-fitted backtests from robust strategies – out- of-sample validation |
| Sector Rotation Project | Apply relative strength, momentum ranking, and macro regime analysis to live Indian market data |
Track A – Investment, Quant, Trading, Risk & Treasury
| Subject | Topic |
|---|---|
| Algorithmic Trading Strategies | Design, code, and deploy systematic trading algorithms – signal generation, position sizing, execution logic |
| Financial Engineering | Exotic derivatives pricing, structured products, stochastic calculus applications |
| Risk Management & Quant Models | VaR, Expected Shortfall, stress testing, ALM – directly applicable to risk desks and treasury |
Track B – Operations, Wealth & Risk
| Subject | Topic |
|---|---|
| Global Markets Lifecycle | Cross-asset trade lifecycle across equities, fixed income, FX, and derivatives |
| Securities Ops, Controls & Reg Reporting | Controls matrix, exception handling, FINREP/COREP, RBI returns, BCBS 239 |
| Financial Modelling & Valuation | Build integrated financial models – DCF, LBO, merger models for investment and credit decisions |
Semester 4 - Mastery, Capstone & Placement Readiness
Common Core – All Students
| Subject | Topic |
|---|---|
| Capstone: Fund Manager Simulation | Multi-phase simulation integrating everything learned. Industry panel decides real capital deployment |
| Global Macro, Central Banking & Geopolitics | Analyse RBI policy transmission, global central banks, sovereign risk, FX regimes |
| Ethics & Governance | Navigate ethical dilemmas in financial services – fiduciary duty, insider trading regulation |
Professional Certifications
Industry-recognised credentials built into the programme timeline – not optional extras. The number of NISM certifications ranges from 3 to 6+, based on the student’s chosen track and career aspiration.
Bloomberg Certifications (Core Programme Credentials)
-
Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC):
Comprehensive certification covering economic indicators, currencies, fixed income, and equities. The industry-standard baseline for financial literacy at global banks and GCCs.
-
Bloomberg ESG Certificate:
SG data analysis, sustainability reporting, and responsible investing frameworks.
NISM Certification Track (3 to 6+)
| Stage | Certification | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Primer | NISM XII – Securities Markets Foundation | Baseline – before Semester 1 |
| Semester 1 | NISM V-A – Mutual Fund Distributors | Paired with Fund Accounting |
| Semester 2 | NISM VIII – Equity Derivatives | Paired with Derivatives I |
| Semester 2 | NISM VII – Securities Ops & Risk Mgmt | Settlement, clearing, risk controls |
| Semester 3 | Investment Adviser (L1) | Financial planning, advisory regulation |
| Semester 3 | NISM I/XIII – Currency / Common Derivatives | Currency markets, cross-asset |
| Semester 4 | NISM XV – Research Analyst | Equity and derivatives research |
| Semester 4 | NISM XXI-A/X-B – PMS / Adviser (L2) | Portfolio management, advanced advisory |
Career Pathways
Four career tracks anchored to real hiring demand—each mapped to specific curriculum modules, certifications, and employer categories.
Trading & Investment
Equity/Derivatives Trader | Systematic/Quant Analyst | Algo Strategy Developer | Prop Desk Analyst | Investment Analyst | Buy-Side Research
Risk & Treasury
Market Risk Analyst | Treasury Middle-Office | ALM Analyst | VaR & Stress Testing | Credit Risk | Basel/IFRS 9 Reporting | Forex & Money Market Ops
Operations & MO-BO
Securities Operations | Trade Lifecycle Management | Corporate Actions | Reconciliation | Compliance & AML/KYC | Regulatory Reporting
Wealth & Advisory
Relationship Manager | Wealth Advisory | Financial Planning | PMS/AIF Operations | Client Suitability | ESG Advisory
Where Our Graduates Work
Curriculum designed in conversation with employer expectations across financial services.
| Stage | Certification | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Primer | NISM XII – Securities Markets Foundation | Baseline – before Semester 1 |
| Semester 1 | NISM V-A – Mutual Fund Distributors | Paired with Fund Accounting |
| Semester 2 | NISM VIII – Equity Derivatives | Paired with Derivatives I |
| Semester 2 | NISM VII – Securities Ops & Risk Mgmt | Settlement, clearing, risk controls |
| Semester 3 | Investment Adviser (L1) | Financial planning, advisory regulation |
| Semester 3 | NISM I/XIII – Currency / Common Derivatives | Currency markets, cross-asset |
| Semester 4 | NISM XV – Research Analyst | Equity and derivatives research |
| Semester 4 | NISM XXI-A/X-B – PMS / Adviser (L2) | Portfolio management, advanced advisory |
Admissions
Open to graduates from any discipline – B.Com, BBA, BCA, B.Sc, B.Tech, BA, or any other recognised bachelor’s degree. The Primer (Pre-course) and Track B are designed to support students from diverse academic backgrounds with additional mentoring and practice hours where needed.
Entrance test (quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, general awareness) followed by a personal interview assessing market curiosity, motivation, learning orientation, and the discipline to see a demanding programme through.
2 years – a Pre-course Primer + four semesters, with a summer internship between Semesters 2 and 3. Track specialisation begins in Semester 3.
This programme trains graduates to think systematically, operate with discipline, and build enduring careers across the full spectrum of modern financial services – backed by quantitative methods, code, and market rigour. Eventually, when enough experience is gained, graduates can start managing self funds and/or family or client funds, while registering with SEBI.