Demystifying Investments: Free Online Investment Course

Starting your investment journey can be daunting. Where should you put your money? How much risk are you comfortable taking? Are there golden rules you need to follow?

That’s why it’s worth taking a specialist investment course that explains the terms you’ll encounter and helps improve your financial decision making. The good news is that there are plenty of such programs. Even a cursory internet search brings up a dizzying array covering virtually every possible topic.

But how do you know if they’re legitimate? That’s one of the reasons why FundCalibre launched its own investment course: to give people the confidence they lack.

Our free Demystifying Investments course consists of five modules that take you from the fundamental concepts through to building and monitoring your portfolio. Here we consider the benefits of an investment course for beginners, how to choose the right one, and the different types of learning to consider.

What is an investment course and why do you need one?

Let’s start off with some basics. What are the main benefits of an investment course for UK beginners, and what do they need to know? These days, it’s relatively easy to start trading due to the sheer number of online brokers offering access to a wide range of asset classes.

However, this simplicity can cause problems by tempting would-be investors to take more risks without the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.

Therefore, there are several reasons why a course makes sense:

• Broadening knowledge
• Understanding terminology
• Increasing confidence
• Building future wealth
• Avoiding potential pitfalls

Of course, it’s also important to acknowledge that a course can be useful no matter how long someone has been involved in investing. For example, a complete newbie would benefit from understanding the basics of investing, including how markets work and the pros and cons of different asset classes. This would help them become familiar with the various terms – and, unfortunately, there’s still far too much jargon being used – to improve their overall knowledge.

A more experienced investor, meanwhile, would be interested in strategies such as value and growth, how to analyse companies, and the basics of portfolio management. This is where FundCalibre’s course hits the mark. Its multi-module approach makes it suitable for first-time investors as well as those who have been running their own money for many years.

Exploring different investment course formats

Anyone looking for an investment management course will find plenty of programs to fit the bill, many of which are linked to universities and business schools. But which one will meet your needs? Are you looking for something to complete at home in your own time, or would you prefer to attend formal classes?

Fortunately, accessibility has radically changed since Covid-19, and there are now plenty of options to suit introverts, extroverts and everyone in between!

Online self-paced

Firstly, there are online courses that you can complete in your own time. Their main benefit is flexibility as the learning can be fitted around work, childcare and other household tasks. They are usually more affordable, can be accessed from anywhere there’s an internet connection, and are good for anyone wanting to study in peace. However, there are negatives. Learning on your own means your interaction with tutors may be limited to email, while there are no fellow students with whom to socialise.

Webinars or live classes

The next option is attending a live class or webinar. We’ve all become familiar with the likes of Zoom and Teams since the coronavirus, and these tools are now commonplace. Such sessions will be held in real-time and broadly replicate the feel of the classroom due to the presence of a teacher and other students. You can also ask questions. On the downside, they are naturally less flexible as they’re held at set times, while the fees involved are usually higher. There’s also the added unknown of dodgy internet connections.

In-person classes and seminars

The benefit of an in-person class is that you get all the benefits of a webinar, without worrying about the internet dropping out or technology letting you down. It can also be easier to discuss issues with the tutor and fellow delegates. However, this is offset by the inconvenience of travelling. These courses and seminars are usually only held at certain times of the year. Therefore, you may face a lengthy wait to start learning and run the risk of it being oversubscribed.

Certified programs

An increasing number of universities and business schools now offer financial courses for everyone, from hobbyists to those pursuing investment as a career. You will find practical training programs on trading techniques, as well as those suitable for more advanced needs, such as an investment banking course.

For example, the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow offers an MSc in Investment & Finance, which is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. There are also qualifications available via governing bodies. The CFA UK Level 4 Investment Management Certificate is an entry-level qualification that provides a strong career foundation.

Other alternatives

The final alternative is to learn completely independently by reading printed books, listening to audiobooks, and watching explanatory videos on YouTube. You can obviously tailor these sources to your own needs. However, it’s important to ensure they are produced by reputable authors and organisations. There are also plenty of ‘experts’ sharing their knowledge on social media platforms, although these must come with a warning. Make sure you do plenty of research if you’re relying on their insights.

How to choose the right investment course for you

Deciding the right course is not an easy task and will depend on several factors:

• Course content
• Fees involved
• Length of course
• Expertise of the instructor
• Accreditation involved
• Classroom-based or distance learning

The best advice is to decide what you want to learn – and then find the most suitable teaching method to meet your needs. That’s why it’s important to examine the course content. Remember, you probably won’t need an investment banking crash course if you’re simply looking to add a few funds to your overall portfolio, so be realistic.

Does the course cover the areas in which you’re interested? Can it be accessed in an easy-to-understand format? Is it an attractive learning style? What suits others may not be right for you.

For example, do you prefer watching videos or studying text? How do you feel about quizzes to test your understanding? Is there a summary after each section to recap the main points? The length of the course, the instructor’s expertise, and the various fees involved are all important factors to consider. After all, do you want to be taught by someone with years of experience or the latest TikToker who believes in nothing but flawed get-rich-quick schemes?

FundCalibre’s course combines information, worksheets and videos to clearly explain the concepts and help you gradually build your knowledge.

So, what does this involve?

Self-directed vs structured learning: which works best?

There are different schools of thought when it comes to which is the most effective process: self-directed or structured learning. By self-directed, we mean would-be investors learning via books, videos, blogs and website forums. Structured learning, meanwhile, is a more formal approach. Both have their positives and negatives, but the following table listing key qualities of both options may help you draw a conclusion:

At FundCalibre, we believe the structured learn-at-your-own-pace approach strikes a happy medium between giving investors the flexibility to control their learning and providing some structure to keep them focused. Our course provides easy-to-understand videos that can be played at any time. The lifetime access also means you can revisit them whenever you want to refresh your knowledge.

What to expect after completing a course

It’s now time to put your newfound knowledge to the test – but our advice is to start small until you have built up your confidence and experience. Start off by using your annual Individual Savings Accounts allowance. Tap into FundCalibre’s ratings system to find some investment funds with which to build your portfolio. Of course, just because you’ve completed a course doesn’t mean the learning journey is over. You should always be looking to improve your skills and increase your knowledge.

Even the most experienced investors are constantly revisiting their approach and searching for more efficient and successful ways to manage money. Once you have the foundations in place, you can delve deeper into the topic, learning about different investing techniques and the various tools used in the pursuit of returns. The investment landscape is fast changing, and we understand the need to keep on top of the latest developments. That’s why our site is packed full of refreshers, videos and investment tips.

FAQs

What does FundCalibre’s investment course cover?
It consists of five modules taking you from the very basics, such as the difference between saving and investing, right the way through to building a portfolio.

Is the course really free?
Yes. Emails, lessons, and all future updates are complimentary and accessible indefinitely.

How long does the course take to finish?
Each module of the five-week course is concise, aimed at busy individuals and the full course should take roughly an hour to complete.

Can beginners finish it?
Absolutely. The course includes beginner-friendly exercises – including plenty of videos and worksheets – but, crucially, no annoying jargon.

What happens after the course?
You gain confidence to explore investments. For example, you may want to explore FundCalibre’s fund ratings and start building your own portfolio. You can also take our Psychology of Money course to continue your learning. We encourage you to explore our fund ratings and consider opening an ISA or SIPP.

Final takeaway – Is FundCalibre’s course right for you?

If you’re looking for a fun, interesting way to learn about the investment markets, then FundCalibre’s free course will take some beating. Our program provides the videos and insights needed to acquire the knowledge needed to start your investment journey.