Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

Coursera courses and certificates don't carry university credit, though some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?

<text variant="body1">With this specialization you will be able to understand: the functioning of financial markets; the role of financial intermediaries; the role of liquidity in securities markets, and how security trading is organized and regulated; the basic techniques to price derivatives and use them for hedging or speculative purposes.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Financial Markets Specialization

Advance your Career in Finance. Master analytical and empirical tools for analyzing financial markets

Instructors: Marco Pagano

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

3 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 month at 2 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

3 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 month at 2 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

The role played by financial intermediaries
The role of liquidity in securities markets
Key techniques to price derivatives
The impact of high-frequency trading on security markets

Overview

This specialization is intended for students who want to gain a deep understanding of the functioning of financial markets and the role played by financial intermediaries. Students will analyze the role of liquidity in securities markets, and they will understand how security trading is organized and regulated and how it has been reshaped by algorithmic and high frequency trading, and how the trading process affects the formation of asset prices. They will also learn how to apply basic techniques to price derivatives and use them for hedging or speculative purposes. Finally, they will study how banking crises arise and propagate to the real economy, what regulators can do to prevent them, and how the “Fintech revolution” is shaping the banking industry.

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

56 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from Università di Napoli Federico II

Specialization - 3 course series

This specialization uses a combination of homework, quizzes and optional exercises to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of financial markets and the role played by financial intermediaries. Through these activities, students will learn how to assess banks’ performance and risk profiles, analyze the impact of FinTech on traditional banking practices, apply numerical methods for option pricing, calculate fixed income product prices, and measure trading costs. Furthermore, learners will gain insights into how order flow impacts market liquidity and price discovery, as well as the purpose and utilization of algorithmic and high-frequency trading. The curriculum equips you with knowledge to make informed financial decisions and evaluations.

Market Microstructure

Course 115 hoursView course

What you'll learn

security market; trading; market liquidity and funding liquidity

Skills you'll gain

Market Liquidity, Market Dynamics, Order Processing, Securities Trading, Financial Market, Technical Analysis, Financial Regulation, Market Data, Algorithms, Financial Trading, and Equities

Derivatives

Course 28 hoursView course

What you'll learn

Evaluate the effect of investment strategies on the risk and return of a portfolio
Evaluate different uses of financial derivatives (e.g., hedging, speculation)
Evaluate different pricing models to calculate the price of the various financial instruments
Develop and employ theoretical asset pricing models to price these derivative instruments

Skills you'll gain

Derivatives, Numerical Analysis, Probability, Financial Trading, Simulation and Simulation Software, Equities, Financial Modeling, Risk Modeling, Futures Exchange, Financial Market, Securities (Finance), Actuarial Science, Mathematical Modeling, Finance, and Investments

Financial Intermediation

Course 312 hoursView course

What you'll learn

analyze business models and their impact on the functioning and stability of the banking sector starting from the databases available online;
evaluate the critical issues and specificities of the modern banking system in contexts where the development of the financial market is limited;
apply banking sector innovations in institutions;
identify financial intermediation risks and contribute to long-term economic growth.
analyze banking system effects on market efficiency and stability; evaluate the impact of fintech on financial intermediation.

Skills you'll gain

Financial Systems, Banking, Credit Risk, FinTech, Market Dynamics, Econometrics, Financial Statements, Financial Regulation, Financial Services, Financial Market, Balance Sheet, Financial Analysis, International Finance, Economics, and Commercial Banking