Centre for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning

Postgraduate Modules

Alternative Investments

Alternative Investments

Overview

Alternative Investments have grown tremendously over the past two decades and have been receiving increased attention among institutional investors. Hence, the objective of this course is to introduce delegates to alternative assets and the role they play as part of a diversified investment portfolio. Delegates will explore a variety of alternative investments including hedge funds, private equity, commodities, managed futures and real estate. The course will also cover operations, trading strategies, risk management, and performance measures of hedge funds.  

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​​Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face, Online, HyFlex or Blended

What will I Learn?

On successful completion of the course, delegates will be able to:
  • Describe the hedge fund market and define the different hedge fund strategies;
  • Evaluate the performance of hedge fund strategies;
  • Define and explain commodities and managed futures;
  • Identify private equity investments and define their different strategies;
  • Assess the performance of private equity investments;
  • Explain real estate investments and outline their different types;
  • Examine the risk and return profile of real estate investments;
  • Explain how and why alternative investments are increasingly changing their activities.

Who Should do this Course

Individuals who meet the entry requirements for postgraduate level training, including asset managers, financial advisors and fund accountants, who desire to develop their understanding and ability of how to evaluate the performance of alternative investment strategies using appropriate techniques.

Important Information

Applicants must bring all required documentation to the Department of Management Studies, Graduate Section, for their application to be processed.

Individuals applying for postgraduate modules, whose native language is not English, must take tests,  to demonstrate English Language proficiency prior to registration, as identified in the Manual of Procedures re: Regulations for Graduate Diplomas and Degrees (Sec. 1, Para. 5).
 

Semester II, 2020/2021 (Jan 2021) postgraduate modules will be delivered ‘face-to-face’, ‘online’, ‘blended’ or ‘hyflex’. See Mode of Delivery definitions below:
 
Face-to-Face
Face-to-face teaching is an instructional method where course content is taught in person, in a physical classroom environment.
 
Online: 
Online teaching is an instructional method where students and instructors connect via technology to review lectures, submit assignments and communicate with one another. No face-to-face learning occurs since lectures, assignments and readings are delivered online.
 
Blended:
Blended teaching (also known as hybrid or mixed-mode) is an instructional method where a portion of the traditional face-to-face instruction is replaced by web-based online instruction. Therefore, classes are delivered via electronic and online media as well as traditional face-to-face teaching.
 
HyFlex:
Hybrid-Flexible (also known as HyFlex teaching) integrates in-class instruction, online synchronous video sessions, or asynchronous content delivery. The instructor will deliver the class in a regular classroom, but students may attend in person, participate in the class through video conferencing, or watch a recording of the class session.
 

At a Glance

  • Admissions Term: 2025/2026 Semester II
  • Registration: Open
  • Date: January to May 2026
  • Time: TBA
  • Duration: 12 weeks (36 hours)
  • Certificate Awarded: Postgraduate Professional Development Certificate of Competence
  • Course Code: ACCT 6016
  • Capacity: 10
  • Cost: BDS $2,050 (USD $1,025) {with assessment} ; BDS $1,750 (USD $875) {without assessment}
The following topics will be addressed:
  • Definition of Traditional Investment Classes
  • Introduction to Alternative Investments
  • Role that Alternative Investments play in a diversified portfolio
  • Introduction to Hedge Funds
  • History of Hedge Funds and their Evolution
  • Hedge Funds vs Mutual Funds
  • Due Diligence for Hedge Fund Managers
  • Risk Management of Hedge Funds
  • Regulation of Hedge Funds
  • Hedge Fund Strategies
  • Private Equity
  • Real Estate
  • Commodities and Managed Futures
  • Role of Sovereign Wealth Funds

For entry into this course, applicants must have at least an undergraduate degree, or five (5) years relevant work experience. Applicants may also be asked to provide an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae.

This course uses a mixture of lectures, cases and student assignments. There will be several case studies in which students will be required to apply the principles covered in class to analyze real life situations.
Much of the course is self-learning.  Students should expect to spend sufficient time reading, assessing, and analyzing each case study on their own, and are encouraged to conduct further analysis in study groups or teams prior to class.  Where there is a focus on a particular case study, students will be asked to provide their own assessment of the case.  

Students will be asked to support or challenge the initial opening, with the Lecturer facilitating a case discussion.  This approach will enable students to discover, analyze, and demonstrate mastery over the key issues of the case.  Reading the assigned resources will arm students with tools and vocabulary required to analyze cases.  Students should expect to discuss those readings as well.  Since classroom participation is so central to the success of each student and to the collective experience of the entire class, attendance at all classes is encouraged.

Gregory Hinkson