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Accounting & Finance FinTech and Financial Analytics

Certificate for Module (Portfolio Optimisation and Risk Management with Python)
證書( 單元 : 投資組合優化與風險管理 - Python)

Course Code
FN131A
Application Code
2335-FN131A

Credit
6
Study mode
Part-time
Start Date
16 Jul 2025 (Wed)
Next intake(s)
Sep 2025
Duration
30 hours
Language
English
Course Fee
Course Fee: $10,200 per programme (* course fees are subject to change without prior notice)
Deadline on 02 Jul 2025 (Wed)
Enquiries
2867 8331 / 2867 8424
2861 0278
Apply Now

Today and Upcoming Events

Accept new applications for Jul 25 intake! There will be practical classes in the computer laboratory.

Highlights

The programme is designed to impart contemporary knowledge on portfolio theory and risk management to students. It equips them with the practical skills to apply Python to perform portfolio optimisation, implement hedging strategies, and develop financial modelling. Besides, the programme covers portfolio construction and performance evaluation.

Programme Details

On completion of the programme, students should be able to

  1. examine financial assets, risk diversification and modern portfolio theory;
  2. apply quantitative techniques for risk analysis as well as Python programming to perform optimisation;
  3. evaluate financial risks and ESG factors in the construction of investment portfolios; and
  4. appraise portfolio performance and discuss risk management.
Application Code 2335-FN131A Apply Online Now
Apply Online Now

Days / Time
  • Wed, Fri, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Duration
  • 30 hours per programme
Venue
  • Hong Kong Island Learning Centre
  • Kowloon West Campus
  • Kowloon East Campus

Modules

Course Content :

(1) Introduction to financial assets and portfolio theory

  • Overview of major financial assets
  • Portfolio risk and return
  • Covariance and correlation
  • Risk diversification
  • Recent major financial crisis
  • Modern portfolio theory

(2) Principles of Python programming and optimisation

  • Fundamentals of Python programming
  • Mathematics and statistics for optimisation
  • Mean-variance optimisation and efficient frontier
  • Python libraries for optimisation

(3) Portfolio optimisation and risk management

  • Overview of financial models and portfolio optimisation
  • Introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for portfolio optimisation and risk management
  • Portfolio constraints
  • ESG factors, major financial and portfolio construction
  • Performance metrics
  • Factor models: single-factor and multi-factor models, Fama-French three-factor model
  • Black-Litterman model
  • Financial risk management and hedging strategies
  • Risk management tools: Value-at-Risk (VaR), sensitivity analysis, simulation and stress test
  • Trading and rebalancing costs
  • Financial modelling and backtesting

Assessment method: Individual Assignment + Group Project Presentation

Award

Upon successful completion of the programme, students who have passed the assessments with attendance no less than 70% will be awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE a "Certificate for Module (Portfolio Optimisation and Risk Management with Python)".

 

Class Details

Timetable

Lecture Date Time
1 16 Jul 25 (Wed) 19:00-22:00
2 18 Jul 25 (Fri) 19:00-22:00
3 23 Jul 25 (Wed) 19:00-22:00
4 25 Jul 25 (Fri) 19:00-22:00
5 30 Jul 25 (Wed) 19:00-22:00
6 1 Aug 25 (Fri) 19:00-22:00
7 6 Aug 25 (Wed) 19:00-22:00
8 8 Aug 25 (Fri) 19:00-22:00
9 13 Aug 25 (Wed) 19:00-22:00
10 15 Aug 25 (Fri) 19:00-22:00

Remarks: Tentative timetable is subject to change, and course commencement is subject to sufficient enrollment numbers 

Teacher Information

Mr Ivan Chan

Background

Out of over 16 years of working experience in capital market and investment banking, Mr. Chan, being a seasoned risk management practitioner, has held several departmental head positions in which he is responsible for overall risk appetite and framework along with oversight responsibility on the ASEAN regional subsidiaries conglomerate. In addition to his PhD candidacy in Business from Singapore, he has obtained a software engineering bachelor from CUHK and a Master of Finance in Risk Management and Financial Engineering from HKU. Moreover, as a passionate and highly committed risk professional, Mr. Chan also holds professional qualifications such as CFA and FRM, respectively.

Fee

Application Fee

HK$150 (Non-refundable)

Course Fee
  • Course Fee: $10,200 per programme (* course fees are subject to change without prior notice)

Entry Requirements

Applicants should hold an Advanced Diploma, a Higher Diploma or an Associate Degree awarded by a recognised institution where the language of teaching and assessment is English. Those with a business, accounting, finance, economics, mathematics, statistics, science, engineering, IT or computer science background would have an advantage. 

Applicants with other equivalent qualifications will be considered on individual merit.

 

**Please upload copy of HKID and proof of degree while applying online

Apply

Online Application Apply Now

Application Form Download Application Form

Enrolment Method
Payment Method
1. Cash, EPS, WeChat Pay Or Alipay

Course fees can be paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay or Alipay at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.

2. Cheque Or Bank draft

Course fees can also be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to “HKU SPACE”. Please specify the programme title(s) for application and applicant’s name. You may either:

  • bring the completed form(s), together with the appropriate course or application fees in the form of a cheque, and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres;
  • or mail the above documents to any of the HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres, specifying “Course Application” on the envelope. HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of personal information and payment sent by mail.
3. VISA/Mastercard

Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or Mastercard, including the “HKU SPACE Mastercard”, at any HKU SPACE enrolment centres. Holders of the HKU SPACE Mastercard can enjoy a 10-month interest-free instalment period for courses with a tuition fee worth a minimum of HK$2,000; however, the course applicant must also be the cardholder himself/herself. For enquiries, please contact our staff at any enrolment centres.

4. Online Payment

Online application / enrolment is offered for most open admission courses (enrolled on first come, first served basis) and selected award-bearing programmes. Application fees and course fees of these programmes/courses can be settled by using "PPS by Internet" (not available via mobile phones), VISA or Mastercard. In addition to the aforesaid online payment channels, new and continuing students of award-bearing programmes with available online service, they may also pay their course fees by Online WeChat Pay, Online Alipay or Faster Payment System (FPS). Please refer to Enrolment Methods - Online Enrolment  for details.

Notes

  • If the programme/course is starting within five working days, application by post is not recommended to avoid any delays. Applicants are advised to enrol in person at HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres and avoid making cheque payment under this circumstance.

  • Fees paid are not refundable except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment), subject to the School’s discretion. In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, fees paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay, Alipay, cheque, FPS or PPS by Internet will be reimbursed by a cheque, and fees paid by credit card will be reimbursed to the credit card account used for payment. 

  • In addition to the published fees, there may be additional costs associated with individual programmes. Please refer to the relevant course brochures or direct any enquiries to the relevant programme team for details.
  • Fees and places on courses cannot be transferrable from one applicant to another. Once accepted onto a course, the student may not change to another course without approval from HKU SPACE. A processing fee of HK$120 will be levied on each approved transfer.
  • HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of payment, receipt, or personal information sent by mail.
  • For payment certification, please submit a completed form, a sufficiently stamped and self-addressed envelope, and a crossed cheque for HK$30 per copy made payable to “HKU SPACE” to any of our enrolment centres.
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