The Financial Times’ Global Masters in Finance 2011 has ranked the ICMA Centre in the top 25 in the world.
The Centre and its flagship MSc International Securities, Investment and Banking programme sits amongst the top finance schools and programmes in the world alongside the likes of Oxford, Saïd and HEC Paris.

The ranking evaluates alumni career progress and satisfaction with the programme, school diversity and international experience at the school.

The mentioned Masters programme prepares students for careers in the financial markets. Graduates go on to join investment banks in trading, sales, research or specialist areas such as complex derivative products while others join brokers and commodity traders.

In addition, many graduates follow other career paths including consultancy, accountancy, operations, IT and higher education and doctoral research.

The MSc International Securities, Investment and Banking programme was the Centre’s first Masters programme launched in 1994. The Centre, which has recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, now offers ten Masters in Finance programmes, an undergraduate programme as well as a range of executive educations courses.

The ICMA Centre is ranked 4^th in the UK for its placement success which reflects the work of its dedicated Career Development service. In addition, the Centre is ranked 16^th for value for money and for International Mobility citing that the Centre is one of best-valued and multicultural institutions in the world.

More promisingly, the Centrehas a high employment rate with 94% of graduates being employed within three months of leaving; this is encouraging news especially on the back of a recession.

The Financial Times has praised the ICMA Centre’s practical approach in the past, citing that studying at the ICMA Centre permits ?a spirited participation in the capital markets through a simulation programme that allows students to apply finance theory to specific real world issues.’

This close collaboration between industry and academia characterizes the foundation of the centre’s training courses – a first for Europe.’

More details of the rankings are available on the Financial Times website.

The University of Reading’s ICMA Centre has just celebrated 20 years of providing high-quality education for the financial markets.

To mark the occasion staff past and present, alumni, and current students attended a special drinks reception at the Centre last week. Guest enjoyed a trip down memory lane, seeing photographs from the last 20 years and a video produced in the 90s, and also competed in a trading competition.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcCgIlETJsI

Now part of Henley Business School, the ICMA Centre was established in 1991 with funding from the International Capital Market Association. The Centre has come a long way in twenty years with an impressive range of undergraduate and Masters Programmes, a PhD programme, research, consultancy and its own executive education programmes.

Professor Brian Scott-Quinn, Chairman and founder of the Centre opened the speeches reminiscing on the early years and thanking Martin Scheck, Chief Executive of ICMA for the organisation’s vision and continued support for the Centre.

Martin Scheck said: “The ICMA Centre is a driving force in the provision of high quality, relevant education and we value our relationship with the Centre very highly.  The development of a successful, internationally recognised, education programme requires a long term, multi year commitment and we are extremely fortunate to have such a partner in the ICMA Centre.”

Professor John Board, Director of the Centre and now Dean of Henley Business School, and Professor Tony Downes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor also spoke of the value placed on the relationship by the Centre and the University.

Professor Scott-Quinn said: “From small beginnings, large ventures grow… The Centre has gone from strength to strength with John Board taking over the Directorship from me in 2005 and driving forward not only the project for the extension to our building which was also financed by ICMA, but a large number of very successful educational and business development initiatives.

“We now have the benefit of being part of a larger and very successful business school – Henley Business School – which is proving to be a good and helpful parent organisation. It’s great seeing the Centre going from strength to strength with around 400 students, including our BSc programme. As important is the range of ICMA executive education programmes offered by the Centre. From the original two programmes when the Centre started out to the amazing number of 39.

“In addition, the ICMA Centre’s own executive education programmes have expanded dramatically with clients ranging from major investment banks through regulatory agencies to trade associations around the world.

Photo: Left – Professor Brian Scott-Quinn, ICMA Centre. Right – Martin Scheck, ICMA.

ICMA Centre’s students were in jubilant mood after their eagerly anticipated results were released.

Saurav Mukherjee, an MSc Capital Markets, Regulation and Compliance student, said his course was ‘an unforgettable challenge, which has changed my life’ and MSc Financial Risk Management student, Ganesan Chandrasekaran, described his course as ?my career’s best launch pad’.

A beaming Luis Fernando Garcia cited his course as an ?unforgettable year’s experience’, whilst Akisanya Abimbola said ?the ICMA Centre challenged me to go beyond my capacity, ultimately transforming me from good to extraordinary’.

Richard Stephens described his MSc International Securities, Investment and Banking experience as ?diverse, challenging and fulfilling’.

Students shared the news with family and friends, telling proud parents of their achievements, whilst others were embraced classmates relieved after all their hard work.

Students will now be looking to their next challenge be it further study or a job in the City, and enjoying some down-time before graduation and leaving Reading. The students have earned it.

Congratulations to all ICMA Centre students on their achievements.