Alternative Investments
Overview
The unit aims to provide students with advanced knowledge of the latest developments in the alternative investment industry. Students will learn about private equity, real estate and commodities as alternative investment asset classes. Students will learn how to apply advanced knowledge of alternative investment assets including, pension funds, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds to form investment strategies. Subsequently, students are introduced to ethical principles considering the clients best interests. Financial technologies required for investment in alternative products are introduced and students will learn about investment performance analysis and decision-making paradigms.
Requisites
50 credit points
01-June-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Critically analyse the different types of alternative investment products, including venture capital and commodities
- Formulate valuation strategies and discuss their applications for private equity and venture capital investments
- Develop advanced understanding of investment strategies in real estate and hedge funds
- Critically analyse complex investment situations that may lead to an ethical dilemma and recommend suitable solutions
- Utilise financial technology to form an optimal portfolio of alternative investment products that satisfies the investor's risk-return objectives
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class |
2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Lecture (asynchronous) |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Assignment 1 | Individual | 20 - 30% | 1,2,4 |
| Assignment 2 | Individual | 20 - 30% | 1,3,4,5 |
Content
- Asset Allocation and Institutional Investors
- Private Equity
- Real Assets
- Hedge Funds and Managed Futures and their strategies
- Commodities and managed funds
- Venture capital
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.