ULMS Electronic Module Catalogue
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Institutional Investors and Alternative Investments
Code ACFI333
Coordinator Dr C Wese Simen
Finance and Accounting
C.Wese-Simen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2025-26 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 24

 6

         30
Timetable (if known) 120 mins X 1 totaling 24
  		60 mins X 1 totaling 6
  		         
Private Study 120
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Assessment 2: Written Unseen Examination Assessment Type: Exam, Managed by SAS Duration: 2 hours Weighting: 70 % Reassessment Opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard UoL Penalty Ap  2    70       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Assessment 1: Group Coursework Assessment Type: Coursework Size: 3,000 words Weighting: 30 % Reassessment Opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard UoL Penalty Applies Anonymous Ass  0    30       

Aims

This module aims to equip students with a good knowledge of the delegated portfolio management industry as well as alternative investments. Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to compare and contrast different players in the delegated portfolio management industry. They will understand the fee structure and business model of the major players. Furthermore, the students will expand their knowledge of asset classes by developing their understanding of real assets and identifying the differences with respect to more traditional assets. The students should be able to critically evaluate the role of these institutions and assets in an investor’s overall portfolio. They should also be able to critically evaluate the impact of environmental, social, and governance considerations on delegated portfolio managers and alternative assets.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will be able to discuss the importance of the delegated portfolio management

(LO2) Students will be able to compare and contrast different types of institutional investors

(LO3) Students will be able to explain the differences between alternative investments and more traditional assets

(LO4) Students will be able to apply their knowledge to evaluate the impact of current market and societal developments

(S1) Commercial Awareness

(S2) Communication

(S3) Digital Fluency

(S4) Problem Solving

(S5) Teamworking

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method - Lectures
Description: Lecture (12 Lectures of 2 hours each)
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 24 hours
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Students will attend the weekly 2 hours lecture during which the key concepts will be introduced.

Teaching Method – Seminar (6 seminars of 1 hour each)
Description: Face to face sessions
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 6 hours
Attendance Recorded: Yes
The seminar will take place over 6 weeks. During these sessions, students will be presented with a range of exercises and case studies.

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 120 hours
Description: These independent learning hours are aimed at supporting the directed student learning. The module leader will provide guidance in the form of suggested readings, topics, or self-assessment quizzes to complete with the expectation that students are well prepared to contribute to the tutorial activities and to understand the content of lectures.

Journal articles and financial press articles will be used to enrich the learning. The teaching will also be supported by individual online activities. These include self-assessment quizzes that enable students to evaluate their own learning and receive formative feedback instantaneously. Furthermore, discussion boards will be used to foster the exchange of ideas, thus deepening the knowledge of students and improving their communication skills. These activities will be moderated by the module instructor. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.

Skills/Other Attributes Mapping

Skills / attributes: Commercial Awareness
How this is developed: In lectures and seminars by relating the lecture and seminar contents to the business-world.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group coursework and Exam

Skills / attributes: Communication
How this is developed: By contributing to in-class discussions (lectures and seminars), and by preparing the project report.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group coursework and Exam

Skills / attributes: Digital Fluency
How this is developed: By using digital tools and specialist software to engage with the course material, to collaborate and communicate with others.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group coursework and Exam

Skills / attributes: Problem-solving
How this is developed: During the seminars by solving the exercises and by working on the coursework.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group coursework and Exam

Skills / attributes: Teamworking
How this is developed: In seminars, the students will work in teams to complete the assigned tasks. They will also work together to complete the group project. In doing so, they will understand the importance of teamwork, manage the interaction and relationships with other group members, gain experience in negotiation, persuasion, influencing and m anaging conflict.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group coursework

Syllabus
 

• Mutual funds
• Asset Managers
• Hedge funds
• Private Equity and Venture Capital
• Commodities
• Real Assets
• The Impact of ESG on Delegated Portfolio Managers and Alternative Investments

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.